gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing an interest in a game.SOLUTION: There is provided displacement means displaceable to a first position in which game balls can enter second ball entry means and a second position in which game balls cannot easily enter the second ball entry means. The displacement means is displaced from the second position to the first position on the basis of satisfaction of a first condition in a specific game state occurring on the basis that a result of determination by determination means is a specific determination result, and the displacement means is displaced from the first position to the second position on the basis of satisfaction of a second condition in a situation in which the displacement means is positioned in the first position by first displacement control. When game balls enter first ball entry means, a predetermined game value is granted to a player. A first mode based on execution of determination, a second mode based on occurrence of a specific game state, and a third mode based on predetermined entry of game balls into the second ball entry means can at least occur. Accordingly, an interest in a game can be enhanced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Pachinko machines and other gaming machines have A system has been proposed in which a winning game is executed based on the ball entering a specific entrance or a specific area. . [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-010741 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the gaming machines described above, there is a demand for further improvements in the entertainment value of the game.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the enjoyment of the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine of the present invention has a launching means capable of launching gaming balls, a first ball entry means provided at a position where gaming balls that have passed through a predetermined area reachable by the launching means with a predetermined launch strength can enter the gaming machine, and a displacement means that can be displaced between a first state in which a first flow path is formed and a second state in which the first flow path is not formed, and the first ball entry means is configured to select a predetermined area among the gaming balls that have reached the first flow path. Department of passing The gaming machine is provided at a position where a gaming ball that has reached the first flow path enters the predetermined Department of passinga distribution means provided at a position where a gaming ball that has not passed through the predetermined area can reach, and capable of distributing the gaming ball to a second flow path different from the first flow path or a third flow path different from both the first flow path and the second flow path; a second ball entry means different from the first ball entry means, into which a gaming ball that has passed through the second flow path can enter; and a third ball entry means different from the first ball entry means and the second ball entry means, into which a gaming ball that has passed through the third flow path can enter; the distribution means is configured to be able to change from the second state to the first state when a predetermined execution condition is established; and the game state has at least a first game state and a second game state in which a gaming ball that has passed through the predetermined area can more easily reach the first flow path than in the first game state; and in the second game state, a value related to at least a predetermined element is updated to a specific value. In the case The first game state can be entered when a predetermined end condition that can be satisfied is satisfied, and when a game ball enters the first ball entry means or the second ball entry means, a bonus of the same value or a different value corresponding to the ball entry means can be awarded, and when a game ball enters the third ball entry means, the bonus is not awarded, and the value related to the predetermined element can be updated in response to the game ball entering one of the first ball entry means and the second ball entry means, and when a game ball enters the other ball entry means, the value related to the predetermined element can be updated in response to the game ball entering the other ball entry means. The system is configured so that the value of the predetermined element is not updated when a gaming ball enters a stage, and is configured so that the period from when a gaming ball reaches the first flow path to when it enters the second ball entry means is likely to be longer than the period from when a gaming ball reaches the first flow path to when it enters the first ball entry means. The system has a specific flow path through which gaming balls launched by the launching means at a specific launch intensity that is weaker than the predetermined launch intensity can flow, and is configured so that gaming balls that have flowed down the specific flow path cannot enter at least the second ball entry means. The gaming machine is configured such that, at least in a predetermined situation in which the displacement means is in the second state, a gaming ball flowing down toward the predetermined portion can abut against an abutment portion located at a predetermined position, and the abutment prevents the gaming ball from entering the first ball entry means, and when the displacement means is displaced from the second state to the first state, the position of the abutment portion is displaced along with the displacement, and the gaming ball flowing down toward the predetermined portion can enter the first ball entry means without abutting against the abutment portion. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, there is provided a launching means capable of launching gaming balls, a first ball entry means provided at a position where gaming balls that have passed through a predetermined area reachable by the launching means can enter the gaming machine, and a displacement means that can be displaced between a first state in which a first flow path is formed and a second state in which the first flow path is not formed, and the first ball entry means is configured to transfer a predetermined amount of gaming balls that have reached the first flow path into the first ball entry means. Department of passing The gaming machine is provided at a position where a gaming ball that has reached the first flow path enters the predetermined Department of passing a distribution means provided at a position where a gaming ball that has not passed through the predetermined area can reach, and capable of distributing the gaming ball to a second flow path different from the first flow path or a third flow path different from both the first flow path and the second flow path; a second ball entry means different from the first ball entry means, into which a gaming ball that has passed through the second flow path can enter; and a third ball entry means different from the first ball entry means and the second ball entry means, into which a gaming ball that has passed through the third flow path can enter; the distribution means is configured to be able to change from the second state to the first state when a predetermined execution condition is established; and the game state has at least a first game state and a second game state in which a gaming ball that has passed through the predetermined area can more easily reach the first flow path than in the first game state; and in the second game state, a value related to at least a predetermined element is updated to a specific value. In the caseThe first game state can be entered when a predetermined end condition that can be satisfied is satisfied, and when a game ball enters the first ball entry means or the second ball entry means, a bonus of the same value or a different value corresponding to the ball entry means can be awarded, and when a game ball enters the third ball entry means, the bonus is not awarded, and the value related to the predetermined element can be updated in response to the game ball entering one of the first ball entry means and the second ball entry means, and when a game ball enters the other ball entry means, the value related to the predetermined element can be updated in response to the game ball entering the other ball entry means. The system is configured so that the value of the predetermined element is not updated when a gaming ball enters a stage, and is configured so that the period from when a gaming ball reaches the first flow path to when it enters the second ball entry means is likely to be longer than the period from when a gaming ball reaches the first flow path to when it enters the first ball entry means. The system has a specific flow path through which gaming balls launched by the launching means at a specific launch intensity that is weaker than the predetermined launch intensity can flow, and is configured so that gaming balls that have flowed down the specific flow path cannot enter at least the second ball entry means. The gaming machine is configured such that, at least in a predetermined situation in which the displacement means is in the second state, a gaming ball flowing down toward the predetermined portion can abut against an abutment portion located at a predetermined position, and the abutment prevents the gaming ball from entering the first ball entry means, and when the displacement means is displaced from the second state to the first state, the position of the abutment portion is displaced along with the displacement, and the gaming ball flowing down toward the predetermined portion can enter the first ball entry means without abutting against the abutment portion. .

[0012] This has the effect of increasing the enjoyment of the game. . [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a partially enlarged view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the regular electric winning device. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the flow of balls that have won in the regular electric winning device into the outlet. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the flow of a ball that has won in the regular electric winning device into the special electric operating port. [Figure 6]This is a partially enlarged view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the V winning device. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the flow of balls within the V winning device when the storage valve is in the storage state during a game where a bonus item is hit. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the ball flow when the storage valve transitions from the storage state to the release state and the first movable valve is positioned in the guide position during a game where a special feature is hit. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the ball flow when the storage valve transitions from the storage state to the release state and the first movable valve is positioned in the passing position during a game where a special feature is hit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the area division setting and valid line setting of the display screen displayed on the third pattern display device 81, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode displayed on the third pattern display device 81. [Figure 12] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode at the end of a jackpot displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode at the start of a V rush displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 12(a) is displayed, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 12(b) is displayed. [Figure 13](a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a normal pattern is hit during a V rush, as displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment; (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a special feature is hit during a V rush, as displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment; (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 13(a) is displayed; and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 13(b) is displayed. [Figure 14] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a V win occurs on a winning combination during a V rush, as displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment; (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a V win occurs on a winning combination during a V rush, as displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment; (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 14(a) is displayed; and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 14(b) is displayed. [Figure 15] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode in the case of a jackpot ending during a V rush displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode in which a timer is added during a V rush displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 15(a) is displayed, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 15(b) is displayed. [Figure 16] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a V rush ends as displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a V rush is extended as displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 16(a) is displayed, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 16(b) is displayed. [Figure 17](a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a special screen at the time of a jackpot ending displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode during heaven mode displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 17(a) is displayed, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 17(b) is displayed. [Figure 18] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the chance effect during a winning combination displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a normal pattern stops during a V rush displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the first embodiment, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 18(a) is displayed, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 18(b) is displayed. [Figure 19] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode when a special symbol stops during a V rush, as displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the first embodiment; (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a lucky time effect during a V rush, as displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the first embodiment; (c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each symbol when the display screen shown in Figure 19(a) is displayed; and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each symbol when the display screen shown in Figure 19(b) is displayed. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the game flow of the pachinko machine in the first embodiment. [Figure 21] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine in a first embodiment. [Figure 22] 1 is a schematic diagram showing counters and the like provided in RAM 203 of main control device 110. FIG. [Figure 23](a) is a schematic diagram showing the ROM configuration of the main control device in the first embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first winning random number table in the first embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the second winning random number table in the first embodiment. [Figure 24] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first jackpot type selection table in the first embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the special jackpot type selection table in the first embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the V jackpot type selection table in the first embodiment. [Figure 25] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the variation pattern selection table in the first embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the normal table in the first embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the time-saving table in the first embodiment. [Figure 26] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of various operation scenario tables in the first embodiment, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the reel-hit operation scenario table in the first embodiment. [Figure 27] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the first movable valve operation scenario table in the first embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the normal map hit operation scenario table in the first embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the normal map hit scenario in the first embodiment. [Figure 28] This is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the time-saving normal winning scenario in the first embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of a main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 30] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the ROM configuration of the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the RAM configuration of the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 31] 10A to 10I are timing charts showing the flow of a game when a normal winning game is executed in a normal state in the first embodiment. [Figure 32] 10A to 10I are timing charts showing the flow of a game when a normal winning game is executed in the time-saving state in the first embodiment. [Figure 33] 1 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration of a display control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 34] 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams illustrating images displayed when the power is turned on. [Figure 35] 10(a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the rear surface A, and FIG. 10(b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the rear surfaces B to D. FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display data table. [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transfer data table. [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a drawing list. [Figure 39] 5 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 40] 10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 41] 10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation start process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart showing the special symbol big win determination process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation pattern selection process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 44] 10 is a flowchart showing a process during special symbol variation executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 45]10 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation stop process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 46] A flowchart showing the start-up winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 47] 5 is a flowchart showing a read-ahead process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 48] 10 is a flowchart showing the normal pattern change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 49] 10 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 50] This is a flowchart showing the special line start port winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 51] 10 is a flowchart showing a V inlet passing process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 52] 5 is a flowchart showing a V-passing process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 53] 5 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 54] 5 is a flowchart showing a start-up process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 55] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in a main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 56] 10 is a flowchart showing the big win control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 57] 10 is a flowchart showing the winning process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 58]10 is a flowchart showing the bonus item hit control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 59] 10 is a flowchart showing the startup process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 60] 4 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 61] 10 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 62] A flowchart showing the special chart change start processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 63] A flowchart showing the winning command processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 64] 10 is a flowchart showing a state command receiving process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 65] 10 is a flowchart showing stop-related processing executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 66] 10 is a flowchart showing the map-related processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 67] 10 is a flowchart showing a winning-related process executed by an MPU in the voice and lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 68] 10 is a flowchart showing a big win-related process executed by an MPU in the voice and lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 69] 10 is a flowchart showing a jackpot end process executed by an MPU in the voice and lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 70]10 is a flowchart showing the reel hit related processing executed by the MPU in the audio lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 71] 10 is a flowchart showing the variable display setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 72] 10 is a flowchart showing the performance update processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 73] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 74] 5 is a flowchart showing boot processing executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 75] (a) is a flowchart showing command interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing V interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 76] 5 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 77] (a) is a flowchart showing the variation pattern command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the stop type command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 78] (a) is a flowchart showing the opening command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the number of rounds command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 79] 5 is a flowchart showing an ending command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 80](a) is a flowchart showing the fluctuation stop command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the notification command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 81] (a) is a flowchart showing the background image change command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the error command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 82] 4 is a flowchart showing a display setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 83] 5 is a flowchart showing a warning image setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 84] 5 is a flowchart showing a pointer update process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 85] (a) is a flowchart showing the transfer setting process executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the resident image transfer setting process executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 86] 10 is a flowchart showing a normal image transfer setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 87] 4 is a flowchart showing a drawing process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first embodiment. [Figure 88] This is a partially enlarged view of the game board in the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the regular electricity winning device. [Figure 89] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing the state in which a ball that has won in the regular electric winning device can flow down to the second special electric operating port. [Figure 90](a) is a diagram showing an example of a display mode in which a normal long winning game and a special feature winning game are executed simultaneously during the time-saving state (V rush) displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the second embodiment; (b) is a diagram showing an example of a display mode in which a normal long variation game and a special feature winning game are executed simultaneously during the time-saving state (V rush) displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the second embodiment; (c) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 90(a) is displayed; and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 90(b) is displayed. [Figure 91] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when the remaining period of a suspended special pattern variation displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the second embodiment is shorter than a predetermined period, (b) is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when the remaining period of a suspended special pattern variation displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the second embodiment is longer than a predetermined period, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 91(a) is displayed, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 91(b) is displayed. [Figure 92] 10A and 10B are timing charts showing the flow of the game when the end conditions of the special feature game executed during the normal long win in the second embodiment are changed. [Figure 93] 10A and 10B are timing charts showing the flow of the game when the end conditions of the per-game game executed during the normal long fluctuation in the second embodiment are changed. [Figure 94] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine in a second embodiment. [Figure 95] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the ROM configuration of the main control device in the second embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the regular map hit type selection table in the second embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the regular map variation pattern selection table in the second embodiment. [Figure 96] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of various operation scenario tables in the second embodiment, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the second role-performing operation scenario table in the second embodiment. [Figure 97] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the operation scenario table for normal maps in the second embodiment, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of two scenarios for normal maps for time saving in the second embodiment. [Figure 98] This is a schematic diagram showing the contents of three scenarios per time-saving general map in the second embodiment. [Figure 99] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of a voice and lamp control device in a second embodiment. [Figure 100] This is a flowchart showing the special line start port winning process 2 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 101] 10 is a flowchart showing the general map related processing 2 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 102] 10 is a flowchart showing the normal change start processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 103] 10 is a flowchart showing the reel-related processing 2 executed by the MPU in the audio lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 104] 10 is a flowchart showing the bonus feature start processing executed by the MPU in the audio lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 105] 10 is a flowchart showing a performance update process 2 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 106] A flowchart showing the special chart remaining change suggestion processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 107]10 is a flowchart showing the map-related time update process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second embodiment. [Figure 108] (a) and (c) are figures showing an example of the display mode when entering danger time during V rush, which is displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the third embodiment, and (b) and (d) are figures showing an example of the display mode when a jackpot is discarded during danger time during V rush, which is displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the third embodiment. [Figure 109] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode when a jackpot is interrupted by a danger time during a V-rush displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the third embodiment. [Figure 110] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the V jackpot type selection 3 table in the third embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the ROM configuration of the voice lamp control device in the third embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the danger time selection table in the third embodiment. [Figure 111] A flowchart showing the special line start port winning process 3 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the third embodiment. [Figure 112] 10 is a flowchart showing a performance update process 3 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the third embodiment. [Figure 113] 11 is a flowchart showing a danger time setting process executed by an MPU in a main control device in a third embodiment. [Figure 114] FIG. 10 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 115] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing counters and the like provided in the RAM of the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 116] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a ROM of a main control device in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 117] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a small win random number table in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 118] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of a main control device in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 119] 13 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation process 4 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 120] 10 is a flowchart showing the first special symbol variation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 121] 10 is a flowchart showing the first special symbol big win determination process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 122] 10 is a flowchart showing the first special symbol variation pattern selection process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 123] 10 is a flowchart showing the first special pattern variation processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 124] 10 is a flowchart showing the first special symbol variation stop processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 125] 13 is a flowchart showing a time-saving update process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 126] 10 is a flowchart showing the second special symbol variation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 127] 10 is a flowchart showing the second special symbol big win determination process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 128] A flowchart showing the special chart 2 deviation variation processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 129] 10 is a flowchart showing the second special symbol variation pattern selection process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 130]A flowchart showing the special chart 2 deviation variation pattern selection process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 131] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing during execution of the second special pattern variation executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 132] 10 is a flowchart showing the second special symbol variation stop processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 133] A flowchart showing the special diagram 2 deviation stop processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 134] A flowchart showing the start-up winning process 4 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 135] 13 is a flowchart showing a first read-ahead process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 136] 13 is a flowchart showing a second read-ahead process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 137] 10 is a flowchart showing V passing processing 4 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 138] This is an enlarged partial view of the game board in a modified example, and is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the regular electric winning device. [Figure 139] 13 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation start process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 140] 13 is a flowchart showing a special symbol variation stop process 5 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 141] 10 is a flowchart showing normal pattern variation processing 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 142] A flowchart showing the special chart change start processing 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 143] 10 is a flowchart showing stop-related processing 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 144] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 145] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode at the time of a jackpot ending displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the sixth embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the ending condition selection screen displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the sixth embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 145(a) is displayed. [Figure 146] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode after the end condition is selected and displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the sixth embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the V Rush start screen displayed on the third pattern display device 81 in the sixth embodiment, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the pending status of each pattern when the display screen shown in Figure 146(b) is displayed. [Figure 147] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of a main control device in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 148] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 149] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process 6 executed by an MPU in a main control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 150] This is a flowchart showing the special line start port winning process 6 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 151] 13 is a flowchart showing a switching process executed by an MPU in a main control device in a sixth embodiment. [Figure 152] 13 is a flowchart showing a big win control process 6 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 153]13 is a flowchart showing a termination condition setting process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the sixth embodiment. [Fig. 154] 13 is a flowchart showing a command determination process 6 executed by an MPU in a voice and lamp control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 155] 13 is a flowchart showing the termination condition related processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 156] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of a display mode during a V rush displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, with reference to Figs. 1 to 87, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of the game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, Figs. 3 to 5 are schematic diagrams showing the structure of a normal winning device 640 provided in the lower right area of ​​the game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10 as viewed from the front, Figs. 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams showing the structure of a special variable winning device 65 provided in the upper left area of ​​the game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10 as viewed from the front, and Fig. 10 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, pachinko machine 10 comprises outer frame 11, an outer shell formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and inner frame 12, which is formed to have substantially the same external shape as outer frame 11 and is supported so as to be able to open and close relative to outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support inner frame 12, and inner frame 12 is supported so as to be able to open and close towards the front, with the side where hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0024] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having ball entry ports 63, 64, 640, etc. through which numerous nails and balls can enter is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. Attached to the inner frame 12 are a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 21) that launches balls into the front area (play area) of the game board 13, and a launch rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13. The details of the numerous ball entry ports provided on the game board 13 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0025] On the front side of the inner frame 12, there is a front frame 14 that covers the upper front side, and a lower tray unit 15 that covers the lower side. To support the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and the front frame 14 and the lower tray unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front, with the side where the hinges 19 are installed serving as the opening and closing axis. The locks on the inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 can be unlocked by inserting a dedicated key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0026] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed as a roughly oval opening in the approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass plates is disposed on the back side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0027] In the front frame 14, an upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top and projecting toward the front, and prize balls, loan balls, etc. are discharged onto this upper tray 17. The bottom of the upper tray 17 is formed to slope downward to the right when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and this slope guides balls dropped into the upper tray 17 to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 21). In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the top surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the stage of the effect displayed on the third symbol display device 81 (see FIG. 2) or when changing the content of the super reach effect.

[0028] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting devices such as lamps around its periphery (e.g., corners). These light-emitting devices change their light-emitting modes by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or a predetermined reach is reached, thereby enhancing the presentation effects during play. The periphery of the window 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps, such as jackpot lamps. When a jackpot is hit or a reach presentation is being performed, the built-in LEDs cause each illumination unit 29-33 to light up or blink, thereby indicating that a jackpot is being achieved or that the player is in a reach phase just before a jackpot. Furthermore, the upper left corner of the front frame 14, as viewed from the front (see Figure 1), is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting devices such as LEDs, which can indicate when prize balls are being paid out and when an error has occurred.

[0029] Additionally, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the backside so that the backside of the front frame 14 can be seen, and certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see Figure 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Additionally, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29 to 33 to create a more dazzling appearance.

[0030] A ball dispensing operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 14c. The ball dispensing operation unit 40 is provided with a power display unit 41, a ball dispensing button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball dispensing unit) (not shown) located on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are dispensed in accordance with the operation. Specifically, the power display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and an internal LED lights up to display the remaining balance numerically as the remaining balance information. The ball dispensing button 42 is operated to obtain dispensed balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and dispensed balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated to request the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispensing device to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to standardize pachinko machines that use card units and cash machines.

[0031] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 in the center, which is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top, for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. On the right side of the lower tray 50, an operating handle 51 is provided which is operated by the player to hit the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0032] The operating handle 51 contains a touch sensor 51a for permitting the operation of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b that stops the launch of balls while the switch is pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51 by changes in electrical resistance. When the operating handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the amount of rotation, launching the ball with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, thereby hitting the ball toward the front of the game board 13 at a distance corresponding to the player's operation. When the operating handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are off.

[0033] A ball ejection lever 52 is provided on the lower front portion of the lower tray 50 to be operated when ejecting balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball ejection lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected. This ball ejection lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") placed below the lower tray 50 to receive the balls ejected from the lower tray 50. As mentioned above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray 53 is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a base plate 60 machined into a roughly square shape in front view, along with numerous ball guide nails (not shown) and windmills, as well as rails 61 and 62, a general ball entry port 63, special symbol ball entry ports 64 and 640, variable winning device 65, variable winning device 650, a normal symbol start port (through gate) 67, and a variable display unit 80. The peripheral portion of the base plate 60 is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 1). The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material and is formed so that the player can see various structures arranged on the rear side of the base plate 60 from the front side. The general ball entry port 63, special symbol ball entry port 64, general winning device 640, variable winning device 65, variable winning device 650, and variable display unit 80 are arranged in through-holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing and are fixed to the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like.

[0035] The central front portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0036] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a generally arcuate shape is set up on the front of the gaming board 13, and an inner rail 61, also formed from a strip-shaped metal plate like the outer rail 62, is set up inside the outer rail 62. The outer periphery of the front of the gaming board 13 is surrounded by the inner rail 61 and outer rail 62, and the front and back are surrounded by the gaming board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1), so that a gaming area where games are played based on the behavior of the ball is formed in front of the gaming board 13. The gaming area is an area (an area where winning slots and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) defined in front of the gaming board 13 by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin outer edge member 73 connecting the rails.

[0037] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see Figure 9) to the top of the game board 13. A ball return prevention member 68 is attached to the tip (upper left in Figure 2) of the inner rail 61, preventing a ball that has been guided to the top of the game board 13 from returning into the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip (upper right in Figure 2) of the outer rail 62 at a position corresponding to the maximum flight point of the ball, and a ball launched with more than a predetermined force hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back toward the center while its force is reduced.

[0038] The first symbol display device 37 is provided on the upper left side of the return rubber 69. This first symbol display device 37 is arranged so as to be covered by the back surface (the surface opposite to the surface forming the play area) of the game board 13 formed of transparent resin (for example, ABS), and is configured so that the launched ball does not collide with the first symbol display device 37.

[0039] This first pattern display device 37 is provided with a first pattern display device 37 having a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display device as light-emitting means. The first pattern display device 37 displays according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 21), and mainly displays the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first pattern display device 37 is configured to operate when a ball enters the special symbol ball entrance 64 (wins). In other words, the first pattern display device 37 is a display means for showing the result of a lottery (special symbol lottery) that is performed when a ball enters the special symbol ball entrance 64. In this embodiment, since a pachinko machine 10 having one type of special pattern is used, the results of one type of special pattern lottery are displayed on the first pattern display device 37, but for example, if the pachinko machine 10 has two types of special patterns (first special pattern, second special pattern), it is sufficient to provide a display area on the first pattern display device 37 corresponding to each type of special pattern.

[0040] The first symbol display device 37 also uses LEDs to indicate the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (e.g., normal mode, time-saving mode, etc.), whether the special symbol (first symbol) is changing (dynamic display for statically displaying a combination of symbols to indicate the lottery result), whether the stopped symbol corresponds to a favorable jackpot, a disadvantageous jackpot, or a loss symbol, and indicates the number of reserved balls. The seven-segment display also displays the number of rounds during a jackpot and any errors. The LEDs are also configured to indicate when the special symbol change is temporarily stopped (interrupted). The LEDs are each configured to emit a different color (e.g., red, green, or blue), and the various game states of the pachinko machine 10 can be indicated using a small number of LEDs by combining different colors. In this embodiment, various game states are indicated by a combination of light-emitting colors of the light-emitting means (7-segment display device), but any configuration is sufficient as long as it allows the player to distinguish various game states.For example, various game states may be indicated by varying the length of the period when the light-emitting means is lit and the period when it is off (flashing pattern).

[0041] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery (lottery for a special symbol) is held when a ball (win) enters the special symbol entrance 64. Then, in the lottery for the special symbol, a judgment is made as to whether or not the winning symbol is a jackpot (jackpot lottery). Here, based on the judgment that a jackpot has been won, a jackpot game is executed, which puts the player in a special game state advantageous to the player.

[0042] When a jackpot game is executed, the specific winning port 650a of the variable winning device 650 is put into an open state, allowing balls to easily enter the specific winning port 650a, and a game is executed in which many prize balls can be won in a short period of time by having balls enter the specific winning port 650a. This jackpot game is executed (if) after the lottery result of the special symbol is stopped (determined), and the jackpot game period is set to include an opening period of a predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) (a period in which the specific winning port 650a of the variable winning device 650 is set to a closed state making it difficult for balls to enter), a round game period in which the open state is set, an interval period in which the closed state is set for a predetermined period (e.g., 0.5 seconds) until the start of the next round game after one round game period has ended, and an ending period in which the closed state is set for a predetermined period (e.g., 2 seconds) after the end of the last round game period.

[0043] In this way, by setting the opening period after the lottery result of the special symbol indicating a jackpot is displayed (determined display), preparations can be made to launch the ball in any direction in time with the timing when the specific winning port 650a opens during the jackpot game, allowing the jackpot game to be played smoothly. In addition, this opening period can be used as a period to notify the player of the game content of the current jackpot game, providing an easy-to-understand game.

[0044] Furthermore, by setting an ending period as the final period of the jackpot game, it is possible to prevent a new lottery for a special symbol from being executed immediately after the last round of game has ended, and therefore it is possible to prepare for firing the ball in any direction for the game to be executed after the jackpot game has ended, thereby enabling smooth switching between games.

[0045] The length of each period of the jackpot game (opening period, round period, ending period) that is executed when a jackpot is won in a lottery for a special symbol may be set to different lengths depending on the game state at the time of the jackpot win and the type of jackpot won. For example, if a jackpot win is won in which the game content that is executed after the jackpot game ends is set to be different from the game content at the time of the jackpot win, the ending period of that jackpot game (e.g., 10 seconds) may be set to be longer than the ending periods of other jackpot games (e.g., 2 seconds), and a performance may be implemented that informs the player in advance of the game content that will be executed after the jackpot game ends during that ending period. This makes it possible to provide a game that is easy for players to understand.

[0046] On the other hand, if a jackpot is won in which the game content at the time of the jackpot win and the game content executed after the jackpot win are the same, it is advisable to configure the ending period of that jackpot (for example, 1 second) to be shorter than the ending periods of other jackpot games (for example, 2 seconds). This allows the player to play efficiently.

[0047] Furthermore, without using a configuration that actually distinguishes between the game content at the time of winning a jackpot and the game content executed after the jackpot game has ended, for example, the game state that is set after the jackpot game has ended can be specified in advance based on the type of jackpot that has been won and the game state at the time the jackpot is won, and the ending period of each jackpot game can be set in advance according to the specified content.

[0048] A specific explanation will be given later, but the pachinko machine 10 in this embodiment is configured so that the games that the player is allowed to play when the game state is normal (low probability state for special patterns, low probability state for normal patterns) are different from the games that the player is allowed to play when the game state is time-saving (low probability state for special patterns, high probability state for normal patterns), and is configured so that games that are allowed to play during the time-saving state are more advantageous to the player (making it easier to play jackpot games) than games that are allowed to play during the normal state.

[0049] In other words, the content (operation scenario) of a jackpot game can be specified so that the ending period of a jackpot game in which a time-shortened state is set after a jackpot game that is executed based on the jackpot win and a jackpot win in which a time-shortened state is set after the jackpot game that is executed based on the jackpot win is longer than the ending period of a jackpot game in which a time-shortened state is already set and a time-shortened state is set again after the jackpot game that is executed based on the jackpot win. In this way, an ending period that is suitable for the player can be set simply by playing the jackpot game according to the predefined content.

[0050] It is also possible to predefine periods other than the ending period to vary depending on the type of jackpot won or the game state at the time of the jackpot win, and it is also possible to vary the opening period and interval period. Also, even if the type of jackpot won is the same, it is also possible to configure the length of each period during the jackpot game to vary depending on the game state at the time of the jackpot win. This makes it possible to make the player interested not only in which type of jackpot won the jackpot (the result of the special symbol lottery) but also in the game state at the time of the jackpot win, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0051] Furthermore, if a jackpot is won in the jackpot lottery, the type of jackpot is also determined. Although a detailed explanation will be given later, the types of jackpots that are determined include a 4R time-saving jackpot, in which the number of rounds of jackpot play is four and a time-saving state (a low probability state for special symbols and a high probability state for normal symbols) is granted after the jackpot play ends, and jackpot types with different durations of the time-saving state (a time-saving jackpot (time-saving number of times: 4) in which the time-saving state continues until four special symbol lotteries are executed without a jackpot win after the time-saving state is set, and a time-saving jackpot (time-saving number of times: 15) in which the time-saving state continues until 15 special symbol lotteries are executed without a jackpot win).

[0052] In this embodiment, if the jackpot is not won in the special pattern lottery, it is determined to be a miss and no special prize is awarded to the player, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in some cases where the result of the jackpot lottery is determined to be a miss and not a jackpot as described above, a small prize game may be executed in which the player is awarded fewer special prizes than the jackpot as described above (for example, a special prize to open the V winning device 65 for only one round). The first pattern display device 37 not only displays whether the result of the lottery is a jackpot or not (whether it is a small prize or not) as the stopped pattern after the change has ended, but also displays a pattern according to the type of jackpot if it is a jackpot.

[0053] In this embodiment, the game state is configured to be set to either a "normal state" or a "time-saving state." The normal state is a game state in which the jackpot probability for special symbols is set to a low probability (1 / 100) and the hit probability for normal symbols is set to a low probability (1 / 1000) (hereinafter referred to as the special symbol low probability state and the normal symbol low probability state), and the time-saving state is a game state in which the jackpot probability for special symbols is set to a low probability (1 / 100) and the hit probability for normal symbols is set to a high probability (300 / 1000) (hereinafter referred to as the special symbol low probability state and the normal symbol high probability state).

[0054] Here, a "4R jackpot (4 times time reduction)" refers to a jackpot that can transition to a time-reduction state (a low probability state for special symbols, a high probability state for normal symbols) after a jackpot game with a maximum of 4 rounds (a jackpot game that opens the variable winning device 650 for 4 rounds), and after the jackpot game ends, a time-reduction state with 4 times the time reduction is set.

[0055] A "4R jackpot (15 times time reduction)" is a jackpot that can transition to a time reduction state (a low probability state for special symbols, a high probability state for normal symbols) after a jackpot game with a maximum of 4 rounds (a jackpot game that opens the variable winning device 650 for 4 rounds), and after the jackpot game ends, the time reduction state is set to 15 times.

[0056] In this embodiment, after the time-saving state is set, if a predetermined termination condition (time-saving termination condition) is met, the game state transitions from the time-saving state to the normal state, and the above-mentioned number of time-saving times indicates the time-saving termination condition. In other words, the time-saving termination condition is set to four times when the lottery for the special symbol is executed four times (the fourth special symbol variation is stopped and displayed) without winning a jackpot after the time-saving state is set, and the time-saving termination condition is set to 15 times when the lottery for the special symbol is executed 15 times (the 15th special symbol variation is stopped and displayed) without winning a jackpot after the time-saving state is set.

[0057] In other words, a "4R jackpot (4 times time reduction)" is a jackpot type that has a time reduction end condition that is easier to achieve than a "4R jackpot (15 times time reduction)," so the "4R jackpot (15 times time reduction)" is a jackpot type that makes it easier for the time reduction state to continue than a "4R jackpot (4 times time reduction)," making it a jackpot type that is advantageous to the player.

[0058] In this embodiment, the time-saving termination condition for ending the time-saving state is specified as a condition regarding the number of times a special pattern is drawn during the time-saving state (number of times the time-saving state is drawn), but other configurations may also be used as the time-saving termination condition.For example, a time-saving termination condition may be set that is met when the result of the special pattern lottery is other than a jackpot and the number of times a specific lottery result (specific miss) has occurred reaches a predetermined number (e.g., 3 times), or a time-saving termination condition may be set that is met when a predetermined time (e.g., 100 seconds) has elapsed since the time-saving state was set, or an termination condition may be set that is met when the number of balls that enter a specific ball entry port (e.g., general ball entry port 63a) during the time-saving state reaches a predetermined number (e.g., 5 balls).

[0059] Returning to FIG. 2, the explanation continues. A plurality of left general ball entry ports 63a are arranged on the lower left side of the play area formed on the surface of the game board 13. When a ball enters the left general ball entry port 63a, ten balls are paid out as prize balls. A variable display device unit 80 is also arranged in the center of the play area. The variable display device unit 80 is provided with a third symbol display device 81, which is composed of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as "display device") that displays a variable third symbol in synchronization with the variable display in the first symbol display device 37, triggered by a ball entering the special symbol entry port 64 (starting winning), and a second symbol display device (not shown) that is composed of an LED that displays a variable normal symbol (second symbol) in response to a ball passing through the normal symbol start port (through gate) 67. A center frame 86 is also arranged on the variable display device unit 80, surrounding the outer periphery of the third symbol display device 81.

[0060] The third symbol display device 81 is configured with a large 15-inch liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 21), thereby displaying, for example, three symbol rows: left, center, and right. Each symbol row is composed of multiple symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols are vertically scrolled for each symbol row, so that the third symbols are variably displayed (dynamically displayed) on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. While the first symbol display device 37 displays the game status in accordance with the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 21), the third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment displays decorative information in accordance with the display of the first symbol display device 37. Note that the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, reels instead of a display device.

[0061] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol are alternately lit for a predetermined time as a display symbol (second symbol (not shown)) each time the ball passes through the normal symbol start gate (through gate) 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the normal symbol start gate (through gate) 67, a winning lottery is held. If the result of the winning lottery is a winning lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed variably. If the result of the winning lottery is a losing lottery, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the third symbol is displayed variably.

[0062] The pachinko machine 10 is configured so that when the variable display on the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "circle" pattern), a winning game (normal winning game) is executed in which the electric device 640a attached to the normal electric winning device 640 is in an operating state (open state) for a predetermined period of time.

[0063] The time required for the variable display of the second symbol is configured to be constant (3 seconds) regardless of the result of the normal symbol lottery and the probability state of the normal symbol (low probability state, high probability state). By configuring in this way, for example, in a pachinko machine 10 configured so that the time required for the variable display of the normal symbol (normal symbol variation time) is longer during the normal state than during the time-saving state in order to make it difficult to execute a normal symbol winning game during the low probability state of the normal symbol (normal state), when the game state transitions from the normal state (low probability state of the normal symbol) in which a winning game of the normal symbol (a winning game of the normal symbol) is difficult to execute to the time-saving state (high probability state of the normal symbol) in which a winning game of the normal symbol is easy to execute, it is possible to prevent the transition to the time-saving state during the execution of a long normal symbol variation (a normal symbol winning game that is more disadvantageous to the player than during the time-saving state) executed during the normal state, and the period during which the normal symbol lottery is not executed during the time-saving state from being set for a long time, even though the time-saving state is set.

[0064] In this embodiment, the game content of the normal symbol winning game (the opening pattern of the electric device 640a) is configured to be different between the normal state and the time-saving state without changing the normal symbol variation time. Specifically, the normal symbol winning game executed during the time-saving state is configured to be more advantageous to the player than the normal symbol winning game executed during the normal state, i.e., to make it easier for the ball to enter the special electric operation port 643. Specifically, when the normal state is set, a normal symbol winning game (normal normal symbol winning game) is executed with a 4.1-second opening period (the closing period of the electric device 640a) followed by a 0.1-second opening period. When the time-saving state is set, a normal symbol winning game (time-saving normal symbol winning game) is executed with a 0.1-second opening period (the closing period of the electric device 640a) followed by a 3-second opening period.

[0065] In this way, by executing a normal symbol winning game in which the period during which the electric device 640a is in an open state is varied depending on the probability state of the normal symbol, it is possible to make it easier to get the ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640 during a normal symbol winning game in the time-saving state (high probability state of the normal symbol) than in the normal state (low probability state of the normal symbol).

[0066] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the rate at which balls that enter the normal electric winning device 640 during a normal winning game enter the special electric operation port 643 is configured to differ between the normal state and the time-saving state. Specifically, it is configured so that balls that enter the normal electric winning device 640 during a time-saving normal winning game are more likely to enter the special electric operation port 643 than balls that enter the normal electric winning device 640 during a normal winning game executed in the normal state. By configuring in this way, when the normal state is set, it is difficult for a ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640, and even if a ball enters the normal electric winning device 640, it is difficult for the ball to enter the special electric operation port 643. When the time-saving state is set, it is easy for a ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640, and it is easy for a ball to enter the special electric operation port 643 when it enters the normal electric winning device 640.

[0067] In other words, in this embodiment, during the multiple stages until the launched ball enters the special electric operating port 643, the state that allows the ball to enter the special electric operating port 643 and the state that restricts it are variable depending on the set game state, so that the ease with which the ball enters the special electric operating port 643 can be reliably varied depending on the set game state.

[0068] As described above with reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the game method advantageous to the player is the same (left-hand play) both during a game state in which the normal state is set and during a game state in which the time-saving state is set. In the pachinko machine 10 configured in this way, a lottery trigger for a normal symbol is established even during the normal state (a ball passes through the through gate 67), and a lottery for a normal symbol is executed. Then, if a winning symbol is selected as a result of the normal symbol lottery, the electric device 640a provided in the play area that the ball launched by the left-hand play can reach is opened. Therefore, during the execution of a normal normal symbol winning game, which is more difficult to get a ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640 than a time-saving normal symbol winning game, there is a risk that the ball will enter the normal electric winning device 640.

[0069] In contrast, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment is configured so that even if a ball enters the normal electric winning device 640 during a normal winning game executed in the normal state, the winning ball is less likely to enter the special electric operation port 643. By configuring in this way, in the pachinko machine 10 having a configuration in which a game is executed in the same game method in the normal state (low probability state of normal pattern) and the time-saving state (high probability state of normal pattern), even if a ball enters the normal electric winning device 640 during the normal state, it is possible to suppress the ball from entering the special electric operation port 643.

[0070] In this embodiment, the same variation time (3 seconds) is set as the normal symbol variation pattern in the normal state (low probability state of normal symbols) and the time-saving state (high probability state of normal symbols). However, this is not limited to this. For example, when the game state is a low probability state of normal symbols (normal state) and a high probability state of normal symbols (time-saving state), the variation time of the normal symbol may be shorter in the high probability state of normal symbols (time-saving state). Also, during the high probability state of normal symbols (normal symbol high probability), if the high probability state of normal symbols is made easier for the ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640 by using other methods such as increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol or increasing the opening time or number of openings of the electric device 640a per hit, the time required for the variable display of the second symbol may be constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the second symbol to change and be displayed is set to be shorter than in the normal state during a normal symbol high probability state, the probability of winning may be kept constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time and number of times the electric device 640a is opened for one win may be kept constant regardless of the game state.

[0071] The normal symbol start port (through gate) 67 is attached to the game board 13 in the area (left area) on the left side of the variable display unit 80, and is configured to allow most (approximately 100%) of the balls that are shot onto the game board and flow down the left area of ​​the game board 13 to pass through. When a ball passes through the normal symbol start port (through gate) 67, a lottery is held to determine whether the second symbol will win. After this lottery to determine whether the second symbol will win, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the result of the lottery is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display, and if the result of the lottery is a loss, an "X" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol on the variable display.

[0072] The number of times that a ball passes through the normal symbol start port (through gate) 67 is reserved up to a maximum of one time in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the above-mentioned second symbol reservation lamp 84. The second symbol reservation lamp 84 is provided in a number equal to the maximum number of reserved balls, and is arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device 81.

[0073] In addition, the variable display of the second symbol may be performed by switching on and off multiple lamps in the second symbol display device as in this embodiment, or may be performed using a part of the first symbol display devices 37a, 37b and the third symbol display device 81. Similarly, the second symbol reserve lamp may be turned on by a part of the third symbol display device 81. In addition, the maximum number of reserved balls for a ball passing through the normal symbol start gate (through gate) 67 is not limited to one, but may be set to two or more times (e.g., eight times). In addition, the number of normal symbol start gates (through gates) 67 installed is not limited to one, but may be multiple (e.g., two). In addition, the installation position of the normal symbol start gate (through gate) 67 is not limited to the left of the variable display device unit 80, but may be, for example, the right of the variable display device unit 80. In addition, in this embodiment, most of the balls flowing down the left area of ​​the game board 13 when played from the left are configured to pass through the through gate 67, but this is not limited to this, and it may be configured so that only some of the balls pass through the through gate 67.

[0074] Next, we will explain the configuration of the normal electric winning device 640, which is in an open state when a normal symbol lottery is won. As shown in Figure 2, the normal electric winning device 640 is provided below the variable display unit 80, and an electric device 640a that can be changed between an open state that allows a ball to win inside it and a closed state that makes it more difficult to win than the open state is attached to the left side area (the area to the left of the variable display unit 80 when viewed from the front) of the game area formed on the game board 13, where the ball flowing down the left side area (the area to the left of the variable display unit 80 when viewed from the front) reaches the electric device 640a. In this embodiment, the balls launched by left-handed play reach the normal electric winning device 640 at a rate of approximately 1 in 3 balls (if the electric device 640a is in an open state, it reaches a position where it can win the normal electric winning device 640).

[0075] The electric device 640a is normally kept in a closed state, and when a winning symbol is selected in the normal symbol lottery, the electric device 640a is variably operated to an open state for a predetermined period in a predetermined variable pattern to execute a normal symbol winning game. In other words, in this embodiment, when a winning symbol is selected in the normal symbol lottery and a normal symbol winning game is executed, it is configured to provide the player with a state in which the ball is likely to enter the normal symbol winning device 640.

[0076] As explained above, in this embodiment, by continuously playing left-handed games, the lottery trigger for the normal symbol can be established (allowing the ball to pass through the through gate 67), and the ball can enter the normal symbol winning device 640, which opens when the normal symbol lottery is won. Furthermore, left-handed games can also be used to establish the lottery trigger for the special symbol. In addition, the variable winning device 650, which is variably operated by a jackpot game executed when a jackpot is won in the special symbol lottery, is also located in a position where a ball shot by left-handed games can enter the lottery.

[0077] By configuring it in this way, it is possible to have the player always play using the same playing method (left-handed play) regardless of the game state, so that the player can play smoothly without having to go through the hassle of changing the playing method.

[0078] Here, with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the configuration of the normal electric winning device 640 and the flow of balls that have won inside the normal electric winning device 640 will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the normal electric winning device 640, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of balls that have won inside the normal electric winning device 640 flowing into the outlet 644, and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of balls that have won inside the normal electric winning device 640 entering the special electric operating port 643.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the ball passes through the through gate 67, a lottery for a normal symbol is executed, and if a winning symbol is selected in the lottery for the normal symbol, a normal symbol winning game is executed in which the electric accessory 640a is opened in a predetermined variable pattern. Then, when the electric accessory 640a is changed to an open state in this normal symbol winning game, the ball is in a state where it can enter the normal electric winning device 640.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, a second movable valve 642 is provided within the normal winning device 640. This second movable valve 642 is configured to change in a predetermined variable pattern between a first state in which a ball that flows into the normal winning device 640 and flows down the first flow path 641a can be guided to a second flow path 641b that communicates with the special power operating port 643, and a second state in which a ball can be guided to a third flow path 641c that communicates with the outlet 644, upon the execution of a normal winning game. In addition, balls that have won the normal winning device 640 are detected by a ball detection sensor 640s, and the number of balls that have won the normal winning device 640 in one normal winning game can be counted. Although detailed explanations are omitted, in this embodiment, when the number of balls that have won the normal winning device 640 in one normal winning game reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10), the normal winning game ends at that point. In this embodiment, if the ball enters the special electric activation port 643, prize balls (4 balls) are paid out, and if the ball enters the outlet 644, no prize balls are paid out.

[0081] This normal electric winning device 640 has a cover made of transparent acrylic resin so that the player can see the ball flow inside the normal electric winning device 640, and this cover is attached to the game board 13. Therefore, the player can see the ball flow inside the normal electric winning device 640, so the player can enjoy the behavior of the ball that has won the normal electric winning device 640.

[0082] The electric device 640a provided in the normal electric winning device 640 is provided with the upper end side of the second partition 640k2 as a base for rotation, and is configured to be variable between a closed state (see FIG. 3) in which it is difficult for the ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640, and an open state (see FIG. 4) in which it is easier for the ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640 than in the closed state. As shown in FIG. 3, the electric device 640a in the closed state is configured to be stored in the normal electric winning device 640, and specifically, the tip of the first partition 640k1 is configured to protrude to the left of the vertical line of the second partition 640k2 (left side as viewed in FIG. 3), and the electric device 640a in the closed state is configured to be stored in the lower position of the tip of the first partition 640k1. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to make it less likely that the electric device 640a in the closed state will come into contact with the ball shot by left-handed play, thereby making it less likely that the electric device 640a will be damaged.

[0083] Although a detailed explanation will be given later, in this embodiment, the probability (ease of winning) of a ball that has entered the normal winning device 640 to win the special electric operation port 643 is varied depending on the game state set at the time when the normal winning game is executed. Specifically, by varying the period from when the normal winning game is executed until the electric device 640a is controlled to open in a predetermined opening pattern (normal winning opening period), a ball that has entered the normal winning device 640 in a normal winning game executed in the normal state is configured to be more difficult to win in the special electric operation port 643 than a ball that has entered the normal winning device 640 in a normal winning game executed in the time-saving state.

[0084] By configuring in this manner, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, which allows play using the same play method (left-hand play) during both the normal state and the time-saving state, it is possible to prevent a ball from winning into the special power operation port 643 during the normal state. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a normal winning game executed during the normal state is configured to be executed in which it is more difficult for a ball to win into the normal power winning device 640 than a normal winning game executed during the time-saving state. This configuration also makes it possible to prevent a ball from winning into the special power operation port 643 during the normal state. In other words, in this embodiment, in addition to measures to make it more difficult for a ball to win into the normal power winning device 640 during the normal state than during the time-saving state, measures are also taken to make it more difficult for a ball to win into the special power operation port 643 when a ball wins into the normal power winning device 640 during the normal state than when a ball wins into the normal power winning device 640 during the time-saving state. In this way, by providing a structure that suppresses balls from entering the special electric operating port 643 during normal operation in multiple stages, it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of such an occurrence.

[0085] Next, referring to FIG. 4, the flow of the ball when the ball enters the normal winning device 640 in a normal winning game executed when the normal state is set will be explained. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the ball that enters the normal winning device 640 in a normal winning game in the normal state. In this embodiment, in order to avoid the inconvenience of having to change the playing method for the player, the game is configured to be played by always hitting the left. Therefore, even in the normal state, which is a state in which the probability of a normal symbol is low, if a lottery trigger for a normal symbol is established (the ball passes through the through gate 67), and a normal winning game is executed, there is a risk that the ball will enter the normal winning device 640.

[0086] In other words, the normal state (low probability state of normal symbols) is a game state in which it is more difficult to get a ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640 than the time-saving state (high probability state of normal symbols) in which it is easier to get a ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640, but in this embodiment, the same game method (left-hand play) is executed in the normal state and the time-saving state, so there is a possibility, albeit with a low probability, that a ball will enter the normal electric winning device 640 during the normal state.

[0087] As mentioned above, the normal electric winning device 640 is provided with a special electric operating port 643 which triggers a winning game (a winning game with a special feature) that opens the V winning device 65. If a ball enters the special electric operating port 643 during normal operation and a winning game with a special feature is executed, there is a problem that an excessively advantageous game is provided to a player playing in normal operation.

[0088] In contrast, in this embodiment, the rate at which balls that have entered the normal winning device 640 during the normal state enter the special electric operation port 643 is configured to differ from the rate at which balls that have entered the normal winning device 640 during the time-saving state enter the special electric operation port 643. Specifically, when a normal winning game is played in the normal state, the period from the start of the normal winning game to the electric device 640a becoming in the open state (first becoming in the open state) is set longer than when a normal winning game is played in the time-saving state, and the second movable valve 642, which moves based on the start of the normal winning game, maintains the second state (a state in which a ball that has entered the normal winning device 640 can be guided to the outlet 644).

[0089] 4, when a ball enters the normal winning device 640 during a normal winning game executed in the normal state, the ball flows down the first flow path 641a, which is designed to have a ball flow period of about 0.5 seconds, and is guided to the third flow path 641c by the second movable valve 642 positioned in the second state, and enters the outlet 644 (the period from reaching the second movable valve 642 to entering the outlet 644 is designed to be about 0.3 seconds). By configuring in this way, even if a ball enters the normal winning device 640 during the normal state, it is possible to prevent the ball from entering the special power operation port 643, and it is possible to prevent the player playing in the normal state from being provided with an excessively advantageous game.

[0090] In addition, in order to prevent the ball from entering the special electric operating port 643 during the normal state, there is no need to use a special configuration to prevent the ball from entering the normal electric winning device 640 due to the normal winning game executed during the normal state, so the design freedom of the game board 13 can be increased.

[0091] Furthermore, although a detailed explanation will be given later, in a normal winning game executed in the normal state, the timing at which the second movable valve 642 is changed to the second state (at the start of the normal winning game) is earlier than the timing at which the electric device 640a is opened (4.1 seconds after the start of the normal winning game), so that even if a normal winning game is started with the second movable valve 642 in the first state, the ball will not reach the second movable valve 642 while the second movable valve 642 is being changed. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the second movable valve 642 being changed and the ball that has won the normal winning device 640 from coming into contact with each other, causing ball clogging in the normal winning device 640, or causing the second movable valve 642 to break down.

[0092] In this embodiment, when a ball enters the special electric activation port 643 provided in the normal electric winning device 640, four balls are paid out as prize balls, and when a ball enters the outlet port 644, no prize balls are paid out. However, this is not limited to this. For example, when a ball enters the outlet port 644, a greater number of prize balls (e.g., 10 balls) may be paid out than when a ball enters the special electric activation port 643. This configuration makes it possible to vary the bonus awarded to a player based on the normal symbol lottery depending on the game state. Specifically, when the normal state is set, the player is awarded more prize balls as a bonus than in the time-saving state. When the time-saving state is set, the player is awarded fewer prize balls than in the normal state, as well as a bonus game with a special feature that is not (or is unlikely to be) awarded in the normal state. Therefore, regardless of the game state set, the player can be interested in the result of the normal symbol lottery.

[0093] Also, it may be configured so that the same number of prize balls (four) are paid out when a ball enters the special electric operation port 643 and when a ball enters the outlet 644. In this case, it is preferable to configure it so that it is difficult to tell whether a ball that entered the normal electric winning device 640 entered the special electric operation port 643 or the outlet 644. As a result, since the player cannot tell which ball entry port (special electric operation port 643, outlet 644) the ball entered based on the number of prize balls paid out, it is possible to execute an effect that makes the player think that whether or not a winning game (a winning game with a special feature) that opens the V winning device 65 after the ball enters the normal electric winning device 640 is executed is determined by lottery, and the effect of the presentation can be enhanced. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable to configure the ball detection sensor 640s to pay out prize balls (4 balls) when it detects a ball, thereby enabling the player to quickly be paid out the prize balls that are awarded to the player based on the ball entering the regular electric winning device 640.

[0094] As shown in Figure 4, when the electric device 640a is in the open state, the tip side of the first partition 640k1 and the electric device 640a are approximately parallel to each other, forming a ball flow path between them. Therefore, when the electric device 640a in the open state receives a ball, the impact can be prevented from causing the ball to bounce out of the electric winning device 640.

[0095] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the flow of the ball when the ball enters the normal winning device 640 in a normal winning game executed when the time-saving state is set will be explained. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the ball that enters the normal winning device 640 in a normal winning game during the time-saving state. As shown in FIG. 5, when a normal winning game is executed during the time-saving state, the period from the start of the normal winning game to the electric device 640a becoming open (first open state) is set shorter than that of a normal winning game executed during the normal state, so that the electric device 640a becomes open at the timing when the second movable valve 642 maintains the first state (a state in which the ball that entered the normal winning device 640 can be guided to the special electric operating port 643).

[0096] Therefore, when the ball that has won the normal electric winning device 640 flows down the first flow path 641a and reaches the second movable valve 642 (0.5 seconds after the ball has won the normal electric winning device 640), the second movable valve 642 is in the first state, so the ball flows down the second flow path 641b that communicates with the first flow path 641a (the flow period is designed to be about 0.2 seconds) and enters the special electric operating port 643. Then, based on the detection means (proximity sensor) (not shown) detecting the ball's entry into the special electric operating port 643, a role-playing game is started in which the V winning device 65 is opened.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 5, when second movable valve 642 is in the first state, second movable valve 642 is configured to be variable to a position where balls flowing down first flow path 641a (flowing vertically downward as viewed in Fig. 5) are unlikely to come into contact with second movable valve 642. This makes it possible to prevent frequent contact between balls and second movable valve 642 and breakdown of second movable valve 642. Note that, as will be described in detail later, when a normal winning game is executed during the time-shortening state, electric device 640a enters an open state 0.1 seconds after the start of the normal winning game, and the ball is able to win in normal electric winning device 640. Therefore, the shortest time from when a normal winning game is executed until the ball reaches the position of the second movable valve 642 is 0.6 seconds (the sum of 0.1 seconds from when a normal winning game starts until the electric device 640a opens, and 0.5 seconds until the ball that has won in the electric winning device 640 reaches the second movable valve 642).

[0098] The second movable valve 642 is configured to perform variable operation at the same time as the start of a normal winning game, and the variable operation period (the period required to change from the first state to the second state (from the second state to the first state)) is 0.1 seconds. Also, since the second movable valve 642 is configured to perform variable operation 1 second after the electric device 640a is closed during a normal winning game, the second movable valve 642 is configured to perform variable operation when a period (1 second) twice the period (0.5 seconds) until the ball that entered the normal winning device 640 reaches the second movable valve 642 immediately before the electric device 640a is changed to the closed state has elapsed. Therefore, even during a normal winning game that is executed during the time-saving state, it is possible to make it difficult for the second movable valve 642 and the ball to come into contact with each other during variable operation.

[0099] Returning to FIG. 2, the explanation will continue. To the left of the variable display unit 80 (left from the perspective of FIG. 2), a V winning device 65 is provided so that a ball launched by left-handed play and flowing down the left-hand area can win a prize. Here, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, the specific configuration of the V winning device 65 and the flow of a ball that has won within the V winning device 65 will be explained. In this embodiment, when a ball enters the special power operating port 643 provided within the normal power winning device 640, a role-playing game is executed, which opens the V winning device 65. Then, when a ball enters the V winning port 165 provided within the V winning device 65, a jackpot game (V jackpot game) is executed.

[0100] That is, in this embodiment, in addition to the trigger for executing a jackpot game (special jackpot game) that is established when a jackpot is won in a lottery for a special symbol, there is also a trigger for executing a jackpot game (V jackpot game) that is established when a ball enters a specific winning slot (V winning slot 165). In this way, by providing multiple triggers for executing a jackpot game, it is possible to provide a game that the player will not tire of.

[0101] First, the configuration of the V winning device 65 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The V winning device 65 is provided with an opening / closing door 65a that can be changed between an open state in which it is easier for a ball to win inside the V winning device 65 and a closed state in which it is more difficult for a ball to win than in the open state. This opening / closing door 65a is provided in a position (see Fig. 2) that can be reached by a ball flowing down the left side area of ​​the game board 13, and is changed to the open state when a game with a winning combination is executed.

[0102] Within the V winning device 65, a first flow path 65b through which balls that pass through the open / close door 65a flow down is formed in the space between the first partition 65k1 and the second partition 65k2, and a storage valve 66a is provided at a position where the balls that flow down the first flow path 65b (flow period: 0.5 seconds) arrive. A storage section capable of storing one ball is formed on the upper surface of this storage valve 66a, and the first ball that wins the V winning device 65 during a game per perk is temporarily stored in the storage section. In addition, a storage sensor 65s is provided above the storage valve 66a, and is configured to be able to detect that a ball has been stored in the storage section. Furthermore, a ball detection sensor 65s2 for detecting balls that have entered the V winning device 65 is provided upstream of the first flow path 65b, and based on the detection of a ball by the ball detection sensor 65s2, the number of balls that have entered the V winning device 65 during a game that hits a bonus feature is counted, and prize ball payout control for the winning balls is executed. In this way, by providing the ball detection sensor 65s2 at a position where the ball that has entered the V winning device 65 flows down immediately after it has won, it is possible to prevent a situation in which more than the specified number of balls enter the V winning device 65, and to immediately award prize balls to the player during a game that hits a bonus feature.

[0103] In addition, a second flow path 65c is formed to communicate with the first flow path 65b, and a first outlet 163a is provided downstream of the second flow path 65c. As shown in Fig. 6, the second flow path 65c is configured so that balls that have flowed down the first flow path 65b do not directly flow into it, but rather, when balls are stored in the storage section of the storage valve 66a, subsequent balls that have flowed down the first flow path 65b come into contact with the balls stored in the storage section of the storage valve 66a and are guided to the second flow path 65c. The first outlet 163a provided downstream of the second flow path 65c is a ball inlet for discharging balls that have entered the pachinko machine 10 to the outside. A ball that flows down the second flow path 65c (for a flow period of 0.1 seconds) and enters the first outlet 163a flows down a ball discharge path (not shown) and is discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

[0104] Although a detailed explanation will be given later, the storage valve 66a is configured to be variably operable between a storage state in which balls can be stored and a release state in which it is more difficult to store balls than in the storage state, depending on the progress of the game when a bonus feature is won (corresponding to the operation scenario in which the game when a bonus feature is won is executed). When the storage valve 66a is in the release state, the first flow path 65b and the third flow path 65d are connected, and balls that have flowed down the first flow path 65b or balls stored in the storage section of the storage valve 66a flow down the third flow path 65d. The third flow path 65d is a linear flow path formed in the vertical direction with a width of approximately 15 mm in the space between the lower end side of the first partition wall 65k1 and the third partition wall 65k3.

[0105] A first movable valve 66b is disposed at a position facing the downstream side of the third flow path 65d. This first movable valve 66b is configured to move in a predetermined movement pattern when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 10 between a guide position (protruding position) where it can receive balls that have flowed down the third flow path 65d and a passage position (recessed position) where it cannot receive balls that have flowed down the third flow path 65d. Specifically, it is configured to be movable according to the operation of the first movable valve solenoid 209d, which is connected to the input / output port 205 of the main control unit 110 and is driven and controlled by the main control unit 110; when the first movable valve solenoid 209d is set on (when electricity is applied), the first movable valve 66b moves to a passing position (a position buried in the game board 13) in which it retreats from within the V winning device 65; and when the first movable valve solenoid 209d is set off (when electricity is cut off), the first movable valve 66b moves to an guiding position (a position protruding from the game board 13) in which it protrudes into the V winning device 65.

[0106] The first movable valve 66b, which is located in the guide position (protruding position), is configured so that a ball can flow down its upper surface, and as shown in Fig. 6, the downstream end of the upper surface of the first movable valve 66b is configured to be inclined downward toward the fourth flow path 65e. Therefore, when the first movable valve 66b is located in the guide position (protruding position), a ball that flows down the third flow path 65d (flowing down for 0.2 seconds) flows down the upper surface of the first movable valve 66b toward the fourth flow path 65e. A second outlet 163b is provided downstream of the fourth flow path 65e, and the ball that flows down the fourth flow path 65e (flowing down for 0.2 seconds) enters the second outlet 163b. This second outlet 163b, like the first outlet 163a described above, is a ball inlet for discharging balls that enter the slot to the outside of the pachinko machine 10, and balls that enter the second outlet 163b flow down a ball discharge path not shown and are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

[0107] On the other hand, when the first movable valve 66b is in the passing position, the third flow path 65d and the fifth flow path 65f are connected, and the ball that flows down the third flow path 65d (flowing down for 0.2 seconds) flows into the fifth flow path 65f (flowing down for 0.1 seconds). A V winning opening 165 is provided downstream of the fifth flow path 65f. The V winning opening 165 is a winning opening that can be a trigger for executing a jackpot game, and if a ball enters the V winning opening 165 while a jackpot game is not being executed, a jackpot game is executed.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 6, the V winning device 65 is provided with a first outlet 163a and a second outlet 163b. This configuration reliably prevents a ball that has won the V winning device 65 when the storage valve 66a is in a storage state from flowing into the flow paths (third flow path 65d, fourth flow path 65e, fifth flow path 65f) through which the ball can pass when the storage valve 66a is in a release state. The configuration is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the first outlet 163a may be eliminated, the second flow path 65c may be connected to the fourth flow path 65e, and when the storage valve 66a is in a storage state, a ball that has flowed down the second flow path 65c may enter the second outlet 163b. In this case, third partition 65k3, which is provided linearly in the vertical direction in Fig. 6, may be tilted downward and to the right as viewed from the top to the bottom, that is, so that an extension of partition 65k3 toward the bottom end is on the right side of fourth partition 65k4 (right side as viewed from the perspective of Fig. 6). This configuration can prevent the balls that have flowed down second flow path 65c from flowing into fifth flow path 65f.

[0109] In this way, in this embodiment, there are two triggers for executing a jackpot game, that is, a jackpot game may be executed when a jackpot is won by a lottery for a special symbol, or when a jackpot game is executed when a ball enters the V winning port 165 during a game in which a role is played. Hereinafter, when explaining jackpot games by categorizing the triggers for execution, a jackpot game executed when a ball enters the V winning port 165 will also be referred to as a V jackpot game.

[0110] As described above, the V winning device 65 of this embodiment is configured to be in an open state where a ball can win when a hit game of the device is executed, and only one ball stored in the storage valve 66a flows down the third flow path 65d, and whether or not the ball will win in the V winning port 165 is determined depending on the operating status of the first movable valve 66b when the ball that has flowed down the third flow path 65d reaches the first movable valve 66b.

[0111] A detailed explanation will be given later, but the first movable valve 66b is constantly moving in a moving pattern in which it is in the guide position for 5 seconds (the time when the ball cannot enter the V entry port 165) and in the passage position for 0.5 seconds (the time when the ball can enter the V entry port 165), and therefore the rate at which balls that flow down the third flow path 65d enter the V entry port 165 is approximately 1 / 11.

[0112] Furthermore, even if multiple balls enter the V winning device 65 in one play per device, the operation of the storage valve 66a is controlled so that only one ball flows down the third flow path 65d, so that the ratio is such that one jackpot play is executed when 11 plays per device are executed.

[0113] Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 9, the details of the flow of balls that have won in the V winning device 65 during the execution of a game that hits a special feature will be explained. First, with reference to Figure 7, the ball flow during the first half of the game that hits a special feature (the period when the storage valve 66a is in a storage state) will be explained. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the ball flow within the V winning device 65 during the game that hits a special feature when the storage valve 66a is in a storage state. A detailed explanation will be given later, but the storage valve 66a is configured to be controlled so that it is in a storage state from the time the game that hits a special feature is executed until the V winning device 65 is closed. When multiple balls enter the V winning device 65 while the storage valve 66a is in the storage state, the first winning ball P1 is stored in the storage section formed in the storage valve 66a, and the next winning ball P2 comes into contact with the ball P1 stored in the storage valve 66a, flows down the second flow path 65c, and enters the outlet 163a.

[0114] In this way, when the storage valve 66a is in a storage state, all winning balls (for example, ball P2) other than ball P1 stored in the storage section of the storage valve 66a are configured to enter the outlet 163a, so multiple balls do not accumulate inside the V winning device 65. Furthermore, the storage state of the storage valve 66a is released after the V opening / closing door 65a of the V winning device 65 is closed (after operational control is executed to close the door), so it is possible to ensure that the number of balls flowing down the third flow path 65d per play per device is limited to one.

[0115] By configuring it in this way, the ease with which the ball can enter the V winning port 165 does not change depending on the timing of the ball entering the V winning device 65 during a game with a winning device or the number of wins, so that a fair game can be provided to all players.

[0116] Next, referring to FIG. 8, the ball flow (during the latter half of the game when the storage valve 66a transitions from the storage state to the release state) will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the ball flow when the storage valve 66a transitions from the storage state to the release state during the game when the device is hit. As shown in FIG. 8, after the V-shaped opening / closing door 65a is closed and a new ball cannot enter the V-winning device 65, the storage valve 66a transitions to the release state (shown by a dotted line in the figure). As a result, the ball P1 (see FIG. 7) stored in the storage section of the storage valve 66a flows down the third flow path 65d. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the first movable valve 66b is in the guide position, so the ball P1 rolls down the downward slope formed on the upper surface of the first movable valve 66b, flows down the fourth flow path 65e, and enters the second outlet 163b.

[0117] On the other hand, the ball flow when the first movable valve 66b is in the pass position when the ball P1 (see FIG. 7) stored in the storage section of the storage valve 66a flows down the third flow path 65d and reaches the first movable valve 66b will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the ball flow when the storage valve 66a transitions from the storage state to the release state during a game where a bonus item is won. As shown in FIG. 9, if the first movable valve 66b is in the pass position when the ball that has flowed down the third flow path 65d reaches the first movable valve 66b, the ball flows down the fifth flow path 66f and enters the V winning port 165.

[0118] Returning to Figure 2, we will continue the explanation. A special symbol ball entrance 64 into which a ball can enter is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball enters this special symbol ball entrance 64, a special symbol ball entrance switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on. When the special symbol ball entrance switch is turned on, a jackpot lottery is conducted by the main control device 110 (see Figure 21), and a display corresponding to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37a. Furthermore, when a ball enters the special symbol ball entrance 64, four prize balls are paid out as a bonus. In this embodiment, the system is configured so that approximately 1 in 15 balls fired by left-handed play will enter the special symbol ball entrance 64.

[0119] As shown in Figure 10, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is a unit equipped with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113), and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is a unit equipped with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

[0120] The back pack unit 94 is a unit consisting of the back pack 92 that forms the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each function, ports for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as needed.

[0121] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each housed in board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 are equipped with a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected to each other to house the respective control devices and boards.

[0122] Furthermore, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) have their box bases and box covers connected (connected by a crimping structure) by a sealing unit (not shown) so that they cannot be opened. A sealing seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcibly open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0123] The payout unit 93 comprises a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently sloping downstream, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and dispensing balls using a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see Figure 21). Balls are successively replenished in the tank 130 from the island equipment of the gaming hall, and the required number of balls are dispensed by the payout device 133 as appropriate. A vibrator 134 is attached to the tank rail 131 to impart vibrations to the tank rail 131.

[0124] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state restoration switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM deletion switch 122. The state restoration switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jamming (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see Figure 21). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM deletion switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0125] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0126] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, which is a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 202 are executed, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. The main control device 110 uses the MPU 201 to execute the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as drawing a jackpot, setting the display on the first symbol display devices 37a, 37b and the third symbol display device 81, and drawing the display result on the second symbol display device.

[0127] In addition, in order to instruct sub-controllers such as the dispensing control unit 111 and the voice lamp control unit 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers.

[0128] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201, and a work area (working region) for storing values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0129] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including the time of the power outage; the same applies below) are stored in RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power is turned on (including the time of the power being turned on after the power outage is resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power outage based on the information stored in RAM 203. Writing to RAM 203 is executed by main processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned off, and the restoration of each value written to RAM 203 is executed in start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that, when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SG1 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of MPU 201 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to MPU 201, NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage processing.

[0130] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the voice lamp control device 113, the first symbol display devices 37a and 37b, the second symbol display device, and the second symbol hold lamp. In addition, solenoids 209 are connected, including a specific winning port solenoid 209a for driving the opening and closing door to change the specific winning port 650a of the variable winning device 650 between an open state and a closed state when a jackpot game is played, a V winning port solenoid 209b for driving the opening and closing door of the V winning device 65, a storage solenoid 209c for variably driving the storage valve 66a provided in the V winning device 65, a first movable valve solenoid 209d for variably driving the first movable valve 66b provided in the V winning device 65, a second movable valve solenoid 209e for variably driving the second movable valve 641 provided in the normal winning device 640, and other solenoids 209z for driving various other devices, and the MPU 201 sends various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0131] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches not shown (such as switches that detect when a ball has entered each ball entry port and switches that detect when a ball is located at a specific position), and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 described below that is provided in the power supply unit 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0132] The payout control device 111 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by driving a payout motor 216. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores control programs executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0133] The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. Like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is also configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power is cut off due to a power outage or the like. When the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0134] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, payout motor 216, launch control device 112, etc. Also, although not shown, a prize ball detection switch for detecting paid-out prize balls is connected to the payout control device 111. Note that this prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

[0135] When the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball, the launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and electromagnet are permitted to operate when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and when the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the ball launch is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in accordance with the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51.

[0136] The audio lamp control device 113 controls the output of audio from the audio output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of lighting and extinguishing from the lamp display device (such as the illumination units 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 221, and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0137] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the audio and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, the audio output device 226, the lamp display device 227, other devices 228, the frame button 22, etc. The other devices 228 include various drive motors for operating drive parts for performances provided in the pachinko machine 10.

[0138] The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). The voice lamp control device 113 also monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the player operates the frame button 22, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content during a super reach. When the stage is changed, a rear image change command including information about the changed stage is sent to the display control device 114 so that a rear image corresponding to the changed stage is displayed on the third symbol display device 81. Here, the rear image refers to an image displayed on the rear side of the third symbol, which is the main image displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 in accordance with the commands sent from the voice lamp control device 113.

[0139] In addition, when the frame button 22 is operated by the player, the device may be configured to send a device drive command to the other device 228 to drive a device for effects not shown, to set an audio output command to cause the audio output device 226 to output audio corresponding to the operation content on the frame button 22, or to set a lamp output command to cause the lamp display device 227 to emit light in an illumination mode corresponding to the operation content on the frame button 22.

[0140] Furthermore, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a voice corresponding to the display content from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content of the third pattern display device 81, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

[0141] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on commands received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits display commands to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate, notifying the display content of the third pattern display device 81. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the voice output from the voice output device 226 by outputting voice from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0142] The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each component of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruptions due to power outages and the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM erasure switch 122 (see FIG. 10). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc., via a power supply path (not shown). Briefly, the power supply unit 251 takes in 24-volt AC voltage supplied from an external source, generates 12-volt voltage for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a 5-volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0143] The power outage monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power outage signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control unit 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when power is cut off due to a power outage or other reason. The power outage monitoring circuit 252 monitors the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and if this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power outage (power outage, power interruption) has occurred and outputs the power outage signal SG1 to the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power outage signal SG1, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power outage and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the 5-volt voltage, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute NMI interrupt processing, even after the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage falls below 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown) normally.

[0144] The RAM clearing switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clearing signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clearing switch 122 (see FIG. 10) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clearing signal SG2 when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and sends a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0145] Next, the display contents of the third pattern display device 81 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 19. Figures 11(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the display contents of the third pattern display device 81 in this embodiment. The third pattern display device 81 is composed of a 15-inch liquid crystal display, and the display contents are controlled by a display control device 114 described later, so that, for example, three pattern rows (L1 to L3) of upper, middle, and lower are displayed (see Figure 11(b)). The decorative patterns that change in response to the variable display of the third pattern (special pattern) displayed on the display screen of the third pattern display device 81 are each composed of 10 types of main patterns to which identification information imitating the numbers "0" to "9" is attached.

[0146] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the main symbols are formed using different display modes according to the identification information imitating numbers. By using display modes corresponding to each identification information in this way, the result of the special symbol lottery can be visually notified to the player, allowing for easy gameplay. Furthermore, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, if the result of the lottery by the main control device 110 (described later) is a jackpot, a variable display of the same main symbols (e.g., "777") is displayed, and the jackpot occurs after the variable display ends. In other words, the third symbol is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 as a symbol indicating the result of the special symbol lottery by the main control device 110.

[0147] The main display area Dm displays three symbol columns Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the left, center, and right. In each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, the above-mentioned third symbols are displayed in a specified order. That is, in each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, the main symbols are arranged in ascending or descending numerical order, and the display changes by scrolling up and down periodically for each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3.

[0148] As shown in Figure 11(a), the main display area Dm has one valid line L1 formed in the left-right direction, and when each of the pattern rows Z1 to Z3 is displayed stopped, if the third pattern stops on the valid line L1 in a jackpot pattern combination (in this first embodiment, a combination of the same main patterns), a jackpot animation is displayed as a jackpot.

[0149] The manner in which the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner on the third symbol display device 81 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary. The number of symbol rows, the direction of the variable display of the symbols in the symbol rows, and the number of symbols in each symbol row can be changed as appropriate. The symbols displayed in a variable manner on the third symbol display device 81 are not limited to those described above. For example, the third symbol may be a combination of an image such as a figure or character with a number. Furthermore, the area in which the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner may be configured to be variable. For example, when a specific effect is performed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81, the variable display area of ​​the third symbol may be made smaller or moved to a position that is difficult for the player to see (e.g., a corner of the display screen), making it difficult for the player to tell whether the third symbol is changing. Furthermore, the change of the third symbol may be temporarily stopped (temporarily stopped) during the period in which the special symbol is changing, and then changed again.

[0150] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third symbol corresponding to the variation of the special symbol is displayed (dynamically), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the third symbol corresponding to the variation of the normal symbol may be displayed (dynamically). In this case, the third symbol displayed on the display surface of the third symbol display device 81 may be configured to notify the player in a manner that is difficult to understand whether the variation of the third symbol displayed on the display surface of the third symbol display device 81 corresponds to the variation of the special symbol or the normal symbol. This makes it difficult for the player to understand what kind of benefit will be awarded depending on the result of the variation of the third symbol displayed on the display surface of the third symbol display device 81.

[0151] Furthermore, if the pachinko machine 10 is configured to be able to execute both a variable display corresponding to a special symbol variation (lottery) and a variable display corresponding to a normal symbol variation (lottery), the target of the third symbol may be switched depending on the game content (game state) being executed. For example, during the normal state, a variable display of the third symbol corresponding to a special symbol variation (lottery) may be executed, and during the time-saving state, a variable display of the third symbol corresponding to a normal symbol variation (lottery) may be executed. In this case, it is preferable to display the variable third symbol corresponding to the type of symbol that executes a lottery that is advantageous to the player (a lottery where the player pays more attention to the lottery results). On the other hand, the display mode and display area of ​​the third symbol may be changed depending on the type of variable symbol. This allows the player to enjoy a game that is easy to understand.

[0152] As shown in Figure 11(a), the display screen of the third pattern display device 81 is roughly divided into two parts, top and bottom, with the lower two-thirds being the main display area Dm which displays the changing third pattern, and the remaining upper one-third being the secondary display area Ds which displays preview effects, characters, number of reserved balls, etc.

[0153] The main display area Dm is divided into three display areas Dm1 to Dm3, left, center, and right, and three symbol columns Z1, Z2, and Z3 are displayed in each of the three display areas Dm1 to Dm3. The above-mentioned third symbols are displayed in a specified order in each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3. That is, the main symbols are arranged in ascending or descending numerical order in each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, and the display changes periodically by scrolling from top to bottom for each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3. In particular, the numbers of the main symbols are arranged in descending order in the left symbol column Z1, and the numbers of the main symbols are arranged in ascending order in the center symbol column Z2 and the right symbol column Z3.

[0154] Additionally, in the main display area Dm, third symbols are displayed in three rows, top, middle, and bottom, for each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3. The middle section of this main display area Dm is set as the pay line L1, and during each game, the third symbols are displayed on the pay line L1 in the following order: left symbol column Z1 → right symbol column Z3 → center symbol column Z2. This stopped display state is maintained for at least one second. By displaying the stopped third symbols for a certain period (one second or more), the player is prevented from overlooking whether or not the combination of third symbols corresponds to a jackpot (whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a jackpot). Furthermore, if a jackpot symbol combination (in this embodiment, a combination of the same main symbols) is aligned on the pay line L1 when the third symbols are stopped, a jackpot is confirmed, a jackpot game begins, and a jackpot video (opening effect) is displayed.

[0155] In addition, if the combination of the third symbols displayed in a stopped state corresponds to a miss and there is a reserved ball, after one second of stopped display (determined display), a variable display corresponding to a lottery based on the reserved ball will start. Note that if there are multiple reserved balls, the lottery will be executed based on the reserved ball corresponding to the oldest ball in time.

[0156] On the other hand, if there are no reserved balls and the third symbol of the combination corresponding to the missing special symbol is displayed as a static display (confirmed display) for one second, the third symbol will continue to be displayed as a static display thereafter. This state will continue until a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) has passed or a new game ball enters the special symbol entrance 64. If a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) has passed since the third symbol was displayed as a static display, a demo effect indicating that no game is being played is displayed. It is rare for a player to continuously fire game balls for a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) without any balls entering the special symbol entrance 64. In most cases, the third symbol remains displayed as a static display for a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) because the player has stopped playing and no game is being played on the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) has elapsed since the third symbol was stopped and displayed, it is determined that the player is not playing, and a demo effect is initiated. This allows a player who is about to select the pachinko machine 10 to start playing to easily determine whether or not a game is being played based on whether or not the demo effect is displayed. On the other hand, if a new game ball enters the special symbol entrance 64 before the predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) has elapsed, a variable display of the third symbol corresponding to the new ball is executed.

[0157] The sub-display area Ds is horizontally elongated and positioned above the main display area Dm, and is further divided into three equal sub-areas Ds1 to Ds3 in the left-right direction. Of these, the sub-area Ds1 is an area that displays the number of reserved balls, which is the number of game balls (reserved balls) that have not yet been changed among the game balls that have entered the special ball entrance 64 and the through gate 67, and the sub-areas Ds2 and Ds3 are areas that display preview effect images.

[0158] On the actual display screen, a total of nine main symbols of the third symbol are displayed in the main display area Dm, as shown in Figure 11(b). In the sub-display area Ds, a moving image is displayed in the small area Ds3 on the right, suggesting to the player that the transition to a jackpot is easier than usual. In the small area Ds2 in the center, a predetermined character 710 (in this embodiment, a boy wearing a headband) usually performs a predetermined action, and sometimes a special action other than the predetermined action is performed, or another character appears, to provide a preview effect.

[0159] On the other hand, if a ball enters the special ball entry port 64 while the third symbol display device 81 (first symbol display device 37) is displaying a variable display, the number of times the ball enters is reserved up to a maximum of four, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first symbol display device 37 and also in the small region Ds1 of the secondary display region Ds. If a ball enters the through gate 67, the number of times the ball enters is reserved up to one, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the first symbol display device 37 and also in the small region Ds1 of the secondary display region Ds. One reserved ball number symbol is displayed per reserved ball in the small region Ds1, and the number of reserved balls is displayed according to the number of the displayed reserved ball number symbols. That is, when one reserved ball number symbol is displayed in the small region Ds1, it indicates that one ball is reserved, and when four reserved ball number symbols are displayed, it indicates that four balls are reserved. Furthermore, when no reserved ball number symbol is displayed in the small region Ds1, it indicates that the number of reserved balls is zero, i.e., there are no reserved balls. The left half of the small area Ds1 displays a reserved ball number symbol indicating the number of reserved balls based on balls entering the special ball entrance 64, and the right half of the small area Ds1 displays a reserved ball number symbol indicating the number of reserved balls based on balls entering the through gate 67. In the example of Figure 11(b), four reserved ball number symbols are displayed in the left half of the small area Ds1, while no reserved ball number symbols are displayed in the right half, indicating that there are four reserved balls with special symbols but no reserved balls with normal symbols.

[0160] In this embodiment, balls entering the special ball entrance 64 are configured to be reserved up to four times, and balls entering the through gate 67 are configured to be reserved up to one time. However, the maximum number of reserved balls is not limited to this and may be set to three or fewer times, or five or more times (e.g., eight times). Also, instead of displaying the reserved ball number symbol in the small area Ds1, the number of reserved balls may be displayed numerically in a portion of the third pattern display device 81, or in four divided areas with different modes (e.g., colors or lighting patterns) corresponding to the number of reserved balls. Furthermore, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first pattern display device 37, the third pattern display device 81 may not display the number of reserved balls. Furthermore, the variable display device unit 80 may be provided with four reserved lamps indicating the number of reserved balls, equal to the maximum number of reserved balls, and the number of reserved balls may be displayed according to the number of lit reserved lamps.

[0161] 11, the sub-display area Ds is formed above the main display area Dm. However, the display area may be formed in other ways. For example, the sub-display area Ds may be formed below the main display area Dm. In this case, the display area of ​​the display screen of the third symbol display device 81 may be variably formed depending on the set game state. This allows the player to easily understand that a different game state has been entered simply by looking at the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. Furthermore, in a state where the player is required to pay close attention to the display mode of the main display area Dm, such as when a variable display of the third symbol is being executed, indicating a high probability of winning a jackpot based on the result of the special symbol lottery, the display area of ​​the sub-display area Ds may be reduced or hidden.

[0162] <About the content of the performance of the third symbol display device 81 in the first embodiment> Next, with reference to Figures 12 to 19, the contents of the effects executed by the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when a jackpot is won in a special symbol lottery (special symbol lottery), a time-saving state (a low probability state for special symbols, a high probability state for normal symbols) is set after the jackpot game ends. This time-saving state continues until the special symbol lottery reaches a specified number of times (until a predetermined condition for terminating the time-saving state is met), and when the special symbol lottery is executed the specified number of times, the condition for terminating the time-saving state is met and the normal state is set.

[0163] The time-saving state is a state in which a high probability state of a normal symbol is set, and is configured so that it is easier to set an open state in which a ball can enter the normal electric winning device 640 by hitting a normal symbol, compared to when the game state is in the normal state.

[0164] When a normal symbol is hit and the ball enters the special electric operation port 643 in the normal electric winning device 640, a game of winning a special device is executed, and a game is executed to make the ball enter the V winning port 165 provided in the V winning device 65.

[0165] In this embodiment, a gaming ball shot aiming at the left area of ​​the gaming board 13 is configured to pass through the through gate 67 with a probability of 100%. In addition, in the lottery for a normal symbol that is executed when the gaming ball passes through the through gate 67, if the time-saving state is set, it is designed to win with a probability of 3 / 10, and if a winning is achieved in the lottery for a normal symbol, a normal symbol winning game is executed in which the electric accessory 640a is opened.

[0166] The normal winning game that is executed during the time-saving state is executed by continuing to play with the left hand, and the electric device 640a is in an open state for a period (3 seconds) during which the ball can be made to enter the normal electric winning device 640 in most cases (approximately 100%).

[0167] Furthermore, in a normal winning game executed during the time-saving state, most of the balls that enter the normal winning device 640 are configured to enter the special electric operation port 643, and a bonus game is executed when a ball enters the special electric operation port 643. Then, when a bonus game is executed, the V winning device 65 is opened, and the balls that enter the V winning device 65 enter the V winning port 165 at a rate of about 1 / 11, and the entry of the ball into the V winning port 165 is configured to execute a jackpot game (V jackpot game).

[0168] In other words, during the time-saving state, it is easier to play a game (special electric game) that aims to win a jackpot by making the game ball enter the V entry port 165 (V entry) than to play a game (special pattern game) that aims to win a jackpot by drawing a special pattern, so the player will play the special electric game while hoping to win a V entry (V jackpot game) by hitting the special device.

[0169] As described above, in this embodiment, in order for the ball to enter the normal electric winning device 640 as a special electric game (to pass the ball through the through gate 67, which triggers the execution of the normal symbol lottery), it is necessary to shoot the ball aiming at the left area of ​​the game board 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a game is being played aiming at the left area of ​​the game board 13 (left-handed play), the ball will also enter the special symbol ball entry port 64, so that during the time-saving state, both the special symbol game (a game in which a lottery for a special symbol is performed) and the special electric game (a game in which a lottery for a normal symbol is performed) are executed.

[0170] The time-saving state, in which special electric play is more advantageous to the player than special symbol play, is configured to continue until the time until the special symbol lottery executed by special symbol play reaches a specified number of times (i.e., the specified number of times of special symbol fluctuation time) has elapsed.Therefore, when the game state transitions to the time-saving state, the basic playing method during the time-saving state in this embodiment is to play while hoping for a V win through special electric play before the time for the special symbol fluctuation has elapsed, which will trigger the time-saving state to end and transition to the normal state.

[0171] In order to clearly communicate the state of this time-saving game to the player, various effects are executed on the third symbol display device 81. Details will be described later with reference to Figures 12 to 19, but when a jackpot game is executed and the jackpot ends, the game state transitions to V Rush mode to indicate that the game state is in a time-saving state, which is advantageous to the player, and it is notified that the time-saving state has been set. Next, various effects during V Rush will be explained. For the sake of simplicity, the time-saving state will be referred to as "V Rush" below.

[0172] First, referring to FIG. 12(a), a jackpot ending screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12(a) is a diagram showing an example of a jackpot (game) ending screen. When the final round of the jackpot game ends, as shown in FIG. 12(a), the sub-display area Ds of the third symbol display device 81 displays the words "V RUSH STARTS AFTER THE jackpot ends!!" to clearly inform the player that the game will transition to V RUSH mode, indicating that a time-saving state will be set after the jackpot game ends. Then, the main display area Dm displays the comment "Get 40 seconds of V RUSH period," indicating that the remaining time period status 801, which indicates the duration of the time-saving state set after the jackpot game ends, is "40 seconds."

[0173] Here, the display contents of the remaining time short period mode 801 will be explained. In this embodiment, as described above, an end condition for the time-shortening state is set to be established when the number of times the special symbol is drawn reaches a specified number of times (for example, four times). Therefore, the time-shortening state continues until the time until the special symbol is drawn the specified number of times (i.e., the total time of the special symbol variation times for the specified number of times) has elapsed. The remaining time short period mode 801 displays a display mode indicating the total time of the total time of the special symbol variation times until the end condition for the time-shortening state is established.

[0174] Next, the reserved status of each symbol in the state shown in FIG. 12(a) will be explained with reference to FIG. 12(c). FIG. 12(c) is a schematic diagram showing the reserved status of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 12(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, a maximum of four reserved memories of special symbols and a maximum of one reserved memory of normal symbols can be stored. In FIG. 12(c), the status of each symbol is explained using an in-progress special symbol th0 for explaining the status of the special symbol variation in progress, special symbol 1 reserved th1 to special symbol 4 reserved th4 for explaining the winning information of the reserved and stored special symbols, an in-progress normal symbol fh0 for explaining the status of the normal symbol variation in progress, and a normal symbol 1 reserved fh1 for explaining the winning information of the reserved and stored normal symbol.

[0175] In Figure 12(c), four special symbol reserves, each with a 10-second variable pattern, are stored in the special symbol reserves th1 to th4. In other words, the duration of this time-saving state is set to 40 seconds, which is the sum of the variable times for four special symbol lotteries. Therefore, the remaining time display mode 801, which indicates the duration of the game state that is advantageous to the player, displays the word "40 seconds," making it easy to understand how long the V-Rush period will last.

[0176] As described above, in this embodiment, the duration of the V Rush, which is advantageous to the player, is displayed in specific seconds as shown in the remaining time period display mode 801, but any other method that indicates the remaining duration of the duration may be used, and the player may be notified using an indicator, etc. This configuration makes it possible to provide the player with a more thrilling game.

[0177] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12(a), the remaining time period display 801 is displayed in a display mode that shows all of the "40 seconds" calculated as the duration of the V rush, but this is not limited to this. At the time of notifying that a V rush is about to begin, only a portion (e.g., 30 seconds) of the value (e.g., 40 seconds) calculated as the duration of the V rush may be notified, and an additional value corresponding to the unnotified portion (e.g., 10 seconds) may be notified while the V rush is in progress.

[0178] In this case, for example, if the time reduction is set to four, the sum of the variable times of the special symbols corresponding to three of the four reserved special symbols (special symbol reserved) that have already been acquired (that is, in the case of Figure 12(c)), the sum of the special symbol reserved th1 to special symbol reserved th3, "30 seconds," can be displayed when the V-Rush begins. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to simplify the process of notifying only a portion of the value calculated as the duration of the V-Rush.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 12(a), in this embodiment, the duration of the V-Rush is displayed by adding up the variable times of the multiple special symbol lotteries executed until the time-saving state ends. Furthermore, to make it difficult for players to grasp the current number of reserved special symbols, the display screen of the third symbol display device 81 is configured not to display the display mode for indicating the number of reserved special symbols. This makes it difficult for players to understand that the value of the remaining time period mode 801 displayed as the duration of the V-Rush is the sum of the variable times corresponding to the number of reserved special symbols. Furthermore, it makes it difficult for players to understand the variable times of each individual special symbol lottery.

[0180] Therefore, for example, even in the case of a pachinko machine 10 in which different patterns of change in the change time are set depending on whether the result of the special pattern lottery is a jackpot or a miss, the display mode of the remaining time period mode 801 can prevent the player from knowing in advance the result of the lottery in the special pattern reserve (whether or not the special pattern reserve contains winning information corresponding to a jackpot win).

[0181] In addition, for example, in a pachinko machine 10 configured to select a 50-second variation pattern when the special symbol lottery result is a jackpot, and to select a 10-second, 20-second, or 30-second variation pattern when the special symbol lottery result is a miss, if the special symbol first reserved th1 is "10 seconds," the special symbol second reserved th2 is "30 seconds," the special symbol third reserved th3 is "20 seconds," and the special symbol fourth reserved th4 is "10 seconds," the display mode of the remaining time short period mode 801 indicating the duration of the V-Rush may be configured to display "50 seconds." This configuration allows the player to have a sense of anticipation for winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery executed during the time-saving state (the first special symbol lottery in the time-saving state was a jackpot and the variation time was set to 50 seconds), even if the duration is shorter than the V-Rush duration of "90 seconds" (the sum of the variation times for the four reserved special symbols).

[0182] In other words, when displaying only a portion of the V Rush duration rather than the entire duration, in addition to the configuration of displaying a value corresponding to the variable time (50 seconds) set when a jackpot is won as described above, it is also possible to configure the remaining time short period mode 801 to be displayed in a "60 second" display mode that leads the player to believe that the first time of time reduction is a miss variable (variation time 10 seconds) and the second time of time reduction is a jackpot variable (variation time 50 seconds). In other words, it is sufficient to display a value that is smaller than the value indicating the actual duration of the V Rush and is calculated by combining at least the variable time that can be selected for a jackpot variable and the variable time that can be selected for a miss variable.

[0183] In this embodiment, the display screen of the third pattern display device 81 is configured not to display the number of reserved special symbols that have been acquired, but it is not limited to this and a display mode for showing the number of reserved special symbols may be displayed. Even in this case, by displaying the display mode for showing the number of reserved special symbols in a display mode that makes it difficult for the player to visually recognize the content, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to understand the number of reserved special symbols that have currently been acquired.

[0184] Next, referring to FIG. 12(b), the V-Rush start screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 will be described. FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display mode in which the jackpot ending period ends and the V-Rush begins, and FIG. 12(d) is a diagram showing the status of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 12(b) is displayed. In other words, FIG. 12(b) shows the display screen at the time when the special symbol reserve indicated by the special symbol reserve th1 at the time of the jackpot ending begins to change. The special symbol reserve that was the special symbol reserve th1 at the time of the jackpot ending has shifted to the active special symbol th0, and the special symbol reserve th2 has shifted to the special symbol reserve th1, the special symbol reserve th3 has shifted to the special symbol reserve th2, and the special symbol reserve th4 has shifted to the special symbol reserve th3. Furthermore, since the V-Rush began, no new balls have entered the special symbol entry hole 64, and the special symbol reserve th4 is empty. As shown in the running normal map fh0, the lottery for the normal patterns has also begun to fluctuate, and the reserved numbers are being accumulated in the normal map first reserved number fh1 (see Figure 12(d)).

[0185] When the V Rush begins, the words "V Rush in progress" are displayed in the main display area Dm as a game status notification mode indicating that the current V Rush period is in progress. Next to the main display area Dm, a rabbit-like character 810 is dynamically displayed as if trying to take something out of a bag 810a. This indicates that the normal symbols are currently changing.

[0186] A timer 812 is displayed in the center of the main display area Dm to indicate the remaining time of the V-Rush period, which is advantageous to the player. This timer 812 displays a value that is the sum of the variable time for the specified number of special symbols until the time-saving state ends. In FIG. 12(b), the number of special symbol draws during the time-saving state is set to four, and the timer 812 displays "40.0 seconds," which is the sum of the variable time for the currently active special symbol th0 (10 seconds) and the variable time from the first reserved special symbol th1 to the third reserved special symbol th3. This timer 812 is displayed so that its value is subtracted each time the variable time for the currently active special symbol th0 is subtracted, allowing the player to easily understand that the V-Rush period is progressing.

[0187] Furthermore, the sub-display area Ds displays the words "V Rush ends when the timer reaches 0!!" to notify the player that the V Rush will end when the subtracted value of the timer 812 reaches 0. As described above, during the V Rush period, the player plays the game with the aim of getting the ball to enter the V winning hole 165. Therefore, the player can easily understand the period (remaining period) until the advantageous period ends by visually checking the change in the value displayed on the timer 812.

[0188] The display area HR1 in the upper left of the main display area Dm displays the words "1st consecutive win," indicating how many V-Rush periods have occurred since a jackpot was won from normal mode (the so-called first win) and a V-Rush began without the game state transitioning back to normal mode. Furthermore, the display area HR2 below the display area HR1 displays "0pt," indicating the number of prize balls won in jackpots won during the V-Rush period. By displaying the number of V-Rushes in the display area HR1 and the number of prize balls won in jackpots during V-Rushes in the display area HR2, the player can check their game history at their own convenience, improving gameplay convenience.

[0189] Also, a V-rush fluctuation area 811 is displayed in the main display area Dm, and a display mode in which the symbols change (dynamic display) is displayed in the left area 811a, center area 811b, and right area 811c of this V-rush fluctuation area 811. Information to inform the player of the game status during the V-rush is displayed in this V-rush fluctuation area 811. In Figure 12(b), the special symbol and the normal symbol are currently changing, and the V-rush fluctuation area 811 indicates that the V-rush period has passed.

[0190] Next, referring to Fig. 13(a), the display screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment when a normal symbol win occurs during a V-Rush will be described. Fig. 13(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a normal symbol win occurs during a V-Rush, and Fig. 13(c) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 13(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, when a normal symbol lottery is won, the electric accessory 640a attached to the electric normal winning device 640 is opened so that the game ball can enter.

[0191] As shown in Figure 13(c), the active normal symbol reserve fh0 displays a "○" indicating that the normal symbol has been selected. At the top right of the main display area Dm, an animation is displayed in which the character 810, searching for something in a bag 810a at the start of the V Rush (see Figure 12(b)), pulls out a ticket 810b bearing the word "Lucky." This notification indicates that the character has won the normal symbol lottery and received a special bonus. A schematic image of the normal electric prize-winning device 640 is displayed in the display area HR3 at the bottom right of the main display area Dm, showing that the normal symbol has been selected and the electric bonus device 640a has been opened. Furthermore, the sub-display area Ds displays the message "Get a V if the ball lands in the electric chute!!" These display contents allow the player to understand that they should aim for the electric chute when playing, and thus guide the player in the correct playing method. That is, the display mode of the display area HR3 and the display mode of the sub-display area Ds described above are guidance notification modes for informing the player of the content of the game to be executed.

[0192] Additionally, the timer 812 displayed in the center of the main display area Dm shows a value of 30.9 seconds. In the game status of FIG. 13(a), the remaining time for the ongoing special chart change shown in the ongoing special chart th0 is 0.9 seconds, and the special chart lottery from special chart 1 reserved th1 to special chart 3 reserved th3 is the V-Rush period. Therefore, the combined value of 30.9 seconds is displayed on the timer 812. Note that in FIG. 13(a), the special chart 4 reserved th4, which was not stored at the start of the V-Rush (see FIG. 12(b)), is reserved. However, since this is a special chart lottery that will be executed after the specified number of V-Rush periods has elapsed, the time for this special chart 4 reserved th4 is not added together. Therefore, a "-" is displayed next to the special chart 4 reserved th4 (see FIG. 13(c)).

[0193] Next, referring to Fig. 13(b), the display screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment when a role win occurs during a V-rush will be described. Fig. 13(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a role win game is executed during a V-rush, and Fig. 13(d) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 13(b) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, when a game ball enters the special electric operating port 643 in the normal electric winning device 640, a role win game is executed in which the V opening and closing door 65a attached to the V winning device 65 is opened.

[0194] FIG. 13(b) is a display screen when a game ball enters the special electric operation port 643 in the normal electric winning device 640 due to the normal winning of the normal symbol shown in FIG. 13(a). In FIG. 13(a), the reserved ball reserved in the special symbol first reservation th1 is shifted to the running special symbol th0 in FIG. 13(b). The remaining fluctuation time is 9.9 seconds, and a "?" is displayed indicating that the fluctuation has been temporarily stopped (see FIG. 13(d)). In this embodiment, when a role-winning game or a jackpot game is executed, the subtraction of the fluctuation time of the running special symbol fluctuation is suspended (temporarily stopped) until each winning game is completed.

[0195] 13(a), the main display area Dm displays the subtraction display of the timer 812 value, which had been decreasing along with the special symbol variation time, but is now interrupted at the time when the variation of the special symbol (the subtraction of the variation time of the special symbol variation) is interrupted (i.e., the time when the special symbol is won in the special electric activation port 643). Furthermore, the word "STOP!!" is displayed to indicate that the subtraction display of the timer 812 is interrupted. These display contents allow the player to understand that the passage of the V Rush period has been interrupted. Then, in the display area HR3, the V winning device 65 with the V opening / closing door 65a open is displayed in a schematic form, along with the word "Aim!!".

[0196] This allows the player to understand that the V opening / closing door 65a of the V winning device 65 is open (that a game with a winning combination is being executed) by visually checking the third symbol display device 81. In other words, the display mode of the display area HR3 in Fig. 13(b) and the display mode of the sub-display area Ds have the function of a game status notification mode for notifying the player of the game status during a V rush, and the function of a guide notification mode for guiding the player to the game that should be executed during a game with a winning combination.

[0197] The V-rush variable region 811 is displayed in a so-called reach display mode with the letter "V" statically displayed in the left region 811a and the right region 811c. Furthermore, the sub-display region Ds displays the words "If it hits V, it's a big win!!" These display contents allow the player to play the game with a sense of anticipation that he or she may soon be able to land the gaming ball in the V winning hole 165.

[0198] In other words, as shown in Figure 11 (b), in a typical game on a pachinko machine 10, that is, a game (special pattern game) in which a lottery for a special pattern is held and the result of the lottery is played in the hope of winning a jackpot, a plurality of identification information (each pattern (third pattern) dynamically displayed on the third pattern display device 81) to indicate the lottery result is displayed variably (dynamically displayed) in a plurality of columns (for example, three columns), and when all of the plurality of pattern columns except for one pattern column are displayed in a reach display mode (for example, a combination of the same identification information) that is a combination of identification information to indicate a jackpot win, a reach effect that increases the expectation of winning a jackpot is executed.

[0199] In the present embodiment, the game (special electric game) executed during the time-saving state (V rush) in the pachinko machine 10 is not a lottery for a special symbol, but a game in which a ball is drawn based on a lottery for a normal symbol, and then goes through various processes to finally enter the V winning slot 165 to execute a jackpot game (V jackpot game), so there was a problem that it was difficult for the player to understand the specific game content of the special electric game. In contrast, in this embodiment, depending on the progress of the special electric game having the above-mentioned complex playability (various processes until the jackpot game is executed), the variable display mode of the symbols (characters) that are variably displayed (dynamically displayed) in each of the left region 811a, middle region 811b, and right region 811c of the V rush variable region 811 is configured to be executed in a performance mode as if a special symbol game was being executed. By configuring it in this way, the player can understand each display mode displayed on the display surface of the third pattern display device 81 without having to understand the specific game content of the special electric game, thereby providing the player with an easy-to-understand game.

[0200] Next, referring to Fig. 14(a), a V winning screen during a game with a winning combination during a V rush, which is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment, will be described. Fig. 14(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a game ball enters the V winning slot 165 during a game with a winning combination during a V rush and a jackpot is awarded, and Fig. 14(c) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 14(a) is displayed. As described above, in this embodiment, a game with a winning combination is executed during a V rush, and when a ball enters the V winning slot 165 during a game with a winning combination (when a V wins), a jackpot game (V jackpot game) is awarded.

[0201] Figure 14(a) shows the display screen when a ball enters the V entry slot 165 during the game of the winning combination shown in Figure 13(b). As mentioned above, the variation of the special symbols is suspended during the game of the winning combination, so the running special symbol th0 is temporarily stopped with 9.9 seconds of variation time remaining. The special symbol 1 reserve th1 and the special symbol 2 reserve th2 are reserved within the specified number of times for this V Rush, and each has a variation time of 10 seconds. Therefore, the remaining time of the V Rush period remains unchanged from the point shown in Figure 13(b) and is "29.9 seconds" (see Figure 14(c)).

[0202] Then, when the ball enters the V-winning zone and it is determined that a jackpot game (V jackpot game) will be played, the V-rush period will not be decremented for a predetermined period (jackpot game period), and the display mode of "29.9 seconds" displayed on the timer 812 shown in Fig. 13(b) will be displayed in the display area HR4, which is less noticeable than the timer 812. "Time stock 29.9 seconds" is displayed in the display area HR4.

[0203] In this embodiment, if a V win (V jackpot game) occurs while the special symbol is temporarily stopped, the time-saving state continues until the special symbol lottery, which is executed after the temporarily stopped special symbol variation ends, is executed the number of times of time-saving set corresponding to the jackpot type of the jackpot game being executed this time. In other words, the information (time-saving number of times) for establishing the time-saving end condition is not updated (decremented) by the interrupted special symbol variation (resuming special symbol variation) executed after the jackpot game ends.

[0204] In other words, in the state shown in Figure 14(c), if the time-saving count is set to four after the end of a jackpot game, the duration of the next V-Rush is the sum of the remaining time (9.9 seconds) of the suspended special symbol fluctuation and the special symbol fluctuation time for the four reserved special symbols. This configuration allows for a longer V-Rush duration by the fluctuation time (remaining fluctuation time) of the resumed special symbol fluctuation, compared to the time-saving state (V-Rush initial entry) that is established when a special symbol is played in normal mode and a jackpot is won. Therefore, a V-Rush continuation can be provided that is more advantageous to the player than a V-Rush initial entry. This allows players to play with a greater expectation that the V-Rush will continue.

[0205] In addition, other methods may be used to set a time-saving state that is more advantageous to the player when the V rush continues than when the V rush first begins. For example, a different variation pattern may be selected as the variation pattern of the special symbol when the conditions for executing a jackpot game are met during the normal state (winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery) and the time-saving state is set after the jackpot game ends, and when the conditions for executing a jackpot game are met during the time-saving state (winning a V in the special electric game) and the time-saving state is set after the jackpot game ends. Specifically, it is preferable to configure the system so that a variation pattern with a longer variation time is more likely to be selected when the conditions for executing a jackpot game are met during the time-saving state (winning a V in the special electric game) and the time-saving state is set after the jackpot game ends, than when the conditions for executing a jackpot game are met during the normal state (winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery) and the time-saving state is set after the jackpot game ends. By configuring it this way, it is easier to lengthen the duration of the special symbol variation executed during the time-saving state when the V Rush continues than when the V Rush first starts, and as a result, it is possible to lengthen the duration of the V Rush. Therefore, added value can be given to players who continue the V Rush, increasing the player's motivation to play.

[0206] On the other hand, as a technical concept opposite to that of the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the information (number of time-saving times) for establishing the time-saving end condition may be updated (decremented) by executing the restart special symbol variation, or the special symbol variation with a longer variation time may be executed more easily at the first V-Rush than during the V-Rush continuation. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the V-Rush from continuing excessively, while also preventing the V-Rush from ending without executing a jackpot game (V jackpot game) even once in the special electric game executed during the V-Rush, thereby reducing the desire to play.

[0207] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the timing of interrupting the ongoing special symbol change significantly affects the duration of the V-Rush after the end of a jackpot game (V jackpot game), as in this embodiment, information indicating the remaining time of the ongoing special symbol change may be notified to the player in a state in which the special symbol change can be interrupted (for example, when a normal jackpot game is won), allowing the player to choose whether or not to interrupt the special symbol change. In other words, if the remaining time of the ongoing special symbol change is longer than a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), a game to interrupt the special symbol change (a game in which a ball enters the special electric operation port 643 during a normal symbol win game to execute a role-winning game) may be executed, and a game aiming for a V-winning game may be selected. However, if the remaining time of the ongoing special symbol change is shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), a game without interrupting the special symbol change may be selected.

[0208] Furthermore, when a jackpot game (V jackpot game) is awarded due to a V win, the time for which the temporarily stopped special symbols fluctuate and the time for which the special symbols fluctuate within the specified number of V Rush times that were held at that time are displayed as the preset period for the next V Rush. This time is then displayed in the H display area HR4 of the main display area Dm. Therefore, by checking the display area HR4, the player can confirm the period stocked for the next V Rush.

[0209] In the V-rush variable region 811 in the main display region Dm, which indicates the game status during a V-rush, a "V" is displayed as a static "V" in the middle region 811b, which was variable in FIG. 13(b). When a winning combination occurs, the left region 811a and the right region 811c display the static "V" character, and the left region 811a, the middle region 811b, and the right region 811c combine to display "VVV," indicating a winning jackpot. The sub-display region Ds also displays the words "Congratulations on the jackpot!!" These display contents clearly indicate to the player that a game ball has entered the V winning slot 165 during a winning combination, resulting in a jackpot.

[0210] In this embodiment, the V-rush variable region 811 is configured to freeze display the left region 811a and the right region 811c when a special feature hit is achieved, and freeze display the middle region 811b when a V win occurs during the special feature hit. However, this is not limited to this. Alternatively, the left region 811a may be frozen when a normal feature hit is achieved, the right region 811c may be frozen when a special feature hit is achieved, and the middle region 811b may be frozen when a V win occurs. By configuring the V-rush variable region 811 to execute a gradual effect in response to the fulfillment of game conditions, the player can instantly determine the current game stage by visually checking the V-rush variable region 811. This provides the player with more information. Furthermore, the frozen text may be any text indicating that a jackpot has been awarded and that the player will receive a special bonus, such as "Hit" or "V Win." By displaying multiple text indicating a jackpot, the player can enjoy a more varied experience.

[0211] Next, referring to Fig. 14(b), a description will be given of a miss screen during a V-rush win displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment. Fig. 14(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the game ball does not enter the V winning slot 165 during a V-rush win. In this embodiment, when a win is executed, the variation of the special symbol that was being executed is temporarily stopped, but if a V win does not occur during the win, the variation of the temporarily stopped special symbol is resumed.

[0212] FIG. 14(b) is a display screen when a winning combination is executed in FIG. 13(b) but the gaming ball does not enter the V winning slot 165. In the V variation area 811 of the main display area Dm, which shows the game status during the V rush, the character "X" is displayed in the middle area 811b, indicating that the V winning combination has not been executed. Therefore, the V rush variation area 811 displays a miss display mode of "V x V." This allows the player to understand that the gaming ball was not able to enter the V winning slot 165 during this winning combination.

[0213] Then, the main display area Dm displays the word "Resume!!" to indicate that the temporarily stopped special symbol fluctuation will resume. Then, the display mode for indicating the remaining time of the V Rush shown on the timer 812 starts decreasing again as the fluctuation of the special symbol shown on the running special symbol th0 resumes (see FIG. 14(d)). This allows the player to easily understand that they must play with the aim of winning a V within the time indicated by the timer 812.

[0214] Next, referring to Fig. 15(a), the jackpot ending screen during a V-Rush displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 15(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for a jackpot ending during a V-Rush, and Fig. 15(c) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 15(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, if a jackpot is won or a V prize is awarded during the V-Rush period, a V-Rush period (time-shortened state) is set again.

[0215] Figure 15(a) shows the ending screen of the jackpot awarded from the V winning shown in Figure 14(a). As mentioned above, when a jackpot is awarded during a V-Rush, the sum of the variable time of the temporarily stopped special symbol th0 and the variable time of the special symbol 2nd reserve th2, which was the specified number of times during the previous V-Rush period, is displayed as the time stock in the display area HR4, and the text "Time Stock 29.9 seconds" is displayed. Then, the variable time of the special symbol reserve corresponding to the special symbol 3rd reserve th3 in Figure 15(c), that is, the variable time of the special symbol reserve that was not added as part of the V-Rush period (time period) during the V-Rush before the jackpot game was executed, is calculated.

[0216] As mentioned above, if a jackpot is awarded during a V-Rush, another V-Rush is initiated at the end of the jackpot game. The duration of the V-Rush is set to the sum of the remaining time of the special symbol fluctuation that was temporarily suspended during the jackpot and the fluctuation time for the number of special symbol draws awarded based on the jackpot type. In Figure 15(a), the time stock displayed in display area HR4 is 29.9 seconds, i.e., the remaining time of the suspended special symbol fluctuation (9.9 seconds) plus the fluctuation time of the special symbol reserves corresponding to special symbol reserves th1 and th2 (a total of 20 seconds) that were already added and displayed on timer 812 during the previous V-Rush. To this time stocked number of seconds, the fluctuation time of the special symbol reserve corresponding to special symbol reserve th3 (15 seconds) is added as a new value that can be added to the V-Rush period at the end of the jackpot game.

[0217] In the example shown in Figure 15(a), the ending screen of a jackpot game in which four times of time reduction are granted after the end of the jackpot game is displayed, and the special chart reserves reserved as time stock are up to special chart reserve th2 (two special chart reserves), so the fluctuation time of the remaining two special chart reserves can be added and displayed on timer 812 as the current V rush period, but in Figure 15(a), since there is only one special chart reserve that can be added and displayed on timer 812 (because no special chart reserve is stored in special chart reserve th4), only the fluctuation time of the special chart reserve corresponding to special chart reserve th3 is added and displayed.

[0218] In this embodiment, if a jackpot is awarded during a V-Rush and the number of reserved special symbols stored at that time is insufficient to meet the required number of V-Rush time-saving rounds (time-saving rounds), a special symbol variable time corresponding to the reserved special symbol stored until the end of the jackpot game is added to the time-saving round value. In FIG. 15(a), the text "+15 seconds GET" is displayed in the added period display mode 802 corresponding to the special symbol variable time shown in the third reserved special symbol th3, which executes the 15-second miss variable pattern. This allows the player to enjoy the joy of knowing that the advantageous period for the player has been further extended. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the V-Rush period is added during the ending period of the jackpot game, allowing the player to play with anticipation that the advantageous period will be extended at the end of the jackpot game, thereby attracting more attention during the jackpot.

[0219] Additionally, the display area HR1 of the main display area Dm displays the words "2nd consecutive," indicating that the V Rush has continued for two consecutive times, and the display area HR2 displays "670P," the number of prize balls won in the jackpot during the V Rush. In this way, the game results are displayed in a location that is easy for the player to see, and the value increases each time a jackpot is hit and a bonus is obtained, giving the player a greater sense of satisfaction. The sub-display area Ds then displays the words "V Rush Continued," indicating that the V Rush has been set again. This allows the player to easily understand that the V Rush, which is advantageous to the player, will continue.

[0220] Next, referring to FIG. 15(b), a description will be given of the timer addition screen during a V-Rush displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment. FIG. 15(b) is a diagram showing an example of the display contents of the timer addition screen during a V-Rush. As described above, in this embodiment, an additional effect is executed for newly awarded special symbols reserved at the time of the jackpot ending executed during a V-Rush, or for the variable time of special symbols that were normally outside the period of the specified number of V-Rush. Then, if the number of reserved balls equal to the specified number of V-Rush times is not reserved at the end of the jackpot, an additional effect for the newly increased number of reserved balls is executed during the V-Rush period until the specified number of reserved special symbols is accumulated.

[0221] FIG. 15(b) shows the display screen when the game progresses from the end of the jackpot shown in FIG. 15(a) and a new game ball enters the special symbol ball entry slot 64. FIG. 15(d) shows the status of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 15(b) is displayed. The main display area Dm displays a change display mode indicating that the V-Rush change area has passed the V-Rush period. As shown in FIG. 15(d), the running special symbol th0 has resumed change, with the remaining change time being 3.2 seconds. Special symbol 1 reserve th1 and special symbol 2 reserve th2 each store a reserved ball with a change time set to 10 seconds. Special symbol 3 reserve th3 stores a reserved ball with a change time of 15 seconds. Therefore, the timer 812 displayed in the main display area Dm of the third symbol display device 81 displays the sum of these values, "38.2 seconds."

[0222] As described above, the state of Figure 15(a) is a state in which the variable time for two new special chart reservations can be added as a V-rush period, but only one new special chart reservation has been acquired (only special chart 3 reservation th3). In this case, as shown in Figure 15(b), when a new special chart reservation is acquired next, the variable time for the acquired special chart reservation is displayed in addition.

[0223] Specifically, the fourth special symbol th4 indicates that an additional win has been made, and this new special symbol is set to a variable time of 20 seconds. Therefore, a presentation is executed in which 20 seconds are added to the current V Rush period. Then, the character 810 displayed in the primary display area Dm is shown throwing a ticket 810b, indicating to the player that the V Rush period has been extended and that the advantageous period has been extended, into a timer 812 that indicates the remaining V Rush period. After this presentation is executed, the variable time of the newly added special symbol is added to the remaining V Rush period displayed on the timer 812, and the timer 812 displays the resulting value, "58.2 seconds." Additionally, the sub-display area Ds displays the words "Timer Added!!," clearly indicating that the V Rush period has been extended (added).

[0224] Next, referring to Fig. 16(a), a V-Rush end screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 16(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen indicating the end of the V-Rush, and Fig. 16(c) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 16(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, if the game ball does not enter the V winning slot 165 during the V-Rush period, or if the jackpot is not won in the special symbol lottery, the V-Rush period ends and the game state transitions to the normal state.

[0225] As shown in Figure 16(c), the "x" is displayed, indicating that the final change of this V Rush, the running special chart th0f, has stopped due to a miss. Special chart 1 reserve th1 to special chart 3 reserve th3 have reserved balls, but these reserved balls are outside the set number of V Rush rounds. Furthermore, the running regular chart fh0 is in a fluctuating state, and regular chart 1 reserve fh1 regular reserved balls have been accumulated.

[0226] The main display area Dm then displays the text "VGET x 2," indicating how many times the V Rush has continued this time, and further displays the text "PGET x 1500," indicating how many prize balls (bonuses) were won in the jackpot during this V Rush. This allows the player to easily understand the results of this V Rush game. The sub-display area Ds also displays the text "V Rush Ended," informing the player that the advantageous period has ended. These display modes allow the player to easily understand that the V Rush period has ended.

[0227] Next, the V Rush extension screen will be explained with reference to Fig. 16(b). Fig. 16(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen indicating that the V Rush period has been extended, and Fig. 16(d) is a diagram showing the status of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 16(b) is displayed.

[0228] In this embodiment, when the time-saving mode is set, a V-Rush effect is executed. The time-saving mode is configured to end when a predetermined number of special symbol variations have been completed. Specifically, when the time-saving mode is set to four, the time-saving mode ends and the game transitions to the normal mode when the fourth special symbol variation is stopped (determined) after the time-saving mode is set. Here, since the drawing (variation) of the special symbol and the drawing (variation) of the normal symbol are executed independently, if a normal symbol winning game is executed just before the end of the V-Rush period (just before the final special symbol variation in the time-saving mode is stopped), a bonus game may be executed after the time-saving mode ends (after transitioning to the normal mode).

[0229] In this case, if the V-Rush effect were to end when the game state transitioned from the time-saving mode to the normal mode, a situation would occur in which a bonus game would begin even though the V-Rush effect had ended, which could confuse the player. Therefore, in this embodiment, if a regular bonus game is being played at the end of the V-Rush period (the timing when the special symbol fluctuations stop in the time-saving mode), the V-Rush effect is extended until the regular bonus game ends, or until the bonus game triggered by the regular bonus game ends. This allows the V-Rush effect to be executed in accordance with the special bonus game period aiming for a V-jackpot game, resulting in an effect that is easy for the player to understand.

[0230] Specifically, as shown in Figure 16(d), when the "○" character is displayed indicating that the regular symbol tf0 has been hit and won, that is, when the special symbol variation, which is the final variation of the time-saving state, is displayed as stopped during the regular symbol win game (the special symbol th0 in progress is displayed as "X" indicating that it has stopped as a miss), as shown in Figure 16(b), the main display area Dm of the third symbol display device 81 displays the left area 811a, middle area 811b, and right area 811c of the V-Rush variation area 811, which indicates the game status during the V-Rush, in a fluctuating state. In other words, it indicates to the player that the V-Rush is continuing.

[0231] The timer 812 then displays "00.0 seconds," indicating that all of the specified number of special symbol variations in the time-saving state have ended. However, the words "V Rush Extended" are displayed above the main display area. This display lets the player know that the V Rush, which they thought had ended, is being extended, and gives them an unexpected sense of joy. The words "Last Chance!!" are then displayed in the secondary display area Ds, allowing the player to easily understand that unless the game ball enters the special electric activation port 643 and the V winning port 165 on this regular symbol win, the V Rush will end.

[0232] In the state shown in FIG. 16(b), i.e., if a ball enters the special power activation port 643 during the extended V-Rush display, the game involving a winning combination is executed in the same manner as during a normal V-Rush period. In this case, the display screen during the winning combination shown in FIG. 13(b) is displayed, and the words "Last Chance!!" continue to be displayed in the sub-display area Ds. This clearly notifies the player that if the ball does not enter the V-winning port 165 during this winning combination, the V-Rush period will end. If the ball enters the V-winning port 165 during the winning combination displayed as "Last Chance!!," the same V-jackpot game as during a normal V-Rush period is executed. On the other hand, if the ball does not enter the V-winning port 165, the V-Rush end screen shown in FIG. 16(a) is displayed after the game involving the winning combination ends.

[0233] As explained above with reference to Figures 16(a) and 16(b), in this embodiment, a series of V-rush effects are executed, with the V-rush period being the period during which special electric games can be played, rather than the transition status of the game state. This configuration allows for an effect that is easy for players to understand. The timing of the display of the end screen indicating the end of the V-rush period shown in Figure 16(a) is not limited to after the final variation of the special symbols during the V-rush period is displayed as still. For example, the display may be initiated when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) remains for the final variation of the special symbols, and the display of the end screen may be terminated when the final variation of the special symbols is displayed as still and the next variation of the special symbols begins. In this case, the V-rush period displayed on the timer 812 may be calculated as the period until the V-rush end screen is displayed.

[0234] This configuration allows the end screen to be displayed for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) after the timer 812 reaches 0, thereby clearly informing the player of the game results during the V Rush period. When using this configuration, for example, if the lottery status of the normal symbols is determined in advance at the time the V Rush end screen is displayed and it is determined in advance that a normal winning game will be executed within the time period in which the V Rush end screen can be displayed, the extension screen shown in FIG. 16(b) may be displayed at the timing when the V Rush end screen is displayed. Alternatively, after the end screen is displayed, the end screen may be switched to the extension screen if a normal winning game is executed. In this way, by using a configuration in which the end screen is switched to the extension screen, the possibility of a V jackpot game remains even after the end screen is displayed, allowing the player to play with a sense of anticipation until the end. In this embodiment, when the extension screen shown in FIG. 16(b) is displayed, the normal game state is set. With this configuration, it is preferable to configure the V jackpot game to be more advantageous to the player when it is executed during the normal mode than when it is executed during the time-saving mode. This means that the period during which the extended screen is displayed indicates that the V Rush period is about to end and that it is a period during which an advantageous jackpot game can be executed. Therefore, players playing during the V Rush period can play with a sense of anticipation until the very end. Additionally, in this case, the game state in which the normal mode is set can be managed by dividing it into a special normal mode in which the V Rush period is extended and a normal normal mode. The advantageous jackpot game is awarded only when the special normal mode is set. If a V jackpot game is executed during the normal normal mode, the player will receive very few prize balls as a penalty, and an unfavorable jackpot game in which the normal mode is set will be executed after the jackpot game ends.Furthermore, without being limited to this, for example, if the conditions for displaying the extension screen are met at the time when the final variation of the special symbol during the V Rush period is stopped and displayed, the time-saving state may not end, but may end when the conditions for terminating the extension screen display are met. This makes the timing at which the time-saving state ends variable, making it difficult for the player to understand when the time-saving state will end.

[0235] Next, referring to Fig. 17(a), a special screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 at the end of a jackpot game in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 17(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a special screen at the end of a jackpot game, and Fig. 17(c) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 17(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, when a jackpot game is executed during a V-Rush, after the jackpot game ends, the V-Rush period is set again based on the number of reserved balls of the special symbol and the fluctuation time. However, if there is a reserved ball that executes a winning fluctuation with a fluctuation time of 200 seconds among the reserved balls at the end of the jackpot game, a heaven mode effect is executed, indicating that the jackpot will definitely be won after the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0236] Figure 17(a) shows the display screen when a winning variation with a variation time of 200 seconds is reserved at the end of a jackpot game. As shown in Figure 17(c), the reserved status of each symbol at the end of the jackpot game shown in Figure 17(a) is that the special symbol th0 in progress is not undergoing variation because the jackpot game is in progress. Also, the regular symbol fh0 in progress shows a "↓" indicating that it is currently varying, and the regular symbol 1 reserved fh1 is shown to be stored. And, the special symbol 1 reserved th1 and the special symbol 2 reserved th2 each show that reserved balls for which a 10-second losing variation pattern is executed are stored.

[0237] The third special reserved symbol th3 indicates a reserved ball for which a 200-second winning variation pattern is executed. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, a special symbol variation pattern during time-saving play (V Rush) may be executed when the win / loss determination result indicates a win, resulting in a 200-second long win variation (hereinafter referred to as a special win). Furthermore, for a jackpot (jackpot A, jackpot B) won in the special symbol lottery, a time-saving state is set after the jackpot play ends. Therefore, even if the player is unable to win the V winning slot 165 in the special electric play until the variation of the special win stops (during Heaven mode), the jackpot play won by the special win will always set the V Rush period again after the jackpot play ends, allowing the player to play the special electric play with peace of mind. As shown in Figure 17(c), the special chart 4th reserve th4 indicates that there is a reserved ball, but since a jackpot game is executed in the special chart 3rd reserve th3, the variable time is set as the V rush period that is set after the end of the jackpot game executed by the reserved ball in the special chart 3rd reserve th3, so "-" is shown for the variable time.

[0238] As shown in FIG. 17(a), if there is a special win in the reserved slots at the end of a jackpot game, the main display area Dm of the third symbol display device 81 displays the words "Enter Heaven Mode," indicating that there is a special win in the reserved slots. Furthermore, the first lucky character 820a and the second lucky character 820b, which are not displayed when the game is in a normal state or during a V-Rush when there is no special win in the reserved slots, are displayed. Furthermore, the words "Super Lucky!!" are displayed in the sub-display area Ds. In this way, the display of the first lucky character 820a and the second lucky character 820b, which are not displayed when the game is in a normal state or during a V-Rush when there is no special win in the reserved slots, creates a sense of anticipation for the player that the game situation is special, allowing the player to continue playing with excitement. In other words, the first lucky character 820a and the second lucky character 820b function as a special game situation suggestion, suggesting to the player that the current game situation is special.

[0239] In addition, a special period display mode 803 with the word "220 seconds" written on it is displayed in the center of the main display area Dm. The value displayed in this special period display mode 803 is the time until the fluctuations resulting from the special symbol lottery stop, i.e., the value set as the period of the Heaven mode. In other words, it is a special game period notification mode for indicating the special game period that will be executed from now on. Therefore, the value displayed in this special period display mode 803 is the sum of the 200-second fluctuation time for the special win and the fluctuation time for the number of reserved balls until the special win is won. In FIG. 17(c), the special symbol first reserved th1 and the special symbol second reserved th2 each have a fluctuation time of 10 seconds. Furthermore, since the fluctuation time for the special win shown in the special symbol third reserved th3 is 200 seconds, the sum of the fluctuation times from the special symbol first reserved th1 to the special symbol third reserved th3, "220 seconds," is the period during which the Heaven mode is set.

[0240] The period of the time-saving state (V rush) in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment is configured to be notified to the player by the third symbol display device 81 at the end of the jackpot game, but the variation time of the special symbol in the time-saving game state is configured to execute a variation pattern set to a maximum of 50 seconds as the longest variation time, excluding the 200 seconds for the special win variation (see Figure 25 (c)). Therefore, as shown in Figure 17 (a), when an extremely long time exceeding 200 seconds is displayed in the special period display mode 803, the player can understand that the time-saving state will be set again, and can play the special electric game with peace of mind.

[0241] In this embodiment, at the end of a jackpot game, it is determined whether there is a special jackpot variation in the reserved balls, and if there is a special jackpot, the player is notified at the end of the jackpot game. However, the notification method is not limited to this. For example, if there is a special jackpot in the reserved balls, at the end of the jackpot, the time until the special jackpot variation is executed may be notified, and when the special jackpot variation starts, the player may be notified that the period has been extended by "200 seconds." This configuration can give the player the unexpected joy of suddenly having the V-Rush period, which they thought had ended, suddenly extended for a long period of time.

[0242] Next, referring to FIG. 17(b), the screen during the heaven mode displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing an example of the display screen during the heaven mode, and FIG. 17(d) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 17(b) is displayed. In this embodiment, if there is a special win in the reserved ball at the end of the jackpot, the time until the fluctuation of the special win stops is called the heaven mode, and is configured to be a period during which the player can play the special electric game with peace of mind. FIG. 17(b) is an example of a display screen when the game situation progresses after transitioning to the heaven mode shown in FIG. 17(a).

[0243] As shown in Figure 17(b), the display area HR1 of the main display area Dm displays the words "10th consecutive" to indicate that this is the 10th V-Rush period since the game state transitioned from normal play to time-saving play (V-Rush). The display area HR2 below the display area HR1 displays the words "6000pt," indicating the number of prize balls won in jackpot games executed since the transition to V-Rush. The words "In Heaven Mode" are displayed above the main display area Dm, allowing the player to instantly determine the current game state. Also, as during V-Rush, a V-Rush variable area 811 is displayed, and the left area 811a, center area 811b, and right area 811c each display a variable display mode indicating that a normal symbol lottery is being executed and that a special electric game is in progress. Also, as during V-Rush, an animation of a character 810 searching for something in a bag 810a is displayed in the upper right corner of the main display area Dm. This indicates that a normal symbol lottery is being executed.

[0244] As shown in Figure 17(d), the currently active special symbol th0 is currently changing a special symbol with a remaining change time of 30 seconds. In the game situation shown in Figure 17(c), this currently active special symbol th0 is the ball reserved for the special win shown in the special symbol 3 reserved th3, which has begun to change. Therefore, the remaining time of the Heaven mode being executed in Figure 17(b) is 30 seconds, which is the remaining change time of this currently active special symbol th0. Also, while the special symbol 1 reserved th1 to the special symbol 3 reserved th3 indicate that reserved balls exist, since the special symbol lottery is being executed outside the currently active Heaven mode period, the change time is indicated by "-". Also, the currently active normal symbol fh0 indicates that a normal symbol lottery is being executed, and a reserved ball is also stored in the normal symbol 1 reserved fh1.

[0245] The timer 812 in the main display area Dm is displayed so that it counts down according to the remaining time of the variation of the currently running special chart th0. As shown in FIG. 17(d), since the remaining variation time of the currently running special chart th0 is th0, the timer 812 displays the text "30.0 seconds" (see FIG. 17(b)). In addition, the sub-display area Ds displays the text "Something good will happen when the timer reaches 0," suggesting to the player that they will win a jackpot when the remaining time value displayed on the timer 812 reaches 0. In other words, the sub-display area Ds displays a suggestive presentation notification mode to suggest to the player the upcoming game situation.

[0246] As described above, in this embodiment, some of the display modes during the Heaven mode, which is the period from when a special win occurs until the winning symbols stop, are configured to be the same as those in the V Rush mode. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to inform the player that, just like during the V Rush mode, the Heaven mode also involves special electric play and allowing the game ball to enter the V winning slot 165, which is a basic game method that is advantageous to the player. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with an easy-to-understand game.

[0247] The display mode is not limited to this, and it may be configured to execute a special effect for the heaven mode. By configuring in this way, it is possible to provide a wider range of effects and further enhance the effect of the effect.

[0248] Next, referring to FIG. 18(a), a description will be given of a chance effect screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment during a winning combination. FIG. 18(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for a chance effect during a winning combination, and FIG. 18(c) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 18(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, when a winning combination of a normal symbol is won and a game ball enters the special electric operation port 643, a winning combination is executed, and when a game ball enters the V winning port 165 in the V winning device 65 during the winning combination, a jackpot is awarded. In FIG. 18(a), the timing when a game ball is likely to enter the V winning port 165 during a winning combination is notified to the player as a chance effect based on the game situation shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0249] As shown in Figure 18(c), the reserved status of each symbol in Figure 18(a) is shown with a "?", indicating that the current special symbol th0 is currently in the middle of a winning combination, and therefore the fluctuation has been temporarily stopped. Each reserved ball from special symbol th1 to special symbol th2 shows a 10-second miss fluctuation. Special symbol th3 shows a special symbol fluctuation that is executed outside the currently running V-Rush period, so the fluctuation time shows a "-". Furthermore, special symbol th4 shows that it is not reserved. And, the current regular symbol fh0 shows a "○", indicating that it has won the regular symbol lottery.

[0250] FIG. 18(a) is a notification screen for notifying the player that the game ball is likely to enter the V winning port 165 during the winning combination shown in FIG. 13(b). In this embodiment, as described above, the game ball that enters the V winning device 65 during the winning combination is stored in the storage valve 66a. This storage valve 66a is configured to be in an open state for 1.5 seconds out of a 3-second period so that the game ball flows down the third flow path 65d (see FIG. 7). The first movable valve 66b disposed above the V winning port 165 is configured to be in an open state so that the game ball can flow down the fifth flow path to the V winning port 165 for 0.5 seconds out of a 5.5-second period, regardless of the game state (see FIG. 27(a)).

[0251] That is, to allow a gaming ball to enter the V winning opening 165, the gaming ball must flow down the third flow path 65d after the storage valve 66a is opened and enter the V winning opening 165 while the first movable valve 66b is set to the open state. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether the first movable valve 66b will be set to the open state within two seconds after the storage valve 66a is set to the open state. If it is determined that the first movable valve 66b will be set to the open state within two seconds, an emphasis pattern 811z is displayed around the V rush fluctuation region 811 displayed in the primary display area Dm, as shown in FIG. 18(a). Then, the words "Great Chance for V Win!!" are displayed in the secondary display area Ds. In other words, the emphasis pattern 811z serves as a timing notification pattern for informing the player of the timing when it is likely to transition to an advantageous gaming state. This configuration allows the player to understand the timing when it is likely to result in a V winning, making it easier to play the game.

[0252] In this embodiment, the timing when it is easy to win a V prize is notified by the highlighting mode 811z and the comment in the sub-display area Ds, but it is not limited to this, and it may be configured to notify the timing when it is difficult to win a V prize. By configuring in this way, it is possible to provide a more user-friendly game to the player.

[0253] Next, referring to FIG. 18(b), a description will be given of the normal symbol stop screen displayed on the third symbol display device 81 during a V-Rush in this embodiment. FIG. 18(b) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the normal symbol lottery stops during a V-Rush period, and FIG. 18(d) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 18(b) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, during a V-Rush (time-saving state), the most advantageous game method for a player is to win the normal symbol lottery, place a game ball in the special electric operation port 643, and execute a special electric game aiming for a V-entry. Therefore, if a normal symbol lottery is not being executed during this V-Rush, the special electric game cannot be executed, and therefore an effect encouraging the launch of a game ball is executed on the third symbol display device 81.

[0254] As shown in Figure 18(d), the reserved status of each symbol during the V-Rush in Figure 18(a) indicates that the currently active special symbol th0 is currently changing and that the remaining change time is 2 seconds. Furthermore, the first special symbol th1 and the second special symbol th2 each store reserved balls for a 10-second miss change. The third special symbol th3 and the fourth special symbol th4 store no reserved balls. Therefore, the remaining time of the V-Rush shown in Figure 18(b) is 22.2 seconds, calculated by adding the remaining change time of the currently active special symbol th0 and the change time of the first special symbol th1 and the second special symbol th2. Furthermore, the currently active regular symbol fh0 displays a "-" to indicate that the regular symbol lottery is not being executed. Furthermore, the first regular symbol fh1 does not store reserved balls.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 18(d), if the normal symbol lottery is not executed and the game is stopped during V-Rush, the electric device 640a associated with the normal winning device 640 is not set to the open state, and it is impossible to enter a game ball into the special electric operation port 643. In other words, the special electric game, which is the basic game method during V-Rush, cannot be executed. Furthermore, since the special symbol lottery is executed, V-Rush ends as soon as the specified number of special symbol lotteries are completed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, to enter a game ball into the special symbol ball entry port 64 or the normal winning device 640, a left-handed play is required, in which the game ball is fired toward the left side of the game board 13. When a left-handed play is executed, the game ball passes through the through gate 67, which triggers the normal symbol lottery. In other words, the game situation in which the special symbol lottery is executed but the normal symbol lottery is not executed, as shown in FIG. 18(b), is a situation in which the game ball is not fired. Therefore, the third symbol display device 81 executes an effect that encourages the player to launch the game ball.

[0256] The main display area Dm displays the words "V RUSH IN PROGRESS," and the timer 812 displays "22.2 seconds," indicating the remaining time of the V RUSH, as if it were being subtracted as time passes. These display details allow the player to easily understand that the V RUSH game is being played and that the remaining time is decreasing. Furthermore, in the V-variable area 811, where a variable display is being performed when a normal symbol lottery is being performed, the character 810 provides an animation of the character 810 guiding the player with the characters "Hit" (or "Hit") in the left area 811a, "Tsu" (or "Tsu") in the center area 811b, and "Te" (or "Te") in the right area. In other words, the V-variable area 811 indicates that a normal symbol lottery is not being performed, and serves as a warning display mode to notify the player that the V RUSH is ending.

[0257] In addition, the sub-display area Ds displays the message "Please start playing." These display contents notify the player that the normal symbol lottery has not been executed and the special symbol game cannot be executed, and also warn the player that the V-Rush period, which is an advantageous period for the player, will end if the lottery is executed. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to prevent the advantageous period from ending unexpectedly.

[0258] The effect of encouraging the launch of the game ball is not limited to this display mode. In other words, it is sufficient if it conveys to the player that the lottery for the normal symbol is not being executed, and characters indicating danger such as "WARNING" may be displayed on the entire third symbol display device 81. By configuring it in this way, it is possible to more effectively warn the player that he or she may incur a loss.

[0259] Next, referring to FIG. 19(a), a special symbol stop screen during a V Rush displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 19(a) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a special symbol lottery is not being held during a V Rush, and FIG. 19(c) is a diagram showing the status of each symbol when the display screen shown in FIG. 19(a) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, the time-saving state (V Rush) continues until a specified number of special symbol lotteries have been held, and the sum of the variable time for the specified number of times is notified to the player as the specified period of the V Rush. Therefore, when a special symbol lottery is not being held, the specified period has not been determined, and an effect is executed that makes the player anticipate how long the V Rush will last.

[0260] As shown in Figure 19(c), the reserved status of each reserved symbol in the game situation shown in Figure 19(a) is that the currently running special symbol th0 is shown with a "-" indicating that the lottery for the special symbol is not being executed. Also, the special symbol 1 reserved th1 to the special symbol 4 reserved th4 indicate that no reserved balls are stored. On the other hand, the currently running regular symbol fh0 is shown with a "↓" indicating that the regular symbol lottery is being executed, and the regular symbol 1 reserved fh1 is also stored.

[0261] Thus, if a special symbol lottery is not being executed during a V-Rush, the special electric game can be played until the specified number of special symbol lotteries have been executed. As shown in FIG. 19(a), the timer 812 displays "??? seconds," indicating that the special symbol lottery has not been executed and that the specified time has not yet elapsed. The V-variable area 811 also displays a "↓↓↓" variable display, indicating that the regular symbol lottery is being executed. The secondary display area Ds displays a notification mode, "I wonder how long it will last," suggesting that the specified time for the V-Rush has not yet been reached. These display contents allow the player to understand that the remaining time for the V-Rush has not decreased because the special symbol lottery has not been executed, but that the regular symbol lottery has been executed, allowing the special electric game to be executed. This configuration allows the player to play the game with excitement, wondering how long the advantageous gaming situation of being able to execute the special electric game before the V-Rush period has elapsed will continue. That is, the display contents shown in FIG. 19(a) are suggestive notification contents for informing the player that he is in an advantageous state.

[0262] As described above, if there are no reserved balls with special symbols during the V Rush period, it may be possible to notify the player that the V Rush period has ended, and then, when a game ball enters the special symbol ball entrance 64, a revival effect may be executed to make the player feel as if the V Rush period has been revived. By configuring the game in this way, the player may feel as if the V Rush period that they thought had ended has been revived, and may experience unexpected joy.

[0263] Next, referring to Fig. 19(b), the lucky time screen during V rush displayed on the third symbol display device 81 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 19(b) is a diagram showing an example of the lucky time screen during V rush, and Fig. 19(d) is a diagram showing the state of each symbol when the display screen shown in Fig. 19(b) is displayed. In this embodiment, as described above, when a V jackpot game is executed during the time-saving state (V rush), the remaining time of the interrupted special symbol variation and the special symbol variation time for the number of time-saving times (4 times) set after the V jackpot game ends are configured to be set as the time-saving period (V rush period) after the V jackpot game ends.

[0264] Therefore, the longer the remaining period of the special symbol variation that is suspended at the time when the V jackpot game is executed, the longer the next V rush period can be. However, although the display screen of the third symbol display device 81 displays the V rush period (subtraction display) using the display mode of the timer 812, it does not display the remaining period of the special symbol variation that is being executed, so the player has to play while hoping that the remaining period of the special symbol variation that is being executed will be long every time the special symbol variation is suspended.

[0265] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the remaining period of the currently executing special symbol variation meets a predetermined condition, an effect is executed to notify the player of this fact. Specifically, when the remaining period of the special symbol variation is longer than a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), or when the remaining period of the currently executing special symbol variation is longer than the variation time of the next special symbol variation, the lucky time effect is executed. By configuring in this way, when a V-winning game is executed during lucky time, the next V-rush period can be extended, which can motivate the player to play.

[0266] When the lucky time effect is executed, the words "Lucky Time Enters" are displayed in the main display area Dm, and "10 seconds" is displayed as the period display mode 851. In the display screen shown in FIG. 19(b), a lucky time effect is being executed that indicates that the remaining period of the currently executing special symbol variation is longer than the variation time of the next special symbol variation. As shown in FIG. 19(d), if the remaining period of the currently executing special symbol variation is 20 seconds and the variation time of the next special symbol variation is 10 seconds, the difference of 10 seconds is displayed in the period display mode 851. The number of seconds displayed in this period display mode 851 is subtracted in accordance with the subtraction of the variation time of the special symbol variation, and when 0 seconds is displayed, the lucky time effect ends.

[0267] The sub-display area Ds then displays a message such as "Winning a special feature during lucky time is a chance" as a guide display mode to inform the player of the special benefit during lucky time. This motivates the player to play during lucky time. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, in this embodiment, when the remaining period of the currently executing special symbol variation is less than a predetermined time (e.g., less than 5 seconds), an unlucky effect can also be executed to notify the player of this. In other words, if a V jackpot game is executed while this unlucky effect is being executed, the player can be made to understand that the next V rush period set is likely to be shorter.

[0268] By executing the unlucky effect in this way, the player can choose whether to actively play special electric games even during the unlucky effect in order to execute a V jackpot game during the V rush period, or to refrain from playing special electric games until the unlucky effect ends, although the V rush period is being subtracted, with the aim of setting a longer V rush period after the V jackpot game ends, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0269] In this embodiment, the lucky time effect and unlucky effect are executed when the variation time of the special symbol satisfies a predetermined condition, but the present invention is not limited to this, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, whether or not to execute the effect may be determined by lottery, or whether or not to execute the effect may be determined based on the operation result of the operation means (frame button 22) that can be operated by the player. Furthermore, the frequency of execution of the effect may be varied depending on the length of the period during which the lucky time effect or unlucky effect can be displayed, and if the remaining period of the currently executing special symbol variation exceeds 50 seconds, the lucky time effect may be executed with a high probability.

[0270] 19(b), while the lucky time effect is being executed, the period in which the player will have an advantage is notified to the player using the period display mode 851. However, this is not limited to this, and the system may be configured to only display a display mode indicating that it is a lucky time without displaying the period display mode 851. This makes it difficult for the player to grasp the degree of advantage, and therefore provides the player with the fun of predicting the length of the V rush period that will be set after the V jackpot game ends.

[0271] Furthermore, the conditions for executing the lucky time effect and the unlucky effect may be set such that the remaining period of the V rush period, i.e., the total period of special pattern changes until the time-saving state ends, is a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) or more, or the lucky time effect and the unlucky effect may be configured not to be executed during the final change of the special pattern in the V rush period.

[0272] <Regarding transition of game state of pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment> Next, the transition of the game state of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a transition diagram showing the flow of the game state set in the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment.

[0273] In this first embodiment, two game states can be set: a normal state (low probability state of special symbols, low probability state of normal symbols) and a time-saving state (low probability state of special symbols, high probability state of normal symbols). Regardless of the game state, the time-saving state is set after a jackpot game has ended, and the normal state is set when a time-saving end condition (for example, a condition that is met when the special symbol lottery is executed a predetermined number of times (four times) without winning a jackpot) is met during the time-saving state.

[0274] First, we will explain the case where the normal state is set as the game state. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, in the initial state (the state in which the processing is executed when it is determined that the RAM deletion switch 122 (see FIG. 10) has been operated during the startup processing (see FIG. 54) of the main control device 110), the normal state is set as the game state. This normal state is a game state in which it is difficult to make the ball enter the normal electric winning device 640 (it is more difficult to make a winning than in the high probability state of the normal pattern) because it is a low probability state of the normal pattern, so a left-hand hit game is executed to make the ball enter the special pattern ball entrance 64.

[0275] In this normal state, if a jackpot is won in the lottery for a special symbol (special symbol) (special symbol lottery), either jackpot A or jackpot B is set as the jackpot type, and a jackpot game is executed. A detailed explanation will be given later with reference to Fig. 24, but in this embodiment, when a jackpot is won in the special symbol lottery, "jackpot A (4R (rounds), 4 times time reduction)" is set as the jackpot type in 99% of cases, and "jackpot B (4R (rounds), 15 times time reduction)" is set as the jackpot type in 1% of cases.

[0276] In other words, if a jackpot is won during the normal state, the time-saving state is set after the jackpot game ends, and the end conditions of the time-saving state are configured to differ depending on the type of jackpot that is set. Specifically, the time-saving end conditions are set to be more likely to be achieved for a jackpot type that is easier to set (jackpot A) than for a jackpot type that is harder to set (jackpot B). By configuring it in this way, players playing in the normal state can play not only aiming to win a jackpot in the special chart lottery, but also in the hope that the jackpot type that is set will be the jackpot type that is advantageous to the player (jackpot B).

[0277] Although detailed explanation will be omitted, while the normal state is set, a dynamic display (presentation display) for showing the result of the special lottery is executed on the display surface of the third pattern display device 81, and by grasping the dynamic display mode (presentation mode) executed on the display surface of the third pattern display device 81, the player can predict the result of the special lottery being executed. Also, as described above, during the normal state, a low probability state of the normal pattern is set, and therefore, it is difficult for the ball to enter the normal winning device 640 by the lottery of the normal pattern (normal lottery), so the presentation display for suggesting the result of the normal lottery to the player is not executed on the display surface of the third pattern display device 81, or it is executed in a display mode that is less noticeable than the dynamic display mode for suggesting the result of the special lottery.

[0278] By configuring it in this way, during the period when the normal state is set, the player can focus on the effects that are executed based on the results of the special lottery rather than the effects that are executed based on the results of the regular lottery, so it is possible to make the player visually understand that during the normal state, a game that mainly relies on the special lottery (special game) is being executed. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with a game that is easy to understand.

[0279] Then, when a time-saving state (low probability state for special symbols, high probability state for normal symbols) is set after the jackpot game ends, the normal electric winning device 640 is more likely to be in an open state based on the normal symbol lottery, and a game (special electric game) aiming for a jackpot game (V jackpot game) by a device hit game executed by making a ball enter the special electric operating port 643 based on the normal symbol lottery is configured to be more advantageous to the player than a game (special symbol game) aiming for a jackpot game (special symbol jackpot game) based on the special symbol lottery.

[0280] In this way, by making the execution trigger of the jackpot that the player should aim for different depending on the set game state, the player can be made to play different games depending on the set game state, and it is possible to prevent the player from getting bored of the game early. Note that in this embodiment, the special symbol game aiming for the special symbol lottery during the normal state is configured to be more advantageous to the player than the special electric game aiming for the normal symbol lottery, and during the time-saving state, the special electric game aiming for the normal symbol lottery is configured to be more advantageous to the player than the special symbol game aiming for the special symbol lottery, so that the content of the game that the player should play is made different depending on the game state, but without being limited to this, multiple types of special symbols are provided (first special symbol, second special symbol), and the special symbol lottery that the player should play is configured to be more advantageous to the player depending on the set game state. The type of special pattern corresponding to the selection may be different, for example, when the normal state is set, the first special pattern game aiming to win the special pattern lottery for the first special pattern may be more advantageous to the player than the second special pattern game aiming to win the special pattern lottery for the second special pattern, and when a game state different from the normal state (for example, a time-saving state) is set, the second special pattern game aiming to win the special pattern lottery may be more advantageous to the player than the first special pattern game aiming to win the special pattern lottery for the first special pattern.

[0281] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above with reference to Figure 2, the game board 13 is configured to execute the same game method (left-hand play) whether a special chart game is being played or a special electric game is being played, thereby preventing the player from having to go through the hassle of changing the game method every time the game state changes. However, without being limited to this, the game method may be configured to differ depending on the game state that is set. For example, the game may be configured so that left-hand play (play that aims at the game area (left-hand area) formed on the left side of the variable display device unit 80) is executed during the normal state, and right-hand play (play that aims at the game area (right-hand area) formed on the right side of the variable display device unit 80) is executed during the time-saving state. In this case, a special ball entry port 64 is provided in the left area as a configuration for executing special game play, and a through gate 67, a regular electric winning device 640, and a V winning device 65 are provided in the right area as a configuration for executing special electric game play, and a variable winning device 650 that is opened as a jackpot game is provided in the game area (lower area) that can be reached by balls that have flowed down the left or right area.

[0282] By configuring it in this way, the game method (left-hand play, right-hand play) can be varied depending on the game content (special chart play, special electric play) that the player is primarily to perform, thereby providing the player with the fun of being able to change the game method.

[0283] Furthermore, in this way, when the game method (left-hand play, right-hand play) is to be varied depending on the game content (special symbol play, special electric game) that the player is primarily to perform, it is advisable to configure the system to execute a guidance notification (for example, a display mode of "right-hand play" displayed on the display surface of the third symbol display device 81) to guide the player as to which game method (left-hand play, right-hand play) to perform.

[0284] Furthermore, when the game method (left-hand play, right-hand play) is varied depending on the game content (special chart game, special electric game) that the player is primarily to play, by providing a variable winning device 650 that opens as a jackpot game in the game area (lower area) that can be reached by a ball that has flowed down the left or right area, whether the jackpot game is played based on a special chart game or a special electric game, there is no need to change the game method when a jackpot game is played, and the game can be played smoothly.

[0285] Returning to Figure 20, the explanation continues. In this embodiment, the condition for ending the time-saving state is established based on the number of times the special symbol changes (the number of times the special symbol lottery is held). In addition, the lottery for the normal symbol (normal symbol lottery) is configured to be executable independently of the lottery for the special symbol (special symbol lottery). In other words, the execution trigger for the normal symbol lottery is configured to be established regardless of the status of the special symbol lottery.

[0286] In addition, in this embodiment, when a ball enters the special electric operation port 643 provided in the special symbol variation (special symbol variation) normal electric winning device 640 and a role-winning game is executed, the special symbol variation being executed is suspended, and when the role-winning game ends, the suspended special symbol variation is resumed. Also, when a ball enters the V winning port 165 during a role-winning game and a jackpot game (V jackpot game) is executed, the suspended special symbol variation is resumed when the jackpot game ends.

[0287] In this embodiment configured as described above, when a time-saving state is set, a special electric game is executed aiming for many V jackpot games until the end condition of the time-saving state (time-saving end condition) that can be established based on the special drawing is established, that is, until a predetermined number of (for example, four) special drawing lots are executed. To give a specific example, if four special drawing lotteries are set as the time-saving end condition, the time-saving state set this time will continue for 40 seconds (the time when the fourth special drawing lottery ends) until the special drawing lottery ends.

[0288] In this case, as shown in Figure 12(a), if there are four special reserved symbols at the end of the jackpot game, "40 seconds" will be displayed as the period until the time-saving state set after the jackpot game ends.

[0289] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the variable time of the special symbol variable during execution is not subtracted while a bonus hit game or a jackpot game (V jackpot game) is being executed during the time-saving state, so the period during which the time-saving state is actually set is the sum of the special symbol variable time until the time-saving end condition is met and the interruption time during which the subtraction of the special symbol variable time is interrupted. As described above, the interruption time during which the subtraction of the special symbol variable is interrupted corresponds to the period during which the winning game (bonus hit game, jackpot game) is being executed, and the execution period of the winning game varies in length depending on the content of the player's game, so it is not possible to accurately notify the player of the interruption time.

[0290] Therefore, in this embodiment, the remaining time until the time-saving state ends (special chart fluctuation time) is displayed (see Figure 13(a)), and if the deduction of the special chart fluctuation time is interrupted, a display mode (see Figure 13(b)) is displayed to indicate that the deduction display of the remaining time until the time-saving state ends (special chart fluctuation time) has been interrupted until the deduction is resumed.

[0291] By configuring it in this manner, the display content (remaining time short period display mode 801 in Figure 12(a)) indicating the period until the time-saving state ends, displayed on the display surface of the third pattern display device 81, does not differ from the actual period until the time-saving state ends, making it possible to provide players with a game that is easy to understand.

[0292] The normal symbol lottery (normal symbol lottery) executed during the time-saving state (high probability state of normal symbol) is configured to have a winning probability of approximately 33%, which makes it easier to win a normal symbol win compared to the winning probability (1%) of the normal symbol lottery (normal symbol lottery) executed during the normal state (low probability state of normal symbol). Furthermore, in this embodiment, regardless of the set game state, a 3-second fluctuation time is set as the normal symbol fluctuation pattern. Therefore, by continuously executing left-hand play during the time-saving state, a normal symbol win game is executed approximately once every 10 seconds, and the normal electric winning device 640 is configured to be in an open state.

[0293] As described above with reference to Figures 3 to 5, when a normal winning game is executed during the time-saving state, the ball that entered the normal winning device 640 is configured to be more likely to enter the special electric operation port 643 (easier to enter than in a normal winning game executed during the normal state), and it is configured to be possible to execute games per special device the same number of times as the number of games per normal winning game. And, as described above with reference to Figures 6 to 9, the probability that a ball will enter the V winning port 165 in one game of special device and a jackpot game (V jackpot game) will be executed is configured to be approximately 1 / 11.

[0294] That is, in the first embodiment, during the time-shortening state, a role-winning game that offers a chance to make the ball enter the V winning port 165 is executed approximately once every 10 seconds. If the result of the role-winning game is that the ball enters the V winning port 165 (V winning), a jackpot game (a jackpot game of jackpot type C (10R (round), time-shortening 4 times)) is executed after the role-winning game, and the time-shortening state is set again after the jackpot game ends. In other words, if a V jackpot game (a jackpot game executed by making the ball enter the V winning port 165) is executed during the time-shortening state, the time-shortening state is set without fail after the jackpot game ends. Therefore, once the time-shortening state is set, the time-shortening state will not end as long as the jackpot game continues to be executed in the special electric game, and the player can play the special electric game with a sense of anticipation.

[0295] In addition, although a detailed explanation will be given later, when a jackpot game is executed by a special electric game, the interrupted special chart variation will be resumed after the jackpot game ends, but the resumed special chart variation is configured not to update the number of special chart lotteries (special chart variations) required to establish the time-saving end condition. In other words, after the special chart variation after the restart ends, the time-saving state continues until the special chart variation is executed four times.

[0296] In other words, if a game is played with a special device when the remaining period for the special pattern change is long (for example, 30 seconds), and a V jackpot game is played by that game, the period of the time-saving state set after the jackpot game will be "30 seconds + 4 special pattern changes," whereas if a game is played with a special device when the remaining period for the special pattern change is short (for example, 0.5 seconds), and a V jackpot game is played by that game, the period of the time-saving state set after the jackpot game will be "0.5 seconds + 4 special pattern changes."

[0297] By configuring it this way, when a special electric game aiming for a V jackpot game is executed during a time-saving state in which the termination condition is established based on the elapsed time, it is not advantageous for the player to execute the V jackpot game earlier, but it is more advantageous for the player to execute the V jackpot game when the remaining period of the special chart fluctuation currently being executed is long. Therefore, even if a predetermined period has passed since the time-saving state was set and the V jackpot game has not been executed, it is possible to have the player continue playing while keeping a sense of expectation.

[0298] In this embodiment, the number of time-saving times (the number of special chart changes updated to establish the time-saving end condition) is not updated (decremented) based on the special chart change that resumes after the jackpot ends, but it is not limited to this. It may also be configured so that the number of time-saving times (the number of special chart changes updated to establish the time-saving end condition) is updated based on the special chart change that resumes after the jackpot ends. Even if configured in this way, the longer the special chart change period (remaining change period) after resumption, the more advantageous it is for the player. Therefore, even if a predetermined period has passed since the time-saving state was set and the V jackpot game has not been executed, it is possible to have the player continue playing while keeping a sense of expectation.

[0299] Returning to Figure 20, the explanation continues. If the game result of the per-game feature executed during the time-saving state is that the ball cannot enter the V winning hole 165 (in the case of non-V winning), the special electric game is repeatedly executed until the time-saving state ends.

[0300] Furthermore, when the special symbol variation (special symbol variation) ends during the time-saving mode, it is determined whether the time-saving end condition is met, i.e., whether the number of special symbol variations set as the time-saving end condition has been met. If the time-saving end condition is met, the game state transitions to the normal state, and the special symbol game is executed. On the other hand, if the time-saving end condition is not met, the next special symbol variation is executed. A detailed explanation will be given later with reference to FIG. 25(c). In this embodiment, the variation pattern for the special symbol lottery executed during the time-saving mode is configured so that if the result of the special symbol lottery is a win (1 / 100), a variation pattern with a variation time of 50 seconds or 200 seconds is selected, and if the result of the special symbol lottery is a loss (99 / 100), a variation pattern with a variation time of 10 to 50 seconds is selected. In other words, the system is configured so that it is easier to maintain the time-saving state for a longer period if a jackpot is won in the special drawing held before the time-saving end condition is met (if the time-saving end condition is set to four times, four special drawing held after the jackpot play ends). Furthermore, if a jackpot is won in the special drawing during the time-saving state, the time-saving state will be set again after the jackpot play ends. Therefore, the added value of winning a jackpot in the special drawing within the limited period in which the time-saving state is set can be provided to the player, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0301] In this embodiment, if it is determined that there is jackpot information with a variable time of 200 seconds set in the reserved memory of the special pattern acquired at the end of the jackpot game, a special effect is executed to notify this (see Figure 17(a)).

[0302] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the termination conditions for the time-saving state set after the end of a jackpot game can be set to either an easily established time-saving termination condition (four time-saving times) or a less established time-saving termination condition (15 time-saving times). Here, if 15 time-saving times are set, the time-saving state will continue until the 15th special drawing executed during the time-saving state is completed. Therefore, the time-saving period can be extended according to the increase in the number of special drawing variations, and the probability of winning a jackpot during the time-saving state can be increased. The time-saving period can also be extended further by the long-term variation pattern set when a jackpot is won.

[0303] 2, the pachinko machine 10 of the first embodiment is configured to play in the same playing method (left-hand play) during the normal state, the time-saving state, and the jackpot play, so that it is possible to prevent a situation in which the special symbol lottery is not executed during the time-saving state. In this embodiment, the special symbol variation pattern is configured to be selected regardless of the number of reserved special symbols (number of reserved special symbols), but it is not limited to this. For example, when the time-saving state is set, it is preferable to configure it so that the greater the number of reserved special symbols, the more likely it is that a variation pattern with a longer variation time will be selected.

[0304] By configuring it in this way, it is possible to make players eagerly play in order to reach the upper limit (4) of the number of reserved special figures in the stage before the time-saving state is set (for example, during a jackpot game). Also, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a state in which the special figure change is not executed during the time-saving state (a state in which the time-saving end condition is not met).

[0305] Furthermore, although detailed explanation is omitted, in this embodiment, during the period in which the time-shortening state is set, that is, during the period until the predetermined number of special symbol variations (special symbol variations) are completed, a lottery for normal symbols is executed, and ultimately a special electric game is executed in which a ball enters the V winning port 165 in the V winning device 65. The V winning device 65 is configured to make it easy for a ball to enter during a game in which a role is played, and is configured so that the variation time of the special symbol variation is not subtracted (is interrupted) during a game in which a role is played. Furthermore, the game with a per-unit feature has multiple termination conditions. Specifically, the first termination condition (ball entry termination condition) is established when the number of balls entering the V entry device 65 during the game with a per-unit feature reaches a predetermined number (3 balls), and the second termination condition (time lapse termination condition) is established when the elapsed time since the game with a per-unit feature is executed reaches a predetermined time (3 seconds). The game with a per-unit feature is terminated when either the first termination condition or the second termination condition is established. Also, during the period when the normal symbol is fluctuating and during the execution of the game with a per-unit feature, a lottery for a new normal symbol (normal symbol lottery) is not executed. However, during the normal symbol game, a ball enters the special electric operation port 643 and a game with a per-unit feature is executed, a new normal symbol lottery can be executed.

[0306] In the pachinko machine 10 configured in this way, by executing the special symbol per game during the time-saving state, the special symbol variation is interrupted and the special symbol variation is interrupted, aiming to execute as many special symbol per game as possible. However, the period during which the special symbol per game cannot be executed, such as the period during which the normal symbol variation until the lottery result of the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, and the period during which the ball cannot enter the normal electric winning device 640 during the execution of the normal symbol per game (the period during which the electric symbol 640a is closed), is a period during which the special symbol variation time during the time-saving state is subtracted unnecessarily, and therefore, during the time-saving state, it becomes a short period of time that is disadvantageous to the player.

[0307] Therefore, for example, if the normal symbol variation pattern set during the time-saving state is configured to be selectable between a normal symbol short variation pattern (variation time 3 seconds) with a short variation time and a normal symbol long variation pattern (variation time 15 seconds) with a long variation time, the player will play in the hope that the normal symbol short variation pattern will be selected so that the above-mentioned short unfavorable period will be shortened. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, if a configuration is used in which the special symbol variation is suspended (the process of subtracting the special symbol variation time is suspended) during the execution period of the game per role, by lengthening the period in which the short unfavorable period and the suspension period of the special symbol variation overlap, it is possible to prevent the variation time of the special symbol from being subtracted during the short unfavorable period.

[0308] Therefore, in order to shorten the short disadvantage period during the time-saving state, it is advisable to determine the remaining time of the normal game being executed when a game per reel is executed during the time-saving state, and if the remaining time is longer than a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), to execute a performance that encourages the player to end the game per reel by the passage of time rather than by the ball winning. By configuring in this way, the execution period of the game per reel can be extended, thereby shortening the short disadvantage period.

[0309] <Regarding the Electrical Configuration of the Pachinko Machine 10 in the First Embodiment> Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0310] The main control unit 110 is equipped with an MPU 201, a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation unit. The MPU 201 contains a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 202 are executed, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. Note that various commands are transmitted from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers, such as the dispensing control unit 111 and the voice lamp control unit 113, via the data transmission / reception circuit to instruct the sub-controllers to operate, but these commands are transmitted in only one direction, from the main control unit 110 to the sub-controllers.

[0311] The main control device 110 executes the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as drawing lots for special symbols, drawing lots for normal symbols, setting the display on the first symbol display device 37, setting the display on the second symbol display device 83, and setting the display on the third symbol display device 81. Various counters for controlling these processes are provided in the RAM 203. Here, with reference to FIG. 22, the counters and the like provided in the RAM 203 of the main control device 110 will be described. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the counters and the like provided in the RAM 203 of the main control device 110. These counters and the like are used by the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 to draw lots for special symbols, draw lots for normal symbols, set the display on the first symbol display device 37, set the display on the second symbol display device 83, and set the display on the third symbol display device 81.

[0312] The lottery for the special symbols and the setting of the display of the first symbol display device 37 and the third symbol display device 81 use a first winning random number counter C1 used to draw the special symbols, a first winning type counter C2 used to select the type of big win for the special symbols, a stop type selection counter (not shown) used to select the type of stop for a losing special symbol, a first initial value random number counter CINI1 used to set the initial value of the first winning random number counter C1, and a variation type counter CS1 used to select the variation pattern.

[0313] In addition, the second winning random number counter C4 is used to draw the normal symbol, and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 and the fluctuation type counter CS1 used to select the normal symbol fluctuation pattern are used to set the initial value of the second winning random number counter C4. Each time these counters are updated, 1 is added to the previous value, and after reaching the maximum value, they return to 0.

[0314] Each counter is updated, for example, at 2 millisecond intervals, which is the execution interval of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 39), and some counters are updated irregularly during the main process (see FIG. 55), and the updated values ​​are appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 203. The RAM 203 is provided with a special symbol reserved ball storage area 203a that corresponds to balls entering the special symbol ball entrance 64 and is made up of four reservation areas (reservation areas 1 to 4), and the special symbol reserved ball storage area 203a stores the values ​​of a first winning random number counter C1, a first winning type counter C2, a stop type selection counter C3, and a variation type counter CS1 in accordance with the timing of the ball entering the special symbol ball entrance 64.

[0315] Then, when the start condition (variation condition) of the special pattern is met, the various values ​​stored in the first reserved area of ​​the special pattern reserved ball storage area 203a are shifted to the special pattern execution area, and the special pattern variation based on the various stored values ​​is started.

[0316] In this embodiment, one type of special symbol is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more types of special symbols may be provided. In this case, for example, in order to establish the lottery conditions for one special symbol type (for example, the first special symbol) based on a ball entering the special symbol entrance 64 (first entrance), the above-mentioned values ​​may be stored in the first special symbol reserved ball storage area, and in order to establish the lottery conditions for another special symbol type (for example, the second special symbol) based on a ball entering an entrance (for example, a second entrance) different from the special symbol entrance 64 (first entrance), the above-mentioned values ​​may be stored in a second special symbol reserved ball storage area different from the first special symbol reserved ball storage area.

[0317] Then, when the start condition (variation condition) of the first special symbol or the start condition (variation condition) of the second special symbol is established, the various values ​​stored in the first reserved area of ​​the special symbol reserved ball storage area for the corresponding special symbol type are shifted to the special symbol execution area, and the special symbol variation based on the various stored values ​​is initiated. By configuring in this way, even in pachinko machines 10 that use multiple special symbol types, each special symbol variation can be smoothly executed.

[0318] Furthermore, if the pachinko machine 10 has multiple special symbol types (first special symbol, second special symbol), it may be configured so that the drawing of the first special symbol and the drawing of the second special symbol can be executed simultaneously (in parallel), in which case each special symbol reserved ball storage area (first special symbol reserved ball storage area, second special symbol reserved ball storage area) may be configured so that it has its own special symbol execution area. This allows the next special symbol variation to be executed promptly when the start condition for each special symbol is met.

[0319] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lottery results for the special symbols are configured to be either a jackpot or a miss, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in some cases where the lottery result for the special symbols is a miss, the player may be able to win a small prize that can be awarded to the player with a smaller benefit than when the jackpot is won (a benefit different from when the jackpot is won). By configuring in this way, even if the player does not win a jackpot, an opportunity to award a benefit to the player can be provided, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game. In this case, a small prize type counter can be provided in the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, and the acquired value of the small prize type counter can be configured to be able to be stored in the special symbol reserved ball storage area, and can be referenced when a lottery for the special symbols is executed.

[0320] In addition, if the special pattern lottery is configured to allow a small jackpot to be won, the game state transition content based on a big jackpot win and the game state transition content based on a small jackpot win may be configured to be different, for example, if a big jackpot is won, the game state may be transitioned to the normal state at the start of the jackpot game, and further, based on the set jackpot type, a new game state may be set after the jackpot game ends, and if a small jackpot is won, the game state at the time of the small jackpot win is maintained and a small jackpot game is executed, and the game state does not transition even after the small jackpot game ends.

[0321] By configuring it in this way, it is possible to vary whether or not the game state changes and the content of the change depending on the type of win (big win, small win), thereby providing a wide variety of games.

[0322] Furthermore, the RAM 203 of this embodiment is provided with a normal pattern reserved ball storage area 203b that corresponds to the ball entering (passing through) the through gate 67, which consists of one reserved area (first reserved area), and the normal pattern reserved ball storage area 203b stores the values ​​of the second winning random number counter C4 and the normal pattern variation type counter CS2 in accordance with the timing of the ball entering the through gate 67.

[0323] Then, when the normal pattern start condition (variation condition) is met, the various values ​​stored in the first reserved area of ​​the normal pattern reserved ball storage area 203b are shifted to the normal pattern execution area, and the normal pattern variation based on the various stored values ​​is started.

[0324] Next, each counter will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 22. The first hit random number counter C1 is configured to increment by 1 in sequence within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 399), and return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (for example, 399 in the case of a counter that can take values ​​from 0 to 399). In particular, when the first hit random number counter C1 goes around once, the value of the first initial value random number counter CINI1 at that time is read as the initial value of the first hit random number counter C1.

[0325] Furthermore, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 is configured as a loop counter that is updated within the same range as the first hit random number counter C1. That is, for example, if the first hit random number counter C1 is a loop counter that can take on values ​​from 0 to 399, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 is also a loop counter that takes on a range from 0 to 399. This first initial value random number counter CINI1 is updated once for each execution of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 39), and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of the main process (see FIG. 55).

[0326] The value of the first winning random number counter C1 is updated, for example, periodically (in this embodiment, once per timer interrupt process), and is stored in the special symbol reserved ball storage area 203a of the RAM 203 at the timing when the ball enters the special symbol entrance 64. The value of the random number that results in a jackpot for the special symbol is set by the first winning random number table 202a stored in the ROM 202 of the main control device 110, and when the value of the first winning random number counter C1 matches the value of the random number that results in a jackpot set by the first winning random number table 202a, it is determined that a jackpot for the special symbol has occurred.

[0327] Here, the first winning random number table 202a will be explained with reference to Fig. 23(b). Fig. 23(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the first winning random number table 202a. This first winning random number table 202a is a table that defines a random number value (determination value) that is determined to be a jackpot in a special symbol lottery.

[0328] Specifically, the first win random number table 202a specifies a predetermined range of values ​​that determine whether a jackpot occurs. As shown in Figure 23(b), the values ​​of the first win random number counter C1, "0 to 3", are specified as jackpot determination values, and other values ​​("4 to 399") are specified as loss determination values.

[0329] In this embodiment, the probability of winning a jackpot is set to the same regardless of the gaming state, but the invention is not limited to this and the jackpot probability may be set to vary depending on the gaming state. In this case, the jackpot probability for special symbols may be set to two types, a high probability state and a low probability state, or three or more types. In this case, for example, the jackpot probability for special symbols may be set to vary for each of up to four gaming states set by combining the special symbol state and the normal symbol state, or simply, the special symbol state may be set to three or more types, such as a high probability state, a normal probability state, and a low probability state, and a different jackpot probability may be set for each state.

[0330] In addition, when the configuration is such that a "small win" can be won as a result of the special symbol lottery, the first win random number table 202a can be configured to define the value of the first win random number counter C1 corresponding to the "small win." By configuring in this way, the big win lottery and the small win lottery for the special symbol can be executed in the same process, so the processing load on the main control device 110 can be reduced compared to when the big win lottery and the small win lottery are executed in different processes. Also, it is possible to prohibit winning both the big win and the small win in one special symbol lottery.

[0331] The first winning type counter C2 determines the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 when a jackpot of a special symbol occurs, and is configured to be incremented by 1 in a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 99) and return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (for example, 99 in the case of a counter that can take values ​​of 0 to 99). The value of the first winning type counter C2 is updated, for example, periodically (once for each timer interrupt process in this embodiment), and is stored in the special symbol reserved ball storage area 203a of the RAM 203 at the timing when the ball enters the special symbol ball entrance 64.

[0332] The value of the first winning type counter C2 in the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment is configured as a loop counter in the range of 0 to 99. In this embodiment, the acquired value of the first winning type counter C2 is used to determine the type of jackpot when a jackpot is won, by referring to the first winning type selection table 202c. Here, the contents of the first winning type selection table 202c will be described with reference to Fig. 24.

[0333] 24(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the first winning type selection table 202c. As shown in FIG. 24(a), this first winning type selection table 202c has a special symbol jackpot type selection table 202c1 that is referenced when a jackpot is won in a special symbol lottery, and a V jackpot type selection table 202c2 that is referenced when the ball enters the V winning hole 165 (V winning).

[0334] First, the contents of the special jackpot type selection table 202c1 will be explained with reference to Figure 24(b). Figure 24(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the special jackpot type selection table 202c1. As mentioned above, this special jackpot type selection table 202c1 is a data table for selecting the jackpot type to be set when a jackpot is won in a special pattern lottery, and different jackpot types are defined depending on the value of the acquired first jackpot type counter C2.

[0335] Specifically, when the value of the first winning type counter C2 is in the range of "0 to 98", "big win A" is defined, and when the value is "99", "big win B" is defined.

[0336] Here, the content of the jackpot game executed corresponding to each jackpot type and the content of the game state set after the jackpot game ends will be explained. In this embodiment, the opening operation content (round game content) of the jackpot game executed according to each jackpot type, that is, the opening operation scenario that chronologically specifies the operation content (opening timing, number of openings) of the movable member (variable winning device 650) executed during the jackpot game is stored in advance in the various operation scenario table 202e possessed by the ROM 202 of the main control device 110.

[0337] Then, when a jackpot is won, an opening operation scenario corresponding to the set jackpot type is read from the various operation scenario table 202e and stored in an active scenario storage area (not shown) in RAM 203 of the main control device 110. When the opening operation scenario is stored in the active scenario storage area (not shown), the scenario content is updated every time the main processing (see Fig. 55) of the main control device 110 is executed (every 4 milliseconds), and the jackpot control processing (see S1804 in Fig. 56) that executes control during jackpot play determines the current scenario content and executes processing based on the determination result.

[0338] With this configuration, for example, when multiple movable members are moved by one opening operation control, the operation control for the multiple movable members can be centrally managed by using an opening operation scenario that defines the operation content of each movable member in chronological order. Therefore, compared to when operation control is performed separately for each movable member, the operation timing of each movable member can be set appropriately, and if a malfunction occurs in one movable member, operation processing for the other movable members can be smoothly executed.

[0339] "Jackpot A" is a type of jackpot in which the number of rounds (the number of times round games are executed) is four, and the variable winning device 650 is opened for four rounds. This round game is a game in which the first attacker 650 is continuously opened until ten balls enter the variable winning device 650 or until the opening period reaches 30 seconds. In other words, "Jackpot A," in which four rounds of round games are executed, is a jackpot game in which a maximum of 40 balls can enter the variable winning device 650.

[0340] Furthermore, "Jackpot A" is specified so that a time-saving state (low probability state for special symbols, high probability state for normal symbols) is set after the jackpot game ends, and the period during which the time-saving state continues is specified as "4 time-savings," that is, the short time period until the special symbol lottery is executed four times during the time-saving state without winning the jackpot (until the result of the fourth special symbol lottery is displayed as a stopped (confirmed) display).

[0341] "Jackpot B" is a type of jackpot in which the number of rounds (the number of times round games are played) is four, and the variable winning device 650 is opened during the four rounds. After the jackpot game ends, a time-saving state (a low probability state for special symbols, a high probability state for normal symbols) is set, and the duration of the time-saving state is set to "15 time-saving times," that is, the time-saving period until 15 times are played without winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery during the time-saving state (until the result of the 15th special symbol lottery is displayed as a static display (confirmed display)).

[0342] In other words, in this embodiment, when a jackpot is won in the lottery of the special symbol, four rounds of jackpot play are always executed, and the time-saving state is set after the jackpot play ends. If the set jackpot type is "jackpot A" (99% of the time of winning a jackpot), the number of time-saving times is set to "4 times," and if it is "jackpot B" (1% of the time of winning a jackpot), the number of time-saving times is set to "15 times."

[0343] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, during the time-saving state, a special electric game (a game in which the aim is to win a jackpot by having a ball enter the V prize slot 165 (V entry) based on the lottery of a normal symbol) is executed, which makes it easier to execute a jackpot game than a special symbol game during the normal state (a game in which a ball is entered into the special symbol ball entry slot 64 and the aim is to win a jackpot through a special symbol lottery), and the time-saving state is configured to be a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. Therefore, "Jackpot B", in which the time-saving state, which is a game state advantageous to the player, is difficult to end (the conditions for ending the time-saving state are difficult to meet), is a jackpot type that is more advantageous to the player than "Jackpot A".

[0344] In this embodiment, when a jackpot is won in a lottery for a special symbol, the same number of rounds of jackpot play is executed for all jackpots, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured to allow a different number of rounds of play to be executed depending on the type of jackpot selected. Also, in this embodiment, when a jackpot is won in a lottery for a special symbol, the time-saving state is set after the jackpot play ends for all jackpots, and the number of time-saving states (time-saving end conditions) is varied depending on the type of jackpot, but the present invention is not limited to this and may provide a jackpot type in which the time-saving state is set at the end of the jackpot play depending on the type of jackpot selected, and a jackpot type in which the normal state is set.

[0345] Next, the contents of the V jackpot type selection table 202c2 will be described with reference to Fig. 24(c). Fig. 24(c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the V jackpot type selection table 202c2. This V jackpot type selection table 202c2 is a data table that defines the game content of a jackpot game (V jackpot game) that is executed when a ball enters the V winning port 165 (V entry). Specifically, "jackpot C" is defined for the entire range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "0 to 99".

[0346] This "jackpot C" is a jackpot type in which the number of rounds (the number of times round games are executed) is 10, and the jackpot game is executed with the variable winning device 650 opening for 10 rounds. Then, it is specified that a time-saving state (a low probability state for special symbols, a high probability state for normal symbols) is set after the jackpot game ends, and the time-saving state continues for "4 times of time-saving," that is, the time-saving period until four times are executed without winning a jackpot in the lottery for special symbols during the time-saving state (until the result of the fourth special symbol lottery is stopped and displayed (determined display)).

[0347] In other words, in this embodiment, the jackpot game executed based on the V winning (the jackpot game executed in the special electric game) is configured to execute a jackpot game with a larger number of rounds than the jackpot game executed based on the special lottery (the jackpot game executed in the special game). In other words, in terms of the amount of bonuses (number of prize balls) awarded during the jackpot game, the time-saving state is a more advantageous game state for the player than the normal state.

[0348] In this embodiment, the value of the first winning type counter C2 is obtained based on the ball entering the special electric operation port 643, and the jackpot game (V jackpot game) that is executed based on a V entry during a role-winning game is executed based on the jackpot type selected by referring to the V jackpot type selection table 202c2 based on the value of the first winning type counter C2 obtained when the ball enters the special electric operation port 643 that triggered the execution of the role-winning game that resulted in a V entry.

[0349] In this embodiment, since only one jackpot type (jackpot C) is defined in the V jackpot type selection table 202c2, the same jackpot game is executed regardless of whether a V win occurs through a game involving a winning combination. However, this is not limited to this, and the V jackpot type selection table 202c2 may define multiple jackpot types according to the value of the acquired first jackpot type counter C2. Furthermore, multiple special jackpot operation ports may be provided in the normal jackpot winning device 640, and the jackpot type may be set corresponding to the special jackpot operation port into which the ball has won. Furthermore, the value of the first jackpot type counter C2 may be obtained based on the ball's entry into the V winning port 165 during a game involving a winning combination, and the jackpot type may be selected based on the obtained value of the first jackpot type counter C2.

[0350] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game state after the end of the jackpot game is selected regardless of the game state set at the time when the jackpot is won or the ball enters the V winning port 165, but without being limited to this, the game state set after the end of the jackpot game may be configured to be variable depending on the game state set at the time when the jackpot is won or the ball enters the V winning port 165. In this case, for example, if a normal symbol winning game is executed just before the end of the time-saving state (just before the final variation of the special symbol in the time-saving state stops), and a V win occurs during a role-winning game that is executed in a state in which the normal state after the time-saving state ends is set, that is, only when a V win occurs in a special electric game during the normal state, a time-saving state in which the time-saving end condition is unlikely to be met after the end of the jackpot game (for example, a time-saving state with 20 time-saving times) may be set.

[0351] In this embodiment, there are three types of jackpot types, but the number may be two or less, or four or more. The same jackpot type may be set when a jackpot is won in a special symbol lottery and when a V win occurs in special electric gameplay. Furthermore, the selection rate and type of the jackpot type selected this time may be different based on information about previously selected jackpot types (e.g., jackpot game content, game state transition content). This configuration can also arouse the player's interest in past game history (jackpot history). In this case, it is preferable to implement a suggestive effect that can suggest to the player the jackpot type that is likely to be set at the next jackpot based on past jackpot history. This can encourage the player to continue playing.

[0352] The variation type counter CS1 is configured to increment by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 198 and return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 198). The variation type counter CS1 determines the general display mode (variation time), such as a short-time miss, a long-time miss, a normal reach, or a super reach. Specifically, the display mode is determined as the variation time of the pattern variation. Based on the variation time determined by the variation type counter CS1, the audio lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114 determine the reach type and detailed pattern variation mode of the third pattern displayed on the third pattern display device 81. The value of the variation type counter CS1 is updated once each time the main processing (see FIG. 55), described later, is executed, and is also repeatedly updated during the remaining time of the main processing. A variation pattern selection table 202d (see FIG. 25), which stores random number values ​​that determine one variation time of the pattern variation from the value (random number) of the variation type counter CS1, is provided in the ROM 202 of the main control device 110.

[0353] Here, the contents of the fluctuation pattern selection table 202d will be explained with reference to Figure 25. Figure 25(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the fluctuation pattern selection table 202d. As shown in Figure 25(a), the fluctuation pattern selection table 202d defines a normal table 202d1 used when the normal state is set as the gaming state, and a time-saving table 202d2 used when the time-saving state is set. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, different data tables are used to select a fluctuation pattern depending on the gaming state, so that the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) selected can be different depending on the gaming state.

[0354] Next, the detailed contents of each table defined in the variation pattern selection table 202d will be explained with reference to Figures 25(b) and 25(c). Figure 25(b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the normal table 202d1. This normal table 202d1 is a data table that is referenced when the normal state is set as the gaming state, and is defined so that a variation pattern with a longer variation time is more likely to be selected when the lottery result for the special symbol is a jackpot than when it is a miss.

[0355] Specifically, as shown in Figure 25(b), the result of the lottery for the special symbol (special symbol) is a "jackpot (win)," and various winning normal reaches with a fluctuation time of 20 seconds are specified in the range of "0 to 50" of the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1, and winning super reaches with a fluctuation time of 60 to 120 seconds are specified in the range of "51 to 198." In Figure 25(b), in order to simplify the explanation of the fluctuation pattern of winning super reaches, the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 is shown as "60 to 120 seconds" in the range of "51 to 198," but in reality, predetermined fluctuation times (for example, a fluctuation time of 60 seconds, a fluctuation time of 100 seconds, a fluctuation time of 120 seconds) are specified in the range of the corresponding value of the fluctuation type counter CS1. In other words, if the result of the special pattern lottery is a "jackpot (win)" and the acquired value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 is in the range of "51 to 198", a fluctuation pattern is set with a fluctuation time of one of "60 seconds to 120 seconds" corresponding to the acquired value.

[0356] Also, when the lottery result is a "miss," the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 is specified to correspond to a short miss with a fluctuation time of 8 seconds in the range of "0 to 179," a miss normal reach with a fluctuation time of 20 seconds in the range of "180 to 194," and a miss super reach with a fluctuation time of 60 to 120 seconds in the range of "195 to 198." Note that when the lottery result is a "miss," the content shown in the range of "195 to 198" for the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 has the same purpose as when the lottery result is a "jackpot (win)" as described above, and the explanation is simplified.

[0357] In other words, in this embodiment, regardless of the result of the special symbol lottery executed during the normal state, the types of variable time that can be selected are the same, and only the rate at which each variable time is selected is different. Furthermore, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a jackpot (win), the rate at which a longer variable time is selected is higher than when it is a miss. Therefore, the longer the special symbol variation that is being executed, the higher the probability of winning a jackpot. Therefore, when a special symbol variation with a long variation time is executed, it is possible to prevent the player from getting bored of the game before the variation time has elapsed.

[0358] In this embodiment, the variable time set for the lottery for the special symbol executed in the normal state is configured so that the fewer the number of reserved balls for the first special symbol, the longer the variable time is set. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent frequent periods when the lottery for the first special symbol is not executed. Furthermore, when the number of reserved balls for the first special symbol has reached the upper limit, a short variable time is set, which prevents a ball from entering the special symbol entrance 64 when the number of reserved balls has reached the upper limit.

[0359] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the type of variable time that can be selected is configured to be the same regardless of the result of the special pattern lottery that is executed during normal operation, thereby preventing the result of the special pattern lottery from being revealed to the player in advance by knowing the length of the variable time that is set. However, without being limited to this, it is also possible to configure the variable time that is selected only when the result of the special pattern lottery is a jackpot (win) or a variable time that is selected only when it is a miss to be partially settable.

[0360] As shown in Figure 25(b), in this embodiment, the variation pattern is selected based on the result of the lottery for the special pattern (the result of determining whether it is a win or a loss) and the value of the variation type counter CS1 obtained, but without being limited to this, it may also be configured to select the variation pattern based on, for example, the type of jackpot that is set when a jackpot is won.

[0361] Next, the contents of the time-saving table 202d2 provided in the variation pattern selection table 202d will be explained with reference to Fig. 25(c). Fig. 25(c) is a schematic diagram showing the contents defined in the time-saving table 202d2. As shown in Fig. 25(c), the time-saving table 202d2 defines the pattern type, lottery result, and the range of the value of the variation type counter CS1 in association with the variation pattern.

[0362] Specifically, as shown in Figure 25(c), when the result of the hit / miss judgment (lottery result) is a "hit (jackpot)," a "short hit" with a fluctuation time of 50 seconds is specified for the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 in the range of "0 to 99," and a "long hit" with a fluctuation time of 200 seconds is specified for the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 in the range of "100 to 198." Also, when the result is a "miss," a "short miss A" with a fluctuation time of 10 seconds is specified for the value of the fluctuation type counter CS1 in the range of "0 to 149," a "short miss B" with a fluctuation time of 15 seconds is specified for the range of "150 to 169," a "short miss C" with a fluctuation time of 20 seconds is specifi...

Claims

[Claim 1] a launching means capable of launching a game ball; a first ball entry means provided at a position where a game ball can enter the ball when the game ball passes through a predetermined area that can be reached by the game ball that is launched at a predetermined launch strength by the launch means; A gaming machine having a displacement means that can be displaced between a first state in which a first flow path is formed and a second state in which the first flow path is not formed, The first ball entry means is provided at a position where a game ball that has reached the first flow path and passed through a predetermined portion enters the ball entry means, The gaming machine includes: a distribution means that is provided at a position where game balls that have reached the first flow path but have not passed through the predetermined portion can reach, and that can distribute the game balls to a second flow path that is different from the first flow path or a third flow path that is different from both the first flow path and the second flow path; A second ball entry means that is different from the first ball entry means and that allows the game ball that has flowed down the second flow path to enter the ball; A third ball entry means, which is different from the first ball entry means and the second ball entry means, into which the game ball flowing down the third flow path can enter, The displacement means is configured to be displaced from the second state to the first state when a predetermined execution condition is met, The game state includes at least a first game state and a second game state in which a game ball that has passed through the predetermined area is more likely to reach the first flow path than in the first game state, In the second gaming state, when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied, which can be satisfied when at least a value related to a predetermined element is updated to a specific value, the first gaming state can be entered; When a game ball enters the first ball entry means or the second ball entry means, a benefit of the same value or a different value corresponding to the ball entry means into which the game ball entered can be awarded, When a game ball enters the third ball entry means, the special benefit is not awarded. The system is configured so that the value of the predetermined element can be updated in response to a game ball entering one of the first and second ball entry means, and the value of the predetermined element is not updated in response to a game ball entering the other ball entry means, The time period from when the game ball reaches the first flow path to when it enters the second ball entry means is configured to be longer than the time period from when the game ball reaches the first flow path to when it enters the first ball entry means, A specific flow path through which the game balls launched by the launching means at a specific launch intensity that is weaker than the predetermined launch intensity can flow, The game ball that has flowed down the specific flow path is configured so that it cannot enter at least the second ball entry means, The gaming machine includes: At least in a predetermined situation where the displacement means is in the second state, the game ball flowing down toward the predetermined portion is configured to be able to abut against the abutment portion located at a predetermined position, and the abutment is configured to prevent the game ball from entering the first ball entry means, A gaming machine characterized in that when the displacement means is displaced from the second state to the first state, the position of the abutment portion is displaced in conjunction with the displacement, so that a gaming ball flowing down toward the specified portion can enter the first ball entry means without abutting on the abutment portion.

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