Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of increasing the interest of a game.SOLUTION: In a game in which an operation performance that prompts the operation of a performance button B5 is executed by displaying a performance button display object IMG10 on a liquid crystal display LCD, when a performance operation for the performance button B5 is performed while reels are rotating, the performance button display object IMG10 is hidden, a character display object corresponding to the result of an internal lottery is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD. In a game in which the operation performance is executed, when a performance operation for a MAX bet button B0M is executed while reels are rotating, a character performance sound corresponding to the result of the internal lottery is output from a speaker SP while the display of the performance button display object IMG10 is maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire this gaming value. These types of gaming machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when a player initiates a game, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The outcome of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals or other items are paid out according to the outcome of the game.

[0003] In this type of gaming machine, a technique is known in which an image prompting a player to operate an effect button is displayed on a display device, and when the player operates the effect button based on the display, the effect content changes. For example, there is known a gaming machine that executes a chance effect that notifies the player of a win of a common bell, watermelon, or cherry when the player operates the effect button based on the display of an image prompting the player to operate the effect button (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-58469 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in gaming machines such as those shown in Patent Document 1 above, players tend to become bored if the presentation content simply changes depending on the operation of the presentation button, so it is desirable to prevent the presentation from becoming monotonous and increase the enjoyment of the game.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and 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]

[0007] (1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a first operating means and a second operating means operable by a player, and an effect control means for controlling effects, wherein the effect control means is capable of executing an operation effect that prompts an operation on the first operating means, and if an operation is performed on the first operating means while the effect is being executed, the effect is terminated and a first operation result effect is executed, and if an operation is performed on the second operating means while the effect is being executed, the effect is executed while continuing the execution of the operation effect, and the second operation result effect is not executed while the first operation result effect is being executed, and if an operation is performed on the first operating means while the effect is being executed, the effect is terminated and the first operation result effect is executed.

[0008] In the present invention, if a player performs an operation on a second operating means for which no operation is being prompted while an operation presentation is being executed that prompts the player to perform an operation on a first operating means, a second operation result presentation that differs from the first operation result presentation is executed, thereby increasing the variety of presentations and improving the enjoyment of the game.

[0009] Furthermore, in this invention, since the second operation result effect is not executed while the first operation result effect is being executed, it is possible to prevent the second operation result effect from being executed even if an operation is performed on the second operating means while the first operation result effect is being executed, thereby preventing the first operation result effect from being interrupted and increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, if an operation is performed on the first operating means while the operation presentation and the second operation result presentation are being executed, the operation presentation and the second operation result presentation are terminated and the first operation result presentation is executed, so that the first operation result presentation is not disturbed, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating winning modes of a replay in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the order in which stop buttons are pressed and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the stopping modes of the reels in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a bonus notification presentation process in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a presentation image displayed in a bonus notification presentation in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 22] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing examples of effect images displayed in an operation effect, a first operation result effect, and a second operation result effect in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation presentation process in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0013] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0015] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 through a third reel R3 (multiple reels) in a box-shaped housing consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. The lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX houses a power supply unit EU, which incorporates a power supply and is equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, as well as a hopper unit HP, which serves as a medal payout device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals to be used in games, a payout motor (not shown) consisting of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is driven by the payout motor to allow medals to be paid out one by one. When the amount of medals stored in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the hopper unit HP sends surplus medals to a cash box CB. In addition, within the cabinet of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main circuit board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-circuit board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS, and these control boards (main circuit board MAIN, sub-circuit board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. In this embodiment, the power supply unit EU is provided with a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main circuit board MAIN.

[0016] The outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into 20 regions (each region is referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several types of symbols arranged thereon. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel drive means: not shown), and are driven to rotate about the axis of the stepping motor. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of drive pulses of the stepping motor. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor drives the first to third reels R1 to R3 to rotate in response to drive pulses supplied from a control board. When a full-phase excitation drive pulse is supplied from the control board, the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as the stepping motor stops rotating.

[0017] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately, and the upper front door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows the spinning and stopped states of the first to third reels R1 to R3 to be observed. When the first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are consecutively arranged on the outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

[0018] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three, and when a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an active line L1 formed by the lower row of the first reel R1, the middle row of the second reel R2, and the upper row of the third reel R3 is activated.

[0019] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the valid line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is treated as a winning combination and medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP.

[0020] The upper front door UD is also provided with a game information display DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in BB mode. The zone indicator SEC also notifies you whether you are in a favorable zone by turning on and off the built-in LED.

[0021] The upper front door UD is also provided with a liquid crystal display LCD for game effects. This liquid crystal display LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist and liven up the game. In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, multiple speakers SP for game effects are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0022] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a 1 bet button (insertion operating means) B01 and a MAX bet button (insertion operating means, an example of a second operating means operable by a player) B0M for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for operating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start a game, stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for operating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor, and an effect button (effect operating means, an example of a first operating means operable by a player) B5 for operating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to stop the reels R1 to R3 that are driven to rotate by a stepping motor.

[0023] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the 1 bet button B01 or the MAX bet button B0M, the machine is set to a ready state in which it can start controlling the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. When the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. Once the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

[0024] Thereafter, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0025] Furthermore, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to the respective stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

[0026] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position corresponding to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0027] Furthermore, a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided below the lower front door DD, and medals in a number according to the results of a game are paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of a game, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited up to the credit limit number (50 in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator consisting of a 7-segment display of the game information display unit DS is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0029] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by game control means 100. The game control means 100 is composed of control boards including a main board MAIN and a sub-board AUB. The main board MAIN receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a 1-bet switch 220, a MAX-bet switch 225, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a section indicator SEC, and a main display 300 based on the calculation results. The sub-board SUB receives input signals from input means such as an effect button switch 270 and signals sent from the main board MAIN, performs various calculations for executing effects according to the progress of the game, and controls the operation of output means such as a display device 330 and a sound device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the game control means (main board MAIN and sub board SUB) 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

[0030] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, a deposit acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state control means 170, an AT control means 175, a performance control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a performance information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the deposit acceptance means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state control means 170, and an AT control means 175 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the performance control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main circuit board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub-ROM and a sub-RAM mounted on the sub-circuit board SUB. Various programs executed by the CPU of the main circuit board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-circuit board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. Various information such as the results of internal lotteries and game status is notified to the sub-circuit board SUB from the main circuit board MAIN as appropriate.

[0031] The setting change means 103 controls changing of the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is switched between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and turned clockwise from its initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. In this state, when the power switch ES is activated to supply power from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, a setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery varies so that the expected payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

[0032] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 260 is activated by pressing the setting change button BS in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, confirms the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated by pressing the start lever SL, and controls to store the confirmed setting value in the setting value memory area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 is changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, thereby enabling a transition from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being in the OFF state. In this embodiment, in game mode, games can be played but setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in setting change mode, setting values ​​can be changed but games cannot be played.

[0034] In addition, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process in the setting change mode to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, in this embodiment, with regard to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, information stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game status storage area 1916, the performance status storage area 1918, the common three-piece combination counter 1919, the special AT game number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the memory areas in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a other than the lottery flag memory area 1915, game status memory area 1916, performance status memory area 1918, common three-coin combination counter 1919, special AT game number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are designated as information holding areas, and information stored in the memory areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0035] The insertion acceptance means 105 accepts insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operation means) based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (3 medals). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL, which is validated based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number, is accepted as a game start operation, and serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also as an opportunity to execute an internal lottery.

[0036] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is activated and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medal to an inserted state (bet state) up to a specified insertion number.

[0037] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored (accumulated) as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the gaming information storage means 190a, and when the 1 bet button B01 or the MAX bet button B0M is pressed while medals are stored as credits in the gaming machine, the 1 bet switch 220 or the MAX bet switch 225 is activated, and the deposit acceptance means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number. In this embodiment, each time the 1 bet button B01 is pressed, one medal stored as credits is set to an inserted state; when the specified insertion number is set to three and the MAX bet button B0M is pressed, if the number of medals stored as credits is three or more, three medals are set to an inserted state, and if the number of medals stored as credits is two or less, all of the medals stored as credits are set to an inserted state.

[0038] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when all processing related to one game is completed, control is performed to enable operation of the 1 bet button B01 and the MAX bet button B0M, provided that medals have been stored as credits in the gaming machine, and when the 1 bet button B01 or the MAX bet button B0M is pressed in a state in which operation of the 1 bet button B01 and the MAX bet button B0M is enabled, the 1 bet switch 220 or the MAX bet switch 225 is activated, and the deposit acceptance means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state, up to a specified deposit number. Furthermore, when the number of medals stored as credits in the gaming machine reaches 0 or when a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL, operation of the 1 bet button B01 and the MAX bet button B0M is disabled.

[0039] Furthermore, the insertion acceptance means 105 performs control to start accepting medals when all processing related to one game has been completed, and performs control to end acceptance of medals when the number of medals stored in the gaming machine as credits reaches the upper credit limit (50 medals) or when a game start operation is performed on the start lever SL. If a medal is inserted from the medal insertion port MI while no medals have been accepted, the inserted medal is returned from the medal payout port MO without being accepted.

[0040] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random number values ​​for the lottery. The random number values ​​can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. In this embodiment, the term "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

[0041] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated by a game start operation on the start lever SL (the first pressing operation on the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0042] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table to use for the internal lottery among a plurality of internal lottery tables stored in a main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the gaming information storage means 190a. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins), are associated with a plurality of random number values ​​(for example, 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of six setting values. The probability of obtaining some winning patterns in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between combinations and random number values ​​is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected value of the payout rate.

[0043] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, small roles 2 to 31 are provided as small roles, and the winning patterns for the small roles are set as shown in Figures 5 and 6, including batting order yellow 7 (batting order yellow 7A to batting order yellow 7H), batting order 3-coin role (batting order 3-coin role A to batting order 3-coin role D), batting order push-button role (batting order push-button role A to batting order push-button role D), common 3-coin role (common 3-coin role A, common 3-coin role B), chance role (chance role A, chance role B), common yellow 7, special role (an example of a predetermined winning pattern), common 1-coin role, and JAC (JAC1 to JAC4).

[0044] To explain the winning patterns of each small role, as shown in Figure 5, Batting Order Yellow 7A to Batting Order Yellow 7H are won by overlapping one type of 9-coin small role (small role with a payout of 9 coins: correct small role, specific small role, specific role) and four to five types of 1-coin small role (small role with a payout of 1 coin: incorrect small role), Batting Order 3-coin Role A to Batting Order 3-coin Role D are won by overlapping one type of 3-coin small role (small role with a payout of 3 coins: correct small role, specific small role, specific role) and ten to eleven types of 1-coin small role (incorrect small role), and Batting Order Push Role A to Batting Order Push Role D are won by overlapping one type of 15-coin small role (small role with a payout of 15 coins: correct small role, specific small role, specific role) and ten to eleven types of 1-coin small role (incorrect small role).

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the common 3-piece role A is won by three types of 3-piece small roles overlapping, the common 3-piece role B is won by four types of 3-piece small roles and one type of 1-piece small role overlapping, the chance role A is won by one type of 3-piece small role alone, the chance role B is won by two types of 3-piece small roles overlapping, the common yellow 7 is won by two types of 9-piece small roles overlapping, the special role is won by three types of 9-piece small roles overlapping, the common 1-piece role is won by five types of 1-piece small roles overlapping, JAC1 is won by two types of 15-piece small roles, five types of 9-piece small roles, six types of 3-piece small roles and 17 types of 1-piece small roles overlapping, JAC2 is won by five types of 9-piece small roles, six types of 3-piece small roles and 17 types of 1-piece small roles overlapping, JAC3 is won by six types of 3-piece small roles and 17 types of 1-piece small roles overlapping, JAC4 allows you to win 17 types of single-coin small prizes at the same time.

[0046] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays are provided as Replay 1 to Replay 6, and the winning modes of replays are set as Replay A, Replay B, middle replay, batting order replay, red 7 line replay, red 7 fake replay, and BAR line replay, as shown in Figure 7.

[0047] To explain the winning patterns of each replay, as shown in Figure 7, Replay A is a winning combination of Replay 1 and Replay 3, Replay B is a winning combination of Replays 1 to 3, Replay 2 is a winning combination on its own in the middle replay, Replay 1, Replay 3, and Replay 5 are a winning combination in the batting order replay, Replay 1 to Replay 3 and Replay 5 are a winning combination in the red 7 match replay, Replay 6 is a winning combination on its own in the red 7 fake replay, and Replay 6 is a winning combination in the BAR match replay, Replay 1 and Replay 4 are a winning combination in the BAR match replay.

[0048] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a small prize is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the probability of winning a replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the method of drawing small prizes on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning a small prize is higher than that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0049] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus, and the big bonus (BB) is an object of lottery on the internal lottery table 1.

[0050] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, BB establishment state, and BB state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0051] In this embodiment, the winning probability of a replay does not change depending on the setting value, but the winning probability of some of the winning patterns for bonuses and small winning combinations changes depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the lower the winning probability of a common 1-coin combination (common 1-coin combination + BB in normal mode) and the higher the winning probability of a common yellow 7. However, in this embodiment, it is designed so that the total amount of random numbers assigned to a common 1-coin combination (common 1-coin combination + BB in normal mode) and common yellow 7 is the same regardless of the setting value.

[0052] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has won a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information memory means 190a.

[0053] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, OFF state) to a winning state (second flag state, ON state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won at the same time, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won at the same time are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flag is stored in a lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0054] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that allows a winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with a big bonus (BB), while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with a small bonus and a replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the lottery flag for the big bonus (BB) until the big bonus (BB) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a small bonus and a replay will be won, even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the big bonus (BB) is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small winning combination or replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag of the bonus associated with the carryover flag is carried over, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of combinations consisting of the lottery flag of the bonus that has already been won and the lottery flag of the small winning combination or replay that has been won in the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0055] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 using a stepping motor based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game, and controls the stop operation by pressing the stop button B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is rotating steadily at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute), and also controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are being rotated by the stepping motor to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0056] When the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 controls the reels to stop, from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, by supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240.

[0057] That is, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to the operation for stopping the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to the operation for stopping the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to the operation for stopping the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed changes, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 also changes. In this embodiment, as necessary, the stop operation for stopping the first reel among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 may be referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation for stopping the second reel as the second stop operation, and the stop operation for stopping the last reel as the third stop operation.

[0058] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button B1 through B3 is pressed. When the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined based on the number of frames required from the time when the stop button is pressed to the time when the reel stops, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 controls the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button B1 through B3 to stop so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time when the stop button is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line.

[0059] 8, the first through third reels R1 through R3 constituting the reel unit 310 are arranged on their outer peripheries with a red 7 symbol ("RED 7"), a white 7 symbol ("WHITE 7"), a yellow 7 symbol ("YELLOW 7"), a blue 7 symbol A ("BLUE 7A"), a blue 7 symbol B ("BLUE 7B"), a blue 7 symbol C ("BLUE 7C"), a blue 7 symbol D ("BLUE 7D"), a BAR symbol ("BAR"), a special symbol ("SP") (an example of a specific symbol), and a dummy symbol ("DUM") arranged on the outer periphery of each reel. When symbols within four frames of the push detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols arranged within four frames on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the push detection position (an example of an operation detection position), which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time the stop button is detected as being pressed). In this embodiment, the push detection position is the display position of the top row of each reel.

[0060] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotary shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 each time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0061] The reel control means 130 also determines the stop positions of the reels that are spinning by referring to a stop control table stored in a stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0062] Here, in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time of operation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the push of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position and the number of sliding symbols, which indicates the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position, may also be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0063] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order for small wins, replays, and bonuses is set as "replay > bonus" and then "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including a symbol that constitutes the winning form of a high-priority win is selected according to the priority order associated with each win.

[0064] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery has two cases: one in which the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line (number priority control), and one in which the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on a predetermined payout for the minor role (payout number priority control).When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, and when the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of medals paid out based on the payout of the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the valid line (stop positions that can win a minor role with a greater payout). However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of medals paid out, for multiple stop positions where the number of medals paid out is the same, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the press detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line is the same.

[0065] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the winning patterns from batting order yellow 7A to batting order yellow 7H, batting order 3-coin role A to batting order 3-coin role D, and batting order push role A to batting order push role D is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order is set for each winning pattern, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0066] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting orders yellow 7 is selected, as shown in FIG. 9, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 9-coin small win is always won, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order different from the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 1-coin small win is won or no win is won (a miss of a win). "1-coin small win (1 / 2)" in FIG. 9 means that in that press order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a miss of a win will occur. Also, "1-coin small win (1 / 4)" in FIG. 9 means that in that press order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a 1-coin small win will be won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a miss of a win will occur.

[0067] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a three-coin role in any batting order is won, as shown in Figure 10, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a three-coin minor role will always be won, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order different from the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a one-coin minor role will always be won.

[0068] In addition, in the stop control table which is referenced when any of the batting order hits the target, as shown in Figure 10, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, there are cases where a 15-coin small win will be awarded and cases where a 1-coin small win will be awarded, and the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that if the first stop operation is performed at the correct press timing (specific timing) which is the appropriate press timing (the timing at which the BAR pattern "BAR" can be drawn in), a 15-coin small win will be awarded, and if the first stop operation is performed at a press timing other than the correct press timing, a 1-coin small win will be awarded, and if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a press order other than the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that a 1-coin small win will always be awarded.

[0069] In addition, when the yellow 7 in each batting order, the 3-coin role in each batting order, or the eye-pressing role in each batting order is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the payout number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of the correct minor role (9-coin minor role, 3-coin minor role, or 15-coin minor role) to be preferentially displayed on the valid line, and in the incorrect batting order, the number priority control causes the symbols that make up the winning form of the incorrect minor role (1-coin minor role) to be preferentially displayed on the valid line.

[0070] In this embodiment, for any of the batting order yellow 7, a 9-coin minor win is possible only when the BB is established, and in the normal state, even if the stopping operation is performed according to the correct batting order corresponding to the winning batting order yellow 7, a 1-coin minor win is also established. That is, in the BB state, there are cases where the stopping position is determined by payout number priority control according to the order of stopping operations, and cases where the stopping position is determined by number priority control, but in the normal state, the stopping position is determined by number priority control regardless of the order of stopping operations.

[0071] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when any of the common 3-coin roles is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the 3-coin minor role will always win. In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when chance role A is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that there are cases where the 3-coin minor role wins and cases where neither role wins (missed role), and in the stop control table that is referenced when chance role B is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the 3-coin minor role will always win. In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when common yellow 7 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the 3-coin minor role will always win.

[0072] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a special combination is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin small combination is always won, as shown in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, when a special combination is won, the type of 9-coin small combination that is won varies depending on the press order of the stop operation, and in the press order that stops the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 first (batting order 1 to 4: an example of the first operation mode), small combination 8 (a specific 9-coin small combination) out of the three types of 9-coin small combinations, small combination 5, small combination 6, and small combination 8, is always won, and in the press order that stops the third reel R3 first (batting order 5, 6: an example of the second operation mode), small combination 6 out of the three types of 9-coin small combinations is always won. In addition, when a special role is won, in batting order 1 and 2, when small role 8 is won, a pattern combination of a special middle symbol (an example of a specific symbol combination) will always be displayed, in batting order 3 and 4, when small role 8 is won, a pattern combination of a right-up special symbol (an example of a specific symbol combination) will always be displayed, and in batting order 5 and 6, when small role 6 is won, a pattern combination of a right-up yellow 7 will always be displayed.

[0073] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a common 1-coin role is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small role will always win, as shown in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, when a common 1-coin role is won, the type of 1-coin small role that wins varies depending on the press order of the stop operation, and in the press order that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), small role 15 will always win out of the five types of 1-coin small roles, small role 15, small role 16, and small role 29 to small role 31, and in the press order that stops the second reel R2 first (batting order 3, 4), small role 30 will always win out of the five types of 1-coin small roles, and in the press order that stops the third reel R3 first (batting order 5, 6), small role 29 will always win out of the five types of 1-coin small roles. In addition, when a common 1-piece role is won, in batting order 3 or 4, a fake BAR combination can be displayed when the small role 30 is won, and in batting order 5 or 6, a fake red 7 combination can be displayed when the small role 29 is won.

[0074] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 9-coin small win is always won, and in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC2, JAC3, or JAC4 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin small win is always won.

[0075] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Replay A or Replay B wins, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that Replay 1 always wins in a press order (batting order 1 to 4) that stops the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 first, and Replay 3 always wins in a press order (batting order 5, 6) that stops the third reel R3 first, as shown in Figure 11. In addition, when Replay 3 wins, a symbol combination of red 7s can be displayed.

[0076] In addition, in the stop control table that is referred to when the middle replay wins, as shown in FIG. 11, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the replay 2 will always win.

[0077] 11, the stop control table that is referenced when a batting order replay is won has stop positions set relative to the press detection positions so that Replay 1 will always win in a press order that causes the first reel R1 to stop first (batting order 1, 2), Replay 5 will always win in a press order that causes the second reel R2 to stop first (batting order 3, 4), and Replay 3 will always win in a press order that causes the third reel R3 to stop first (batting order 5, 6). Also, when a batting order replay is won, in batting order 3 or 4, a symbol combination of a line of BARs in the middle row can be displayed when Replay 5 wins, and in batting order 5 or 6, a symbol combination of a line of red 7s can be displayed when Replay 3 wins.

[0078] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a red 7 replay is won, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that in a press order that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), Replay 3 will always win, and in a press order that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to 6), Replay 1 will always win, as shown in Fig. 11. In addition, when a red 7 replay is won, in batting order 1 or 2, the red 7 symbol combination can be displayed when Replay 3 wins.

[0079] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when the Red 7 Fake Replay wins, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the Replay 6 will always win, as shown in Figure 11. Also, when the Replay 6 wins, the symbol combination of the Red 7 Fake can be displayed.

[0080] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a BAR alignment replay is won, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that in a press order that stops the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), Replay 4 will always win, and in a press order that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (batting order 3 to 6), Replay 1 will always win, as shown in Figure 11. Also, when a BAR alignment replay is won, in batting order 1 or 2, the lower row BAR alignment symbol combination can be displayed when Replay 4 wins.

[0081] In addition, the Big Bonus (BB) can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state, and there are no misses when the BB is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of small winning combinations or replays that have a higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) is not won.

[0082] In this embodiment, the pattern combination of the middle special pattern shown in Figure 10 is a stopping pattern in which the special pattern ``SP'' is displayed in line on the middle invalid line (a line that is not involved in determining whether or not a prize is won), as shown in Figure 12(A), the pattern combination of the right-up special pattern shown in Figure 10 is a stopping pattern in which the special pattern ``SP'' is displayed in line on the right-up invalid line, as shown in Figure 12(B), and the pattern combination of the right-up yellow 7 pattern shown in Figure 10 is a stopping pattern in which the yellow 7 pattern ``yellow 7'' is displayed in line on the valid line L1, as shown in Figure 12(C).

[0083] Furthermore, the symbol combination of the fake BAR line shown in Figure 10 is such that, as shown in Figure 12(D), the BAR symbol "BAR" is displayed on the middle invalid line on the second reel R2 and the third reel R3, and a symbol different from the BAR symbol "BAR" (for example, the yellow 7 symbol "Yellow 7") is displayed on the middle invalid line on the first reel R1. The symbol combination of the fake red 7 line shown in Figure 10 is such that, as shown in Figure 12(E), the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is displayed on the middle invalid line on the second reel R2 and the third reel R3, and a symbol different from the red 7 symbol "Red 7" (for example, the special symbol "SP") is displayed on the middle invalid line on the first reel R1.

[0084] In addition, the symbol combination of red 7s shown in Figure 11 is a stopping pattern in which the red 7 symbols ``Red 7'' are displayed in a line on the middle invalid line, as shown in Figure 12(F), the symbol combination of middle BARs shown in Figure 11 is a stopping pattern in which the BAR symbols ``BAR'' are displayed in a line on the middle invalid line, as shown in Figure 12(G), and the symbol combination of bottom BARs shown in Figure 11 is a stopping pattern in which the BAR symbols ``BAR'' are displayed in a line on the bottom invalid line, as shown in Figure 12(H).

[0085] In addition, the fake red 7 combination shown in Figure 11 is a stopping pattern in which the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is displayed on the middle invalid line on the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, and a symbol different from the red 7 symbol "Red 7" (for example, the yellow 7 symbol "Yellow 7") is displayed on the middle invalid line on the third reel R3, as shown in Figure 12(I).

[0086] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 refers to a winning determination table stored in a winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a to determine whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is in the form of a predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a winning combination of a big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 6, and small bonus 2 to small bonus 31 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped, as shown in Figures 13 to 16.

[0087] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140. As the winning process, for example, when a small combination is achieved, a medal payout process is executed by the payout control means 150, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is executed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process is executed by the game state control means 170 to transition the game state.

[0088] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of medals in the game is determined based on the payout predetermined for each combination, and the payout control means 150 controls the hopper unit HP (payout device) to pay out medals corresponding to the determined payout number.

[0089] The hopper unit HP performs the operation of paying out the number of medals to be paid out specified by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a paid out medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the paid out medal detection switch 325.

[0090] When credit storage (accumulation storage) of medals is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed in which the number of medals to be paid out is added to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0091] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using any medals (including credit medals) owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation using the start lever SL with an active line corresponding to the specified insertion number set.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 17, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process that transitions the game state among the normal state, the BB established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in a game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state when one of the multiple predetermined conditions is established, or when all of the multiple predetermined conditions are established.

[0093] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB establishment state or the BB state. Specifically, if a big bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won, the game transitions to the BB establishment state, and if a big bonus (BB) is won and also won in the normal state, the game transitions to the BB state. In addition, in the normal state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 1, among internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or more and the big bonus (BB) is set as a lottery target.

[0094] The BB formation state is a game state that is entered when a big bonus (BB) is won in an internal lottery in the normal state but the big bonus (BB) is not won.Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, the probability of winning a replay is higher than that of internal lottery table 1, so a miss (non-win) does not occur, and an internal lottery is held by referring to internal lottery table 2, in which the big bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery.

[0095] In the BB state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus (BB) is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus (BB) is won. In this embodiment, since the symbol combination indicating the big bonus (BB) winning form is not displayed on the pay line in the BB state, once the gaming state shifts to the BB state, it will not shift to the BB state again.

[0096] The BB state is a game state that is entered when a symbol combination indicating a big bonus (BB) winning form is displayed on an active line, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 3, of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, which has a different method of drawing small roles from internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0097] In the BB state, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB state, and when it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (for example, 22 medals) have been paid out, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB state and controls the game state to return to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB state is stored in the game state memory area 1916.

[0098] The AT control means 175 controls the change of the presentation state between multiple types of presentation states including the initial presentation state, the normal presentation state, the first AT state (an example of a special presentation state), the second AT state (an example of a special presentation state), and the special AT state, as shown in Figure 18. In this embodiment, when simply referring to the "AT state," it means that it includes any of the "first AT state," "second AT state," and "special AT state."

[0099] The AT control means 175 also sets the presentation state to an AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions, determines whether the AT state termination condition is met based on the value of the AT game number counter 1921, etc., and performs control to terminate the AT state when the AT state termination condition is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current presentation state is stored in a presentation state memory area 1918 provided in the main RAM of the game information memory means 190a. In addition, in this embodiment, when the player remains in the AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order (an example of operation instruction information) and information corresponding to the correct batting order and the correct press timing (an example of operation instruction information) on the main display 300 consisting of a 7-segment display provided in the game information display unit DS when the batting order yellow 7, batting order 3-coin role, or batting order press role is won, thereby providing a correct operation notification to assist in the winning of a 9-coin small role, a 3-coin small role, or a 15-coin small role, and the performance control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order and an image corresponding to the correct batting order and the correct press timing on the liquid crystal display LCD when the batting order yellow 7, batting order 3-coin role, or batting order press role is won, thereby providing a winning assistance performance (an example of game assistance performance) to assist in the winning of a 9-coin small role, a 3-coin small role, or a 15-coin small role, and it is possible to play an assist time game (an example of assistance game) in which it is easier to win medals than when playing while remaining in the initial performance state or the normal performance state.

[0100] 19, the AT control means 175 can set a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section, and in the normal section, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state and a lottery for transition to an advantageous section is held, and the advantageous section starts by winning the lottery for transition to an advantageous section, and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that the advantageous section is an advantageous section. In this embodiment, of the multiple types of presentation states, the initial presentation state can be set only when it is a normal section, and the normal presentation state, first AT state, second AT state, and special AT state can be set only when it is an advantageous section.

[0101] In the normal game zone, when the game state is normal or BB, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery to determine whether a winning pattern is obtained in the internal lottery: batting order yellow 7A to batting order yellow 7H, batting order 3-coin role A to batting order 3-coin role D, batting order push role A to batting order push role D, common 3-coin role A, common 3-coin role B, chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, special role (special role + BB in normal mode), common 1-coin role (normal mode only), batting order replay, red 7 replay (red 7 replay + BB in normal mode), red 7 fake replay, BAR replay (BAR replay + BB in normal mode), replay B, middle replay, or BB. Note that in this embodiment, the lottery to determine whether a winning pattern is obtained in the BB state for a common 1-coin role, or in the normal or BB state for a replay A.

[0102] In the advantageous zone transition lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous zone transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the player has won the advantageous zone transition lottery (winning the advantageous zone) based on the comparison result. In the advantageous zone transition lottery table, advantageous zone win is always assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with each winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery, and it is determined that the player has won the advantageous zone transition lottery when the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with the winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery and is associated with advantageous zone win in the advantageous zone transition lottery table. In this embodiment, when the advantageous zone transition lottery is held, the lottery result is always advantageous zone win, and when a winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery is obtained, the player will always transition to the advantageous zone. However, in the advantageous zone transition lottery table, either an advantageous zone win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for internal lottery corresponding to each winning mode that triggers the execution of the advantageous zone transition lottery, and if the lottery result is an advantageous zone win, the player will transition to the advantageous zone, and if the lottery result is a loss, the player will not transition to the advantageous zone.

[0103] When the AT control means 175 wins the advantageous zone transition lottery in the normal zone, it performs advantageous zone transition processing based on the fact that the advantageous zone transition lottery was won, and starts the advantageous zone from the next game of the game in which the advantageous zone transition lottery was won. In this embodiment, if the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery is an advantageous zone win, the advantageous zone transition processing transitions the presentation state to the normal presentation state or the special AT state. Specifically, if an advantageous zone win is obtained when a special role is won, the special AT state is transitioned, and if an advantageous zone win is obtained when a different winning pattern from the special role is won, the normal presentation state is transitioned. Note that there may be two or more winning patterns in the advantageous zone transition lottery, and the advantageous zone transition processing may determine whether the presentation state is transitioned to the normal presentation state, the first AT state, the second AT state, or the special AT state.

[0104] In addition, when the AT control means 175 transitions the presentation state to the special AT state based on the result of the advantageous zone transition lottery being a win in the advantageous zone, it sets the value "10", which corresponds to 10 times of play, to the special AT game number counter 1920, and sets the value "50", which corresponds to 50 times of play, to the AT game number counter 1921.

[0105] The AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery when the presentation state is a normal presentation state in the advantageous zone and the gaming state is a normal state or a BB established state. Specifically, when the gaming state is a normal state or a BB established state, an AT lottery is performed based on whether a winning pattern of any of the chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, or special role is obtained in the internal lottery. In this embodiment, an AT lottery is not performed when the gaming state is a BB state, but the configuration may be such that an AT lottery can be performed in the BB state.

[0106] In the AT lottery, the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the AT lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, an AT win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the role that triggers the execution of the AT lottery, and it is determined that the AT lottery has been won if the random number value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with the role that triggers the execution of the AT lottery and is also associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table. In this embodiment, the AT lottery is performed so that the probability of winning increases in the order of "chance role A<common yellow 7<chance role B<special role", and the AT lottery is performed so that when a special role is won, the player will always win.

[0107] Furthermore, when the presentation state is the normal presentation state in the advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 controls updating of the value of the common 3-piece role counter 1919 according to the manner of the stop operation in a game in which the common 3-piece role A or the common 3-piece role B is won. Specifically, when the first stop operation is to stop the first reel R1 first in a game in which the common 3-piece role A or the common 3-piece role B is won, the AT control means 175 performs incremental update by adding a fixed value to the value of the common 3-piece role counter 1919. On the other hand, when the first stop operation is to stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first in a game in which the common 3-piece role A or the common 3-piece role B is won, the value of the common 3-piece role counter 1919 is not updated. Note that the update of the common 3-piece role counter 1919 may be triggered by the first stop operation, or may be triggered by the second stop operation, the third stop operation, or when all reels have stopped.

[0108] Then, when the AT control means 175 updates the value of the common three-piece combination counter 1919, it also executes an AT lottery if the updated value satisfies the lottery conditions. In this embodiment, it is determined that the lottery conditions are met when the value of the common three-piece combination counter 1919 is a value corresponding to a multiple of 5. With regard to the AT lottery executed based on the value of the common three-piece combination counter 1919, for example, a random number value is acquired in response to a first stop operation or the like, and it is determined that the AT lottery has been won if the acquired random number value is associated with an AT win. Note that the success or failure of the AT lottery executed based on the value of the common three-piece combination counter 1919 may be determined using a random number value for an internal lottery associated with a win of common three-piece combination A or common three-piece combination B.

[0109] In this embodiment, an opportunity to enter the AT lottery is also given by updating the value of the common 3-coin counter 1919 in the normal presentation state, so it can be said that performing a stop operation in a manner that stops the first reel R1 first in the normal presentation state is more advantageous than performing a stop operation in a manner that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first.

[0110] In this embodiment, if the result of the AT lottery in the normal presentation state is an AT win, the AT control means 175 performs processing to transition the presentation state from the normal presentation state to the first AT state or the special AT state. Specifically, if an AT win is obtained when a special combination is won, the state transitions to the special AT state, and if an AT win is obtained when a winning pattern different from the special combination is won or if an AT win is obtained in the AT lottery executed based on the value of the common 3-piece combination counter 1919, the state transitions to the first AT state.

[0111] In addition, when the AT control means 175 transitions the presentation state to the first AT state upon the end of the game based on the lottery result of winning the AT, it sets the AT game number counter 1921 to the value "50", which corresponds to 50 times of play, and when the AT control means 175 transitions the presentation state to the special AT state upon the end of the game based on the lottery result of winning the AT, it sets the special AT game number counter 1920 to the value "10", which corresponds to 10 times of play, and also sets the AT game number counter 1921 to the value "50", which corresponds to 50 times of play.

[0112] The AT control means 175 also executes an assist time game based on whether the presentation state is the first AT state, the second AT state, or the special AT state. In the first AT state, the AT game counter 1921 is decremented by a fixed value "1" corresponding to one game from the value of the AT game number counter 1921 each time a game is played. In the special AT state, the AT control means 175 decrements the special AT game counter 1920 each time a game is played. As will be described later, the number of games played is not managed in the second AT state, so the AT game number counter 1921 and the special AT game number counter 19020 are not updated. In this embodiment, when a yellow 7 batting order, a three-coin batting order, or a button-pressing batting order combination is achieved in the first AT state, the second AT state, or the special AT state, a correct operation notification is issued to notify the player of the correct batting order or the correct batting order and the correct button-press timing, and a winning assistance presentation is executed. In this embodiment, the instruction function corresponds to instructing the player on the operation mode by the correct operation notification.

[0113] In addition, in this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 issues a correct operation notification for a batting order yellow 7, a batting order 3-coin role, or a batting order eye-pressing role, the main display 300 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order or information corresponding to the correct batting order and the correct press timing. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each correct batting order or each correct batting order and each correct press timing, and the main display 300 displays one of the following operation instruction numbers using a 7-segment display: "03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), "06" (batting order 6), "13" (batting order 3 + correct press timing), "14" (batting order 4 + correct press timing), "15" (batting order 5 + correct press timing), or "16" (batting order 6 + correct press timing). Furthermore, if the specifications require the notification of batting order 1 or batting order 2 in the advantageous zone, "01" (batting order 1), "02" (batting order 2), "11" (batting order 1 + correct press timing), and "12" (batting order 2 + correct press timing) can be adopted as the 7-segment display form of the main display 300.

[0114] In this embodiment, the first AT state can be continued for a maximum of three sets, and after three sets, the state is transitioned to the second AT state. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 performs a continuation lottery to determine whether to continue the first AT state at the start of each of the first to third sets of the first AT state. In this embodiment, information about the number of sets in the first AT state and information about the results of the continuation lottery are stored in the performance state memory area 1918.

[0115] In the continuation lottery, one of 256 random numbers ranging from 0 to 255 is acquired upon a game start operation in the first game of each set in the first AT state, and the acquired random number is compared with a continuation lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 to determine whether or not the continuation lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the continuation lottery table, wins and losses are assigned to 256 random numbers ranging from 0 to 255, and it is determined that the continuation lottery has been won if the acquired random number value corresponds to a win in the continuation lottery table. In this embodiment, the continuation lottery is performed so that the winning probability increases in the order of "first set < second set < third set," but the winning probability may also increase in the order of "third set < second set < first set," or the winning probability may be constant for each set.

[0116] Furthermore, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0" in the first AT state, the AT control means 175 determines that the conditions for ending one set of the first AT state have been met, and if the result of the continuation lottery held at the start of that set is a loss, the AT control means 175 ends the first AT state and ends the advantageous zone with the end of the first AT state. On the other hand, at the end of the first or second set of the first AT state, if the result of the continuation lottery held at the start of that set is a loss, the AT control means 175 performs processing to start the next set of the first AT state, specifically, sets the value "50" corresponding to 50 games in the AT game number counter 1921, and at the end of the third set of the first AT state, if the result of the continuation lottery held at the start of that set is a loss, the AT control means 175 shifts the presentation state to the second AT state.

[0117] In addition, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery when the presentation state is the first AT state and the gaming state is the normal state or the BB established state. Specifically, when the gaming state is the normal state or the BB established state, an additional lottery is performed based on the fact that a winning pattern of any of the following has been obtained in the internal lottery: chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, replay A, replay B, batting order replay, red 7 aligned replay, or BAR aligned replay. In this embodiment, when the gaming state is the BB state, an additional lottery is not performed, but a configuration may be adopted in which an additional lottery can be performed in the BB state.

[0118] In the add-on lottery, the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is compared with the add-on lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the add-on lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the add-on lottery table, a win or a loss is assigned to the random number value for the internal lottery associated with the role that triggers the execution of the add-on lottery, and it is determined that the add-on lottery has been won if the random number value acquired for the internal lottery is associated with the role that triggers the execution of the add-on lottery and is associated with a win in the add-on lottery table.

[0119] When the additional lottery is won, the AT control means 175 performs an additional process of adding (adding) a given value to the value of the AT game number counter 1921. In this embodiment, the additional value to be added to the AT game number counter 1921 is selected by lottery from among a plurality of types of values ​​(for example, "10", "20", "30", "50", etc.), and when the additional lottery is won when chance role A, chance role B, or common yellow 7 is won, one of the additional values ​​"10", "20", "30", or "50" is added, when the additional lottery is won when replay A, replay B, or red 7 matching replay is won, an additional value of "50" is added, when the additional lottery is won when batting order replay is won, either an additional value "30" or "50" is added, and when the additional lottery is won when BAR matching replay is won, an additional value of "30" is added.

[0120] In addition, when the presentation state is the first AT state and the game state is the normal state or the BB formation state, if a special role is won by the internal lottery, the AT control means 175 interrupts the first AT state and transitions the presentation state to the special AT state. At this time, information about the number of sets in the first AT state, information about the result of the continuation lottery, and the value of the AT game number counter 1921 are retained.

[0121] In addition, when the AT control means 175 transitions the presentation state to the special AT state upon completion of the game based on the fact that a special role has been won in an internal lottery in the first AT state, it sets the value "10", which corresponds to 10 games, to the special AT game number counter 1920.

[0122] In addition, when the value of the special AT game number counter 1920 reaches the initial value "0" in the special AT state, the AT control means 175 determines that the conditions for terminating the special AT state have been met, terminates the special AT state, returns to the first AT state, and resumes the interrupted first AT state.

[0123] In addition, when the presentation state is a special AT state and the game state is a normal state or a BB established state, the AT control means 175 performs an additional lottery if any winning pattern other than JAC1 to JAC4 is obtained in the internal lottery, and if the additional lottery is won, it performs an additional processing to add (add) a given value to the value of the AT game number counter 1921. In this embodiment, an additional lottery is performed so that a win is always made in the special AT state. In addition, the additional value added to the AT game number counter 1921 is selected by lottery from among multiple types of values ​​(for example, "10", "20", "30", "50", etc.), and if the additional lottery is won when batting order yellow 7A to batting order yellow 7H, batting order 3-piece role A to batting order 3-piece role D, batting order push role A to batting order push role D, common 3-piece role A to common 3-piece role B, common yellow 7, common 1-piece role, or red 7 fake replay is won, the additional value of "10" is added, and if the additional lottery is won when chance role A or chance role B is won, An additional value of "10," "20," "30," or "50" is added to the AT game number counter 1921. If the additional lottery is won when Replay A, Replay B, or a red 7 replay is won, an additional value of "10" or "50" is added. If the additional lottery is won when a batting order replay is won, an additional value of "10," "30," or "50" is added. If the additional lottery is won when a BAR replay is won, an additional value of "10" or "30" is added. Furthermore, if the additional lottery is won when a special combination is won, an additional value of "50" is added to the value of the AT game number counter 1921, and an additional value of "10" is added to the value of the special AT game number counter 1920. Note that in this embodiment, when the gaming state is the BB state, the additional lottery is not executed, but the configuration may be such that the additional lottery can be executed in the BB state.

[0124] In this way, in the special AT state, the number of plays in the first AT state is always added each time a game is played, making the special AT state an advantageous presentation state for the player in that it is easier to add to the number of plays than in the first AT state.

[0125] In addition, in this embodiment, the number of games is managed in the first AT state, but the number of games is not managed in the second AT state, and the presentation state is maintained in the second AT state until the end condition of the advantageous zone based on the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the value of the second clear counter 1923, which will be described later, is met. Therefore, in the second AT state, no additional lottery is performed, and the presentation state does not transition to the special AT state even if a winning pattern for a special role is obtained.

[0126] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of a first clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value "1" in the advantageous zone transition process, and performs an incremental update in the advantageous zone by adding a fixed value (e.g., 1) equivalent to one game to the value of the first clear counter 1922 each time one game is played, and determines that the advantageous zone end condition has been met when the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"). In this embodiment, the first clear counter 1922 is updated after all rotating reels in each game have stopped, but the first clear counter 1922 may be updated at any timing as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the update may be triggered by operating the start lever SL to start a game.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" in the advantageous zone transition processing, and in the advantageous zone, updates the value of the second clear counter 1923 according to the difference in the number of medals in each game, subtracts the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted in the game (3 medals) from the value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "9" if 9 medals are paid out, and "0" if no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out), to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game, and performs an update processing to add this calculation result to the value of the second clear counter 1923, and determines that the condition for ending the advantageous zone has been met even if the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value (for example, 2400). The value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so as not to fall below the initial value "0." For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 at the start of a game is "2," and as a result of playing a game, no winning combination is achieved and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals for that game will be "-3," and adding the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals to the value of the second clear counter 1923 will result in a value below the initial value "0." However, the count of the updated value of the second clear counter 1923 is stopped with the initial value "0" as the lower limit. Furthermore, if a replay is won in a game, the difference in the number of medals is calculated by treating the game in which the replay was won as having paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, and the difference in the number of medals for the next game, which is provided free of charge due to the replay winning, as having been paid out medals equivalent to the specified number of medals for that game, even if no actual medals have been inserted.

[0128] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 also determines that the end condition of the advantageous zone has been met if the optional end condition of the advantageous zone has been met at the end of the first AT state, in other words, at the end of the game when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 has reached the initial value "0." In this embodiment, the optional end condition is determined to have been met if the result of the continuation lottery conducted at the start of each set of the first AT state is unsuccessful.

[0129] In this embodiment, the advantageous zone ends when the first AT state ends and an arbitrary end condition for the advantageous zone is met, but the advantageous zone may be maintained even after the first AT state ends as long as the end condition for the advantageous zone associated with the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 is not met. In this case, since the advantageous zone continues even after the end of the first AT state, there may be cases where the player remains in the advantageous zone even when the presentation state shifts from the first AT state to a presentation state different from the first AT state (for example, a normal presentation state).

[0130] In addition, in the advantageous zone, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 are updated even if a transition to a game state or a presentation state occurs.

[0131] The AT control means 175 also performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous period. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, information stored in the presentation status storage area 1918, the common three-coin combination counter 1919, the special AT game number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, the AT control means 175 designates storage areas in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a other than the presentation status storage area 1918, the common three-coin combination counter 1919, the special AT game number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 as information storage areas, and initializes information stored in storage areas other than the information storage areas of the main RAM. Therefore, when initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, unlike when initialization processing is performed in the setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and game status storage area 1916 are also designated as information storage areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization processing upon the end of the advantageous zone. When initialization processing is performed upon the end of the advantageous zone, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the common 3-piece combination counter 1919, special AT game number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0), returning to the normal zone. Note that when the presentation state storage area 1918 is initialized, information regarding the number of sets in the first AT state and information regarding the results of the continuation lottery are also initialized.

[0132] In this embodiment, an initialization process is executed at the end of the advantageous period to return to the normal period, so if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold value while remaining in the AT state, the initialization process at the end of the advantageous period will forcibly terminate the AT state, initialize the presentation state to the initial presentation state, and initialize the values ​​of the common 3-piece role counter 1919, special AT game number counter 1920, AT game number counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0). Also, when the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds the threshold value while remaining in any other presentation state, the currently remaining presentation state is forcibly terminated by initialization processing associated with the end of the advantageous zone, and the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the common three-piece role counter 1919, the special AT game number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to initial values ​​(for example, 0). Note that in this embodiment, the presentation state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but when started in the setting change mode, even if initialization processing is performed in the setting change mode, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the values ​​of the common three-piece role counter 1919, the special AT game number counter 1920, the AT game number counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 are initialized to initial values ​​(for example, 0). Also, when the performance state memory area 1918 is initialized, information regarding the number of sets in the first AT state and information regarding the results of the continuation lottery are also initialized.

[0133] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 controls the LED built into the interval indicator SEC to light up when a favorable interval has started, thereby notifying the player that the player is in the favorable interval, and controls the LED built into the interval indicator SEC to turn off when the favorable interval has ended. In this embodiment, the LED built into the interval indicator SEC is turned off during normal intervals, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the player is in the favorable interval by checking the lighting state of the interval indicator SEC.

[0134] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 is configured to start or end advantageous zone notification, which is a notification that the player is staying in an advantageous zone, based on the value of the first clear counter 1922. For example, when a predetermined value "1" is set in the first clear counter 1922 upon transition to an advantageous zone, the AT control means 175 starts advantageous zone notification based on the value of the first clear counter 1922 becoming larger than the initial value "0" (the value of the first clear counter 1922 not being the initial value "0"), and when the value of the first clear counter 1922 is initialized to the initial value "0" upon the end of the advantageous zone and transition to the normal zone, the AT control means 175 ends advantageous zone notification based on the value of the first clear counter 1922 becoming the initial value "0."

[0135] The interval indicator SEC does not need to be provided exclusively as in this embodiment, and may also serve as the main display 300. For example, whether or not a player is in an advantageous zone may be indicated by switching on and off a dot display unit that displays decimal points, etc., on a 7-segment display, with the dot display unit being turned off during normal zones and turned on during advantageous zones to notify the player of the advantageous zone. Furthermore, when an advantageous zone starts, an LED built into the interval indicator SEC lights up to immediately notify the player of the advantageous zone. However, the advantageous zone may be a non-notification zone that does not notify the player of the advantageous zone until a predetermined number of plays have been played since the advantageous zone started, or a non-notification zone that does not notify the player of the advantageous zone until the first correct operation notification is executed in the advantageous zone.

[0136] The effect control means 180 controls the display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and the sound effects performed using the sound device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on the effect data stored in the effect data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as the insertion of a medal, the operation of the 1 BET button B01, the MAX BET button B0M, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to B3, the operation of the effect button B5, or a change in the game status, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects (game effects) to liven up the game or assist the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed in the game is determined by referring to the effect lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b, depending on the game status, the effect status, the result of the internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD, and sound data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0137] In addition, in this embodiment, game information such as the results of internal lotteries, game status, presentation status, results of various lotteries such as AT lotteries, and values ​​of various counters such as the AT counter 1921 are notified from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB, and the presentation control means 180 controls the execution of the presentation based on the information notified from the main board MAIN.

[0138] The presentation control means 180 causes the display device 330 to execute an operation presentation that prompts the player to operate the presentation button B5 when the presentation state is the normal presentation state, the first AT state, or the special AT state, and the game state is the normal state or the BB formation state, and when a winning pattern of chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, or special role is obtained in the internal lottery. In this embodiment, when the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 begin to rotate steadily during the game, the sub-board SUB is enabled to accept an operation on the effect button B5 as an effect operation, and the main board MAIN is enabled to accept an operation on the MAX BET button B0M as an effect operation. When an effect operation is performed on the effect button B5, the display device 330 is caused to execute a first operation result effect that notifies (or suggests) the result of the internal lottery by displaying an image corresponding to the result of the internal lottery (winning pattern, winning role) on the liquid crystal display LCD, and when an effect operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M, the sound device 340 is caused to execute a second operation result effect that notifies (or suggests) the result of the internal lottery by outputting an effect sound corresponding to the result of the internal lottery (winning pattern, winning role) from the speaker SP.

[0139] In addition, when the presentation state is the initial presentation state, normal presentation state, first AT state, or special AT state, and the game state is the normal state or the BB establishment state, and a winning pattern for a special role is obtained in the internal lottery (when a bonus is awarded when a winning pattern for a special role is obtained), the presentation control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a bonus notification presentation (an example of a specific presentation) that notifies the player that a bonus of transitioning to the special AT state will be awarded when the third stop operation is performed.

[0140] Furthermore, when the presentation state is the first AT state, the second AT state, or the special AT state, and the game state is the normal state or the BB established state, and a winning pattern of any of batting order yellow 7A to batting order yellow 7H, batting order 3-coin role A to batting order 3-coin role D, or batting order push-button role A to batting order D is obtained, the presentation control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order or an image corresponding to the correct batting order and the correct push-button timing on the liquid crystal display LCD, thereby notifying the correct batting order (operation sequence of the stop operation) or the correct batting order and the correct push-button timing (operation pattern of the stop operation), and causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a small role winning assistance effect (game assistance effect) that assists in winning a 9-coin small role, a 3-coin small role, or a 15-coin small role.

[0141] Furthermore, in the first AT state or the special AT state, when the additional lottery is won and an additional value of "50" is selected when Replay A, Replay B, Batting Order Replay, or Red 7 Replay is won, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a Red 7 award support effect that supports the winning of Replay 3, by announcing a pressing sequence that can win Replay 3 and an image corresponding to the red 7 symbol "Red 7" on the liquid crystal display LCD to perform a stopping operation in a pressing sequence that can win Replay 3 and at a timing that displays the red 7 symbol "Red 7." The Red 7 award support effect announces a pressing sequence that stops the third reel R3 first when Replay A, Replay B, or Batting Order Replay is won, and announces a pressing sequence that stops the first reel R1 first when the red 7 replay is won, as the pressing sequence that can win Replay 3.

[0142] In addition, in the first AT state or the special AT state, when a batting order replay or a BAR matching replay is won and an additional lottery is won and an additional value of "30" is selected, the presentation control means 180 notifies the display device 330 and the sound device 340 that a stop operation will be performed in a press-down sequence that will allow Replay 5 or Replay 4 to be won and at a timing that will display the BAR pattern "BAR" by displaying an image corresponding to the press-down sequence and the BAR pattern "BAR" that will allow Replay 5 or Replay 4 to be won in the first AT state or the special AT state, and causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a BAR winning assistance presentation that assists in the winning of Replay 5 accompanied by the display of a pattern combination of a middle BAR matching or the winning of Replay 4 accompanied by the display of a pattern combination of a lower BAR matching. In the BAR winning assistance performance, when the batting order replay is won, the pressing order to stop the second reel R2 first is announced as the pressing order to win the replay 5, and when the BAR matching replay is won, the pressing order to stop the first reel R1 is announced as the pressing order to win the replay 4.

[0143] Furthermore, in the first AT state, when a winning mode of a common 1-coin combination is obtained in the internal lottery, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a BAR winning assist effect or a Red 7 winning assist effect, and when a winning mode of a Red 7 fake replay is obtained in the internal lottery, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a Red 7 winning assist effect. When a common 1-coin combination is won, the BAR winning assist effect announces the pressing order to stop the second reel R2 first, and the Red 7 winning assist effect announces the pressing order to stop the third reel R3 first. Furthermore, when a Red 7 fake replay is won, the Red 7 winning assist effect announces the pressing order to stop the third reel R3 first.

[0144] Furthermore, in the first AT state, if the result of the additional lottery when a batting order replay, red 7 replay, or BAR replay is won is not a winning prize, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a replay winning assistance effect that assists the winning of Replay 1 by announcing on the liquid crystal display LCD the pressing sequence that can win Replay 1. In the replay winning assistance effect, as the pressing sequence that can win Replay 1, when a batting order replay is won, a pressing sequence that stops the first reel R1 first is announced, when a red 7 replay is won, a pressing sequence that stops the second reel R2 first is announced, and when a BAR replay is won, a pressing sequence that stops the third reel R3 first is announced.

[0145] Furthermore, in the special AT state, when Replay A, Replay B, Batting Order Replay, Red 7 Replay, or BAR Replay is won and an additional value of "10" is selected by winning the additional lottery, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a replay winning assistance effect. In the replay winning assistance effect, when Replay A or Replay B is won, the pressing sequence that stops the first reel R1 first is announced as the pressing sequence that can win Replay 1.

[0146] In addition, in the special AT state, if the additional lottery is won when a common 1-piece role is won, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a BAR winning support effect or a red 7 winning support effect, and if the additional lottery is won when a red 7 fake replay is won, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a red 7 winning support effect.

[0147] Furthermore, when the presentation state is the second AT state and the game state is the normal state or the BB established state, if the internal lottery results in a winning pattern of either Replay A, Replay B, Batting Order Replay, Red 7 Align Replay, or BAR Align Replay, the presentation control means 180 causes the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute a replay winning assistance presentation.

[0148] In addition, when the presentation state is the second AT state and the game state is the normal state or the BB establishment state, if a winning pattern of a special role is obtained by the internal lottery (if a special role winning pattern is obtained and no special prize is awarded), the presentation control means 180 notifies the display device 330 and the sound device 340 of batting order 5 (a pressing sequence that can win small role 6) and executes a small role winning assistance effect (game assistance effect) that assists in the winning of a 9-piece small role (small role 6). In this case, the presentation control means 180 does not transition from the second AT state to the special AT state, so it does not execute the special prize notification effect regardless of the pressing sequence in which the stop operation is performed.

[0149] Furthermore, when a game is being played in the first AT state, the presentation control means 180 executes an AT remaining number display presentation that displays the remaining number of times to be played until the end of the first AT state on the liquid crystal display LCD. In the AT remaining number display presentation, when the value of the AT game number counter 1921 is subtracted by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of times to be played also decreases to reflect the subtraction amount, and when the number of times to be played in the first AT state is added by an addition process in the first AT state or special AT state, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of times to be played also increases to reflect the addition amount.

[0150] Furthermore, when a game is being played in the special AT state, the presentation control means 180 executes a special AT remaining number display presentation that displays the remaining number of times to be played until the special AT state ends on the liquid crystal display LCD. In the special AT remaining number display presentation, when the value of the special AT game number counter 1920 is subtracted by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of times to be played also decreases to reflect the subtraction amount, and when the number of times to be played in the special AT state is added by an addition process in the special AT state, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of times to be played also increases to reflect the addition amount.

[0151] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, the 1-bet switch 220, the MAX-bet switch 225, the start switch 230, the stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, or a controller. In the computer system, the reel unit 310, the hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

[0152] 2. Method of this embodiment The control method employed in the gaming machine of this embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 10, 12, and 20 to 23. Note that Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a bonus notification effect process in the gaming machine of this embodiment, Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of an effect image displayed in the bonus notification effect in the gaming machine of this embodiment, Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of an effect image displayed in the operation effect, first operation result effect, and second operation result effect in the gaming machine of this embodiment, and Figure 23 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation effect process in the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0153] First, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when a special winning combination is obtained in the internal lottery, the pressing order (batting order 1, 2) that causes the first reel R1 to stop first always displays a symbol combination of the middle special symbol combination, the pressing order (batting order 3, 4) that causes the second reel R2 to stop first always displays a symbol combination of the right-up special symbol combination, and the pressing order (batting order 5, 6) that causes the third reel R3 to stop first always displays a symbol combination of either the middle special symbol combination or the right-up special symbol combination. No pattern combination is displayed and the pattern combination of right-up yellow 7s is always displayed. When the middle special pattern and right-up special pattern are displayed, the special pattern "SP" is displayed at the display position on the active line L1 on at least one of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, as shown in Figures 12(A) and 12(B). However, when the right-up yellow 7s are displayed, the special pattern "SP" is not displayed at the display position on the active line L1, as shown in Figure 12(C).

[0154] In addition, in this embodiment, when a special winning combination is obtained by internal lottery in a presentation state other than the second AT state (initial presentation state, normal presentation state, first AT state, or special AT state), the presentation state is transitioned to a special AT state that is advantageous to the player, but in a game in which a special winning combination is obtained, the correct operation notification and winning assistance presentation that notifies (instructs) the pressing order are not executed, so the game can be played in any pressing order. Therefore, in a game in which a special winning combination is obtained in a presentation state other than the second AT state, any of the symbol combinations of the middle special symbol combination, the right-up special symbol combination, and the right-up yellow 7 combination can be displayed.

[0155] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, when a third stop operation is performed in a game in which a special winning combination has been obtained in a presentation state other than the second AT state (Y in step S100, Y in step S101), a special notification presentation is executed to notify the player that a special benefit, namely, a transition to the special AT state, will be granted. In the special notification presentation, the presentation mode is changed according to the pressing order (operation mode) of the stop operation, and when the stop operation is performed in the pressing order (batting order 1 to 4) that stops the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 first (Y in step S102), as shown in FIG. 21(A), a special symbol display object showing the special symbol "SP" is displayed. The awarding of a bonus is notified by displaying an effect image including IMG1 (an example of a specific display object) on the liquid crystal display LCD (step S103), and if a stop operation is performed in the pressing sequence (batting order 5, 6) that causes the third reel R3 to stop first (N in step S102), the awarding of a bonus is notified by displaying an effect image including a display object different from the special pattern display object IMG1 (in this embodiment, a display object showing the yellow 7 pattern "Yellow 7" or a 7 pattern display object IMG2 which is a display object showing a pattern imitating the yellow 7 pattern "Yellow 7"), as shown in Figure 21 (B) (step S104).

[0156] In this way, in this embodiment, when the stop operation is performed in a pressing order (batting order 1 to 4) that displays the symbol combination of the middle special symbol or the right-up special symbol, the special symbol display object IMG1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the bonus notification performance, and when the stop operation is performed in a pressing order (batting order 5, 6) that does not display the symbol combination of either the middle special symbol or the right-up special symbol, the special symbol display object IMG1 is not displayed in the bonus notification performance, thereby making it possible to minimize misunderstandings regarding the game.

[0157] In addition, in this embodiment, even though there is no transition from the second AT state to the special AT state, if a pattern combination of a middle special pattern or a right-up special pattern is displayed in the second AT state, it may give the player hope or misunderstanding that they will transition to the special AT state.However, in the second AT state, by performing a small-prize winning auxiliary effect that notifies the player of batting order 5 when a special role is won, the display of pattern combinations of a middle special pattern or a right-up special pattern is avoided and the bonus notification effect is not executed, so it is possible to prevent the player from having unnecessary hope or misunderstanding, and to prevent the game from being impaired.

[0158] Furthermore, in order to avoid giving the player unnecessary expectations or misunderstandings, as in this embodiment, even if the display of the symbol combinations of the middle special symbol line-up and the right-up special symbol line-up can be avoided by changing the button press order, in button press orders (batting orders 1 to 4) other than the button press order that can avoid these symbol combinations (batting orders 5 and 6), the special symbol display object IMG1 can be displayed to emphasize the special symbol "SP". Therefore, by displaying the special symbol display object IMG1, it is possible to perform as many symbol combinations as possible that emphasize the middle special symbol line-up and the right-up special symbol line-up, as well as the special symbol "SP", thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0159] In this embodiment, if the winning pattern of batting order yellow 7C or batting order yellow 7G is obtained by internal lottery in the AT state, a small role winning assist effect is executed to notify batting order 5 as the correct batting order, and if the winning pattern of a special role is obtained in the second AT state, a small role winning assist effect to notify batting order 5 is also executed. However, if the winning pattern of a special role is obtained in the second AT state, a small role winning assist effect to notify batting order 5 is executed in the same effect mode as the small role winning assist effect executed when batting order yellow 7C or batting order yellow 7G is won. For example, in the small role winning assist effect, if the pressing order is notified by displaying navigation number displays of "1," "2," and "3" on the liquid crystal display LCD, the design (shape, color, size, etc.) of the navigation number displays is designed similarly when batting order yellow 7C or batting order yellow 7G is won and when a special role is won, so that the effect images including the navigation number displays and effects are similar, and the effect audio such as sound effects and navigation voice are also designed similarly. As a result, in this embodiment, depending on the presentation mode of the small prize winning assistance performance, it is possible to make it impossible to distinguish which of the winning modes among batting order yellow 7C, batting order yellow 7G, and the special role has been won, so even if a special role is won in the second AT state, the player will not be aware that the special role has been won.

[0160] In addition, in this embodiment, when a winning mode of a special role is obtained in the second AT state, a correct operation notification is executed to assist in winning a 9-coin small role (small role 6) by displaying information corresponding to batting order 5 (an example of operation instruction information) on the main display 300. However, when a winning mode of a special role is obtained in the second AT state, a correct operation notification is executed to notify the player of batting order 5 in the same display mode as the correct operation notification executed when batting order yellow 7C or batting order yellow 7G is won. For example, in the correct operation notification, the same operation instruction number "05" is displayed in the same display mode (such as the same color) when batting order yellow 7C or batting order yellow 7G is won and when a special role is won. As a result, in this embodiment, depending on the display mode of the correct operation notification, it is possible to make it impossible to distinguish which winning mode of batting order yellow 7C, batting order yellow 7G, or special role has been won. Therefore, even if a special role is won in the second AT state, the player can be prevented from knowing that the special role has been won.

[0161] In addition, in this embodiment, when the batting order Yellow 7C or the batting order Yellow 7G is won, the same 9-coin minor role (minor role 6) is won when the stopping operation is performed in the correct batting order (batting order 5) and when the special role is won, and when the stopping operation is performed in batting order 5, depending on the stopping pattern of the reels, it is possible to make it impossible to distinguish which of the winning patterns among the batting order Yellow 7C, the batting order Yellow 7G, and the special role has been won. As a result, in this embodiment, even if a special role is won in the second AT state, it is possible to prevent the player from knowing that the special role has been won.

[0162] In this way, in this embodiment, even if a special role is won in the second AT state, the fact that the special role has been won can be prevented from being known to the player, so the player is not given an unnecessary sense of loss from not being able to obtain a special bonus, and the playability of the game is not impaired.

[0163] In addition, in this embodiment, the winning patterns of the chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, and special role are roles (specific roles) that trigger the AT lottery or additional lottery, and in a game in which a winning pattern of a specific role is obtained in the normal presentation state, the first AT state, or the special AT state, an operation effect is executed to prompt the player to operate the effect button B5 in response to the game start operation of the start lever SL, thereby increasing the player's expectation of winning the specific role. In the operation effect, as shown in Figure 22 (A), an effect button display object IMG10, which is an effect image showing the effect button B5, is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD to prompt the player to operate the effect button B5.

[0164] In this embodiment, when an operation effect is executed, in addition to an operation on the effect button B5, an operation on the MAX BET button B0M can also be accepted as an effect operation, and the effect content is changed depending on the type of effect operation.

[0165] Specifically, when an effect operation is performed on the effect button B5 while the reels are spinning in a game in which an operation effect is being executed (when an operation is performed on the first operating means while the operation effect is being executed), the effect button display object IMG10 is hidden to end the operation effect, and an image corresponding to the result of the internal lottery (winning mode, winning combination) is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD to execute a first operation result effect that notifies (or suggests) the result of the internal lottery. In the first operation result effect, as an image corresponding to the result of the internal lottery, one of the following character objects is displayed: a character A display object IMG11 which is an effect image of character A corresponding to chance combination A; a character B display object which is an effect image of character B corresponding to chance combination B; a character C display object which is an effect image of character C corresponding to common yellow 7; or a character D display object which is an effect image of character D corresponding to a special combination. For example, when chance combination A is won, character A display object IMG11 is displayed as shown in FIG. 22(B).

[0166] Furthermore, when an operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M while the reels are spinning during a game in which an operation effect is executed (when an operation is performed on the second operation means while the operation effect is being executed), the execution of the operation effect is continued (maintained) by maintaining the display of the effect button display IMG10, and a second operation result effect is executed in which the result of the internal lottery is announced (or suggested) by outputting an effect sound corresponding to the result of the internal lottery (winning pattern, winning role) from the speaker SP. In the second operation result presentation, the presentation audio corresponding to the result of the internal lottery is output as one of the following character presentation audios: presentation audio A of character A's line S1 (e.g., "Here we go") corresponding to chance role A; presentation audio B of character B's line S2 (e.g., "It's your chance") corresponding to chance role B; presentation audio C of character C's line S3 (e.g., "It's hot") corresponding to common yellow 7; or presentation audio D of character D's line S4 (e.g., "It's super hot") corresponding to special role. For example, when chance role A is won, presentation audio A of line S1 is output as shown in Figure 22 (C).

[0167] In this embodiment, the second operation result effect is not executed while the first operation result effect is being executed. For example, even if an effect operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M while the character A display object IMG11 is being displayed, the character effect sound (the effect sound A of the line S1) corresponding to the result of the internal lottery is not output.

[0168] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if an effect operation is performed on effect button B5 while the operation effect and the second operation result effect are being executed, the operation effect and the second operation result effect are terminated and the first operation result effect is executed. For example, as shown in Fig. 22(C), if an effect operation is performed on effect button B5 while effect button object IMG10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD and effect sound A for line S1 is being output from speaker SP, the operation effect is terminated by making effect button object IMG10 invisible, and the second operation result effect is terminated by ending the output of effect sound A for line S1, and character A object IMG11 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, as shown in Fig. 22(D).

[0169] In this embodiment, the duration of the first operation result effect is set to be longer than the duration of the second operation result effect, i.e., the duration of the character object display is set to be longer than the playback duration of the character effect sound.

[0170] In this embodiment, when a predetermined duration of the first operation result effect has elapsed or when the third stop operation is performed on the stop button, the character object is hidden and the first operation result effect ends. Note that the first operation result effect does not end even if the first stop operation or the second stop operation is performed on the stop button while the first operation result effect is being executed.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment, even if a stop operation is performed on the stop button while the second operation result presentation is being executed, the second operation result presentation will not end, but if a third stop operation is performed on the stop button while the second operation result presentation is being executed, the second operation result presentation may be ended by ending the output of the character presentation sound.

[0172] Next, the operation presentation process relating to the operation presentation will be described.

[0173] In the operation performance processing, as shown in FIG. 23, when a winning pattern of a specific role is obtained in the normal performance state, the first AT state, or the special AT state (Y in step S200), an operation performance is executed to prompt the operation of the performance button B5, and in the operation performance, the performance button display object IMG10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD (step S201), and when a performance operation is performed on the performance button B5 during the rotation of the reel in the game in which the operation performance is executed (Y in step S202), the operation performance is ended by making the performance button display object IMG10 invisible (step S203), and when the character performance sound is output from the speaker SP ( The second operation result presentation is ended by ceasing output of the character presentation sound (step S205), the character object corresponding to the result of the internal lottery is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD to execute the first operation result presentation (step S206), and when the presentation time (display time of the character object) of the first operation result presentation has elapsed (step S207: Y) or when a third stop operation is performed on the stop button before the presentation time of the first operation result presentation has elapsed (step S208: Y), the character object is made invisible to end the first operation result presentation (step S209).

[0174] Furthermore, when an operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M while the reels are spinning in a game in which an operation effect is executed (Y in step S210), if no character effect sound has been output in that game (N in step S211), the second operation result effect is executed by outputting a character effect sound corresponding to the result of the internal lottery from the speaker SP (step S212).

[0175] Furthermore, if a third stop operation is performed on the stop button without operating the effect button B5 or the MAX BET button B0M during the rotation of the reels in a game in which an operation effect has been executed (Y in step S213), the effect button display object IMG10 is made invisible and the operation effect ends (step S214). In this case, neither the first operation result effect nor the second operation result effect is executed.

[0176] In addition, in this embodiment, if an operation effect is executed when a special combination is won, when the third stop operation is performed, a bonus notification effect is executed upon completion of the operation effect or the first operation result effect.

[0177] In this embodiment, if the player operates the MAX BET button B0M, which is not being prompted to operate, during the execution of an operation effect that prompts the player to operate the effect button B5, a character effect sound is output from the speaker SP, and a second operation result effect is executed, which is different from the first operation result effect that displays a character display object on the liquid crystal display LCD. This makes it possible to add a hidden element to the operation effect that heightens the player's anticipation for winning a specific combination. This increases the variety of effects and improves the enjoyment of the game.

[0178] In addition, in this embodiment, the second operation result effect is not executed while the first operation result effect is being executed, so even if an effect operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M while a character object is being displayed based on an effect operation on the effect button B5, no character effect sound corresponding to the result of the internal lottery is output. This prevents the second operation result effect, which is the effect of a hidden element, from interfering with the first operation result effect, which is the main effect, and increases the enjoyment of the game.

[0179] In addition, in this embodiment, if a presentation operation is performed on presentation button B5 while the operation presentation and the second operation result presentation are being executed, the operation presentation and the second operation result presentation are terminated and the first operation result presentation is executed, so that the first operation result presentation, which is the main presentation, is not interfered with by the second operation result presentation, which is a hidden element, thereby increasing the interest in the game.

[0180] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if the transmission order of commands (signals) sent from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB is reversed, or an unexpected operation or malfunction causes the second operation result presentation to be executed while the first operation result presentation is being executed, or the first operation result presentation to be executed while the second operation result presentation is being executed, the first operation result presentation and the second operation result presentation are executed by different presentation devices, so it is possible to prevent the first operation result presentation, which is the main presentation, from being completely obstructed by the second operation result presentation, which is a hidden element.

[0181] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the presentation time of the first operation result presentation is set longer than that of the second operation result presentation, so even if the second operation result presentation is executed while the first operation result presentation is being executed due to a malfunction or other reason, or the first operation result presentation is executed while the second operation result presentation is being executed, it is possible to prevent the first operation result presentation, which is the main presentation, from being completely obstructed by the second operation result presentation, which is a hidden element.

[0182] 3. Variations The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and modifications are introduced below. Note that the above-described embodiment and the various methods described below as modifications can be appropriately combined and adopted as a control method for realizing the present invention.

[0183] In the above embodiment, the symbol combinations of the middle special symbol line-up and the right-up special symbol line-up that are displayed in the pressing order (batting order 1 to 4) that stops the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 first when a special role is won are explained as symbol combinations consisting only of the special symbol "SP", but the symbol combinations of the middle special symbol line-up and the right-up special symbol line-up may be symbol combinations that include the special symbol "SP" and that display the special symbol "SP" in a display position on the active line on at least one reel, and may be, for example, composed of multiple types of symbols including the special symbol "SP".

[0184] In the above embodiment, when a special role is won, if the stopping operation is performed in the pressing order (batting order 5, 6) that causes the third reel R3 to stop first, the symbol combination of yellow 7 going up to the right is displayed and the special symbol "SP" is not displayed in the display position on the valid line. However, in the pressing order (batting order 5, 6) that causes the third reel R3 to stop first, it is sufficient that a symbol combination in which the special symbol "SP" is displayed aligned on any line, such as a middle special symbol line or a right-up special symbol line, is not displayed, and the special symbol "SP" may be displayed in the display position on the valid line.

[0185] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which a special pattern display object IMG1 showing the same pattern as the special pattern "SP" arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the reel is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the bonus notification performance, but the special pattern display object IMG1 may also be an object showing a pattern imitating the special pattern "SP" arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the reel.

[0186] In the above embodiment, when a special combination is won in a performance state other than the second AT state, if a stop operation is performed in the pressing order (batting order 5, 6) that causes the third reel R3 to stop first, the 7 symbol display IMG2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the special combination notification performance. However, if a stop operation is performed in the pressing order (batting order 5, 6) that causes the third reel R3 to stop first, the special symbol display IMG1 must be displayed in the special combination notification performance. Instead of the 7-pattern display object IMG2, it is possible to display text such as "Congratulations!", or to display a 7-pattern display object (a display object showing none of the patterns) that is dissimilar to any of the red 7 pattern "Red 7", white 7 pattern "White 7", yellow 7 pattern "Yellow 7", blue 7 pattern A "Blue 7A", blue 7 pattern B "Blue 7B", blue 7 pattern C "Blue 7C", and blue 7 pattern D "Blue 7D" due to a difference in design such as shape or color.

[0187] In the above embodiment, when a special role is won, if the pressing order is to stop the first reel R1 first (batting order 1, 2), the symbol combination of the middle special symbol will always be displayed when the small role 8 is won, and if the pressing order is to stop the second reel R2 first (batting order 3, 4), the symbol combination of the right-up special symbol will always be displayed when the small role 8 is won. However, in batting order 1 and batting order 2, depending on the timing of pressing the stop operation, there may be cases where the symbol combination of the middle special symbol is displayed and cases where the symbol combination of the middle special symbol is not displayed, and in batting order 3 and batting order 4, depending on the timing of pressing the stop operation, there may be cases where the symbol combination of the right-up special symbol is displayed and cases where the symbol combination of the right-up special symbol is not displayed. In this example, when a winning mode for a special role is obtained in a performance state other than the second AT state, in batting order 1 or batting order 2, if the stop operation is performed at a timing when a pattern combination of a middle special pattern alignment can be displayed (an example of the first operation mode), a special pattern display object IMG1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the bonus notification performance, and if the stop operation is performed at a timing different from the timing when a pattern combination of a middle special pattern alignment can be displayed (an example of the second operation mode), a 7 pattern display object IMG2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the bonus notification performance, and in batting order 3 or batting order 4, if the stop operation is performed at a timing when a pattern combination of a right-up special pattern alignment can be displayed (an example of the first operation mode), a special pattern display object IMG1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the bonus notification performance, and if the stop operation is performed at a timing different from the timing when a pattern combination of a right-up special pattern alignment can be displayed (an example of the second operation mode), a 7 pattern display object IMG2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD in the bonus notification performance. In this example, if the symbol combination of the middle special symbol or the right-up special symbol is not displayed when a special symbol is won, it is possible to make it so that neither symbol wins, or even if the symbol combination of the middle special symbol or the right-up special symbol is not displayed, one of the small symbols including small symbol 8 is always a winning symbol.

[0188] In the above embodiment, the winning mode of the special role is the winning mode of the small role, but it may be the winning mode of the replay. In this example, when the winning mode of the special role is obtained in the second AT state, it is desirable to execute the correct operation notification and the winning assistance effect so that the player does not know that the special role has been won.

[0189] In the above embodiment, the first operation result effect is described as an example in which a character object is displayed on the liquid crystal display LCD, but the first operation result effect may also output character audio, sound effects, or other audio effects from the speaker SP along with the display of the character object. In this example, the first operation result effect may output character audio that is different from that output in the second operation result effect (for example, different lines from the same character as in the second operation result effect).

[0190] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which, if an operation is performed on the effect button B5 during the execution of the operation effect and the second operation result effect, the operation effect and the second operation result effect are terminated and the first operation result effect is executed. However, if an operation is performed on the effect button B5 during the execution of the operation effect and the second operation result effect, the operation effect may be terminated, but the second operation result effect may continue to be executed while the first operation result effect is executed. That is, the character effect sound for the second operation result effect may not be terminated until the playback time has elapsed. For example, if the first operation result effect is configured to output character effect sound along with the display of a character object, if an operation is performed on the effect button B5 during the execution of the operation effect and the second operation result effect, the output of the character effect sound for the second operation result effect may be continued, and only the display of the character object and the output of the character effect sound constituting the first operation result effect may be executed, without outputting the character effect sound for the first operation result effect. Alternatively, the character effect sound for the first operation result effect may be output after the output (execution) of the character effect sound for the second operation result effect has ended.

[0191] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the operation effect or the first operation result effect is ended when a third stop operation is performed on the stop button in a game in which an operation effect is executed, but the operation effect or the first operation result effect may also be ended when a first stop operation (or a second stop operation) is performed on the stop button. In this example, when the operation effect is ended based on the first stop operation on the stop button, the first operation result effect or the second operation result effect may not be executed even if an effect operation is performed on the effect button B5 or the MAX BET button B0M after the operation effect has ended, or only one of the first operation result effect or the second operation result effect may be executed.

[0192] In the above embodiment, when an operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M during the execution of an operation effect, the second operation result effect is executed even if no character sound effect has been output in that game. However, the second operation result effect may be executed every time an operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M during the execution of an operation effect. In this way, even if you miss the character sound effect related to the second operation result effect, you can listen to it again.

[0193] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which an operation effect is executed when a winning mode of a specific combination is obtained, but there may be cases in which the operation effect is not executed when a specific combination is won, or the operation effect may be executed when a winning mode other than the specific combination is obtained. In this example, a character display object and a character effect sound corresponding to a winning mode other than the specific combination may be prepared, and the first operation result effect and the second operation result effect may be executed.

[0194] In the above embodiment, each of the character display objects A to D displayed in the first operation result presentation corresponds to one of the winning patterns among the chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, and special role, but they may correspond to multiple winning patterns, or may correspond to the expected winning probability of the AT lottery or the additional lottery. For example, the first operation result presentation may be designed so that the expected winning probability of the AT lottery or the additional lottery increases in the order of "character display object A < character display object B < character display object C < character display object D." In addition, in the first operation result presentation, each of the character display objects A to D corresponds to all of the winning patterns of the chance role A, chance role B, common yellow 7, and special role, and one of the character display objects A to D is selected and displayed by selection lottery, and the selection probability of each character display object may be varied depending on the expected winning probability of the AT lottery or the additional lottery when each winning pattern is won.

[0195] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which an operation on the effect button B5 is prompted by displaying an effect button display object in the operation effect, but the operation effect may also be configured to prompt an operation on the MAX BET button (an example of a first operation means) B0M by displaying a MAX BET button display object indicating the MAX BET button B0M. In this example, if an effect operation is performed on the MAX BET button B0M during the execution of the operation effect, a first operation result effect may be executed, and if an effect operation is performed on the effect button B5 (an example of a second operation means), a second operation result effect may be executed.

[0196] In the above embodiment, the first operation result effect and the second operation result effect are described as being produced using one of several types of effect devices, such as the frame lamps on the upper front door UD, the liquid crystal display LCD, the speaker SP, and a backlight unit (not shown) that illuminates the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 from the back side of the reel tape (the inner peripheral side of each reel). However, multiple types of effect devices may be used. In this example, it is desirable to have at least one type of effect device that is used only for the first operation result effect and the second operation result effect. For example, the first operation result effect may be produced using the frame lamps, the liquid crystal display LCD, and the speaker SP, and the second operation result effect may be produced using only the speaker SP. This prevents the first operation result effect, which is the main effect, from being completely obstructed by the second operation result effect, which is a hidden element.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the gaming machine inserts gaming media such as medals when playing a game and pays out gaming media when winning a winning combination, but games may also be played by consuming or granting gaming value as electronic information without using gaming media. For example, the gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine may be configured to be able to store information about the gaming value owned by the player, so that consuming gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by inserting gaming media, and granting gaming value by adding the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by paying out gaming media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 valid line, DS game information display, LCD liquid crystal display, BS setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, SEC section indicator, EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS reel unit storage space, MAIN main board, SUB sub board, HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box, R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel, B01 1 bet button, SL start lever, B1~B3 Stop buttons, B05 Performance button, MI medal insertion slot, MO medal dispensing slot, MP medal tray, 100 game control means, 103 setting change means, 105 input acceptance means, 110 random number generation means, 120 internal lottery means, 130 reel control means, 140 winning determination means, 150 payout control means, 160 replay processing means, 170 game state control means, 175 AT control means, 180 production control means; 190a game information storage means, 1910 main lottery table storage area, 1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Winning determination table storage area, 1913 Setting value storage area, 1914 Credit information storage area, 1915 lottery flag storage area, 1916 game status storage area, 1918 Performance status memory area, 1919 Common 3-piece role counter, 1920 Special AT Game Number Counter, 1921 AT Game Number Counter, 1922 1st clear counter, 1923 2nd clear counter, 190b performance information storage means, 1926 performance data storage area, 1927 Sub lottery table storage area, 1928 Image buffer, 1929 Sound buffer, 210 medal insertion switch, 220 1 bet switch, 225 MAX bet switch, 230 start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 setting change switch, 270 performance button switch, 300 Main display, 310 Reel unit, 315 Reel index, IMG1 special pattern display item, IMG2 7 pattern display item, IMG10: Button display, IMG11: Character A display

Claims

[Claim 1] A plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer circumferential surface; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of roles including small roles are won; A reel control means for rotating the reels for each game and controlling the reels to stop in a manner corresponding to a result of an internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated, As the winning mode of the small prize, there are a plurality of first winning modes in which a plurality of types of incorrect small prizes including a correct small prize and a specific small prize are won in an overlapping manner, and a second winning mode in which a plurality of types of small prizes including the specific small prize are won in an overlapping manner and the correct small prize is not included, a correct operation mode is set for each of the plurality of first winning modes, and an operation mode for first stopping a specific reel among the plurality of reels is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the first winning modes; the first winning mode exists in which an operation mode for first stopping a reel other than the specific reel among the plurality of reels is the correct operation mode, but the first winning mode does not exist in which an operation mode for first stopping the specific reel is the correct operation mode, An operation mode different from the correct operation mode is defined as an incorrect operation mode, The reel control means When the first winning mode is obtained by the internal lottery, in the correct operation mode, the correct minor role is won, and in the incorrect operation mode in which the specific reel is stopped first, the incorrect minor role is won, and in the incorrect operation mode in which a reel other than the specific reel is stopped first, stop control is performed so that there are cases in which the incorrect minor role is won and cases in which neither role is won; When the second winning mode is obtained by an internal lottery, in an operation mode in which the specific reel is stopped first, stop control is performed so that the specific minor role is won.

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