Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that can prevent the occurrence of a capturing property and prevent the deterioration of marketability of the game machine.SOLUTION: When an AT shift winning assistance is executed and multiple stop buttons are operated in a shift operation mode (YES in step S6), an AT preparation state is terminated and a state shifts to an AT state. When the AT shift winning assistance is executed and the multiple stop buttons are operated in a non-shift operation mode (NO in step S6), and a value of an AT preparation state counter does not reach a value "1650" (NO in step S9), the AT preparation state is continued. When the AT shift winning assistance is executed and the value of the AT preparation state counter reaches the value "1650" (YES in step S9), the AT preparation state is terminated and a state shifts to the AT state even if the multiple stop buttons are operated in the non-shift operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (reel type gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with patterns arranged on the outer periphery are known. In this type of gaming machine, a certain gaming value is assigned to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and a game is played to acquire such gaming media. In addition, in this type of gaming machine, an internal lottery is performed and the rotation of the multiple reels is started when the player operates to start the rotation, and the multiple reels are stopped in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when the player operates to stop the rotation. The result of the game is determined by the combination of symbols displayed on the winning determination line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and the like are paid out according to the result of the game.

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, a configuration is known in which the probability of winning a winning role can be changed by transitioning to an assist time state, which is a presentation state that executes a winning assistance presentation that assists in the winning of a winning role, thereby making it easier to obtain gaming value (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-245157 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, in gaming machines, it is required to realize various playability using control related to instruction functions including assist time state, thereby increasing the interest of players in the game and improving the marketability of the gaming machine. In such gaming machines, if various playability gives rise to a strategy that is not intended by the designer of the gaming machine, there is a risk that the marketability of the gaming machine will decrease.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the emergence of strategies to master the game and prevent a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a reel system comprising: Multiple stop buttons and an operation notification means for notifying an operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons, The state relating to the instruction function includes a first state and a second state, the second state is a more advantageous state than the first state, a counter for managing a duration of the first state; the operation informing means is capable of executing a specific operation informing for informing about an operation mode of the plurality of stop buttons in the first state, In the specific operation notification, notification is made regarding an operation mode suggesting a transition operation mode and a non-transition operation mode, When the specific operation notification is executed and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the transition operation manner, the first state is ended and the state is transitioned to the second state; When the specific operation notification is executed, the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the non-transition operation manner, and the value of the counter does not reach a predetermined value, the first state is continued; When the specific operation notification is executed and the value of the counter reaches the predetermined value, the first state is terminated and the second state is transitioned to even if the multiple stop buttons are operated in the non-transition operation mode. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can prevent the emergence of strategies to master the game and prevent a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by an internal lottery in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, winning roles contained in each winning area, and whether or not a favorable zone lottery has been held. FIG. [Figure 4] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. [Diagram 5] This figure shows the winning combinations that can be won in each batting order when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" and the winning area "Replay 3" are won in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing AT preparation state processing in a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A figure showing the display mode of winning assistance when AT transition winning assistance is executed in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing AT preparation state processing in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the AT state transition executed in the AT preparation state processing shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10](A) is a diagram showing the display mode of winning assistance when AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state transitioned from the AT state in a gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the display mode when play is executed in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance. [Figure 11] (A) is a figure showing the display mode of winning assistance when AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state in a gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a figure showing the display mode when play is executed in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described below. Note that the first embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the first embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment is a so-called reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is housed in a box-shaped housing consisting of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD, and a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) consisting of a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as a plurality of reels. In addition, a hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) as a medal payout device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. In addition, a control board having a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. mounted thereon and controlling the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[0013] The outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 shown in Figure 1 is divided into 20 areas (hereinafter, each area will be referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several types of patterns arranged on it.

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so as to be able to be opened and closed separately. The front upper door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for performing effects composed of various videos and images for assisting and livening up a game. In addition, the display device 330 is configured so that a specific area 330b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in a display area 330a for displaying images is composed of a transparent liquid crystal display, and the spinning state and stopped state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three patterns (upper pattern, middle pattern, lower pattern) arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 among a plurality of types of patterns arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 330 from the front of the slot machine 1.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, an upper, middle, and lower row are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line based on a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three in any game state, and when medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the center reel R2, and the upper row of the right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the winning line L1 (on the winning line), and if the symbol combination on the winning line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is deemed to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit 320.

[0017] The main control display device DS, which is composed of a 7-segment display, is provided on the upper front door UD. The main control display device DS displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, the total number of medals paid out or won in the bonus state, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (alert display) suggesting how to press the stop button B1, stop button B2, and stop button B3 related to the medal payout. The alert display displayed on the main control display device DS corresponds to a winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the winning combination in the current game, when the specified number of medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0018] The front lower door DD is provided with various operating means. The operating means include a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals as an inserting operation means for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever SL as a game start operation means for allowing the player to execute a start operation that triggers the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to spin and start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means for allowing the player to execute a stop operation that triggers the stopping of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 rotated by a stepping motor, and a settlement button BS for settling the credited medals.

[0019] In addition, the front lower door DD is provided with a plurality of sound devices 340 for performing effects using sound. The sound devices 340 output various sounds to assist or liven up the game.

[0020] In addition, a medal payout outlet MO and a medal tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and medals in a number according to the results of a game are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP. In addition, when the settlement button BS is pressed while credited medals are stored in the gaming machine, a settlement process is executed in response to pressing of the settlement button BS, in which a number of medals equivalent to the number of credits (the number of credited medals) is paid out from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are paid out from the medal payout outlet MO to the medal tray MP.

[0021] 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means such as a coin insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change switch 250, and a reset switch 260 as a plurality of operation detection means, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a performance device 300, a reel unit 310, a hopper unit 320, and a main control display device DS based on the calculation results.

[0022] The game control means 10 also includes a setting change means 100, an input 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 transition control means 170, a performance control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each of the means constituting the game control means 10 reads out and executes each control program pre-stored in the storage means 190 when each control process is executed.

[0023] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the storage means 190. When the setting change switch 250 is in the ON state and the setting change is permitted, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 →... → setting 6 → setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal output from the reset switch 260 provided in the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on the start signal output from the start switch 230 when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value that is a value that can change the winning probability of the role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0024] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also written as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the supply of power to the game control means 10 is cut off (power interruption) and then the supply of power is resumed again, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control related to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 200 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0025] When a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot MI (see FIG. 1) and the medal insertion switch 210 is actuated during the insertion acceptance period for accepting the insertion of medals, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medal to an inserted state, and when a bet switch 220 is actuated in which the max bet button MB is pressed to execute a bet operation while the medals are credited, the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the credited medals to an inserted state up to a specified insertion number (3 medals), thereby performing a process of enabling a game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that medals equivalent to the specified insertion number have been set to the inserted state.

[0026] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the initial depression of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of medals, is accepted as the player's operation to start the game, and serves as a trigger for starting the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, as well as a trigger for the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery.

[0027] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In the first embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may function as random numbers substantially because the timing of acquisition is irregular, even if the generation itself is regular.

[0028] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on a start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0029] In the lottery table selection process, which internal lottery table is to be used for the internal lottery is selected based on the current game state from among the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replay, small role, and bonus, and non-win (miss) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535).

[0030] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a device for continuously operating a reel when it is won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a device for continuously operating a reel, and a bonus state means that the reel or device for continuously operating a reel is activated.

[0031] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generation means 110 is obtained for each game based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the comparison result.

[0032] 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-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are overlappingly won, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more types of combinations that are overlappingly won are set to an established state. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are provided a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over the established state to the next or subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over the established state to the next or subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. In addition, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the storage means 190.

[0033] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and controls the rotation mode of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, based on the output of a start signal from the start switch 230, which is operated by the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL. In addition, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are in a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 corresponding to each reel are pressed. Then, when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation, the reel control means 130 executes control to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[0034] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and the player presses each of the active stop buttons B1 to B3, the first press operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press operation will be referred to as the second stop operation, and the third press operation will be referred to as the third stop operation.

[0035] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the reel that is rotating corresponding to the stop button pressed is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms from the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation) for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Here, when the rotating reel is stopped within 190 ms from the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time when the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel.

[0036] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of five frames from the frame displayed on the pay line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until four frames have rotated are the range (pull-in range) in which the pattern can be pulled onto the pay line L1.

[0037] When executing reel stop control, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a preset priority order by logic calculation including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a hit state can be won as much as possible, and a kick-off process to stop the spinning reel so that a combination with a lottery flag set to a non-hit state cannot be won, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to a stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by the reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0038] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, the priority of the candidate stop positions can be determined according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the pay line L1 (number priority control), or according to the number of medals to be paid out based on the payout that is predefined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if the same payout is won twice, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0039] 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 left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 at the time when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, the winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter, referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination indicating the winning form of a winning combination is also referred to as "winning symbol combination".

[0040] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each process is executed based on the judgment result of the winning judgment means 140 in the winning judgment process. As each process executed based on the judgment result of the winning combination, for example, when a small combination is won, a process is executed to determine the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150, when a replay is won, a process is executed to make the replay processing means 160 execute the next game without consuming medals, and when a combination that triggers a transition of the game state such as a bonus is won, a process is executed to make the game state transition control means 170 transition the game state.

[0041] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out medals according to game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is won, the payout number of medals in a game is determined based on a payout amount determined in advance for each combination, and the payout control means 150 controls the hopper unit 320 as a payout device to pay out medals equivalent to the determined payout number.

[0042] The hopper unit 320 performs an operation of paying out the number of medals instructed by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is provided with a payout medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out. The payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit 320 based on an input signal from the payout medal detection switch 325. When medal credit is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper unit 320, a credit addition process is performed in which the payout number is added to the credit number (the number of credited medals) stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means 190, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0043] When the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) to set the next game to a ready state in which the game can be played without inserting medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of medals without using medals (including credit medals) held by the player, and the same pay line L1 as the previous game is set, and the start operation of the next start lever SL is awaited.

[0044] The game state transition control means 170 performs a process of transitioning the game state between a plurality of game states, and a process related to the activation and termination of a bonus. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the establishment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or the establishment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0045] The performance control means 180 is communicatively connected to enable one-way communication so as to be capable of receiving various information including commands from each means other than the performance control means 180 constituting the game control means 10 (setting change means 100, deposit acceptance means 105, random number generation means 110, internal lottery means 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, payout control means 150, replay processing means 160, game state transition control means 170, AT control means 200), but is unable to transmit information to each means other than the performance control means 180 constituting the game control means 10. Based on various information (signals, commands) transmitted from each means other than the performance control means 180 constituting the game control means 10, the performance control means 180 performs various calculations to execute performances using the performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 196 of the storage means 190, and controls the operation of output means such as the display device 330 and the performance device 300 including the sound device 340 based on the calculation results.

[0046] The performance control means 180 controls performances related to the game, such as image and video performances using the display device 330 and sound performances using the sound device 340. Specifically, when the player operates each component of the slot machine 1 by inserting a medal, operating the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, and the stop buttons B1 to B3, or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of performances to liven up the game or to assist the game by executing performances using lighting or blinking of lamps and LEDs, and sound output from the sound device 340. In addition, the performance control means 180 causes each component of the performance device 300 to execute a performance based on each performance state.

[0047] The AT control means 200 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 197 to control the transition between an advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to instruction functions including an auxiliary game in which a notification to assist in the winning of a specific role is displayed on the main control display device DS, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary game.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 197 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by a specified control process) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states including the AT state (assist time state) and normal state executed within the advantageous zone.

[0049] The AT control means 200 performs an operation notification to assist in winning a specific combination by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable a winning specific combination to be won on the main control display device DS consisting of a 7-segment display under a predetermined condition in the advantageous zone. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when an operation notification is executed by the AT control means 200, a navigation effect is executed by the effect control means 180 described later, which displays an indicator corresponding to the operation notification on the display device 330. In the slot machine 1, the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are notified by the operation notification and the winning assistance of the navigation effect, so that an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player is executed.

[0050] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, described later, is met, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined termination process for terminating the advantageous zone and starting the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing information regarding the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone.

[0051] The AT control means 200 executes a game number update process in which, in a game that has started an advantageous zone, a value "1" corresponding to one game is added to a value (storage value) stored in the first advantageous zone counter 197a each time a game is played, and the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a is cumulatively incremented and updated. Also, the AT control means 200 executes a difference number update process in which, in the second advantageous zone counter 197b, a difference value (difference number) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the game that has started an advantageous zone by the number of medals inserted is cumulatively recorded.

[0052] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, when controlling in a favorable zone, executes a game number update process in which, regardless of the game state, a value of "1", which corresponds to one game, is cumulatively added (updated) to the stored value of the first favorable zone counter 197a each time one game is played, and a difference number update process in which a value equivalent to the difference in the number of medals is cumulatively updated to the stored value of the second favorable zone counter 197b.

[0053] Here, in the difference number update process for updating the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is less than the value "0" because the number of medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number of medals inserted, the AT control means 200 sets the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b to the value "0". As a result, the AT control means 200 can fix the value when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b is at the lowest point to the value "0", so that in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b, it is not necessary to vary the value that is the threshold for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b can be reduced.

[0054] The AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition has been met as a predetermined end condition for terminating the advantageous zone when 4000 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous zone counter 197a reaches the value "4000", or when the player has won more than 2400 medals from the point at which the most medals were consumed in the advantageous zone, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b reaches the value "2401" from the point at which it was the lowest value (lowest point), and executes a predetermined end process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0055] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes in the favorable zone, such as each flag set to the ON state in the favorable zone and values ​​set in the favorable zone. The AT control means 200 can also end the favorable zone when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is met, and executes a predetermined initialization process and a predetermined end process even when the normal end condition is met. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 200 in the first embodiment will be described later.

[0056] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the first embodiment Next, the components of the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0057] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> 3 is a diagram showing winning areas that are the subject of an internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, winning numbers and winning roles associated with each winning area, winning areas that are winnable in each game state, and winning areas for which an advantageous zone lottery, described below, is performed by the AT control means 200 if the internal lottery is won. In Fig. 3, winning areas that are winnable in each game state and for which an advantageous zone lottery is performed if the winning area is won are indicated by "◯", and winning areas that are winnable in each game state and for which an advantageous zone lottery is not performed if the winning area is won are indicated by "●".

[0058] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a bonus that is a consecutive operation device related to the first type special feature. In addition, the slot machine 1 has, as game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170, a non-RT state as a normal state in which the RBB is not set to an established state and the RBB is not operating, a bonus establishment state as a bonus inside (inside) in which the state is transitioned to when the RBB is set to an established state and the RBB establishment state is maintained inside until the RBB operates, and a bonus state as a bonus operating (operating) in which the state is transitioned to when the RBB operates and the RBB is operating.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 3, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "all small roles", the winning area "all 1-coin roles", the winning area "Replay 1" to the winning area "Replay 3", the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8", the winning area "common bell", the winning area "rare roles", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin roles", and the winning area "RBB", which are associated with the winning numbers 1 to 17, respectively. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-win (miss) as a result of the internal lottery.

[0060] Here, the "batting order" refers to the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is also referred to as the "pressing timing."

[0061] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, is composed of six types of batting orders, batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a so-called "scissors press". Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors press". Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Batting order 6 is a batting order called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0062] In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether the winning areas set as the subject of the lottery in each game state are wins or loses, in the order from the winning area corresponding to the winning number 17 to the non-winning (missing) area corresponding to the winning number 0.

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are Bell A to Bell D, 1 coin A to 1 coin C, and Rare as small roles that can be won when the internal lottery is won, and there are Replay A to Replay C as replays that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small role and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG.

[0064] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, a winning area "RBB&1 coin role" is set as a winning area including a bonus and a small role, and a winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area including only a bonus.

[0065] The winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are winning areas where Bell A to Bell D can be won by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order set for each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" when the game state is in a bonus established state. Details of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" will be described later.

[0066] The winning area "common bell" is a winning area where Bell A to Bell D are multiple winnings. In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "common bell" is won, any of Bell A to Bell D will be won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0067] The winning area "Rare Role" is a winning area where a rare role is the only winning role, and is set to a lower winning probability than other winning areas including minor roles (winning areas "Battle Order Bell 1" to "Battle Order Bell 8", winning area "Common Bell", winning area "RBB & 1-piece role"). In addition, the winning symbol combination of the rare role is composed of symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 when the stop button B1 is operated at the timing when 5 of the 20 symbols on the left reel R1 are displayed in rotation on the valid line L1, and the symbols on the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3 are composed of symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 regardless of the operation timing of the stop button B2 and the stop button B3.

[0068] The winning area "REPLAY 1" is a winning area where Replay A is the only winning prize, and Replay A wins regardless of the operation mode of Stop Button B1 to Stop Button B3. The winning area "REPLAY 2" is a winning area where Replay A and Replay B are both winning, and Replay A wins regardless of the operation mode of Stop Button B1 to Stop Button B3. The winning area "REPLAY 3" is a winning area where Replay A and Replay C are both winning, and Replay C wins when Stop Button B1 to Stop Button B3 are operated in a preset operation mode, and Replay A wins when Stop Button B1 to Stop Button B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the preset operation mode. Details of the winning area "REPLAY 3" will be described later.

[0069] Here, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the role to which the carryover possible flag is associated is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover possible flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning area including RBB is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB wins. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether or not the small role and replay are won, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small role or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, the lottery flag corresponding to two or more roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already won RBB and the lottery flag of the small role or replay won in the internal lottery is set to an established state.

[0070] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment stores an internal lottery table (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A) used in a non-RT state (normal), an internal lottery table (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B) used in a bonus establishment state (internal), and an internal lottery table (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) used in a bonus state (operating) in an internal lottery table storage means 192 as the internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

[0071] As shown in Figure 3, in internal lottery table A which is referenced when the gaming state is in a non-RT state, lottery value numbers are associated with winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 17, in internal lottery table B which is referenced when the gaming state is in a bonus established state, lottery value numbers are associated with winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 16, and in internal lottery table C which is referenced when the gaming state is in a bonus state, lottery value numbers are associated with winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 0 to 2.

[0072] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the gaming state is in the non-RT state, one of the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 17 is selected by the internal lottery, and when the gaming state is in the bonus established state, one of the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 16 is selected by the internal lottery. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is in the bonus state, if none of the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 1 and 2 is selected, it is a non-win (miss).

[0073] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of the first embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number acquired from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value number associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table acquired from the internal lottery table storage means 192, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. In addition, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value at the time when the subtraction is completed by all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that it is a non-win (miss) that did not win any role. The random number generation means 110 of the first embodiment is configured to be able to generate a total of 65536 random numbers from 0 to 65535 as random numbers used in the internal lottery.

[0074] <Bonus winning judgment process> As described above, in the internal lottery table B of this embodiment, in the bonus establishment state, the lottery value number is set in the winning area "RBB & 1 piece role". In the internal lottery when the game state is the bonus establishment state, there is a possibility that the RBB will be won again in the state where the RBB is already set to the establishment state, so that the internal lottery means 120 does not set the newly won RBB to the establishment state, so that it is configured to execute the bonus winning judgment process to judge whether the winning area determined by the random number judgment process is a winning area including a bonus.

[0075] In the bonus winning determination process, when the random number determination process determines that the winning area including the bonus is the target for determining whether or not the bonus has been won, the internal lottery means 120 executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to the winning state when the winning area including the bonus is won and the game state is the bonus winning state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the winning state when the RBB has already been set to the winning state.

[0076] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is set in the order of "replay>small combination>bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are won in combination, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or the replay.

[0077] <Small prize payout> In the first embodiment, the payouts for Bell A to Bell D are set to a payout number (8 coins) that is greater than the specified number of coins (3 coins). The payouts for rare combinations are set to a payout number (3 coins) that is the same as the specified number of coins. And the payouts for 1 coin combinations A to C are set to a payout number (1 coin) that is less than the specified number of coins.

[0078] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which a transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to the transition of the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 of the first embodiment.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 4(A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among a plurality of gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0080] The bonus establishment state is a game state to which the player enters when either the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and RBB is set to the establishment state. In the bonus establishment state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B. In the internal lottery table B, the value "4", which is the lottery value number associated with the winning area "RBB" in the internal lottery table A, is associated with the winning area "Replay 1", so that the winning probability of the replay is 4 / 65536 higher than that of the internal lottery table A. With this configuration, in the slot machine 1, the winning probability of the replay in the bonus establishment state in which the internal lottery table B is used in the internal lottery is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0081] The bonus state is a game state to which the game state is transitioned when the RBB is activated by winning the prize. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 judges whether the termination condition of the activated RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined payout number (for example, 100 medals), the game state transition control means 170 terminates the bonus state by terminating the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to a non-RT state, which is a non-bonus state. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with a winning area "All Small Winnings" in which all small winnings from Bell A to Bell D, rare winnings, and 1-coin winnings from 1-coin winnings from 1-coin winnings from 1-coin winnings from 1-coin winnings from 1-coin winnings with the payout set to 1, and a winning area "All 1-coin winnings" in which all small winnings from 1-coin ... with the payout set to 1.

[0083] The bonus state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the probability of winning the winning area "all small roles" or the winning area "all 1-coin roles" in the bonus state in which the internal lottery table C is selected is set to be higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small roles in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B, that is, the probability of winning a small role in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any of the small roles in the game state other than the bonus state. Also, the probability of winning the winning area "all small roles" in the internal lottery table C is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any two of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" and the winning area "common bell" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B.

[0084] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that in the bonus state, the probability of winning all minor roles is higher than in the non-RT state when the bonus is not activated or in the bonus activation state, and the probability of winning any of the minor roles is the same or higher.

[0085] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that in the bonus state, the probability of winning in the winning area "All Small Features" is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" and the winning area "Common Bell" (the combined winning probability of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" and the winning area "Common Bell").

[0086] In this way, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has multiple types of first winning modes (winning area "Bell A to Bell D") in which multiple types of specific roles (Bell A to Bell D) set to a payout greater than the amount of game value inserted required to start playing do not overlap with each other and are won in combination with other minor roles (winning area "Bell 1 to Bell 8", winning area "Common Bell"), and a second winning mode (winning area "All Minor Roles") in which multiple types of specific roles are won in combination, and the internal lottery means 120 is configured to perform an internal lottery so that multiple types of first winning modes exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and bonus establishment state, and to perform an internal lottery so that the second winning mode exists in the bonus state. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple types of first winning modes in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state, and the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state.

[0087] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state is less than 100%.

[0088] Here, in the bonus establishment state, as will be described in more detail later, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won, the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 cannot be operated in the correct batting order consisting of batting order 3 to batting order 6, so the probability that any of the bells A to D will win is limited to when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 can be operated in the correct batting order from the four types of batting orders. On the other hand, when the assistance game in which the winning assistance is executed is executed, the correct batting order is notified by the winning assistance when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won, so the probability that any of the bells A to D will win when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won can be increased by up to 8 times compared to when the winning assistance is not executed.

[0089] As described above, in the first embodiment, four types of winning bells, Bell A to Bell D, are set as winning paying-out medal types that pay out more medals than the specified number of inserted medals that win when a stop operation is performed in the correct batting order. Then, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state is compressed to approximately 1 / 4 of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state. By configuring in this way, an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific combinations are won without overlapping each other in a game state other than the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific combinations are won overlappingly in the bonus state. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state can be compressed to approximately 1 / N of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state. As a result, since the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state can be lowered to less than 100% and then the medal acquisition performance regarding the auxiliary game can be designed, the degree of freedom in designing the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be significantly improved.

[0090] <AT control means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of a normal section and a favorable section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, and an effect state controlled during the favorable section.

[0091] As described above, the normal section is a period during which control regarding the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 200 executes a favorable section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the normal section and start the favorable section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game during the normal section.

[0092] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "no win (miss)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 197. Then, the AT control means 200 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0093] The AT control means 200 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of the advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 3, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to execute a favorable zone lottery with a probability of about 1 / 1.5 in the following cases: when the winning area "Replay 2", winning area "Replay 3", winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", winning area "Common Bell", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "RBB & 1 Coin Role", winning area "RBB" is won in the internal lottery when the gaming state is in a non-RT state; and when the winning area "Replay 2", winning area "Replay 3", winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", winning area "Common Bell", winning area "Rare Role" is won in the internal lottery when the gaming state is in a bonus establishment state.

[0095] In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured not to execute the lottery of the advantageous zone when the winning area "Replay 1" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, when the winning area "Replay 1" and the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" are won in the internal lottery in the bonus establishment state, and when the winning area "All small roles" and the winning area "All 1 coin role" are won in the internal lottery in the bonus state. Details of the gameplay by the lottery of the advantageous zone when each winning area is won will be described later.

[0096] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 has the following states (presentation states) related to the instruction function: a first start state, a second start state, a normal state, a CZ state, an AT preparation state, an AT state, a CZ state during AT, and an added special state. In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the ratio of staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 executes a replay notification lottery to determine whether or not to notify an operation mode that allows Replay A to win when the winning area "Replay 3" is selected in the internal lottery. When the AT control means 200 determines not to notify an operation mode in the replay notification lottery, it executes a lottery related to an instruction function according to the presentation state in which the game is being executed. More details will be described later.

[0098] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, in the advantageous zone and when the notification of the operation mode is not executed, if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6, the control related to the instruction function by the AT control means 200 is not executed. In other words, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the notification of the operation mode is not executed, a game in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 is recommended.

[0099] The first start state is a presentation state that is set when the game state is a non-RT state and in the normal zone, the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is set as a target of the advantageous zone lottery by an internal lottery, and the normal zone is shifted to the advantageous zone by the advantageous zone lottery based on winning the winning area including RBB. In the first start state, the AT control means 200 ends the first start state and shifts the presentation state to the normal state when one game is executed.

[0100] The second start state is a presentation state that is set when the game state is a non-RT state or a bonus established state, and the normal zone is selected by an internal lottery to select the favorable zone from the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Common Bell", the winning area "Rare Role", the winning area "Replay 2", and the winning area "Replay 3", and the normal zone is transitioned to by the favorable zone lottery based on winning a winning area that does not include RBB.

[0101] In the second start state, the AT control means 200 refers to the game state at the time when the second start state is started. When the game state at the time when the second start state is started is a non-RT state, the AT control means 200 ends the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the presentation state to a normal state. Also, when the game state at the time when the second start state is started is a bonus establishment state, the AT control means 200 ends the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the presentation state to a CZ state.

[0102] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when a transition occurs from the normal zone to the advantageous zone during play in the normal zone (first game), the presentation state is set to the first start state or the second start state by a control process for setting the presentation state by the AT control means 200 during the first game. Next, in the slot machine 1, in a game following the first game (second game), a game is played with the presentation state set to the first start state or the second start state, and if the presentation state is the first start state, the presentation state is transitioned to the normal state, and if the presentation state is the second start state, the presentation state is transitioned to the normal state or the CZ state depending on the game state in the second game.

[0103] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to a normal state among a plurality of presentation states, which is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 executes incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of the normal game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, each time a game is played. In addition, the AT control means 200 executes an advantageous zone end lottery to determine whether or not to end the advantageous zone when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, and when the winning area "replay 3" is won in the internal lottery and it is determined not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery.

[0104] When the stored value of the normal game number counter reaches the value "700" or when the "end of advantageous zone" is selected in the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal end condition among the conditions for ending the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information relating to the advantageous zone upon the end of the normal state, and a predetermined end process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0105] The CZ state is configured to be capable of executing control to transition the presentation state to the AT preparation state as a control related to auxiliary games, and is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (e.g., 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197, and executes a decrement update to subtract the value "1" corresponding to one game from the stored value of the CZ game number counter each time a game is executed.

[0106] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery for each game in the CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT preparation state. If the "transition to the AT preparation state" is selected in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the presentation state selected after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0107] The AT control means 200 executes a CZ AT game number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) to the number of times the AT state is executed in the AT state when the AT state transitions from the AT preparation state, which is entered after the CZ state ends, is transitioned to the AT state during play until the CZ state ends when the "transition to AT preparation state" is won in the CZ AT lottery and the CZ state ends.

[0108] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT preparation state" in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state. If the CZ state is ended without the AT transition condition being satisfied, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the normal state.

[0109] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute the lottery for the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, AT game number addition lottery during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute the lottery for the auxiliary game executed in the CZ state in the case where the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, and in the case where the winning area "replay 3" is won in the internal lottery and it is decided not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery, the probability of "not winning (missing)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, and the probability of a result advantageous to the player ("transition to AT preparation state" in the case of AT lottery during CZ) is higher.

[0110] In the AT preparation state, whether or not to execute the winning assistance of Bell A to Bell D when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won is determined by lottery, and therefore, it is a presentation state that is more advantageous for the player than the normal state in which the winning assistance of Bell A to Bell D is not executed when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won. The AT preparation state of the first embodiment is configured to be able to be transitioned in a situation where a transition to the AT preparation state is decided in the CZ state, and in a situation where 300 or more games have been played since transitioning from the AT preparation state to the AT state described below.

[0111] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to be capable of executing either a normal winning assistance that notifies the player of the correct batting order of Bells A to D when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won in an internal lottery when the game state is a bonus establishment state and the presentation state is an AT preparation state, or an AT transition winning assistance as a specific winning assistance that suggests an operation mode including the correct batting order by suggesting that the stop button operated in the first stop operation is not stop button B1, and determines a transition to the AT state when the first stop operation matches the correct batting order.

[0112] The AT control means 200 executes a winning assistance lottery to determine whether or not to execute a winning assistance when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in an internal lottery while the gaming state is a bonus establishment state and the presentation state is an AT preparation state. In the winning assistance lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery to determine either "execution of normal winning assistance", "execution of AT transition winning assistance", or "no winning (miss)".

[0113] In slot machine 1, in the winning assistance lottery, the "execution of normal winning assistance" is won with a predetermined probability, and by playing according to the normal winning assistance, it becomes possible to win Bell A to Bell D, which are set with a payout of 8 coins, so that when the AT transition winning assistance is executed, a game is played in which the stop button B1 is operated, and even if a game in which 1-coin role A, which is set with a payout of 1 coin, is won and the AT preparation state continues is played for a long period of time, the payout rate, which is the ratio of the total number of coins paid out to the total number of coins inserted when a predetermined number of games are played, is configured not to fall below 60%.

[0114] In addition, in the slot machine 1, when the normal winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, a game according to the winning assistance is executed, and when the AT transition winning assistance is executed, a game not according to the winning assistance is executed, so that even if the AT preparation state continues for a long time, the ball payout rate in the AT preparation state is designed not to exceed 100%. With such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is designed so that when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if the AT preparation state continues by executing a game ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, it is not advantageous for the player, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a strategy by intentionally continuing the AT preparation state.

[0115] In the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 executes an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c of the AT control data storage means 197 each time a game is executed.

[0116] The AT control means 200 of the first embodiment judges that the condition for starting the AT state (AT start condition) is satisfied when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation matches the correct batting order, and when 1650 games are played in the AT preparation state and the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c becomes the value "1650". The AT control means 200 is configured to transition the presentation state from the AT preparation state to the AT state, and to continue the AT preparation state until the AT start condition is satisfied.

[0117] In other words, the AT control means 200 is configured such that when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won and the AT transition winning assistance is executed, if the first stopping operation matches the correct batting order, the presentation state is transitioned to the AT state as a bonus, and if the first stopping operation does not match the correct batting order, the AT preparation state can be continued without transitioning the presentation state to the AT state.

[0118] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if a game is played ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the game will not transition to the AT state, which is a special benefit for the player, and this prevents the player from intentionally continuing the AT preparation state, thereby preventing a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.In addition, even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are mistakenly operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the AT preparation state will continue, so as long as the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is not the value "1650", it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0119] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment executes an incremental update to add a value "1" to the stored value of the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d of the AT control data storage means 197 when the "AT transition winning assistance execution" is won in the winning assistance lottery. When executing the winning assistance lottery in the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 acquires a lottery table according to the stored value of the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d. The lottery table used in the winning assistance lottery is configured so that the larger the stored value of the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d, the higher the probability of winning the "AT transition winning assistance execution".

[0120] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state and the first stop operation does not match the correct hitting order and the AT preparation state continues, the longer the AT preparation state continues, the more frequently the AT transition winning assistance is executed, and the higher the probability of transitioning from the AT preparation state to the AT state becomes. Therefore, even if the player operates the stop buttons B1 to B3 in accordance with the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance and the first stop operation does not match the correct hitting order, the frequency of the AT transition winning assistance in subsequent games can be increased, thereby quickly providing the player with an opportunity to transition to the AT state again, and preventing a decline in interest in the game for players who were unable to transition to the AT state.

[0121] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment executes an incremental update to add a value "10" to the stored value of the AT point counter 197e of the AT control data storage means 197 as a process for granting AT points when the "execution of AT transition winning assistance" is won in the winning assistance lottery and the first stop operation is an operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance. When the stored value of the AT point counter 197e becomes a value "100" or more, that is, when the granted AT points become 100 points or more, the AT control means 200 grants a privilege to execute a replay notification lottery that is executed when the winning area "Replay 3" is won in the internal lottery as a privilege related to an instruction function advantageous to the player in the AT state to which the AT preparation state is transitioned, in which a replay notification lottery is executed in which it is determined that the operation mode is not to be notified with a higher probability than in the case of an AT state in which the AT points are less than 100 points.

[0122] As described above, the AT transition winning assistance is a notification mode that suggests that the stop button operated in the first stop operation is not the stop button B1, and therefore includes an operation mode in which the first stop operation matches the correct stroke order and an operation mode in which the first stop operation does not match the correct stroke order. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, even if the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation is an operation mode in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, the operation mode becomes an operation mode in which the first stop operation does not match the correct stroke order, and the slot machine 1 is configured such that a case occurs in which the AT preparation state does not transition to the AT state.

[0123] Due to this configuration, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment executes AT transition winning assistance in the AT preparation state, and when the first stop operation is an operation mode in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, executes processing related to the awarding of AT points, which grants the player a privilege related to an instruction function that is advantageous to the player by transitioning to the AT state when the awarded points reach 100 points or more.

[0124] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, and the first stop operation is an operation mode in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, so that if the AT preparation state continues without transitioning to the AT state even when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, AT points are awarded that will lead to the awarding of benefits related to instruction functions that are advantageous to the player when the AT state is transitioned to, thereby reducing the sense of loss felt by the player when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation is an operation mode in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance but the AT state cannot be transitioned to, and preventing a decline in the player's interest in the game.

[0125] In addition, when the AT points are less than 100 points, the probability of executing the replay notification lottery in the AT state does not change based on the AT points. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the control related to the instruction function for transitioning from the AT preparation state, which is surely executed, to the AT state is configured as a control that is more advantageous to the player than the granting of AT points.

[0126] The AT state is a more advantageous presentation state for the player than the normal state and the AT preparation state, because winning assistance with Bells A to D is executed each time the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won.

[0127] When the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the AT state is the value "0", the AT control means 200 sets an initial value (40 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games. In addition, when the AT state starts, the AT control means 200 adds a value "10" to the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f. The AT control means 200 executes a decrement update to subtract a value "1" corresponding to one game from the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f every time a game is executed in the AT state.

[0128] The AT control means 200 executes an AT CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT CZ state when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, and when the winning area "replay 3" is won in the internal lottery and it is decided not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery.

[0129] When the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f becomes the value "0", the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met based on the fulfillment of the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition), and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information regarding the advantageous zone upon the end of the AT state, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0130] In addition, even if the presentation state transitions from the AT preparation state to the AT state, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment executes an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c each time a game is executed. When 2000 games are played from the game that started the AT preparation state and the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c becomes the value "2000", the AT control means 200 determines that the normal end condition among the end conditions of the advantageous zone is satisfied regardless of the stored value of the AT game number counter, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of ending the AT state and initializing information about the advantageous zone, and a predetermined end process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0131] Here, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that when a game according to the winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, that is, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed, a game of operating the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 is executed in any of the batting orders 3 to 6, the slot machine 1 can transition to the AT state within several to several tens of games. Also, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the payout rate in the AT state where the winning assistance is executed when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won is about 200%.

[0132] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when play is performed in accordance with the winning assistance, the stored value of the second advantageous zone counter 197b reaches the value "2400" when approximately 1200 games have been played in the AT state, the specific ending condition of the advantageous zone is met and the advantageous zone ends, so that the advantageous zone will not end based on the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c reaching the value "2000", except in the case where play that does not comply with the AT transition winning assistance is performed in the AT preparation state and the player remains in the AT preparation state for a long period of time.

[0133] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if the AT state is started after the AT preparation state continues by playing a game that ignores the hitting order notified in the AT transition winning assistance, even if the AT state continues, the player will only be able to win around 700 medals, which is not sufficiently advantageous for the player, and it is possible to prevent the emergence of a strategy that involves intentionally continuing the AT preparation state.

[0134] At the start of the AT state, the AT control means 200 sets the AT duration counter 197g of the AT control data storage means 197 to an initial value (300 games) corresponding to the number of plays to continue the AT state, and performs a decrement update to subtract the stored value of the AT duration counter 197g by the value "1" corresponding to one game each time a play is performed in the AT state, the CZ state during AT, and the added-on specialization state.

[0135] The AT control means 200 stops decrement update when the stored value of the AT duration counter 197g becomes the value "0". Also, when the stored value of the AT duration counter 197g becomes the value "0", if the presentation state is the AT state, the AT control means 200 interrupts the AT state regardless of the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f, and transitions from the AT state to the AT preparation state. On the other hand, when the stored value of the AT duration counter 197g becomes the value "0", if the presentation state is the AT CZ state or the top-up specialization state, after the presentation state transitions to the AT state, the AT control means 200 interrupts the AT state regardless of the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f, and transitions from the AT state to the AT preparation state.

[0136] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment transitions from an AT state in which the payout rate is set to approximately 200% to an AT preparation state in which the payout rate does not exceed 100% each time approximately 300 games are played, even if the AT state continues for a long period of time, thereby preventing excessive payout of medals in successive AT states, which would reduce the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0137] In the CZ state during AT, winning assistance for Bell A to Bell D is executed each time the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, and in the replay notification lottery that is executed when the winning area "Replay 3" is won in an internal lottery, it is determined with a higher probability not to notify the operation mode than in the normal state, CZ state, AT preparation state, and AT state, making this a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state, CZ state, AT preparation state, and AT state.

[0138] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (10 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games to the AT CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the AT CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0139] The AT control means 200 executes an add-on lottery to determine the value to be added (added) to the AT game number counter 197f and an add-on specialization lottery to determine whether or not to transition to an add-on specialization state after the end of the CZ state during the AT, when the winning area ``rare role'' is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, and when the winning area ``replay 3'' is won in the internal lottery and it is decided not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery.

[0140] If the "transition to the added-on specialized state" is selected in the add-on specialized lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the AT CZ state to the added-on specialized state after 10 games have been played since the start of the AT CZ state. On the other hand, if 10 games have been played in the AT CZ state without the "transition to the added-on specialized state" being selected in the add-on specialized lottery, the AT control means 200 ends the AT CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the AT state.

[0141] In the CZ state during AT, winning assistance for Bell A to Bell D is executed each time the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, and in the replay notification lottery that is executed when the winning area "Replay 3" is won in an internal lottery, it is determined with a higher probability not to notify the operation mode than in the normal state, CZ state, AT preparation state, and AT state, making this a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state, CZ state, AT preparation state, and AT state.

[0142] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (10 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games to the AT CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the AT state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0143] The AT control means 200 executes an add-on lottery to determine the value to be added (added) to the AT game number counter 197f and an add-on specialization lottery to determine whether or not to transition to an add-on specialization state after the end of the CZ state during the AT, when the winning area ``rare role'' is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, and when the winning area ``replay 3'' is won in the internal lottery and it is decided not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery.

[0144] If the "transition to the added-on specialized state" is selected in the add-on specialized lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the AT CZ state to the added-on specialized state after 10 games have been played since the start of the AT CZ state. On the other hand, if 10 games have been played in the AT CZ state without the "transition to the added-on specialized state" being selected in the add-on specialized lottery, the AT control means 200 ends the AT CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the AT state.

[0145] In the add-on specialized state, winning assistance for Bell A to Bell D is executed each time the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, and in the replay notification lottery that is executed when the winning area "Replay 3" is won in an internal lottery, it is determined with a higher probability not to notify the operation mode than in the normal state, CZ state, AT preparation state, and AT state, and an add-on lottery is executed in each play to determine the value to be added (added) to the AT game number counter 197f, making this a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than other presentation states.

[0146] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (30 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in an add-on specialization game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the add-on specialization state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the add-on specialization game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0147] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute the add-on lottery in the add-on specialized state regardless of the result of the internal lottery. In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured so that, for the add-on lottery in the add-on specialized state, in the case where the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, and in the case where the winning area "Replay 3" is won in the internal lottery and it is decided not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery, the probability that the value added will be larger than in the case where other winning areas are won is higher, thereby increasing the probability of a result advantageous to the player (for example, in the add-on lottery in cases other than the case where the winning area "rare role" is won, the case where the winning area "Replay 3" is won and the operation mode is not notified, values ​​in the range of "10" to "30" are set as the objects of the lottery, and in the case where the winning area "rare role" is won, and the case where the winning area "Replay 3" is won and the operation mode is not notified, values ​​in the range of "30" to "100" are set as the objects of the lottery).

[0148] When the stored value of the add-on specialized game number counter becomes the value "0", the AT control means 200 determines that the condition for terminating the add-on specialized state (condition for terminating the add-on specialized state) has been met, terminates the add-on specialized state, and transitions the presentation state to the AT state.

[0149] 3. Game details regarding transition to advantageous zones Next, details of the gameplay regarding the transition to the advantageous zone in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0150] <Details of control using the first and second start states> As described above, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment is configured to stop and display the winning symbol combination of the small role or replay on the pay line L1 in priority to the bonus. In addition, the reel control means 130 is configured to execute reel stop control so that a symbol combination different from the winning symbol combination of any role is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1 and a miss (non-winning) occurs in the following cases: when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an incorrect batting order, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at an operation timing that does not allow the winning 1-piece role A to 1-piece role C to win, and when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery and the stop button B1 is operated at an operation timing that does not allow the winning rare role to win.

[0151] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the gaming state is in a bonus established state, either a minor prize or a replay is won in an internal lottery, so that the RBB winning symbol combination is not displayed stopped on the pay line L1, and the bonus established state is maintained.

[0152] That is, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, once the gaming state is set to the bonus establishment state, the game continues in the bonus establishment state thereafter, so that when the advantageous zone ends and the normal zone starts based on the establishment of the normal end condition or the specific end condition in the advantageous zone, the gaming state becomes the bonus establishment state and the state controlled in the normal zone. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is in the bonus establishment state and then transitions from the advantageous zone to the normal zone, the presentation state is set to the second start state when the "transition to the advantageous zone" is won in the advantageous zone lottery and transitions to the advantageous zone, and since the gaming state at the start of the second start state is the bonus establishment state, the presentation state transitions to the CZ state after one game is executed in the second start state.

[0153] In a slot machine 1 having such playability, as described above, when setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state and the control related to the advantageous zone are initialized, and the game state is set to a non-RT state and to the normal zone.

[0154] For this reason, if the slot machine 1 is configured so that the presentation state is always set to the CZ state when there is a transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, there is a risk that the normal zone will be set by initialization when setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, which will extremely increase the probability of transitioning to the CZ state immediately after setting change control.

[0155] In such a configuration, in the slot machine 1, in the CZ state that is initiated based on the transition to the advantageous zone immediately after the setting change control is executed, the presentation control means 180 executes a presentation (specific presentation) in the normal state, thereby making it possible for the player to not visually recognize that the current presentation state is a CZ state; however, data and programs related to the specific presentation specifically for the CZ state immediately after the setting change are required, which results in an increase in the program capacity related to the presentation.

[0156] Furthermore, in a slot machine 1 configured in this manner, although it is possible to make the CZ state immediately after a setting change invisible through a specific presentation, the CZ state is executed under control by the AT control means 200, and there is a possibility of transitioning to the AT state, which creates the possibility of a gameplay in which it is easy to transition to the AT state immediately after a setting change, making it easy to win medals.

[0157] On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when transitioning from the normal zone to the advantageous zone, the AT control means 200 is configured to refer to the winning area won in the internal lottery and determine whether the presentation state to be set at the start of the advantageous zone will be the first start state or the second start state.

[0158] When the AT control means 200 starts the advantageous zone based on winning the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role", which is a winning area that can only be won by internal lottery in the non-RT state, the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone is set to the first start state. As described above, the first start state is a presentation state that transitions to the normal state after one game is executed.

[0159] For this reason, in slot machine 1, even if the game state at the start of the advantageous zone is a bonus establishment state, when setting change control is executed and the game state in the normal zone transitions from a non-RT state to the advantageous zone, the presentation state can be set to the normal state via the first start state.

[0160] In addition, when the AT control means 200 starts an advantageous zone based on winning the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Common Bell", the winning area "Rare Role", the winning area "Replay 2", and the winning area "Replay 3", which are winning areas that can be won even in the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state, the AT control means 200 sets the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone to the second start state. The AT control means 200 is configured to refer to the game state at the time of playing the game in the second start state, and to determine the presentation state to transition to after playing one game in the second start state.

[0161] Specifically, when the game state when game play is executed in the second start state is a non-RT state, the AT control means 200 determines the presentation state to be transitioned to after one game is executed in the second start state to be a normal state, and when the game state when game play is executed in the second start state is a bonus establishment state, the AT control means 200 determines the presentation state to be transitioned to after one game is executed in the second start state to be a CZ state.

[0162] Here, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the game state when playing in the second starting state becomes a non-RT state only when a favorable zone is started based on winning the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", winning area "Common Bell", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 2", or winning area "Replay 3" in an internal lottery in the non-RT state.

[0163] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured not to execute a favorable zone lottery when the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role", which is a winning area that can be won by internal lottery in the bonus formation state, which is a gaming state that is set by carrying over the RBB to the formation state, is won.

[0164] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the game state when playing in the second starting state becomes a bonus establishment state only when a favorable zone is started based on winning the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8", winning area "Common Bell", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 2", or winning area "Replay 3" in an internal lottery in the bonus establishment state.

[0165] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the game state is set to a non-RT state, and the game state is set to the normal zone, but at the time of transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone immediately after the setting change control, the game state is set to the normal state based on the start of the advantageous zone, and at the time of transition from the normal zone to the advantageous zone when the game state is in a bonus establishment state, the game state is set to the CZ state based on the start of the advantageous zone, thereby realizing gameplay that can improve marketability while having an advantageous zone.

[0166] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can prevent the occurrence of overly advantageous strategies immediately after the setting change control is initiated, and with the transition to an advantageous zone immediately after the setting change control is executed, data and programs for executing a presentation different from the presentation state that is set are no longer necessary, thereby preventing an increase in program capacity related to the presentation.

[0167] <Lottery for the advantageous zone when the winning area "RBB" and the winning area "Replay 1" are won> As described above, the winning area "Replay 1" in the first embodiment is configured so that Replay A is the sole winning area, and the winning area "Replay 2" is configured so that Replay A and Replay B are both winning areas, and each area is configured as a different winning area. In the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment, Replay A is configured to win in both the winning area "Replay 1" and the winning area "Replay 2".

[0168] For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in a game in which Replay A is won, the player is not able to distinguish whether the winning area "Replay 1" or the winning area "Replay 2" is won.

[0169] In the internal lottery table A, the winning area "Replay 1" and the winning area "RBB" are associated with the value "4" as the number of lottery values, so the winning probability of the winning area "Replay 1" and the winning area "RBB" is 4 / 65536 (1 / 16384). In the internal lottery table A, the winning area "Replay 2" is associated with the value "8718" as the number of lottery values, so the winning probability of the winning area "Replay 2" is 8718 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.5). In the internal lottery table A, the winning area "Replay 3" is associated with the value "256" as the number of lottery values, so the winning probability of the winning area "Replay 3" is 256 / 65536 (1 / 256).

[0170] Therefore, in the non-RT state where the internal lottery is executed using the internal lottery table A, the probability of winning any of the winning areas “REPLAY 1” to “REPLAY 3” is 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0171] As described above, in the internal lottery table B, the number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" is associated with the winning area "Replay 1", and therefore the value "8" is associated with the winning area "Replay 1", so the winning probability of the winning area "Replay 1" is 8 / 65536 (1 / 8192). In the internal lottery table B, the number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "Replay 2" and the number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "Replay 3" are the same as those in the internal lottery table A.

[0172] Therefore, in a bonus established state in which an internal lottery is executed using internal lottery table B, the probability of winning in any of the winning areas “REPLAY 1” to “REPLAY 3” is 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0173] 3, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery for the advantageous zone when the winning area "RBB" is won in the non-RT state, and when the winning area "Replay 2" is won in the non-RT state or the bonus establishment state. As described above, the winning area "Replay 1" is a replay (a lottery with a variable replay probability) with a different winning probability in the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state. Therefore, when the winning area "Replay 1" is won, the AT control means 200 cannot execute a process that is predetermined one-to-one for each winning area depending on the game state (because the winning probability of the winning area "Replay 1" varies depending on the game state, if the winning area "Replay 1" is won, the probability of winning the winning area "Replay 1" and moving to the advantageous zone also varies, and it is no longer one-to-one). Therefore, in order to maintain the fairness of the game, the AT control means 200 does not execute a lottery for the advantageous zone.

[0174] The AT control means 200 is configured to be able to execute a drawing related to the instruction function according to the presentation state in any of the following cases when an advantageous zone has started: when the winning area "RBB" has been won in a non-RT state, when the winning area "Replay 1" has been won in a non-RT state or a bonus establishment state, and when the winning area "Replay 2" has been won in a non-RT state or a bonus establishment state. The AT control means 200 is configured to execute the same drawing as a drawing related to the instruction function according to the presentation state in any of the following cases when an advantageous zone has started: when the winning area "Replay 1" has been won in a non-RT state or a bonus establishment state, and when the winning area "Replay 2" has been won in a non-RT state or a bonus establishment state.

[0175] In other words, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment includes an auxiliary game control means for controlling the normal zone and the advantageous zone and controlling the auxiliary game in the advantageous zone, and has a first winning mode, a second winning mode, and a third winning mode as a plurality of winning modes, in which the first winning mode is a bonus won alone, the second winning mode and the third winning mode include a specific replay, and in both cases of winning the second winning mode and winning the third winning mode, a specific replay is won, and has a normal gaming state, a bonus winning state to which the game state is shifted when a bonus is won in the normal gaming state, and a bonus state to which the game state is shifted when a bonus is won, and in an internal lottery table used in an internal lottery in a bonus winning state, a first winning mode is associated with the first winning mode in an internal lottery used in an internal lottery in a normal gaming state. The number of lottery values ​​obtained corresponds to the second winning mode, and the auxiliary game control means executes a favorable zone lottery to determine whether or not to move to a favorable zone when the first winning mode is won in the internal lottery and when the third winning mode is won in the internal lottery in the normal zone, and the auxiliary game control means does not execute a favorable zone lottery when the third winning mode is won in the internal lottery in the normal zone, and the auxiliary game control means is capable of executing a lottery related to an instruction function based on winning in any of the cases when the first winning mode is won in the internal lottery, when the second winning mode is won in the internal lottery, and when the third winning mode is won in the internal lottery in the favorable zone, and the auxiliary game control means is capable of executing a common lottery for the lottery related to the instruction function based on winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery and the lottery related to the instruction function based on winning the third winning mode in the internal lottery.

[0176] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment executes the advantageous zone lottery when the winning area "RBB" and the winning area "Replay 2" are won, but does not execute the lottery when the winning area "Replay 1" is won, which is a winning area in which the winning probability of the replay changes between the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state. Therefore, although there is a difference in the control contents related to the start of the advantageous zone between the winning area "RBB" and the winning area "Replay 2" and the winning area "Replay 1", when the advantageous zone starts, the winning area " A lottery related to the instruction function can be executed regardless of whether the winning area "Replay A" is won, the winning area "Replay 1," or the winning area "Replay 2," or the winning area "Replay A" is won, and in the lottery related to the instruction function based on winning the winning area in which Replay A is won, when the winning area "Replay 1," which has constraints associated with maintaining the fairness of the game in the control related to the transition to the advantageous zone, and when the winning area "Replay 2" is won, a common lottery can be executed, so it is possible to prevent the player from feeling a loss due to constraints associated with maintaining the fairness of the game.

[0177] The AT control means 200 constitutes the auxiliary game control means in the first embodiment, the winning area "RBB" constitutes the first winning mode in the first embodiment, the winning area "Replay 1" constitutes the second winning mode in the first embodiment, the winning area "Replay 2" constitutes the third winning mode in the first embodiment, and Replay A constitutes the specific replay in the first embodiment. Also, the non-RT state constitutes the normal game state.

[0178] 4. Details of stop control when winning the winning area including small prizes As described above, when executing reel stop control, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a preset priority order through logic calculation, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the storage means 190, and determines the pattern to be displayed on the pay line L1 when the spinning reel is stopped.

[0179] In the logic calculation process, the priority is determined for five stop position candidates existing within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time when the push operation of the stop button is detected, according to the priority data determined for each role. Here, the reel control means 130 obtains the rotation state of the reel at the time when the reel stop signal is received from the stop switch 240 using the reel index, which is information indicating that the reel has rotated once, output when the photosensor provided on the reel unit 310 detects the reel position detection section provided on each reel, and the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel at which the reel index is detected (calculated from the number of times the drive pulse is supplied to the stepping motor). Then, the stop position candidate with the highest priority among the priorities of each stop position candidate is determined as the actual stop position.

[0180] In the logic calculation process, when the lottery flags for two or more types of roles are set to the winning state, a priority is determined according to the priority associated with each role so that a candidate stop position including a symbol constituting the winning form of a role with a higher priority is given a higher priority than a candidate stop position including a symbol constituting the winning form of a role with a lower priority.

[0181] In addition, as described above, there are two ways to determine the priority of the candidate stop positions in the logic operation process when multiple types of small roles are won in the internal lottery: number priority control and number priority control. In the number priority control, which determines the priority of the candidate stop positions according to the number of medals paid out, the priority of each candidate stop position is determined so that the priority is higher for the stop positions that will pay out more medals based on the payout of the small role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the pay line L1, that is, the stop positions that can win the small role with a larger payout.

[0182] Here, in the number-priority control, when minor winning combinations with the same payout are won multiple times, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each minor winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0183] Due to this configuration, when the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment wins in an internal lottery in the winning area ``common bell'', which is set to a payout of 8 coins and in which Bells A to D can be won in multiple wins, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each of Bells A to D in the number priority control is the same, and there is no difference in priority, so the reel control means 130 executes stop control using the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194.

[0184] When the winning area "common bell" is won, the reel control means 130 executes stop control using a specific stop control table 194a, which is a stop control table pre-stored in the reel control data storage means 194 and is set to stop the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of Bell A, thereby causing the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination of Bell A to be stopped and displayed on the activated line L1 regardless of the operation manner of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0185] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, Bell A to Bell D can be won in the winning area "All Small Wins" that can be won in the bonus state, so the priority of the candidate stopping positions that can win each of Bell A to Bell D under the number priority control is the same, and there is no difference in priority order.

[0186] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the game state transitions to the bonus state only when the winning area "RBB" is won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the RBB is won in the game in which the winning area "RBB" is won, and if the RBB is not won in the game in which the winning area "RBB" is won, the game state transitions to the bonus establishment state.

[0187] In addition, in the slot machine 1, the reel stop control is configured to prioritize the roles to be stopped on the activated line L1 so that minor roles are stopped before bonuses, and when the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won, stop control is executed to allow any of the 1 coin roles A to C to be won, and since the configuration is such that RBB is not won, when the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won in the non-RT state, the game state is transitioned to a bonus establishment state.

[0188] In the slot machine 1, in the internal lottery when a bonus is established, a winning area including a small prize or a replay is reliably won, and if a small prize is not won, it is a missed opportunity (non-winning), and reel stop control is executed so that a bonus is not won.

[0189] For this reason, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that once it transitions to the bonus establishment state, it will not transition to the bonus state in subsequent games until it is initialized and transitions to the non-RT state. In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the probability of winning the winning area "RBB" is as low as 4 / 65536 (1 / 16394), so the probability of transitioning from the non-RT state to the bonus state is also extremely low.

[0190] Due to such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the chances of winning the winning area "all minor prizes" that can be won in the bonus state are extremely limited.

[0191] As described above, when the slot machine 1 wins the "all minor prizes" winning area in which Bell A to Bell D are multiple wins, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each of Bell A to Bell D under the number-priority control is the same for each, and there is no difference in priority, so the slot machine is configured to perform stop control using a stop control table.

[0192] For this reason, if the slot machine 1 were configured to store in advance in the reel control data storage means 194 a stop control table to be used only when the "all minor winnings" winning area, which has extremely limited opportunities to win, the data capacity would be compressed due to the stop control table, which has limited opportunities to use.

[0193] As a result, the reel control means 130 of the first embodiment is configured to execute stop control using the specific stop control table 194a used when the winning area "common bell" is won when the winning area "all small symbols" is won, thereby executing stop control in which bell A is won regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3, as in the case of winning the winning area "common bell".

[0194] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the stop control table used when the winning area "all minor roles", in which the chances of winning are extremely limited and reel stop control is executed using a stop control table stored in advance in the reel control data storage means 194, is shared with the specific stop control table 194a used when the winning area "common bell" is won, thereby eliminating the need to provide a separate stop control table for the winning area "all minor roles", and reducing the data volume stored in the storage means 190.

[0195] In addition, since slot machine 1 can only win when in the bonus state, the stop control table used when winning the "all small symbols" winning area, which has an extremely limited chance of winning, is made common with the "common bell" winning area, thereby limiting the impact of the small symbols that can be won being biased towards Bell A, and suppressing the impact on playability that comes with the reduction in data capacity.

[0196] This non-RT state and bonus establishment state constitute the first game state in the first embodiment, the bonus state constitutes the second game state in the first embodiment, the winning area "common bell" which wins Bell A as a specific small prize constitutes the first small prize winning mode in the first embodiment, the winning area "all small prizes" which wins all small prizes including Bell A constitutes the second small prize winning mode in the first embodiment, and the specific stop control table 194a constitutes the specific stop control data in the first embodiment.

[0197] 5. Details of gameplay during AT preparation Next, the details of the gameplay in the AT preparation state will be described with reference to Figs.

[0198] <Small prizes that can be won for each batting order when the batting order winning pattern is won> Figure 5 is a diagram showing the winning roles that can be won depending on the batting order of stop buttons B1 to B3 when winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" (small role batting order winning mode) and winning area "Replay 3" are different winning areas (batting order winning mode) in which small roles that can be won depending on the batting order of stop buttons B1 to B3 are won.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 5, in the slot machine 1, a batting order (correct batting order) is set for each winning area that will allow the player to win Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of eight coins, if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won in an internal lottery, and each batting order is set to batting order 3 to batting order 6, that is, the batting order in which stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated to stop for the first time.

[0200] In the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order where the stop button B1 is operated as the first stop operation among the batting orders different from the correct batting order (incorrect batting order), the 1-coin role A set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a probability of 1 / 1. Also, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 5" to "Batting Order Bell 8", when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order where the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated as the first stop operation among the incorrect batting orders, the 1-coin role A set to a payout of 1 coin will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0201] In addition, in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the batting order in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is the first stop operation among the incorrect batting orders, the small roles that can be won at the time of the first stop operation are limited to 1-piece role B and 1-piece role C, which are set to a payout of 1 coin each, and the small roles that can be won at the time of the second stop operation are limited to either 1-piece role B or 1-piece role C, and can be won at the third stop operation. If the stop button is operated at a pressing timing that allows a small winning combination to win (a timing when 10 of the 20 frames have their patterns displayed in rotation on the valid line L1 and when there is no overlap between 1-coin role B and 1-coin role C), the small winning combination that can win will win, and if the stop button is operated at a pressing timing that does not allow a small winning combination that can win in the third stop operation to win, a missed opportunity will occur in which a pattern combination different from the winning form of either role is stopped and displayed on the valid line L1.

[0202] The winning area "Replay 3" is configured such that the batting orders that make Replay C eligible to win are batting order 1 and batting order 2, i.e., the batting orders in which stop button B1 is operated as the first stop, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting orders 3 to 6 in which stop button B2 or stop button B3 is operated as the first stop, Replay A will win with a 1 / 1 probability.

[0203] As described above, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to recommend a game in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 when the notification of the operation mode is not executed. In addition, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute a lottery for an instruction function according to the presentation state in which the game is being executed, and execute control for an instruction function that is advantageous to the player, when the winning area "REPLAY 3" is won in the internal lottery in the advantageous zone and it is determined not to notify the operation mode in the replay notification lottery.

[0204] That is, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when winning the winning area "REPLAY 3" and when the notification of the operation mode is not executed in the REPLAY notification lottery, it is possible to execute control related to the advantageous instruction function for the player. Also, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 or batting order 2, which is a game method recommended based on the fact that the notification of the operation mode is not executed, the REPLAY C wins.

[0205] With such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can suggest that there is a possibility that control related to the advantageous instruction function for the player is executed by the winning of the REPLAY C, and since the winning probability of the REPLAY C at the time of winning the winning area "REPLAY 3" can be changed by the probability of the operation notification in the REPLAY notification lottery, the frequency of suggesting that there is a possibility that control related to the advantageous instruction function for the player is executed by changing the winning probability of the REPLAY C according to the production state can be set for each production state, and the interest of the player in the game can be improved by the game property using the winning of the REPLAY C set according to the production state.

[0206] <Control in the AT Preparation State> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the AT preparation state process, which is control related to the instruction function executed by the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment in the AT preparation state.

[0207] As shown in FIG. 6, since one game is executed in the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 first adds the value "1" to the AT preparation state counter 197c (S1). Next, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not it has won the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the internal lottery (S2). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the result of the internal lottery is the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", which are the winning areas that trigger the execution of the control for transitioning to the AT state using the winning assistance.

[0208] In the process of step S2, if it is determined that the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" have been won (YES), the AT control means 200 executes a winning assistance lottery (S3). In this process, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery to determine whether to "execute normal winning assistance", "execute AT transition winning assistance", or "no winning (miss)".

[0209] Next, the AT control means 200 judges whether or not the "AT transition winning assistance execution" has been won in the winning assistance lottery (S4). In this process, if it is judged that the "AT transition winning assistance execution" has been won (YES), the AT control means 200 adds 1 to the number of times the AT transition winning assistance has been executed (S5). In the process of step S5, since the AT transition winning assistance will be executed in this game, the AT control means 200 adds a value "1" corresponding to 1 time to the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d.

[0210] Next, the AT control means 200 judges whether the first stop operation is in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance (S6). In this process, the AT control means 200 judges whether the first stop operation is performed according to the AT transition winning assistance by judging whether the stop button B1, which is not suggested to be the first stop operation in the AT transition winning assistance, is the first stop operation.

[0211] In the process of step S6, if it is determined that the stop button B1 has not been operated for the first stop, that is, the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 has been operated for the first stop in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance (YES), the AT control means 200 adds a value "10" to the AT point counter 197e (S7). In this process, since a game has been played in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, the AT control means 200 adds a value "10" equivalent to 10 points to the AT point counter 197e.

[0212] Next, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the first stop operation matches the correct batting order (S8). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the AT start condition is satisfied by determining whether or not the first stop operation matches the correct batting order.

[0213] In the process of step S2, when it is determined that the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are not won (NO), in the process of step S4, when it is determined that "execution of AT transition winning assistance" is not won (NO), in the process of step S6, when it is determined that the first stop operation does not follow the AT transition winning assistance (NO), or in the process of step S8, when it is determined that the first stop operation does not match the correct batting order (NO), the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is the value "1650" (S9). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the AT start condition is satisfied by executing 1650 games in the AT preparation state, and when it is determined that the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is not the value "1650" (NO), the AT preparation state process ends while maintaining the production state in the AT preparation state.

[0214] In the process of step S8, when it is determined that the first stop operation matches the correct batting order (YES) or in the process of step S9, when it is determined that the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is the value "1650" (YES), the AT control means 200 determines that the AT start condition is satisfied, shifts the production state to the AT state (S10), and ends the AT preparation state process.

[0215] <Details of AT Transition Winning Assistance> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the display mode of the display device 330 and the display mode of the main control display device DS when the AT transition winning assistance is executed. As shown in FIG. 7, in the slot machine 1, a status display 331a indicating that the AT is in preparation by displaying "AT preparation", a non-operation instruction indicator 331b indicating that the first stop operation is not the stop button B1, a first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c indicating that the first stop operation is the stop button B2 or the stop button B3, and an AT start condition display 331d indicating that the AT state will start when the first stop operation matches the correct batting order, that is, when either one of the two correct stop buttons, the stop button B2 or the stop button B3, is operated. Then, the main control display device DS displays a unique display ("07" in the first embodiment) different from the display specifying the correct batting order as a correct operation notification indicating that the batting order in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is first stopped is the correct batting order.

[0216] In this way, in the slot machine 1, the operation modes suggested by the navigation effects of the no-operation instruction indicator 331b and the first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c, and the notification of the correct hitting order of "07", which assist in transition to the AT, are configured not to include the operation mode in which the stop button B1 is operated first.

[0217] By implementing the navigation effects of the no-operation instruction indicator 331b and the first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c, and the notification of the correct hitting order of "07", the slot machine 1 executes a game in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated when a game is executed in accordance with the winning assistance, and executes a game in which the stop button B1 is operated when a game is executed that does not follow the winning assistance.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 5, the correct batting order for the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" is set to one of batting orders 3 to 6, respectively, and the first stop button to be operated that matches the correct batting order is configured to be either stop button B2 or stop button B3.

[0219] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and a game is played in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, there is a 1 / 2 probability that the AT state will start and a 1 / 2 probability that the AT preparation state will continue.

[0220] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop in a state in which the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 8 coins, do not win, and 1-coin role A, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, wins, and when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 8 coins, can win. Therefore, the payout rate of the operation mode in which the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop is lower than the payout rate of the operation mode in which a stop button other than the stop button B1 (stop button B2, stop button B3) is operated to the first stop.

[0221] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won in the AT preparation state, executes an AT transition winning assistance that suggests operating stop button B2 or stop button B3 as the first stop operation as a winning assistance that does not put the player at a disadvantage by executing a game in accordance with the winning assistance, thereby achieving diverse gameplay, and while the specification determines whether or not to start the AT state, which is a privilege, based on the player's operating manner in order to achieve diverse gameplay, the AT transition winning assistance, which is a control that does not put the player at a disadvantage, can maintain fairness in the game.

[0222] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and a game according to the AT transition winning assistance is executed, the AT preparation state continues with a probability of 1 / 2, but AT points are awarded at the time when the game according to the AT transition winning assistance is executed. As described above, in the slot machine 1, when the awarded AT points reach 100 points or more, in the AT state to which the AT preparation state is shifted, a privilege related to an instruction function advantageous to the player is awarded.

[0223] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment executes AT transition winning assistance in the AT preparation state, and even if the player performs a game in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance but does not transition to the AT state because the first stop operation does not match the correct hitting order, when the points awarded reach 100 points or more and the game transitions to the AT state, a process is executed for awarding AT points that awards a bonus related to the instruction function that is advantageous to the player.This makes it possible to realize diverse playability through the AT transition winning assistance as a control related to the instruction function, reduce the player's sense of loss, and suppress a decline in the player's interest in the game.

[0224] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and a game that does not follow the AT transition winning assistance is executed, AT points are not awarded.

[0225] In other words, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment does not award the second benefit when a specific operation notification is executed and an operation mode not suggested by the specific operation notification is performed.

[0226] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment executes AT transition winning assistance in the AT preparation state, and if the player performs a game that does not follow the AT transition winning assistance, the process of awarding AT points that will grant a bonus related to an instruction function that is advantageous to the player when the transition to the AT state occurs when the awarded points reach 100 points or more is not executed, thereby preventing the occurrence of strategy by intentionally continuing the AT preparation state and preventing a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0227] The left reel R1 constitutes the first reel in the first embodiment, the center reel R2 constitutes the second reel in the first embodiment, and the right reel R3 constitutes the third reel in the first embodiment. Also, the stop button B1 constitutes the first stop button in the first embodiment, the stop button B2 constitutes the second stop button in the first embodiment, and the stop button B3 constitutes the third stop button in the first embodiment. Also, the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" constitute a specific winning mode in the first embodiment, the bells A to D constitute the first role in the first embodiment, the 1-coin role A to 1-coin role C constitute the second role in the first embodiment, and the correct batting order that allows the bells A to D to win when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won constitutes a specific operation mode in the first embodiment. In addition, the AT control means 200 and the performance control means 180 that execute the AT transition winning assistance constitute the winning assistance control means and the operation notification means in the first embodiment.

[0228] In addition, the AT transition winning assistance constitutes the specific operation notification in the first embodiment. In addition, the operation mode in which the first stop operation matches the correct batting order set in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" constitutes the first operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance in the first embodiment, and the operation mode in which the first stop operation does not match the correct batting order set in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" and the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated as the first stop operation constitutes the second operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance in the first embodiment. In addition, the AT state to which the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated in the first operation mode is the first specific privilege related to the instruction function according to the first embodiment, and constitutes the first specific privilege more advantageous than the second specific privilege related to the instruction function, and the AT points granted by operating the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 in the second operation mode constitutes the second specific privilege related to the instruction function according to the first embodiment.

[0229] 6. Summary of the First Embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment executes AT transition winning assistance in the AT preparation state, and even if the player performs a game in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance but does not transition to the AT state because the first stop operation does not match the correct hitting order, when the points awarded reach 100 points or more and the game transitions to the AT state, a process is executed for awarding AT points that awards a bonus related to the instruction function that is advantageous to the player.This makes it possible to realize diverse gameplay through the AT transition winning assistance as a control related to the instruction function, reduce the player's sense of loss, and suppress a decline in the player's interest in the game.

[0230] [Second embodiment] Next, a slot machine 1 of a second embodiment, which is a partial modification of the first embodiment, will be described. The slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that the control configuration related to the instruction function executed in the AT preparation state is different from that of the first embodiment. As the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate the components common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0231] 1. Configuration of the gaming machine in the second embodiment In the AT preparation state, whether or not to execute the winning assistance for Bell A to Bell D is determined by lottery when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won is determined by lottery, and therefore, it is a presentation state that is more advantageous for the player than the normal state in which the winning assistance for Bell A to Bell D is not executed when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won. The AT control means 200 of the second embodiment is configured to be able to execute either the normal winning assistance or the AT transition winning assistance as a specific winning assistance when the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" are won by an internal lottery when the game state is a bonus establishment state and the presentation state is an AT preparation state, and executes a winning assistance lottery to determine either "execution of normal winning assistance", "execution of AT transition winning assistance", or "non-winning (miss)".

[0232] With this configuration, the AT preparation state of the second embodiment, like the AT preparation state of the first embodiment, is designed so that play is performed in accordance with normal winning assistance and AT transition winning assistance, so that the ball payout rate, which is the ratio of the total number of medals paid out to the total number of medals inserted when a specified number of games are played, does not fall below 60% and does not exceed 100%.

[0233] In the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 executes an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c of the AT control data storage means 197 each time a game is executed.

[0234] The AT control means 200 of the second embodiment judges that the AT start condition is established when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation is an operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance, and when 1650 games are played in the AT preparation state and the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c becomes the value "1650". The AT control means 200 is configured to transition the presentation state from the AT preparation state to the AT state, and to continue the AT preparation state until the condition for starting the AT state (AT start condition) is established.

[0235] As in the first embodiment, the AT transition winning assistance is a winning assistance suggested by the AT control means 200 and the performance control means 180 when the first stop operation is not the stop button B1 and is the stop button B2 or the stop button B3. In other words, when the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment executes the AT transition winning assistance and the first stop operation is the stop button B2 or the stop button B3, it determines that the AT start condition is established even if the first stop operation does not match the correct batting order.

[0236] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if a game is played ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the game will not transition to the AT state, which is a special benefit for the player, and this prevents the player from intentionally continuing the AT preparation state, thereby preventing a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.In addition, even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are mistakenly operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the AT preparation state will continue, so as long as the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is not the value "1650", it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0237] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment executes an incremental update to add a value "1" to the stored value of the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d of the AT control data storage means 197 when the "AT transition winning assistance execution" is won in the winning assistance lottery. When executing the winning assistance lottery in the AT preparation state, the AT control means 200 acquires a lottery table according to the stored value of the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d. The lottery table used in the winning assistance lottery is configured so that the larger the stored value of the AT winning assistance execution count counter 197d, the higher the probability of winning the "AT transition winning assistance execution".

[0238] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state and the first stop operation is executed on the stop button B1 and the AT preparation state continues, the longer the period that the AT preparation state continues, the more frequently the AT transition winning assistance is executed, and the higher the probability of transitioning from the AT preparation state to the AT state becomes. Therefore, the longer the player continues playing in a manner that does not follow the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the more frequently the AT transition winning assistance is executed, and the player can be encouraged to play in a manner that follows the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance and quickly transition to the AT state.

[0239] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment executes a start-time addition process that adds (adds) 10 games to the number of plays that can be performed in the AT state to which the AT preparation state is transitioned, when the "Execution of AT transition winning assistance" is won in the winning assistance lottery and the first stop operation is an operation mode in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance.

[0240] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment executes an AT CZ lottery to determine whether to transition to the AT CZ state when the "AT transition winning assistance execution" is won in the winning assistance lottery and the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 matches the correct hitting order. When the "transition to the AT CZ state" is won in the AT CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions the presentation state from the AT state to the AT CZ state after a predetermined number of games (for example, 5 games) are played in the AT state to which the AT preparation state is transitioned.

[0241] As described above, the AT transition winning assistance is a notification mode that suggests that the stop button operated in the first stop operation is not stop button B1, and therefore includes an operation mode in which the first stop operation matches the correct batting order and an operation mode in which the first stop operation does not match the correct batting order. Also, since the AT transition winning assistance does not notify the operation modes of the second stop operation and onwards, it is configured such that even if the first stop operation matches the correct batting order, the stop buttons B1 to B3 may be operated in an operation mode that does not match the correct batting order in the second stop operation.

[0242] Due to this configuration, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment executes AT transition winning assistance in the AT preparation state, and when the operation manner of stop buttons B1 to B3 matches the correct hitting order, executes an AT CZ lottery that enables a transition to the AT CZ state as a privilege related to an instruction function that is advantageous to the player.

[0243] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment suggests that the first stop operation that matches the correct batting order is the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 in the AT preparation state, and does not suggest the AT transition winning assist after the second stop operation. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, since the AT middle CZ lottery is executed as a privilege related to the advantageous instruction function for the player, it is possible to improve the player's interest in the game who can operate the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the operation mode that matches the correct batting order.

[0244] 2. Details of the game performance in the AT preparation state Next, the details of the game performance in the AT preparation state in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described.

[0245] <Control in the AT preparation state> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the AT preparation state process which is the control related to the instruction function executed by the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment in the AT preparation state.

[0246] Regarding the processes that are executed in substantially the same manner between the AT preparation state process executed in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment and the AT preparation state process executed in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the same step numbers are assigned and the description is omitted.

[0247] In the process of step S6, when it is determined that the stop button B1 has not been the first stop operation, that is, when it is determined that the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 has been the first stop operation according to the AT transition winning assist (YES), the AT control means 200 determines whether the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 match the correct batting order (S21). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether all the stop operations from the first stop operation to the third stop operation match the correct batting order set in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" that have been won.

[0248] In the process of step S21, if it is determined that the operation mode of the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 matches the correct hitting order (YES), the AT control means 200 executes the AT CZ lottery (S22). Next, the AT control means 200 determines whether or not the "transition to the AT CZ state" has been won in the AT CZ lottery (S23). In this process, if it is determined that the "transition to the AT CZ state" has been won (YES), the AT control means 200 decides to transition to the AT CZ state (S24). In this process, since the "transition to the AT CZ state" has been won in the AT CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 transitions to the AT state, and after a predetermined number of games (for example, 5 games) have been played in the transitioned AT state, the presentation state transitions from the AT state to the AT CZ state.

[0249] In the process of step S2, if it is determined that the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are not won (NO), if it is determined that the "execution of AT transition winning assistance" is not won (NO) in the process of step S4, or if it is determined that the first stop operation does not follow the AT transition winning assistance (NO), the AT control means 200 determines whether the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is the value "1650" (S9). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether the AT start condition is established by playing 1650 games in the AT preparation state, and if it is determined that the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is not the value "1650" (NO), it ends the AT preparation state process while maintaining the presentation state in the AT preparation state.

[0250] After executing the process of step S24, in the process of step S21, if it is determined that the operation modes of stop buttons B1 to B3 do not match the correct batting order (NO), in the process of step S23, if "transition to CZ state during AT" is not selected (NO), or in the process of step S9, if it is determined that the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is the value "1650" (YES), the AT control means 200 determines that the AT start condition is satisfied, and executes the process related to the AT state transition for transitioning the production state to the AT state (S25), and ends the AT preparation state process.

[0251] <Process related to AT state transition> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process related to the AT state transition executed in the process of step S25 of the AT preparation state process.

[0252] In the process related to the AT state transition, first, the AT control means 200 determines whether it has transitioned from the CZ state to the AT preparation state (S31). In this process, the AT control means 200 determines whether the production state before transitioning to the current AT preparation state was the CZ state, thereby determining whether the AT state to be transitioned to is the first AT state in the current advantageous section.

[0253] In the process of step S31, if it is determined that the transition has been made from the CZ state to the AT preparation state (YES), since the AT state to be transitioned to is the first AT state in the current advantageous section and the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f is the value "0", the AT control means 200 sets the initial value "40" (S32).

[0254] After executing the process of step S32 or when it is determined in the process of step S31 that the transition has been made from the AT state to the AT standby state (NO), the AT control means 200 adds the value "10" to the AT game number counter 197f as a privilege based on the establishment of the AT start condition (S33). After executing the process of step S33, the AT control means 200 shifts the effect state to the AT state (S34), and ends the process related to the AT state transition.

[0255] <Summary of the case of transitioning from the AT standby state to the AT state> As described above, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment suggests an operation mode including the correct batting order by suggesting that the first stop operation is not the stop button B1 in the AT transition winning assist, and when the first stop operation is executed on the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 according to the AT transition winning assist, it is configured to end the AT standby state and transition to the AT state.

[0256] Further, when the AT control means 200 executes the AT transition winning assist and the first stop operation is executed on the stop button B1, if the stored value of the AT standby state counter 197c that manages the length of the period during which the AT standby state continues by the number of games played does not reach the value "1650" as a predetermined value (less than the predetermined value), the AT standby state continues.

[0257] Then, in the game in which the stored value of the AT standby state counter 197c reaches the value "1650", even when the AT transition winning assist is executed in the game and the stop button B1 is the first stop operation, it is configured to end the AT standby state and transition to the AT state.

[0258] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if a game is played ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the game will not transition to the AT state, which is a special benefit for the player, and this prevents the player from intentionally continuing the AT preparation state, thereby preventing a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.In addition, even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are mistakenly operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the AT preparation state will continue, so as long as the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is not the value "1650", it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0259] In addition, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if the game continues ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, 1650 games are played in the AT preparation state, and if the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c reaches the value "1650", the AT preparation state is terminated and the game transitions to the AT state even if the game is executed with the operation mode of performing the first stop operation of the stop button B1, which is the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance not to transition to the AT state, so that it is possible to prevent the AT preparation state from continuing until the end of the advantageous zone, resulting in gameplay that is not intended by the designer of the gaming machine and a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0260] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment is configured to execute the AT transition winning assistance, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct hitting order among the multiple operation modes suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, execute the AT CZ lottery. When the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation is executed by the stop button B1, the AT control means 200 is configured not to execute the AT CZ lottery even if the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c reaches the value "1650" in the game and the AT preparation state is ended and the transition is made to the AT state.

[0261] With this configuration, in the AT standby state, the AT transition winning assistance of the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is executed, and when the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance is executed, even when transitioning to the AT state, the AT CZ lottery related to the privilege of the instruction function that is not granted can be executed. When a game not following the AT transition winning assistance is executed, even when transitioning to the AT state because the stored value of the AT standby state counter 197c becomes the value "1650", the AT CZ lottery is not executed. Therefore, it is possible to give the player an incentive to play a game according to the AT transition winning assistance provided to realize various game characteristics using the control related to the instruction function, and to improve the player's interest in the game.

[0262] <Details of the effect when transitioning to the AT state> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT transition state after transitioning from the AT state, and a game is executed in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance. FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing the display mode of the display device 330 and the display mode of the main control display device DS when the AT transition winning assistance is executed. FIG. 10(B) is a diagram showing the display mode of the display device 330 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance and transitioning to the AT state.

[0263] As shown in Fig. 10(A), the slot machine 1 displays a status display 331a indicating that the AT is in preparation by displaying "AT preparation", a non-operation instruction indicator 331b indicating that the first stop operation is not the stop button B1, a first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c indicating that the first stop operation is the stop button B2 or the stop button B3, and an AT start condition display 331e indicating that the AT state will start when the first stop operation according to the AT transition winning assistance is executed, that is, when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated. Then, the main control display device DS displays a unique display ("07" in the second embodiment) different from the display specifying the correct batting order as a correct operation notification indicating that the batting order in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated for the first stop is the correct batting order.

[0264] In this way, in the slot machine 1, the operation modes notified in the navigation effects of the no-operation instruction indicator 331b and the first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c, and the notification of the correct hitting order of "07", which are the AT transition winning assistance, are configured not to include the operation mode in which the stop button B1 is operated first.

[0265] By implementing the navigation effects of the no-operation instruction indicator 331b and the first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c, and the notification of the correct hitting order of "07", the slot machine 1 executes a game in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated when a game is executed in accordance with the winning assistance, and executes a game in which the stop button B1 is operated when a game is executed that does not follow the winning assistance.

[0266] As described above, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured so that when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to perform the first stop operation in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, the AT state is initiated even if the first stop operation is a stop operation different from the first stop operation set in the correct batting order of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" that have been won in the game.

[0267] Due to this configuration, in the slot machine 1, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and a game is played in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, the AT state starts with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0268] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop in a state in which the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 8 coins, will not win, and 1-coin role A, which is set to a payout of 1 coin, will win, and when the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop, Bells A to D, which are set to a payout of 8 coins, can win. Therefore, the payout rate of the operation mode in which the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop is lower than the payout rate of the operation mode in which a stop button other than the stop button B1 (stop button B2, stop button B3) is operated to the first stop.

[0269] Due to this configuration, when the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment wins in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the AT preparation state, it executes AT transition winning assistance that suggests operating stop button B2 or stop button B3 as the first stop operation as a winning assistance that does not put the player at a disadvantage by executing a game in accordance with the winning assistance, thereby achieving diverse gameplay by determining whether or not to start the AT state, which is a special benefit, based on the player's operating manner, while maintaining fairness in the game by the AT transition winning assistance, which is a control that does not put the player at a disadvantage.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 10(B), the slot machine 1 displays a status display 331f that indicates that the AT preparation state has ended and the AT state will begin by displaying "AT Start!", and an additional display 331g that indicates that an additional 10 games will be added when the AT state begins by displaying "+10G!".

[0271] 11 is a diagram showing a case where the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT transition state transitioned from the CZ state in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance, and FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing the display mode of the display device 330 and the display mode of the main control display device DS when the AT transition winning assistance is executed, and FIG. 11(B) is a diagram showing the display mode of the display device 330 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance and transition is made to the AT state. Note that the contents shown in FIG. 11(A) are substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 10(A), so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0272] As shown in FIG. 11(B), the slot machine 1 displays a status display 331f that indicates that the AT preparation state has ended and the AT state has begun by displaying "AT Start!", and an additional display 331h that notifies the player that the initial number of games, 40 games set as the initial value, and 10 games to be added, have been decided to be awarded when the AT state begins by displaying "+50G!".

[0273] As described above, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment transitions from the AT preparation state to the AT state when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state, and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the operation mode according to the AT transition winning assistance. At this time, the AT control means 200 is configured to set the value "40" to the AT game number counter 197f in the processing of step S32, as shown in FIG. 9, and then add the value "10" to the AT game number counter 197f in the processing of step S33.

[0274] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when transitioning from the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state to the AT state, the AT control means 200 executes processing steps S32 and S33 related to the AT state transition, causing the AT game number counter 197f to reach the value "50" and starting the AT state.

[0275] Due to this configuration, the presentation control means 180 of the second embodiment is configured to execute an additional display 331h to notify the player that the final result, namely, the value "50", has been reached, although the AT control means 200 sets the value "40" to the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f and then adds a value "10".

[0276] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT preparation state entered from the AT state ends and the AT state is entered, an addition display 331g is displayed on the display device 330 to notify that a value of "10" will be added (topped off) to the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f, and when the AT preparation state ends from the CZ state and the AT state is entered, an addition display 331h is displayed on the display device 330 to notify that the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f has become a value of "50", which is the result of the value of "40" being set and then the value of "10" being added (topped off), in other words, the value of "50", which is the number of games combined, consisting of the initial value of "40" and the added value of "10", is granted.

[0277] With this configuration, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, even if the AT control means 200 adds multiple values ​​to the AT game number counter 197f when the AT state is initiated, the final result is displayed on the display device 330, thereby preventing the notification mode displayed on the display device 330 from becoming cumbersome, reducing the risk of the player being annoyed by the displayed notification mode, and preventing a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0278] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT preparation state transitioned from the AT state ends and the AT state is transitioned to, an addition display 331g is displayed on the display device 330 to notify that a value of "10" will be added (topped off) to the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f, and when the AT preparation state ends from the CZ state and the AT state is transitioned to, the stored value of the AT game number counter 197f has become the value "50", which is the result of the value "40" being set and then the value "10" being added (topped off), in other words, the addition of the value "10" that is granted based on the transition to the AT state after the initial value "40" is set is not notified.

[0279] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured to add 10 games in both cases, when the AT preparation state entered from the AT state ends and the AT state starts, and when the AT preparation state entered from the CZ state ends and the AT state starts. However, when the AT preparation state entered from the CZ state ends and the AT state starts, the AT state has not started before the AT preparation state is entered and the first AT state in the current advantageous zone, the AT state which is the so-called first win, starts. Therefore, if the display mode is such that the initial value "40" is set in the AT game number counter 197f before the AT state starts and then the value "10" is added, it becomes difficult to understand the initial number of games in the AT state. Therefore, by not notifying the fact that the value "10" has been added, the notification mode displayed on the display device 330 is prevented from becoming cumbersome, the risk of the player being annoyed by the displayed notification mode is reduced, and the player's interest in the game is prevented from decreasing.

[0280] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment, when transitioning from the AT preparation state to the AT state, executes the process related to the AT state transition shown in Fig. 9 to transition the presentation state to the AT state. As shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute the process related to the common AT state transition in the case of transitioning from the AT preparation state transitioned from the AT state to the AT state and the case of transitioning from the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state to the AT state, and is configured to execute the process of step S33 of adding (adding) the value "10" to the AT game number counter 197f in both cases of transitioning from the AT preparation state transitioned from the AT state to the AT state and transitioning from the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state to the AT state.

[0281] In other words, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can execute a common first bonus awarding process when awarding a first bonus in a specific state transitioned from a first situation and when awarding a first bonus in a specific state transitioned from a second situation.

[0282] With this configuration, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment executes the processing of step S33 in the processing related to the common AT state transition when the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state ends and the first AT state in the current advantageous zone, the AT state which is the so-called first hit, begins, and when the AT preparation state transitioned from the AT state ends and the AT state resumes, so that an additional 10 games can be awarded in the AT state regardless of the situation in which the AT preparation state started without increasing the data capacity of the program, and a notification related to the awarding of a bonus executed in conjunction with the start of the AT state can be executed in a different notification manner depending on the situation in which the AT preparation state started, thereby increasing the player's interest in the presentation.

[0283] The presentation control means 180 that executes the additional display 331g, 331h constitutes the bonus notification means in the second embodiment, the AT preparation state constitutes the specific state in the second embodiment, the situation in which 300 or more games have been played in the AT state transitioned from the AT preparation state constitutes the first situation in the second embodiment, and the situation in which transition to the AT preparation state is determined in the CZ state constitutes the second situation in the second embodiment. In addition, the addition of the value "10" to the AT game number counter 197f granted based on the transition from the AT preparation state to the AT state, that is, the addition of 10 games to the number of games in which the AT state can be executed constitutes the first bonus in the second embodiment, and the setting of the value "40" to the AT game number counter 197f granted based on the transition from the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state to the AT state, that is, the setting of 40 games as the number of games in which the AT state can be executed constitutes the second bonus in the second embodiment. In addition, the notification mode of notifying that an addition of 10 games has been executed by displaying the addition display 331g constitutes the first notification mode in the second embodiment, the notification mode of notifying that an initial number of games of 50 games has been awarded by displaying the addition display 331h constitutes the second notification mode in the second embodiment, and the processing of step S33 of the processing related to the transition to the AT state constitutes the first bonus awarding processing.

[0284] 3. Summary of the Second Embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if a game is played ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the game will not transition to the AT state, which is a special benefit for the player, and this prevents the player from intentionally continuing the AT preparation state, thereby preventing a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.In addition, even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are mistakenly operated in an operation mode different from the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the AT preparation state will continue, so as long as the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is not the value "1650", it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0285] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed in the AT preparation state, even if the game continues ignoring the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, 1650 games are played in the AT preparation state, and if the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c reaches the value "1650", the AT preparation state is terminated and the game transitions to the AT state even if the game is executed with the operation mode of performing the first stop operation of the stop button B1, which is the operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance not to transition to the AT state, so that it is possible to prevent the AT preparation state from continuing until the end of the advantageous zone, resulting in gameplay that is not intended by the designer of the gaming machine and a decline in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0286] In addition, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured to add 10 games in both cases, when the AT state starts after the AT preparation state transitioned from the AT state ends, and when the AT state starts after the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state ends. However, when the AT state starts after the AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state ends, the AT state has not started before the AT preparation state is reached, and the first AT state in the current advantageous zone, the so-called first winning AT state, starts. Therefore, if the display mode is such that the initial value "40" is set in the AT game number counter 197f before the AT state starts and then the value "10" is added, it becomes difficult to understand the initial number of games in the AT state. Therefore, by not notifying the fact that the value "10" has been added, the notification mode displayed on the display device 330 is prevented from becoming cumbersome, the risk of the player being annoyed by the displayed notification mode is reduced, and the player's interest in the game is prevented from decreasing.

[0287] [Other embodiments] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" as winning patterns in which any one of bells A to D set to a payout of 8 coins as the first role and at least one of 1-coin roles A to C set to a payout of 1 coin as the second role are overlappingly won, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have a winning pattern in which different minor roles set to the same payout for the first role and the second role are overlappingly won, or may be configured to have a winning pattern in which different replays are overlappingly won for the first role and the second role.

[0288] In the case of such a configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute only the navigation presentation by the presentation control means 180 without performing correct operation notification using the main control display device DS by the AT control means 200 for the specific winning assistance. In this case, the presentation control means 180 constitutes the winning assistance control means and the operation notification means.

[0289] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" set with the correct batting orders 3 to 6, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may have the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12" as a specific winning mode, and may be configured such that the correct batting orders are set to any of the batting orders 1 to 6 for the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12".

[0290] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that the winning symbol combination for the rare role that wins in the winning area "rare role" is composed of symbols that win only when the symbols on any of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 are operated at an appropriate timing (for example, the winning symbol combination is composed of cherry symbols arranged in one frame on the left reel R1, replay symbols arranged at intervals of no more than four frames on the middle reel R2, and bell symbols arranged at intervals of no more than four frames on the right reel R3), so that the payout rate when the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop is lower than the payout rate when a stop button other than the stop button B1 is operated for the first stop.

[0291] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 may be configured to execute normal winning assistance when batting order 1 and batting order 2 win in a winning area set in the correct batting order among the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12", and execute AT transition winning assistance when batting order 3 to batting order 6 win in a winning area set in the correct batting order among the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12", so that when batting order 1 and batting order 2 win in a winning area set in the correct batting order, no transition from the AT preparation state to the AT state is made regardless of the operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3, and when batting order 3 to batting order 6 win in a winning area set in the correct batting order and the AT transition winning assistance is executed and a first stop operation that matches the correct batting order is executed, transition from the AT preparation state to the AT state may be made.

[0292] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the payout rate when the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop is lower than the payout rate when a stop button different from the stop button B1 is operated to the first stop, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured so that the payout rate when the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop is lower than the payout rate when a stop button different from the stop button B2 is operated to the first stop, and the payout rate when the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop is lower than the payout rate when a stop button different from the stop button B3 is operated to the first stop.

[0293] In the case of being configured in this way, the performance control means 180 may be configured to display one non-operation indication indicator indicating that the first stop operation is not the first stop button and three first stop operation suggestion indicators indicating that the first stop operation is any of the second stop button to the fourth stop button for the navigation performance executed as the AT transition winning assistance, and any performance mode may be used as long as it is composed of a navigation performance including a specific operation mode and not including an operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first. Also, the AT control means 200 may be configured to display any display mode for the correct operation notification executed in the AT transition winning assistance as long as it is configured to perform a notification consisting of a unique display by the main control display device DS.

[0294] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has an AT transition winning assistance function that is configured from the navigation effects of the no-operation instruction indicator 331b and the first stop operation suggestion indicator 331c, and the correct hitting order notification of "07". However, the presenting and display modes may be any mode that allows the player to recognize that the operation modes notified by the AT transition winning assistance do not include the operation mode in which the first stop button is operated first and does not impair the fairness of the game.

[0295] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to transition to the AT state as the first specific benefit related to the instruction function, but is not limited thereto. The AT control means 200 may have, for example, a first specific benefit to determine by lottery whether to transition from the AT preparation state to the added-on specialization state, or may have, as the first specific benefit, a first specific benefit to determine by lottery the initial number of games of the AT state to which the AT preparation state transitions, and the specific content is not limited to the first embodiment, and may be configured to be able to grant a benefit related to the instruction function, and may not necessarily be configured to be granted every time.

[0296] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to grant 10 AT points as the second specific benefit related to the instruction function, but is not limited thereto. The AT control means 200 may be configured to have, for example, a lottery to determine whether or not to increase the probability of transitioning to the CZ state during the AT in the AT state transitioned from the AT preparation state as the second specific benefit, and as long as it is configured as a benefit related to the instruction function, its specific content is not limited to the first embodiment, and it is sufficient to be configured to be able to grant the benefit related to the instruction function, and it is not necessarily configured to be granted every time.

[0297] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has an AT preparation state counter 197c that manages the length of the period during which the AT preparation state continues by the number of games played, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may have a counter that manages the period during which the AT preparation state continues by the number of payouts by controlling the AT preparation state to end and transition to the AT state when the number of payouts in the AT preparation state reaches a predetermined value, and may have a counter that manages the period during which the AT preparation state continues by the number of executions of the AT transition winning assistance by controlling the AT preparation state to end and transition to the AT state when the number of executions of the AT transition winning assistance reaches a predetermined value, and the type of value counted by the counter that can manage the period during which the AT preparation state continues is not limited to the number of games played, which is the configuration of the first and second embodiments.

[0298] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has an AT preparation state as the first state and an AT state as the second state, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may have an AT CZ state as the first state and an add-on specialization state as the second state. When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute AT transition winning assistance in the AT CZ state and transition to the add-on specialization state when a game is played in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance.

[0299] In the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to transition to the AT state when either the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated as the first stop operation when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation according to the AT transition winning assistance is executed, but is not limited thereto. The AT control means 200 may be configured to transition to the AT state (first specific benefit) when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first operation mode in which the correct hitting order and the first stop operation match among the transition operation modes, and to continue the AT preparation state and add 10 games to the number of games in which the AT state continues (second specific benefit) when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first operation mode in which the correct hitting order and the first stop operation match among the transition operation modes.

[0300] In this case, the first specific special benefit may be awarded by lottery when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first operation mode in which the correct hitting order and the first stop operation match among the transition operation modes is used. Also, the second specific special benefit may be awarded by lottery when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the second operation mode in which the correct hitting order and the first stop operation do not match among the transition operation modes is used.

[0301] In the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 has an AT preparation state as a specific state, a first situation in which 300 or more games have been played in the AT state transitioned from the AT preparation state, and a second situation in which transition to the AT preparation state has been determined in the CZ state, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 has an end waiting state as a specific state, in which a game in which the correct batting order is notified is played when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won, and which continues until the end condition of the advantageous zone is established, a first situation in which the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c has become the value "1900", and a second situation in which the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is less than the value "1900" and transition to the end waiting state has been determined by a lottery related to the instruction function executed in the added-on specialization state may constitute the second situation.

[0302] When configured in this manner, the first benefit may be configured to set 100 games as the period during which the end waiting state will continue, and the second benefit may be configured to set the difference value obtained by subtracting the value "1900" from the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c at the time when the game that transitions to the end waiting state is executed (for example, if the transition to the end waiting state is decided when the stored value of the AT preparation state counter 197c is the value "1600", the difference value obtained by subtracting the value "1900" from the value "1600" is the value "300") as the period (number of games) during which the end waiting state will continue.

[0303] In addition, the AT control means 200 of the second embodiment is configured to, when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the first stop operation is executed in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, if the operation manner of the stop buttons B1 to B3 matches the correct hitting order, add 10 games to the number of games during which the AT state continues and execute a CZ lottery during the AT, and if the operation manner is in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance but different from the correct hitting order, add 10 games to the number of games during which the AT state continues, but is not limited to this. The AT control means 200 may be configured, for example, to execute AT transition winning assistance and a first stop operation in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, so that if the operation manner of stop buttons B1 to B3 matches the correct hitting order, the number of games during which the AT state continues is increased by 30 games and a CZ lottery is performed during the AT, and if the operation manner is in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance but different from the correct hitting order, the number of games during which the AT state continues is increased by 10 games.

[0304] By being configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 executes the AT transition winning assistance in the AT preparation state, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct hitting order among the operation modes suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, it is possible to grant an additional 30 games of play during the AT state and a CZ lottery during the AT as a bonus related to the instruction function. Also, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode different from the correct hitting order among the operation modes suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the number of games during which the AT state continues is increased by 10 games. Therefore, when playing according to the AT transition winning assistance provided to realize various playability using the control related to the instruction function, even if the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation mode that does not match the correct hitting order, a bonus is granted to the player, thereby reducing the player's sense of loss due to the fact that the additional 30 games of play during which the AT state continues and the CZ lottery during the AT were not executed, and suppressing a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0305] When configured in this way, the AT transition winning assistance constitutes a specific operation notification, and the AT control means 200 and the performance control means 180 that execute the AT transition winning assistance constitute the winning assistance control means and the operation notification means. Also, the AT preparation state constitutes the first state, and the AT state constitutes the second state. Also, among the operation modes suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, the operation mode of performing the first stop operation of the stop button B1 constitutes the non-transition operation mode, and the operation mode of performing the first stop operation of the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 constitutes the transition operation mode. Also, the AT preparation state counter 197c constitutes a counter, and the AT CZ lottery that is executed when the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct hitting order constitutes a predetermined privilege.

[0306] In addition, an operation mode that matches the correct batting order set in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" constitutes a first operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance, and an operation mode that does not match the correct batting order set in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" and in which the stop button B2 or the stop button B3 is operated for the first stop constitutes a second operation mode suggested by the AT transition winning assistance. In addition, the addition of 30 games to the number of games during which the AT state continues and the CZ lottery during the AT, which are executed by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the first operation mode, constitute a first specific benefit related to the instruction function, which is more advantageous than the second specific benefit related to the instruction function, and the addition of 10 games to the number of games during which the AT state continues, which is granted by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second operation mode, constitutes a second specific benefit related to the instruction function different from the first specific benefit.

[0307] In addition, in the second embodiment, when the slot machine 1 is in an AT preparation state transitioned from the CZ state and an AT transition winning assistance is executed, and a game is played in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance to transition to the AT state, when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are stopped in the game in which the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, the slot machine 1 is configured to display on the display device 330 a status display 331f that displays "AT Start!", and an additional display 331h that notifies the player that the initial number of games, 40 games set as the initial value, and 10 games to be added, have been decided to be awarded when the AT state starts, but this is not limited to the above.

[0308] The slot machine 1 may be configured to, for example, when an AT transition winning assistance is executed in an AT preparation state transitioned from a CZ state, and a transition is made to the AT state by playing a game in accordance with the AT transition winning assistance, when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated to stop during the game in which the AT transition winning assistance is executed and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, the slot machine 1 notifies the player that the AT state has started by a sound output from the sound device 340, and when the game of the first game that starts the AT state is started by operating the start lever SL, the display device 330 displays a display indicating that the first game in the AT state is being played and a display indicating that there are 49 games remaining that can be played in the AT state, in other words, by notifying the player that the first game in the AT state has been played and there are 49 games remaining that can be played in the AT state, and thus notifying the player that a total of 50 games can be played in the AT state, the slot machine 1 may be configured to, for example, notify the player that the award of the 40 games set as the initial value and the additional 10 games has been decided.

[0309] When configured in this manner, the second notification mode is one in which a notification is given that an initial number of 50 games has been granted by displaying on the display device 330 a message indicating that the first game of the AT state is being executed during play when the AT state has been initiated, and a message indicating that there are 49 games remaining that can be executed in the AT state.

[0310] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state or the bonus establishment state, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order to allow bells A to D to win, but this is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 executes different reel stop control for when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the bonus establishment state, so that when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, the operation of the stop buttons B1 to B3 causes the slot machine 1 to execute different reel stop control for when the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8" are won in the internal lottery in the non-RT state. In other words, even if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct batting order, minor roles set to a payout of 1 coin can be won, so that Bell A to Bell D are not won, but if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won in the internal lottery when the bonus is established, Bell A to Bell D can be won by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in the correct batting order.

[0311] When configured in this manner, the AT control means 200 is preferably configured to control so as not to update the AT preparation state counter 197c and not to execute a winning assistance lottery based on winning the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" when in a non-RT state and an AT preparation state, since even if the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, Bells A to D will not win, and transitioning to the AT state will not be advantageous for the player.

[0312] When in a non-RT state and an AT preparation state, the AT preparation state counter 197c is controlled not to be updated, and the slot machine 1 is configured not to execute a winning assistance lottery based on winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8". This prevents the slot machine 1 from transitioning to the AT state in a non-RT state where the expected value of winning medals does not increase even if an auxiliary game is executed in the AT state, and prevents the player from feeling a loss.

[0313] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a non-RT state and a bonus establishment state as the first gaming state, and a bonus state as the second gaming state, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, for example, a non-RT state, a bonus establishment state, an RBB operation general state in which the RBB is operated, an RBB operation RB establishment state to which the slot machine 1 transitions by winning a regular bonus (RB) as a first type special device in the RBB operation general state, and an RBB operation RB operation state to which the slot machine 1 transitions by activating the RB, so that the slot machine 1 has a non-RT state, a bonus establishment state, an RBB operation general state, and an RBB operation RB establishment state as the first gaming state, and has an RBB operation RB operation state as the second gaming state.

[0314] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a stop control in which the bell A wins when the winning area "common bell" is won, regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, to win when the winning area "common bell" is won and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2, to win the bell A, to win when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 and batting order 4, to win the bell B, to win when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 5, to win the bell C, and to win when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 6, to win the bell D.

[0315] In this case, the slot machine 1 is configured so that, even if the winning area "all minor prizes" is won, the bells A to D can be won according to the hitting order of the stop buttons B1 to B3, just as in the case of winning the winning area "common bell". In this case, the bells A to D constitute the specific minor prizes.

[0316] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to have a winning area "common bell" as the first small prize winning mode, and a winning area "all small prizes" as the second small prize winning mode, but is not limited thereto. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have a winning area "RBB & 1-piece role" including 1-piece role A as a specific small prize winning mode, and a winning area "all 1-piece role" including all small prizes set to a payout of 1 including 1-piece role A as a second small prize winning mode, and the payout of the specific small prize that can be won may be configured to be more than the specified input number, the same as the specified input number, or less than the specified input number.

[0317] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as a plurality of reels, and a stop button B1 to a stop button B3 corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 as a plurality of stop buttons, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0318] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of medals, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have, in addition to the max bet button MB, a single bet button for inserting one medal.

[0319] In the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to insert and pay out medals as game value, but is not limited thereto. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the game value to an inserted state based on an insert signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) that is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration capable of recording the total number of game values ​​that a player can use for playing games by an electromagnetic method, and to output a payout signal to the game value management device when paying out the game value, and to electromagnetically record the game value corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium in the game value management device. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured as a so-called medal-less gaming machine.

[0320] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 is configured to have, for example, a credit number display means for displaying the number of credits corresponding to the amount of money inserted into the game value management device by the player. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to be capable of crediting a game value equivalent to a maximum of 16,368 medals, and when a game value exceeding 16,368 medals is credited, the game control means may be set to an error state, and the game value may be paid out by a method of recording electromagnetically on a predetermined recording medium via the game value management device, making it impossible to play (a state in which the game value is not set to an inserted state and the start operation of the start lever SL is not enabled) until the number of credits becomes 16,368 medals or less.

[0321] Also, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured not to set an upper limit on the number of plays that can be performed in the advantageous zone, or may be configured to only set an upper limit on the difference in the number of coins for a specific ending condition of the advantageous zone.

[0322] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and perform a decrement update in which one is subtracted each time a game is played, or an increment update in which one is added each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter and memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0323] 1. Slot machines (amusement machines) 120 Internal lottery method 130 Reel control means 170 Game state transition control means 180 Production control means (operation notification means, bonus notification means) 194a Specific stop control table (specific stop control data) 197c AT preparation status counter (counter) 200 AT control means (operation notification means) B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 Middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, A game state transition control means that performs control related to the transition of game states between multiple game states, An operation notification means for notifying the operation patterns of the aforementioned multiple stop buttons, The first display means and The system comprises a second display means different from the first display means, The operation modes of the plurality of stop buttons include a first operation mode and a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode. The aforementioned multiple game states are, First game state, A second game state to which the player can transition from the first game state is included, The aforementioned operation notification means is capable of performing specific operation notifications, The aforementioned specific operation notification is executable in the first game state, but not in the second game state. In the aforementioned specific operation notification, the first display means and the second display means display operation modes that suggest the first operation mode and the second operation mode, When the aforementioned specific operation notification is performed and the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the first operation mode, the first specific benefit related to the instruction function can be granted. When the aforementioned specific operation notification is performed and the multiple stop buttons are operated in the second operation mode, a second specific benefit relating to a different instruction function than the first specific benefit can be granted. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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