Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine executing a new performance for allowing a player who briefly understands a performance, such as a development performance, to enjoy a game.SOLUTION: Pattern control means can display a specific pattern combination that is constituted of at least two pattern rows from among multiple pattern rows and includes a specific decoration pattern pertaining to a specific figure, the specific decoration pattern includes a first specific decoration pattern and a second specific decoration pattern, a predetermined distance pertaining to the first specific decoration pattern differs from a predetermined pattern pertaining to the second specific decoration pattern for a predetermined distance that is a distance between a center line for the maximum width of a figure part of a decoration pattern and a center line for the maximum width of the decoration pattern, the specific pattern combination includes a first specific pattern combination that includes the first specific decoration pattern but does not include the second specific decoration pattern, and a second specific pattern combination including the second specific decoration pattern, and a degree of advantage pertaining to a privilege differs between when the second specific pattern combination is displayed and when the first specific pattern combination is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

Background Art

[0002] Some gaming machines typified by pachinko machines execute a development effect that notifies whether or not a big win has been won.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Such a development effect is recognized by anyone playing the game, and once one gets used to it, it will not improve the gaming interest.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that can execute a new effect that can entertain a player who has grasped effects such as development effects.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, in a symbol variation accompanied by a win / loss determination, a plurality of symbol lines each having a plurality of types of decorative symbols are variably displayed, and the plurality of symbol lines are stopped with a symbol combination corresponding to the result of the win / loss determination. The gaming machine is a gaming machine capable of awarding a privilege after the end of the symbol variation, and includes symbol control means for controlling the plurality of symbol lines. The symbol control means can display a specific symbol combination composed of two or more of the plurality of symbol lines and including a specific decorative symbol related to a specific number. The specific decorative symbol includes a first specific decorative symbol and a second specific decorative symbol. Regarding a predetermined distance that is the distance between the center line with respect to the maximum width of the numerical part of the decorative symbol and the center line with respect to the maximum width of the decorative symbol, the predetermined distance related to the first specific decorative symbol and the predetermined distance related to the second specific decorative symbol are different. The specific symbol combination includes a first specific symbol combination that includes the first specific decorative symbol and does not include the second specific decorative symbol, and a second specific symbol combination that includes the second specific decorative symbol. The degree of advantage related to the privilege is different when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed. A gaming machine is provided, which is characterized by the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine that executes a new effect that can entertain a player who has grasped effects such as development effects is provided.

Brief Explanation of the Drawings

[0008]

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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. Further, in the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the state of viewing the gaming machine 10 from the front side (the player side) as shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. Note that "advantageous (degree of advantage)" in the following description means being advantageous to the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, it means being advantageous in terms of the amount of acquired prize balls (game media) excluding the effect aspect such as so-called premium images.

[0010] <Features of the Present Invention> Before explaining the details of the gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment, the features of the invention (the present invention) described in the present embodiment will be explained. In explaining the features, the configurations in parentheses are examples of the configurations of the present embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configurations, and the configurations may be described in parentheses for the same purpose in the description of the gaming machine 10 after the description.

[0011] The present invention is In a symbol variation accompanied by a win / loss determination, a gaming machine that variably displays a plurality of symbol lines each having a plurality of types of decorative symbols and stops the plurality of symbol lines with a symbol combination corresponding to the result of the win / loss determination, and is a gaming machine capable of awarding a privilege (big win game) after the end of the symbol variation, comprises symbol control means (decorative symbol control means) for controlling the plurality of symbol lines, the symbol control means can display a specific symbol combination (7-symbol reach) constituted by two or more of the plurality of symbol lines and including a specific decorative symbol (7 symbols) related to a specific number, the specific decorative symbol includes a first specific decorative symbol and a second specific decorative symbol, Regarding a predetermined distance that is the distance between the center line with respect to the maximum width of the numerical part (numerical image) of the decorative symbol and the center line with respect to the maximum width of the decorative symbol, the predetermined distance related to the first specific decorative symbol and the predetermined distance related to the second specific decorative symbol are different, the specific symbol combination includes a first specific symbol combination (7-symbol reach of normal reach) that includes the first specific decorative symbol and does not include the second specific decorative symbol, a second specific symbol combination (unnatural reach) that includes the second specific decorative symbol, and when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed, the degree of advantage related to the privilege is different, which is a characteristic of the gaming machine.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of players who are bored with conventional variation effects such as development effects.

[0013] Note that the specific symbol combination is not limited to a symbol combination constituting a reach state as long as it is a symbol combination constituted by two or more symbol lines, and may be a symbol combination constituted by all the symbol lines.

[0014] Also, the privilege is not limited to a big win game, and may be a small win game or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the "degree of advantage related to the privilege" includes not only the degree of advantage of the privilege when the privilege is granted, but also the degree of expectation for the granting of the privilege.

[0015] In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment described below is a pachinko machine that pays out actual game balls as prize balls. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention may be a pachinko machine (so-called smart pachinko) that grants prize balls as electronic data.

[0016] The gaming machine 10 having the above characteristics will be specifically described based on the following embodiments.

[0017] <Regarding the structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a view showing the symbol display device 90 disposed in the area II shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation button group disposed in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and its periphery, FIG. 4 is a view showing the game board 50 installed inside the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. It should be noted that each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is merely an example necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and components and functions not illustrated here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Further, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components illustrated here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0018] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine that fires a game ball into the front area of the game board 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "game area 50a") where a large number of game pins (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the game ball enters a winning hole (for example, the large winning hole 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of a game ball into a winning hole may be simply expressed as "(winning at the winning hole)".

[0019] The gaming machine 10 includes a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 15 that is open at the front and rear, an intermediate frame 17 that detachably holds a game board 50 on the front opening side of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 configured to cover the front side of the game board 50.

[0020] The intermediate frame 17 is rotatably supported about the left end side by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed on the front side of the outer frame 15. Note that the intermediate frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (right in this embodiment)).

[0021] The front frame 20 is rotatably supported about the left end side by a hinge mechanism 21 and can be opened and closed with respect to the intermediate frame 17. Note that the front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the intermediate frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). Further, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 disposed so as to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 provides see-through protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50. Further, the front frame 20 includes an upper ball receiving tray 27 and a lower ball receiving tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiving tray 27 and the lower ball receiving tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integrally provided with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the lower ball receiving tray 29 is full with the game balls discharged is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 for discharging the game balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29. Further, the front frame 20 includes an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 29, and by rotating the operation handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0022] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 is provided with a middle frame door opening sensor 76 for detecting whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the outer frame 15, and a front frame door opening sensor 77 for detecting whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the middle frame 17. In the present embodiment, all of these door opening sensors are turned on in the open state and turned off in the closed state. However, these door opening sensors may be configured to be turned off in the open state and turned on in the closed state. Thereby, the gaming machine 10 can detect both the opening / closing state of the middle frame 17 with respect to the outer frame 15 and the opening / closing state of the front frame 20 with respect to the middle frame 17.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation button group operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. In this operation button group, as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to a main control board 100 described later, a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b for receiving a return operation of a prepaid card are provided. As an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 described later, an effect button 37 for receiving an operation of the player for switching an effect generated during the game or obtaining various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (upper cursor button 38a, lower cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, middle cursor button 38e) for instructing operations in the up, down, left, and right directions, etc. are included. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit based on a change in the detection state of the sensor. Furthermore, a movable decorative body 22 that operates (vibrates) by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27. The movable decorative body 22 also has a function of lighting by a full-color LED provided inside thereof, and a function as a button for receiving an operation of the player similar to the effect button 37. Note that these functions are also possessed by the above-described effect button 37.

[0024] Below the lower ball receiving tray 29, a ball discharging mechanism 36 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided. By operating this ball discharging mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and the game balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening. Although not shown in the drawings, the upper ball receiving tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that, similar to the ball discharging mechanism 36, moves the stored balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29 by operation. By operating both this mechanism and the ball discharging mechanism 36, it becomes possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of a light-transmissive cover, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are respectively disposed inside thereof. The speakers 33 and the frame lamps 35 can emit sound, light up, or turn off in conjunction with effects and error notifications generated during the game.

[0026] The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display portion 81 disposed substantially at the center of the game board 50 and sub-display portions 82 disposed around the main display portion 81. The sub-display portions 82 further include an upper sub-display portion 82a disposed above the main display portion 81, a left sub-display portion 82b disposed on the left side of the main display portion 81, and a right sub-display portion 82c disposed on the right side of the main display portion 81. Here, the main display portion 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display portion 82a, the left sub-display portion 82b, and the right sub-display portion 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices that operate by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

[0027] The main display portion 81 can display the variation display of a symbol sequence that is performed in conjunction with the variation display in the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92, which will be described later, and can also display various other effects. In the variable display of the symbol sequence (decorative symbol) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative symbol forms three symbol sequences. Although the direction of the variable display of each symbol sequence in the present embodiment is downward, the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be any of upward, left - right direction, depth direction, or a combination thereof (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode using a technique (e.g., perspective method) that makes it seem as if the symbol sequence is variably displayed from the back to the front direction or the reverse direction of the main display unit 81, even though it is actually a planar variable display on the display screen of the main display unit 81. Also, the decorative symbols in the present embodiment include a "1 symbol" imitating the number "1", a "2 symbol" imitating the number "2", a "3 symbol" imitating the number "3", a "4 symbol" imitating the number "4", a "5 symbol" imitating the number "5", a "6 symbol" imitating the number "6", a "7 symbol" imitating the number "7", an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8", and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9". These symbols are provided in each symbol sequence. In the following description, the "1 symbol", "3 symbol", "5 symbol", "7 symbol", and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd symbols", and the "2 symbol", "4 symbol", "6 symbol", "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even symbols".

[0028] Each of the sub - display units 82 is provided not only mainly for displaying an effect image related to the effect but also is configured to be movable. Note that the initial position of each is such that the upper sub - display unit 82a is above with respect to the main display unit 81, the left sub - display unit 82b is on the left with respect to the main display unit 81, the right sub - display unit 82c is on the right with respect to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub - display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub - display unit 82 overlaps the display area of the main display unit 81. However, even in the initial position shown in FIG. 4, the sub - display unit 82 (particularly, the left sub - display unit 82b and the right sub - display unit 82c) has approximately the upper half of the display area (the left display area 821 and the right display area 822 described later) visible to the player.

[0029] On the lower right side of the main display unit 81, a plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is constituted by these LEDs. Special symbols and normal symbols are displayed on the symbol display device 90. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is arranged at a position where it is difficult for the player to visually recognize compared to the main display unit 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 has a smaller area than the display area of the main display unit 81. Note that the arrangement and number of the LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 in the present embodiment are as shown in FIG. 2, but this is only an example, and the arrangement and number of the LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0030] The special symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a special electric accessory (for example, the special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in the present embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. Note that the special symbol may be abbreviated as "special figure", the first special symbol may be abbreviated as "special figure 1", and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as "special figure 2".

[0031] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric accessory (for example, the normal electric accessory 61). The normal symbol in the present embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. Note that the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "normal figure", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "electric chew".

[0032] In addition to the above-described display devices, a first special symbol holding lamp 94, a second special symbol holding lamp 95, and a normal symbol holding lamp 96 are provided in the symbol display device 90. The first special symbol hold lamp 94 enables identification of the number of symbol variations related to the special symbol 1 on hold, the second special symbol hold lamp 95 enables identification of the number of symbol variations related to the special symbol 2 on hold, and the normal symbol hold lamp 96 enables identification of the number of symbol variations of the normal symbol on hold. In each case, the number of corresponding symbol variations can be identified by the lighting modes of two LEDs (in this embodiment, only the right LED always lit = 1, both the right and left LEDs always lit = 2, the right LED flashing + the left LED always lit = 3, both the right and left LEDs flashing = 4).

[0033] In the following description, the symbol variation in which the special symbol is stopped from being variably displayed after being variably displayed by the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 is referred to as "the symbol variation of the special symbol", and in the following description, the symbol variation in which the normal symbol is stopped from being variably displayed after being variably displayed by the normal symbol display device 93 may be referred to as "the symbol variation of the normal symbol". Also, in the following description, the variable display of the symbol sequence (decorative symbol) displayed on the main display unit 81 described above may be referred to as "the symbol variation of the decorative symbol" separately from "the symbol variation of the special symbol" and "the symbol variation of the normal symbol". In the following description, when simply referred to as "symbol variation", it means the symbol variation of the special symbol unless otherwise specified.

[0034] On the front surface of the game board 50, as shown in FIG. 4, a game area 50a is defined so that the launched game balls roll due to the arrangement of a number of game pins (not shown), a windmill 52, and obstacles such as decorative members. Also, on the left side and upper side of the game area 50a, a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 are arranged to guide the game balls launched by the rotational operation of the operation handle 31 to the upper part of the game area 50a. Note that the outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with respect to the center of the game area 50a. Here, the windmill 52 is a mechanism for changing the direction of the fall of the game balls and is in the shape of a nail.

[0035] The gaming machine 10 can control the strength of shooting out game balls according to the magnitude of the rotational operation amount (e.g., rotational angle) of the operation handle 31. There are various obstacles arranged in the game area 50a so that the game balls can roll through either the first flow path X (so-called left shot) where the game balls shot out more weakly roll, or the second flow path Y (so-called right shot) where the game balls shot out more strongly roll.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows, as main winning openings, a big winning opening 55, a first start opening 57, a second start opening 59, a gate 63, and a general winning opening 67. However, the shown winning openings are just examples, and the number and arrangement thereof may be changed as appropriate.

[0037] The big winning opening 55 is arranged at the lower right part of the game area 50a. A big winning opening sensor 72 is attached to the big winning opening 55. The winning at the big winning opening 55 is determined according to the detection result of the big winning opening sensor 72, and a number (15 in this embodiment) of prize balls corresponding to the big winning opening 55 are awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big winning opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X.

[0038] Above the big winning opening 55, a special electric accessory 65 is arranged. The special electric accessory 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state where it is easy to win at the big winning opening 55 and a closed state where it is difficult for balls to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric accessory solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric accessory 65 becomes open in part of the jackpot game started due to a jackpot being derived by the special drawing validity determination described later, or in part of the minor jackpot game started due to a minor jackpot being derived by the special drawing validity determination, and accordingly, winning at the big winning opening 55 is permitted. Thus, when the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, since winning at the big winning opening 55 becomes easy, it can be said that the jackpot game and the minor jackpot game, in which the opportunity to obtain prize balls significantly increases, are in an advantageous game state. Also, although details will be described later, the minor jackpot game in the present embodiment can cause a jackpot game. In the jackpot game, the open state and the closed state of the special electric accessory 65 are alternately set. One open state (which may be referred to as a "round game" and the total number of round games occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends based on a predetermined number (in this embodiment, 10) of game balls winning at the big winning opening 55, and the special electric accessory 65 becomes in the closed state. Further, one open state in the jackpot game also ends based on the elapse of a predetermined amount of time (in this embodiment, 30 s (seconds)) sufficient for a predetermined number of game balls to win at the big winning opening 55. On the other hand, in the minor jackpot game, the open state of the special electric accessory 65 ends when 1.8 s has elapsed or when 10 game balls have won at the big winning opening 55. Therefore, in the minor jackpot game, it is less likely for game balls to win at the big winning opening 55 compared to the jackpot game. In the present embodiment, at the time when the jackpot game or the minor jackpot game is started, a start demo that ends with the passage of time is set, and a round game (a minor jackpot game in the case of a minor jackpot) is started at the end of the start demo. At the time when all the round games have ended, an end demo that ends with the passage of time is set. That is, in the present embodiment, the jackpot game (including those occurring in the minor jackpot game) is composed of a start demo, a round game, and an end demo, and the jackpot game progresses in this order.

[0039] The first starting port 57 is disposed at the lower center of the game area 50a. A first starting port sensor 70 is attached to the first starting port 57. Based on the detection result of the first starting port sensor 70, a winning entry into the first starting port 57 is determined, and a corresponding number (in this embodiment, 4) of prize balls is awarded. In at least a part of the case where a winning entry into the first starting port 57 is determined, the symbol variation according to the specific figure 1 is performed. It should be noted that, compared with the case where the game ball rolls from the second flow path Y, in the game area 50a according to this embodiment, obstacles such as game pins are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting port 57 when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0040] The second starting port 59 is disposed at the lower right of the game area 50a. A second starting port sensor 71 is attached to the second starting port 59. Based on the detection result of the second starting port sensor 71, a winning entry into the second starting port 59 is determined, and a corresponding number (in this embodiment, 1) of prize balls is awarded. In at least a part of the case where a winning entry into the second starting port 59 is determined, the symbol variation according to the specific figure 2 is performed. It should be noted that, compared with the case where the game ball rolls from the first flow path X, in the game area 50a according to this embodiment, obstacles such as game pins are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0041] An ordinary electric accessory 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The ordinary electric accessory 61 is a member that can be alternatively transitioned between an open state where it is easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 59 and a closed state where it is difficult for a game ball to enter, and is transitioned to either the open state or the closed state by an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric accessory 61 becomes open when the result of the general pattern win / loss determination described later is a win for the general pattern (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as "general pattern win"), and accordingly, winning at the second start port 59 is permitted. Thus, when the normal electric accessory 61 is in the open state, since winning at the second start port 59 becomes possible, it is possible to significantly increase the opportunity to execute the symbol variation according to the special figure 2 while suppressing the decrease of the game balls by the prize balls.

[0042] The gate 63 is disposed at the right central part of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and winning at the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least a part of the case where winning at the gate 63 is determined, the symbol variation of the general pattern is performed.

[0043] The general winning port 67 is disposed at the lower left part of the game area 50a. A general winning port sensor 73 is attached to the general winning port 67, and winning at the general winning port 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning port sensor 73, and a number (4 in this embodiment) of prize balls associated with the general winning port 67 are awarded. In this embodiment, compared with the case of rolling from the second flow path Y, each obstacle is arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the first flow path X, but each obstacle may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning ports 67 may be provided.

[0044] The out port 69 is disposed at the lowermost part of the game area 50a. The game balls that are driven into the game area 50a and do not enter the above-described respective winning ports fall into the out port 69 and are processed as out balls. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) for detecting out balls, which are game balls that have entered the above-described winning ports and the out port 69, is provided.

[0045] In addition to the sensors described above, the game board 50 is provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) in order to prevent fraudulent acts of receiving prize balls illegally.

[0046] On the back surface of the game board 50, as shown in FIG. 5, there are mounted a main control board case 109 storing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 storing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 storing the second sub-control board 300, a power control board case 509 storing the power control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 storing the payout control board 400. In addition to the back surfaces of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening / closing cover 45 that covers a part of the back surface of the main control board case 109 is detachably mounted. Note that the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. Also, the board cases and covers that cover each board are made of transparent members, and the corresponding boards are visible through each case and cover.

[0047] Further, on the back surface of the game board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45, there is arranged a game ball tank 46 in which game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 that leads to the upper ball receiving tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48. The balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out to the upper ball receiving tray 27 through the payout passage 49.

[0048] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but these are just one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with another configuration.

[0049] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control configuration included in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration included in the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in FIG. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may include a control configuration not shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various arithmetic processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 to generate random numbers (hard random numbers). These are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0051] The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processes to execute various processes related to the main control of the game. The RAM 103 is backed up by the backup power supply generated in the backup power supply circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information that enables the gaming machine 10 to return to the state just before the power failure using that data at the time of power restoration (when the power is turned on) after the power failure occurs is configured to be backed up. For example, in addition to the data such as the stack pointer and each register held at the time of power failure, information related to the game such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (game stop state or playable state), the current general drawing lottery state, etc. is the backup target. Note that these pieces of information are cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process described later. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA (general drawing low probability described later) described later is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the symbol sequence related to the decorative symbol becomes a state in which the initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed, and also becomes a state in which the initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed when the RAM clear process is not executed at the time of power-on and the symbol variation was not being executed at the time of the immediately preceding power failure. Also, this initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed only at the time of power-on and is not stopped and displayed by the execution of symbol variation.

[0052] In the present embodiment, at least in addition to the area where such information related to the game is stored (which may be referred to as the area related to the game of the RAM 103), the area where the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the area related to the game of the RAM 103 are stored (which may be referred to as the backup information area related to the game of the RAM 103) is backed up. Then, at the time of power restoration, the gaming machine 10 returns using the various information stored in the backed-up area related to the game of the RAM 103 and the backup information area related to the game of the RAM 103. Note that there is no limitation on the specific method of backup in this embodiment. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration that can retain data non-volatilely even in the power-off state. As another example, among the RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data non-volatilely even in the power-off state and a second memory referenced when the gaming machine 10 operates. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may back up the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory at power-off, and recover the backed-up information from the first memory to the second memory at power-on.

[0053] Further, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to a first start port sensor 70, a second start port sensor 71, a big winning port sensor 72, a general winning port sensor 73, a gate sensor 74, an out ball sensor 75, a middle frame opening sensor 76, a front frame opening sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0054] Also, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to a first special symbol display device 91, a second special symbol display device 92, a normal symbol display device 93, a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, a normal symbol hold lamp 96, a normal electric accessory solenoid 62, and a special electric accessory solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39.

[0055] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are communicably connected only in a single direction from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Various effect control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Note that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that it cannot request data transmission to the main control board 100. Also, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is adopted for data transmission from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be adopted.

[0056] The first sub-control board 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processes related to game effects based on the effect control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as an effect control program and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area and a buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral board and each device. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 202. Note that the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect operations of the operation unit.

[0057] Also, the first sub-control board 200 generates an image control command for instructing an image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, an audio control command for instructing audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movable control data for controlling movement of the sub-display unit 82, etc., in effect control processing based on the effect control commands from the main control board 100. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 so as to enable bidirectional communication. While each control command (image control command, audio control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310, as a response thereto, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command has been received normally is transmitted from each control board (the second sub-control board 300, the audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0058] Also, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and the movable decoration 22, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 and the movable decoration 22 are configured to have their lighting controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movable control data via the I / O port 204. The movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured to have their movement controlled by the movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0059] Although not shown in the figure, the second sub-control board 300 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to image effects based on the image control command from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores an image control program, various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and a buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral board and each device. The CPU is configured to execute main control related to image effects according to the control program stored in the ROM. Furthermore, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data in accordance with the content of the effect determined by the effect content determination means 225 described later based on the control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates acoustic data in accordance with the content of the effect based on the control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads the image data stored in the image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes this image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. Also, a high-speed VRAM used for the expansion and processing of the image data read from the image ROM is connected to this VDP.

[0060] The voice control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processes related to voice effects based on the voice control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores voice control programs, voice data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area and buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral board and each device. The CPU 311 is configured to execute the main control related to voice effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Therefore, the voice control board 310 reads the voice data stored in the ROM 312 in response to the voice control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read voice data, and transmits the final synthesized voice data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, enabling the speaker 33 to emit sound.

[0061] The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown in the figure). Also, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to enable two-way communication. Based on the payout control commands from the main control board 100, it executes control to drive the payout unit 48 to payout game balls, and based on the operation amount of the operation handle 31, it synchronously drives the ball feeding mechanism and the firing mechanism to control the firing of game balls.

[0062] The power control board 500 includes a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to supply electronic components and electrical components such as the above-mentioned control boards based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment on the game island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates a backup power supply, and a power failure detection circuit 503 that detects a power failure (when the supply voltage by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage). Also, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500. On the premise that the primary power supply is supplied from the power supply equipment on the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power control board 500 generates a normal power supply, and the power is supplied to the electronic components and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). Also, when the power failure detection circuit 503 of the power control board 500 detects a power failure, it transmits a power failure signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400. Also, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when the power is supplied from the power supply equipment on the game island to the gaming machine 10. Note that the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the payout control board 400, and the power failure detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power control board 500 but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400.

[0063] <Regarding the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in FIG. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, FIGS. 8 and 9 will be referred to as necessary.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a preliminary determination means 125, a special drawing selection means 130, a general drawing selection means 135, a big win game control means 140, a symbol display control means 145, an electric accessory control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration process execution means 175, and a power-off process execution means 180. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0065] First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (production control command) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 described later by the command transmission means after being stored.

[0066] The ball entry determination means 110 determines a winning at each winning port based on the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port. In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines a winning of a game ball by a sensor provided at a winning port such as the big winning port sensor 72, it generates a production control command (winning command) including information capable of specifying the type of the sensor related to the winning, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0067] The main random number generation means 115 can generate a plurality of types of random numbers with different update ranges by the random number circuit 105, and acquires (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to the winning port from the random number circuit 105 at the timing when a winning at the winning port is determined. More specifically, when a winning at the first start port 57 or the second start port 59 is determined, the main random number generation means 115 acquires the random numbers for special figure win / loss determination, the random numbers for special figure stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for special figure variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. When a winning at the gate 63 is determined, the random numbers for general figure win / loss determination, the random numbers for general figure stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for general figure variation pattern lottery, which will be described later, are stored in the corresponding storage areas of the main information storage means 160. Note that the random number circuit 105 monitors whether a plurality of types of random numbers updated by itself are updated normally. When an update abnormality occurs where the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating that the abnormality has occurred is written in a specific storage area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0068] The main hold control means 120 performs control regarding the hold of symbol variation related to the special figure and the hold of symbol variation related to the general figure. Regarding the special figure 1, the random numbers for special figure win / loss determination, the random numbers for special figure stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for special figure variation pattern lottery, which are acquired triggered by a winning at the first start port 57, are held (stored) as the operation hold information of the special figure 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special figure 1 hold counter") that is incremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of the special figure 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of the special figure 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special figure lottery means 130). Until the value of the special figure 1 hold counter reaches the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), the operation hold information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current special figure 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160. Each time the operation hold information is used, the used operation hold information is cleared, and the remaining operation hold information is moved (shifted) in order from the smaller special figure 1 hold counter to the storage area corresponding to the special figure 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current special figure 1 hold counter from the current storage area. In addition, with respect to Special Figure 2 and General Figure as well, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above separately from Special Figure 1, refers to the hold counter of Special Figure 2 as the Special Figure 2 hold counter, and the upper limit value of the value of the Special Figure 2 hold counter in the present embodiment is 4. In addition, in the following description, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of symbol variation" or simply "holding". In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of Special Figure 1 or Special Figure 2, it generates an effect control command (hold command) including the Special Figure 1 hold counter and the Special Figure 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Note that in the present embodiment, when both the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 2 are held, a priority variation is performed in which the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 2 is preferentially used. However, instead of this priority variation, a winning order variation in which the operation hold information is used in the order in which it was held regardless of whether it corresponds to Special Figure 1 or Special Figure 2, or a simultaneous variation in which the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Special Figure 2 are used simultaneously when both are held may be adopted.

[0069] The pre-determination means 125 executes a pre-determination for a preview effect for at least a part of the case where the operation hold information of the special figure is held at a predetermined pre-determination timing. More specifically, the pre-determination means 125 reads out each random number of the operation hold information held this time, and executes a pre-determination for each of the special figure validity determination, special figure stop symbol lottery, and special figure variation pattern lottery described later. In each pre-determination, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used for the lottery corresponding to each pre-determination is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-determinations are the same as the results of the lottery to be executed later. In addition, the pre-judgment means 125 generates a presentation control command (pre-judgment command) including the result of the derived pre-judgment, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Since the pre-judgment command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least in part at a predetermined pre-judgment timing, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned held command. Here, the predetermined pre-judgment timing includes, for example, the timing when the operation hold information of the special drawing is held. In this embodiment, when the operation hold information of special drawing 1 is held during the low-probability general drawing described later, the pre-judgment is restricted, so the transmission of the pre-judgment command corresponding to the pre-judgment is also restricted. On the other hand, regarding the case where the operation hold information of special drawing 2 is held during the high-probability general drawing described later, the pre-judgment may or may not be restricted.

[0070] The special drawing lottery means 130 includes a special drawing validity determination means 131, a special drawing stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes the processing by each means in the order of the special drawing validity determination means 131, the special drawing stop symbol lottery means 132, and the special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133. When the variation start condition of the special drawing is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160. Note that "the variation start condition of the special drawing is satisfied" means, for example, that it is not during a big win game, that neither special drawing 1 nor special drawing 2 is in the process of executing a symbol variation (including during the stop display of the symbol variation related to special drawing 1 or special drawing 2), and that all conditions for the existence of operation hold information in at least one of special drawing 1 and special drawing 2 are satisfied.

[0071] Here, FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams schematically showing the lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In addition, in the lottery using the lottery table, including those other than these lottery tables, for the read random numbers, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are sequentially added in a predetermined order (if there is only one target lottery value, the number of additions is one), and the result corresponding to the lottery value with a carry (digit overflow) generated is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the description of the lottery table, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the lottery table is named, but it is only necessary that the data such as the lottery values included in the lottery table corresponding to the name are stored in each ROM in an identifiable manner, and these names do not specify the area where the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, for the sake of convenience of explanation, if there are items described or if "-" or "0" is described as a lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And winning the result with "-" or "0" described as the lottery value does not occur. Further, if the same lottery value as the random number range used in the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within the range) is described in the lottery table, since the result is derived 100%, it is not necessarily necessary to conduct the lottery. Also, if the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur in the addition of the last lottery value, so it is not necessary to perform the addition, and in that case, the lottery value itself used for the addition is also unnecessary.

[0072] The special figure win / loss determination means 131 executes a special figure win / loss determination for each symbol variation, reads a random number for special figure win / loss determination, and determines by lottery whether to win a big win, a small win, or a loss using the read random number and the lottery table for special figure win / loss determination. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for determining the validity of a special drawing. The lottery table is different between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the determination of the validity of special drawing 1, a big win is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (about 1 / 320), and a miss occurs otherwise, and a small win is not derived. On the other hand, in the determination of the validity of special drawing 2, a big win is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (about 1 / 320), a small win is derived with a probability of 1820 / 65536 (about 1 / 36.0), and a miss occurs otherwise. In addition, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, since a big win game can occur via a small win, the probability of deriving a big win in the determination of the validity of the special drawing is set as the one probability described above.

[0073] The special drawing stop symbol lottery means 132 determines the stop symbol of the special drawing by lottery using a random number for special drawing stop symbol lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special drawing stop symbol lottery when the result of the determination of the validity of the special drawing is a big win or a small win. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(b), which is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table for stop symbol lottery used when a big win is derived in the determination of the validity of special drawing 1, when a big win is derived in the determination of the validity of special drawing 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11). Here, regardless of whether symbol A or symbol B is determined, after the end of the big win game corresponding to these stop symbols, the general drawing high probability described later is achieved. However, the number of symbol variations during which the general drawing high probability continues (hereinafter referred to as "the specified number of times related to the general drawing high probability") is 80 times after the end of the big win game when symbol A is determined, and 40 times after the end of the big win game when symbol B is determined. In addition, the number of rounds of the big win game corresponding to symbol A is 10, while the number of rounds of the big win game corresponding to symbol B is 4. Therefore, it can be said that symbol A is more advantageous than symbol B from both viewpoints of the number of rounds and the specified number of times related to the general drawing high probability.

[0074] FIG. 8(c) schematically shows a lottery table for stopping symbol lottery used when a small win is derived in the special figure validity determination according to special figure 2. As shown in FIG. 8(c), when a small win is derived in the special figure validity determination according to special figure 2, symbol a is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), symbol b is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), and symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 200 / 1000 (1 / 5). Here, for symbol a, the number of rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the symbol is 10, and it is the stopping symbol that becomes the general figure high probability after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to the general figure high probability is 80 times. For symbol b, the number of rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the stopping symbol is 4, and it is the stopping symbol that becomes the general figure high probability after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to the general figure high probability is 40 times. Also, for symbol c, the number of rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the stopping symbol is 10, and it is the stopping symbol that becomes the general figure low probability (general figure high probability is not set) after the end of the big win game. Therefore, it can be said that symbol a is more advantageous than symbol b from both the viewpoints of the number of rounds and the specified number of times related to the general figure high probability. Furthermore, it can be said that symbol a is more advantageous than symbol c from the viewpoint of the specified number of times related to the general figure high probability, and it can be said that symbol a has the same degree of advantage as symbol c from the viewpoint of the number of rounds. Since symbol c becomes the general figure low probability after the end, it can be said that symbol c is more disadvantageous than symbol b. Also, the number of rounds in the big win game when a big win game occurs in the small win game is the number calculated with one round of the small win game. Furthermore, in the following description, the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol a may be expressed as "the big win game related to symbol a", the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol b may be expressed as "the big win game related to symbol b", and the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol c may be expressed as "the big win game related to symbol c".

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8(d), which schematically shows a lottery table for stopping symbol lottery used when a big win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination according to Special Figure 2, when a big win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination according to Special Figure 2, symbol d is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In particular, for symbol d, the number of rounds of the big win game corresponding to the stopping symbol is 10, and it is the stopping symbol that becomes a high-probability ordinary symbol after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to the high-probability ordinary symbol is 80 times, which is the same as the big win game related to symbol a.

[0076] Also, when the result of the special figure win / loss determination according to Special Figure 1 is a loss, the special figure stopping symbol lottery means 132 determines symbol C as the stopping symbol, and when the result of the special figure win / loss determination according to Special Figure 2 is a loss, it determines symbol e as the stopping symbol (both are not shown in the figure).

[0077] Thus, in the above-described present embodiment, the big win game generated in the symbol variation according to Special Figure 2 tends to be more advantageous than the big win game generated in the symbol variation according to Special Figure 1. Therefore, the game interest can be further enhanced by the transition from the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA (described later) to another special figure variation pattern derivation state (special figure variation pattern derivation state PB or special figure variation pattern derivation state PC described later).

[0078] The special figure variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special figure variation pattern lottery tables to be referred to when determining the special figure variation pattern. Based on the current special figure variation pattern derivation state and the result of this special figure win / loss determination, it selects one special figure variation pattern lottery table for determining this special figure variation pattern, and uses the selected special figure variation pattern lottery table and a random number for special figure variation pattern lottery to determine one special figure variation pattern, and determines the variation time based on the determined special figure variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from when the symbol variation related to the special figure (Special Figure 1 or Special Figure 2) starts until the symbol variation ends. Details of the transition conditions and the like will be described later. In the special drawing variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment, there are a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. And the above-described method for determining the special drawing variation pattern is adopted in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, it is adopted in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2. On the other hand, in the symbol variation related to the other special drawing (the special drawing for which the above-described method for determining the special drawing variation pattern is adopted) in each special drawing variation pattern derivation state, one special drawing variation pattern determined in advance according to the result of the special drawing validity determination is determined. In particular, in this embodiment, in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special drawing validity determination related to the symbol variation is a miss, and when the result of the special drawing validity determination related to the symbol variation is a big win, a variation pattern with a variation time of 1000 ms is determined. In the symbol variation related to the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB or the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, when the result of the special drawing validity determination related to the symbol variation is a miss, and when the result of the special drawing validity determination related to the symbol variation is a big win, a variation pattern with a variation time of 2000 ms is determined. When the result of the special drawing validity determination of the symbol variation is a miss, a variation pattern with a variation time of 2000 ms is determined (the same applies to the case of a small win).

[0079] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special drawing variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random number used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern HNP to the special drawing variation pattern ASP-C can be determined. Specifically, when the result of the special figure pass / fail determination is incorrect in the symbol variation according to the special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11), the special figure variation pattern HRP is determined with a probability of 52 / 1000 (about 1 / 19.2), the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A is determined with a probability of 13 / 1000 (about 1 / 76.9), the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B is determined with a probability of 11 / 1000 (about 1 / 90.9), the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A is determined with a probability of 9 / 1000 (about 1 / 111), the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B is determined with a probability of 7 / 1000 (about 1 / 143), the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A is determined with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), and the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B is determined with a probability of 3 / 1000 (about 1 / 333). In this case, the special figure variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C are not determined. Note that although the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 9(b), when the special figure variation pattern HNP is determined, the special figure variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special figure 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. On the other hand, when the result of the special figure pass / fail determination is a big win in the symbol variation according to the special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A is determined with a probability of 90 / 1000 (about 1 / 11.1), the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B is determined with a probability of 110 / 1000 (about 1 / 9.09), the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A is determined with a probability of 135 / 1000 (about 1 / 7.41), the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 165 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.06), the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A is determined with a probability of 180 / 1000 (about 1 / 5.56), the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B is determined with a probability of 220 / 1000 (about 1 / 4.56), and the special figure variation pattern ASP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In this case, the special figure variation patterns HNP to HSP3-B are not determined. As described above, in this embodiment, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is incorrect in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, any one of the special drawing variation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a ratio of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined at a ratio of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11). Further, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, any one of the special drawing variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a ratio of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the description of the special drawing variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special drawing variation patterns are described with "~" in between, the description of the special drawing variation patterns existing between the special drawing variation pattern described earlier and the special drawing variation pattern described later shall be omitted in accordance with the order described in the drawing related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special drawing variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether there is a description of the corresponding variation time, if the names of the special drawing variation patterns are different, it means that the different special drawing variation patterns are different.

[0080] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing the special drawing variation pattern lottery table used when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random number used in this lottery (different from the random number used in the lottery related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table shown in FIG. 9(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the special drawing variation pattern HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA includes the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, and the variation time becomes longer in this order. Specifically, when the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 3, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Similarly, when the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 2, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). When the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 1, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25). When the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 0, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). In the following description, when the value of the special drawing hold counter to be referred to is 3, it may be referred to as "hold 3", when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 2, it may be referred to as "hold 2", when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 1, it may be referred to as "hold 1", and when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 0, it may be referred to as "hold 0". Thus, when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined depends on the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the more likely it is that a special drawing variation pattern with a longer variation time will be determined (the larger the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the more likely it is that a shorter variation time will be determined). In addition, such a special drawing variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "basic special drawing variation pattern") also exists in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. In these special drawing variation pattern derivation states, unlike the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the hold counter to be referred to is such that the value of the special drawing 2 hold counter is referred to in each case.

[0081] In addition, at the start of the symbol variation, the special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133 generates a production control command (variation start command) including the stop symbol of the special drawing determined as a result of the special drawing validity determination and the determined special drawing variation pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0082] Similar to the special drawing lottery means 130, when the general drawing is not in the process of symbol variation, the general drawing lottery means 135 reads out the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160, and performs a general drawing validity determination for determining the validity of the general drawing using the read random number. At the same time, based on the result of the general drawing validity determination and information such as the current special drawing variation pattern derivation state, various parameters related to the general drawing (general drawing variation time, general drawing stop display time, etc.) are determined. In the general drawing validity determination, there are a state where the general drawing lottery state is a high-probability state (may be abbreviated as "general drawing high probability") and a state where the general drawing lottery state is a low-probability state (may be abbreviated as "general drawing low probability"). Although the illustration of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the general drawing high probability, the general drawing wins with a probability of 65535 / 65536, and loses with a probability of the remaining 1 / 65536. On the other hand, in the general drawing low probability, the general drawing wins with a probability of 1 / 65536, and loses with a probability of the remaining 65535 / 65536. Note that in the general drawing low probability, it may be set so that the general drawing does not win (loses with a probability of 65536 / 65536).

[0083] At the start of a big win game, the big win game control means 140 generates a production control command (start demo command) including information related to the big win game (required time for the start demo, number of rounds, and subsequent special symbol variation pattern derivation state), stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the start demo, generates a production control command (round start command) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Further, at the end of the round game, a production control command (end demo command) including the required time for the end demo of the big win game is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, these commands are the same even in a big win game caused by a small win game. Specifically, at the start of a small win game, the big win game control means 140 generates a start demo command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, at the end of the start demo, generates a round start command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and generates an end demo command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0084] Also, when the result of the special symbol win / loss determination is a small win, the big win game control means 140 starts a small win game. When the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the big winning opening 55 during the small win game, after the end of the small win game, a big win game corresponding to the small win can be started. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the small win game functions as a game that causes a big win game. If the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small win game, the big win game is not started after the end of the small win game.

[0085] The symbol display control means 145 causes the special symbol 1 to be variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 1, and causes the special symbol 1 to be stopped and displayed with the stop symbol determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery after the elapse of the variation time. Similarly, in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 2, the special symbol 2 is variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 92, and after the elapse of the variation time, the special symbol 2 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery. Here, the stop display time (interval) of the symbol variation related to the special symbol refers to the time from when the special symbol is stopped and displayed until the symbol variation of the next special symbol can start (when the result of the special symbol win / loss determination is a loss), or the time from when the symbol variation of the special symbol ends until the big win game or the small win game starts (when the result of the general symbol win / loss determination is a general symbol win). The stop display time of the symbol variation related to the special symbol in the present embodiment is uniformly 300 ms regardless of the type of the special symbol and the result of the special symbol win / loss determination. Further, the symbol display control means 145 has a special symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2, and when stopping and displaying the special symbol (at the timing when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes "0"), generates an effect control command (variation stop command) for requesting the definite stop display of the decorative symbol, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Here, the definite stop display of the decorative symbol refers to the final stop display of the decorative symbol in the symbol variation, which is different from the temporary stop display of the decorative symbol that can occur during the execution of the symbol variation. In the temporary stop display of the decorative symbol, the stopped decorative symbol has an operation of slightly shaking up and down (so-called shake variation), while in the definite stop display of the decorative symbol, the stopped decorative symbol does not have the shake variation. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stop display of the decorative symbol is a definite stop display or a temporary stop display.

[0086] Furthermore, the symbol display control means 145 causes the normal symbol to be variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 93 in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined normal symbol variation pattern of the normal symbol, and causes the normal symbol to be stopped and displayed with the determined stop symbol after the elapse of the variation time. Note that the symbol display control means 145 has a normal symbol game timer for managing the time related to the normal symbol (such as the normal symbol variation time, the normal symbol stop display time, etc.).

[0087] The electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 66 in the above-mentioned big win game or small win game, and causes the special electric accessory 65 to be released in accordance with the release pattern corresponding to the stop symbol of the special symbol.

[0088] The game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol to a low probability regardless of the stop symbol of the special symbol related to the big win game at the start of the big win game, and when the specified conditions such as the end of the big win game are satisfied, sets the normal symbol to a high probability until the specified number of symbol variations related to the high probability of the normal symbol are performed, and sets the normal symbol to a low probability when the specified number of symbol variations related to the high probability of the normal symbol is completed. Here, as will be described later, in the present embodiment, the number of times of symbol variation execution used for determining whether or not the specified number related to the high probability of the normal symbol has been reached is the number of times of symbol variation execution related to special symbol 2, but the number of times of symbol variation execution used for the determination may be the sum of the number of times of symbol variation execution related to special symbol 2 and the number of times of symbol variation execution related to special symbol 1. Also, in the present embodiment, during the small win game, the normal symbol lottery state in the symbol variation in which the small win game occurs is maintained.

[0089] Such a normal symbol lottery state changes in linkage with the above-mentioned special symbol variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. Hereinafter, the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state will be described with reference to FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). Note that FIG. 10(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special symbol variation pattern derivation state. As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the special figure variation pattern derivation state, there is a special figure variation pattern derivation state PA as the special figure variation pattern derivation state corresponding to the general figure low probability, and there are a special figure variation pattern derivation state PB and a special figure variation pattern derivation state PC as the special figure variation pattern derivation states corresponding to the general figure high probability. Except during the jackpot game, one of these special figure variation pattern derivation states is set. And there are transition conditions (i) to (vi) for the transition conditions between the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC.

[0090] Specifically, the transition condition (i) is the end of the jackpot game related to symbol B, the transition condition (ii) is the end of the jackpot game related to symbol A, the transition condition (iii) is the end of the jackpot game related to symbol a, symbol b, or symbol d, the transition condition (iv) is the end of the symbol variation when the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 executed without sandwiching a jackpot game in the general figure high probability reaches 40 times (the specified number of times related to the general figure high probability of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB), the transition condition (v) is the end of the symbol variation when the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 executed without sandwiching a jackpot game in the general figure high probability reaches 80 times (the specified number of times related to the general figure high probability of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC), and the transition condition (vi) is the end of the jackpot game related to symbol b. In addition, when a jackpot game related to symbol a or symbol d occurs in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, after the end of the jackpot game, it transitions back to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC again, and the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 that can be executed until the specified number of times related to the general figure high probability of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. This is the same when a jackpot game related to symbol b occurs in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB. Also, although illustration is omitted, in the small win game that occurred in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, when the game ball did not pass through the V winning area and no jackpot game occurred, at the end of the small win game, the current special figure variation pattern derivation state ends and transitions to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the average variation times of the special figure variation pattern derivation states PA, PB, and PC are shortened in the order of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the variation time related to the basic special figure variation pattern that is most easily determined in each special figure variation pattern derivation state. Here, the average variation time refers to the sum of the variation times obtained by multiplying the variation times related to the special figure variation patterns that can be selected in a certain special figure variation pattern derivation state by the occurrence rate (derived by multiplying the winning probability of the special figure variation pattern by the probability of obtaining the result of the special figure win / loss determination, which is the probability that can occur in any symbol variation). However, in this embodiment, when there is only one special figure variation pattern that can be selected in a certain special figure variation pattern derivation state, the variation time related to the special figure variation pattern is treated as the average variation time.

[0092] Further, when a transition occurs in the normal drawing lottery state or the special figure variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates an effect control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, in each special figure variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 counts the number of executions of the symbol variation related to the transition to another special figure variation pattern derivation state, and each time the symbol variation is started, generates an effect control command including the counted number of symbol variations, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. Note that the information included in the effect control command may be included in the above-described variation start command.

[0093] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing the data read by each means and the data derived by operations by each means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas.

[0094] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. When it is determined that the gaming machine is in an error state, an effect control command (error command) including information capable of specifying the error state is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0095] When an effect control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the effect control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each effect control command is transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0096] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a return state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179.

[0097] The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process for setting the return state based on whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, the state at the time of power-off immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration, and the state of the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a playable state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process). Specifically, when there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration, a game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration. Also, when there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration and the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration is ON (pressed state), a RAM clear process is executed on the condition that the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration is ON and a playable state is set (when the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration is OFF, a playable state is set without executing the RAM clear process), and when there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at the time of power restoration and the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power restoration is OFF (not pressed state), a playable state is set without executing the RAM clear process. Here, the game stop state is a return state in which the progress of the game becomes impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port (it is not necessary to consider the detection results of the sensors themselves). On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which the progress of the game becomes possible by executing processing according to the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port. In particular, when the RAM clear process is not executed at the time of power restoration, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the previous power cut. For example, if the previous power cut occurred during the execution of a big win game or a small win game, the game returns to the big win game or small win game that was being executed, and if the previous power cut occurred during the execution of a symbol variation, the game returns to the symbol variation that was being executed.

[0098] Also, whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check (specifically, determining whether a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the target area (whether the backup flag is ON), and when the backup flag is stored (when the backup flag is ON), deriving the checksum of the complement stored in the target area and the backup information area related to the area, and when the calculation result is 0, determining that the target area is normal, and otherwise determining that the target area is abnormal) for the area related to the game in the RAM 103.

[0099] When the playable state transition means 179 is set to the playable state, it executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to the playable state. Specifically, in the playable state transition process, when the output of the security signal is ON, the process of turning off the output of the security signal and the initial setting of the device are executed. Also, in the initial setting of the device, processes such as transmitting a firing permission command for permitting the firing of game balls to the payout control board 400, setting a state in which ball entry into each winning port is valid, and setting data for starting the random number circuit 105 are executed.

[0100] The power-off processing execution means 180 executes power-off processing based on receiving a power-off signal from the power control board 500. Specifically, for the area related to the game in the RAM 103, a checksum of the area is derived, a process of storing the complement of the checksum in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103, and a process of turning on a backup flag indicating that power-off processing has been executed for the area (storing the backup flag in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103) are executed.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 7, the first sub-control board 200 includes a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal effect control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable accessory control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas. Also, the effect control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following description, the fact that the effect control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may sometimes be simply expressed as the reception of the effect control command.

[0102] The sub-random number generation means 210 can generate a random number (software random number) updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and acquires the random number at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) by the normal effect control means 220 is executed.

[0103] Generally, the effect control means 220 includes an effect mode control means 221, an effect route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading effect control means 224, an effect content determination means 225, a decorative symbol control means 226, and a jackpot effect control means 227.

[0104] When the effect mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the effect mode in a manner that takes consistency with the special figure variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The effect modes in this embodiment are roughly classified into a normal mode, a challenge mode, and a RUSH mode. The normal mode corresponds to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the challenge mode corresponds to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and the RUSH mode corresponds to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC.

[0105] When the effect route determination means 222 receives a pre-judgment command, it determines (sets) the effect route corresponding to the symbol variation held this time based on the result of the pre-judgment included in the command (particularly, the one related to the special figure variation pattern). When the special figure variation pattern corresponding to the symbol variation is the above-mentioned special figure variation pattern HNP, the effect route determination means 222 does not determine the effect route when the pre-judgment command is transmitted, and determines the effect route based on the special figure variation pattern included in the variation start command (for example, if it is the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D) at the start of the symbol variation. Here, the effect route is the effect from the start to the end of the symbol variation, which defines the process of the effect that notifies the result of the special figure success / failure determination in the symbol variation. The content of the effect executed in the symbol variation will be determined according to the effect route corresponding to the symbol variation by the effect content determination means 225 described later.

[0106] The production route in this embodiment is roughly classified into a losing production route that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a loss (that is, the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win), and a big win production route that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a big win or a small win. Further, the losing production route includes a non-developing losing production route in which the developing production is not executed, and a developing losing production route in which the developing production is executed. As will be described later, when the big win production route is determined, the developing production is executed unless otherwise specified. Here, the developing production is a production executed after the decorative symbol enters the reach state (a state in which the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed except for one symbol row, and the remaining symbol rows are variably displayed), and is composed of a first half part and a second half part, and refers to a production that notifies whether the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a big win or a small win at the end of the second half part. Therefore, in the developing production corresponding to the developing losing production route, a series of productions corresponding to the developing production are executed, and it is notified at the end of the series that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win. On the other hand, in the developing production corresponding to the big win production route, a series of productions corresponding to the developing production are executed, and it is notified at the end of the series that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a big win or a small win. In particular, the reach state in this embodiment mainly includes a normal reach generated by a normal reach production and a sense of incongruity reach generated by a sense of incongruity reach production, and the details thereof will be described later. Also, as will be described later, in this embodiment, in one production mode, for each of the determined special figure variation patterns, a different production route corresponds. Therefore, in the following description, the production route for the special figure variation pattern may sometimes be simply expressed by the special figure variation pattern. However, a plurality of production routes may be associated with one special figure variation pattern. In this case, one production route may be determined from the plurality of production routes corresponding to the determined special figure variation pattern. Hereinafter, the content of the production route corresponding to each special figure variation pattern determined in each production mode will be described.

[0107] For the production routes corresponding to the special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and the special figure variation pattern HRP determined in the normal mode (special figure variation pattern derivation state PA), the above non-developed losing production route corresponds. Specifically, for the special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D, the production route corresponds to notifying that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a loss by the decorative symbol being stopped in a scattered state (a state where all symbol columns are stopped and the same decorative symbol is not stopped in each symbol column) without the decorative symbol reaching a reach state. Here, the same decorative symbol refers to a decorative symbol imitating the same number, and even if the parts other than the numbers constituting the decorative symbol are different, it may be in such a mode. Similarly, different decorative symbols refer to decorative symbols imitating different numbers. For the special figure variation pattern HRP, the production route corresponds to notifying that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a loss by the decorative symbol reaching a reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, and then the decorative symbol being stopped in a scattered state without the subsequent development production being executed. Here, pseudo-variation refers to a period delimited by, for example, the stop of a decorative symbol based on a certain rule (such as the stop of the same decorative symbol in the middle symbol column and the right symbol column like "5 symbols - 6 symbols - 6 symbols") during the period before the start of the development production. Therefore, it can be said that pseudo-variation occurs for the first time when the number of pseudo-variations becomes 2 times. That is, it can be said that when the variation of the decorative symbol until the reach state is constituted is 1 time, pseudo-variation does not occur, and in that case, it can also be said that 1 time of pseudo-variation is executed. Note that the maximum number of pseudo-variations in this embodiment is 3 times, but the maximum number of pseudo-variations is not limited to this, and any number of 2 or more times can be adopted.

[0108] For the special figure variation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B, the above development losing production route corresponds. Specifically, for the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, and then, a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss is executed. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. For the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and then, a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss is executed. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. Note that, similar to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. For the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then, a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss is executed. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. Note that, similar to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the development effect HEB corresponds.

[0109] Also, for the special figure variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C, the above-mentioned big win effect route corresponds. Specifically, in the special figure variation patterns ASP1-A and ASP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state (a state in which all pattern columns are stopped and the same decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in each pattern column). Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. In the special figure variation patterns ASP2-A and ASP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state. Note that, similar to the special figure variation patterns ASP1-A and ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. In the special figure variation patterns ASP3-A and ASP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state. Note that, similar to the special figure variation patterns ASP1-A and ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. In the special figure variation pattern ASP-C, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variations, and then the development effect HEC is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state.

[0110] In this way, in the present embodiment, by corresponding the same development effects, for the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, and the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the effects of the associated effect routes will match from the start to just before the end (the timing when the result of the special figure validity determination is shown by the development effect related to the effect route). Therefore, in the symbol variation in which the development effects HEA and HEB are executed, the player can be given an expectation of a big win. Also, the above-mentioned special figure variation patterns in which the effect routes in which the development effects HEA and HEB are executed are determined can also be said to be special figure variation patterns that make the player expect a big win. Furthermore, there is no corresponding development losing effect route for the special figure variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development effect HEC is executed in the symbol variation, the player can be definitely made to recognize a big win. Thus, it can be said that the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP-C is an effect route in which a big win is determined, and it can also be said that the special figure variation pattern is a special figure variation pattern in which a big win is determined.

[0111] Also, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, it becomes difficult to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEA is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEB is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-B). And when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, it becomes easier to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEA is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEB is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-B). And as described above, the development production HEC is executed only when a big win is selected. Therefore, in this embodiment, the anticipation of a big win can be enhanced in the order of the development production HEA, the development production HEB, and the development production HEC.

[0112] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss, within the range of the same type of development production, it becomes difficult to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where no pseudo fluctuations occur (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-A), the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 2 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP2-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 3 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP3-A). And when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win, within the range of the same type of development production, it becomes easier to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where no pseudo fluctuations occur (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-A), the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 2 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP2-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 3 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP3-A). Therefore, in this embodiment, the anticipation of a big win can be enhanced as the number of times the pseudo fluctuations are executed increases.

[0113] Also, as described above, in the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A, the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, and the special figure variation pattern ASP-C, they reach the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation. In the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A, and the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B, they reach the reach state through two pseudo-variations. In the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A, and the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, they reach the reach state through three pseudo-variations. Therefore, the time until reaching the reach state becomes longer in the order of the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations. However, in the symbol variation in which the special figure variation pattern ASP-C is determined, the time until reaching the reach state is longer than that of the special figure variation patterns (the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A, and the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B) that reach the reach state without passing through other pseudo-variations.

[0114] When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, may simply be expressed as the occurrence of a hold win), based on the information of the special figure 1 hold counter and the special figure 2 hold counter included in the command, it sets production data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 2 hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81. Note that the hold image is an image that is the target of the hold prediction production that changes in various forms suggesting the degree of advantage such as the expectation of the occurrence of a big win game.

[0115] When the prediction production control means 224 receives a pre-judgment command, it determines the content of the so-called prediction production based on the result of the pre-judgment included in the command.

[0116] When the performance content determination means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the performance to be executed in the current symbol variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222. More specifically, for the content (performance pattern) of the performance at each performance execution timing in the symbol variation, the performance content determination means 225 determines a performance pattern lottery table to be referred to based on the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222, and determines the content of the performance by lottery using the determined performance pattern lottery table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance according to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and it is possible to give a connection to the performance in one symbol variation.

[0117] When the decorative symbol control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the combination of the final (definitely stopped and displayed) decorative symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) based on the determined stop symbol of the special symbol.

[0118] When the big win performance control means 227 receives a performance control command related to the big win game (start demo command, round start command, end demo command), it determines the content of the performance during the big win game based on the type of the performance control command and the information included in the performance control command.

[0119] The normal performance control means 220 reads out the performance data of each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of each performance according to the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If there is performance data related to an image in the read performance data, an image control command is generated based on the performance data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Further, if there is performance data related to sound in the read performance data, a voice control command related to sound is generated based on the performance data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

[0120] Also, when the normal performance control means 220 returns to the playable state upon power restoration with the execution of the RAM clear process, it reads out performance data for notifying that the state has become the playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process. When the return state upon power restoration becomes the playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process, it reads out performance data for notifying that the state has become the playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process. Further, when the game stops, in addition to notifying that the game has stopped, the normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for notifying that the execution of the RAM clear process has become necessary. Although the details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferable that they be continuously executed for a certain period of time (for example, 30 s) after the execution starts, and the performance device for executing the notification is not limited.

[0121] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern and reads out performance data for executing the error notification according to the error notification pattern. Also, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it determines that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, read out performance data for executing the error notification.

[0122] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, when there is performance data corresponding to the lamp in the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be the execution target.

[0123] When there is performance data corresponding to the movable accessory in the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220, the movable accessory control means 245 reads movable control data for controlling the movement of the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the performance data, transmits the read movable control data to the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82.

[0124] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in storage areas corresponding to each.

[0125] The sub-command management means 270 receives the performance control command transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance command in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Also, when an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command toward the second sub-control board 300. Further, when an audio control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands toward the audio control board 310. Note that these commands are generally transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

[0126] As described above, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, a development performance is executed for a part when the decorative symbol forms a reach state, and it is notified whether or not a big win has been won by the development performance. However, such a development performance is something that anyone who plays the game can recognize, and once it becomes familiar, it will not improve the gaming interest. Therefore, there is a demand for an effect that is difficult for the player to detect and can amuse the player at the next stage after grasping the development performance once. On the other hand, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as a reach effect indicating the occurrence of a reach state, not only a normal reach effect but also an uncomfortable reach effect can be executed. The details of this function will be described below.

[0127] <Regarding the reach symbol lottery> First, with reference to FIG. 11, the details of the reach symbol lottery for determining the types of symbols (hereinafter referred to as reach symbols) that constitute the reach state will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used for the reach symbol lottery. This lottery is executed upon receiving a variation start command in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA (ordinary symbol low probability), particularly when including a special symbol variation pattern in which a reach state occurs. The range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 999.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 11, in the reach symbol lottery, the result of the special symbol hit or miss determination in the current symbol variation and the result of the special symbol stop symbol lottery in the current symbol variation are referred to, and either an even symbol reach, an odd symbol reach excluding the 7 symbols, or a 7 symbol reach is determined. The current symbol variation refers to the symbol variation corresponding to the variation start command that triggers the execution of the reach symbol lottery. Specifically, when the result of the special symbol hit or miss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win and symbol A is determined as the special symbol stop symbol, an even symbol reach is determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), an odd symbol reach excluding the 7 symbols is determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), and a 7 symbol reach is determined with a probability of 200 / 1000 (1 / 5). When the result of the special symbol hit or miss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win and symbol B is determined as the special symbol stop symbol, an even symbol reach is determined with a probability of 600 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.67), an odd symbol reach excluding the 7 symbols is determined with a probability of 400 / 1000 (1 / 2.5), and a 7 symbol reach is not determined. If the result of the special drawing win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a loss, an even symbol reach is determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), an odd symbol reach excluding 7 symbols is determined with a probability of 450 / 1000 (approx. 1 / 2.22), and a 7-symbol reach is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20). Although illustration is omitted, when an even symbol reach is determined, any one of the 2-symbol, 4-symbol, 6-symbol, and 8-symbol is determined by equal lottery as the symbol constituting the even symbol reach. Here, equal lottery refers to a lottery in which each of the lottery targets has the same probability of being determined, or a lottery in which the probabilities are substantially the same. Also, when an odd symbol reach excluding 7 symbols is determined, any one of the 1-symbol, 3-symbol, 5-symbol, and 9-symbol is determined by equal lottery as the symbol constituting the odd symbol reach.

[0129] Thus, in this embodiment, the difference between the ratio at which a 7-symbol reach is determined when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win and the ratio at which a 7-symbol reach is determined when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination is a loss is greater than the difference between the ratio at which a reach symbol other than the 7-symbol reach is determined when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win and the ratio at which a reach symbol other than the 7-symbol reach is determined when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination is a loss. Therefore, it can be said that the 7 symbols are the reach symbols with the highest winning expectation for a big win. Also, when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win and symbol A is determined as the special drawing stop symbol, a 7-symbol reach may be determined. On the other hand, when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win and symbol B is determined as the special drawing stop symbol, a 7-symbol reach is not determined. Therefore, it can be said that the 7-symbol reach is the reach symbol that determines that the special drawing stop symbol related to the big win is symbol A (a more advantageous special drawing stop symbol than symbol B) when winning a big win. That is, in this embodiment, it can be said that the 7-symbol reach is more advantageous than other reach symbols from the viewpoints of the winning expectation of a big win and the advantage degree of the big win itself.

[0130] <Regarding the types of reaches> Next, using FIG. 12, the types of reaches (reach states) that can occur in the reach effect in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12(a) is a diagram showing a specific example of a normal reach, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing a specific example of an uncomfortable reach.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the decorative pattern in this embodiment is composed of a numerical image sg indicating a number and a character image kg indicating a character corresponding to the number. And in the reach composed of such a decorative pattern, there are a normal reach and an uncomfortable reach in which the numerical image sg is closer to the center than the normal reach when viewed in the width direction (the left-right direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the variation display direction of each pattern column).

[0132] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12(a), in the normal reach, in the decorative pattern zg1 displayed (temporarily stopped display) in the left pattern column, the character image kg and the numerical image sg are arranged so that the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative pattern and the center line of the maximum width of the numerical image sg constituting the decorative pattern becomes the distance D1. Also, in the normal reach, in the decorative pattern zg2 displayed in the right pattern column, the character image kg and the numerical image sg are arranged so that the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative pattern and the center line of the maximum width of the numerical image sg constituting the decorative pattern becomes the distance D2. In particular, in this embodiment, the distance D1 and the distance D2 are configured to be different.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 12(b), in the uncomfortable reach, in the decorative pattern zg1 displayed in the left pattern column, the character image kg and the numerical image sg are arranged so that the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative pattern and the center line of the maximum width of the numerical image sg constituting the decorative pattern becomes the distance D3. In addition, in the case of a discomfort reach, in the decorative pattern zg2 displayed in the pattern row on the right side, the character image kg and the number image sg are arranged so that the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative pattern and the center line of the maximum width of the number image sg that constitutes the decorative pattern is distance D4. These distances (distance D3, distance D4) are both shorter than distance D1 and shorter than distance D2. In particular, distance D3 and distance D4 are the same.

[0134] In addition, in Fig. 12(a), an example in which the normal reach is composed of the 7 symbol is shown, but the reach state may be composed of a symbol other than the 7 symbol, and in either case, the relationship between the number image sg and the character image kg (particularly the distance D1 and the distance D2) is the same. On the other hand, the discomfort reach in this embodiment is always composed of the 7 symbol. In this embodiment, there is no difference in the position of the number image sg in the height direction (up and down direction) of the decorative symbols in both the normal reach and the discomfort reach.

[0135] <About reach performance> Next, the reach effects in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the reach effect control process, and this process is executed upon receiving a change start command (especially when it includes a special chart change pattern that generates a reach state) in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA (normal chart low probability). FIG. 14(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used for lottery selection of the display pattern related to the discomfort reach effect, and FIG. 14(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table used for lottery selection of the display pattern related to the discomfort reach effect. The range of random numbers used in these lotteries is 0 to 999.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 13, in step S202 which is the first step of the reach effect control process for controlling the reach effect, it is determined whether a development effect is to be executed in the current symbol variation. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214. Here, the current symbol variation refers to the symbol variation corresponding to the variation start command that triggered the execution of the reach effect control process. In step S204, it is determined whether a 7-symbol reach has been determined in the current symbol variation. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S206, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0137] In step S206, a lottery for executing the sense-of-discomfort reach effect is conducted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(a), in the lottery for executing the sense-of-discomfort reach effect, if the result of the special symbol win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a big win, the probability of winning this lottery is 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), and the probability of not winning this lottery is 700 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.43). Also, if the result of the special symbol win / loss determination in the current symbol variation is a loss, the probability of winning the lottery for executing the sense-of-discomfort reach effect is 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the probability of not winning this lottery is 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11).

[0138] In step S208, it is determined whether the lottery for executing the sense-of-discomfort reach effect has been won. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S210, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0139] In step S210, a lottery for selecting the effect pattern related to the sense-of-discomfort reach effect is executed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(b), in the selection lottery of the production pattern related to the sense-of-discomfort reach effect, when the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a big win, the production pattern P1 is determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), the production pattern P2 is determined with a probability of 400 / 1000 (1 / 2.5), the production pattern P3 is determined with a probability of 200 / 1000 (1 / 5), and the production pattern P4 is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). On the other hand, in the selection lottery of the production pattern related to the sense-of-discomfort reach effect, when the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a loss, the production pattern P1 is determined with a probability of 600 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.67), the production pattern P2 is determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), the production pattern P3 is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the production pattern P4 is not determined in this selection lottery. Considering these probabilities, in this embodiment, the ratio of the results of the special figure validity determination related to the symbol variation when production patterns other than the production pattern P1 are determined being a big win is higher than the ratio of the results of the special figure validity determination related to the symbol variation when the production pattern P1 is determined. That is, it can be said that the production patterns other than the production pattern P1 (production patterns P2 to P4) have a higher big win winning expectation than the production pattern P1. Furthermore, when comparing the production patterns P2 to P4, the big win winning expectation is high in the order of the production pattern P2, the production pattern P3, and the production pattern P4. In particular, it can be said that the production pattern P4 is the production pattern in which the big win is confirmed. Note that the details of the sense-of-discomfort reach effect related to these production patterns will be described later, but all of these production patterns are the reach effects in which the above-described sense of discomfort occurs.

[0140] In step S212, the production data related to the sense-of-discomfort reach effect of the production pattern determined by the selection lottery is set, and then the reach effect control process is terminated. Thereby, the sense-of-discomfort reach effect is executed. In step S214, effect data related to the normal reach effect is set, and then the reach effect control process ends. As a result, the normal reach effect is executed.

[0141] As described above, in the present embodiment, for the reach effect that displays a reach state (7-symbol reach) composed of 7 symbols, there are a normal reach effect that displays a normal reach and a discomfort reach effect that displays a discomfort reach, and the jackpot winning expectation degrees are different between the discomfort reach effect and the normal reach effect. Then, regarding the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative symbol and the center line of the maximum width of the numerical image constituting the decorative symbol, the distances (distance D1, distance D2) related to the normal reach and the distances (distance D3, distance D4) related to the discomfort reach are different. According to this, by incorporating a discomfort effect that is difficult for the player to perceive into the decorative symbol that the player pays attention to, it is possible to improve the interest of the player who has become bored with conventional variable effects such as development effects.

[0142] In achieving the above effect, the following modification examples are allowed, and these modification examples can also be adopted for each invention described below as long as there is no contradiction. First, regarding the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative symbol and the center line of the maximum width of the numerical image constituting the decorative symbol, it is not limited to the case where the distance related to the discomfort reach is shorter than the distance related to the normal reach as in the present embodiment, and it is allowed that the length relationship between these distances is reversed. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the jackpot winning expectation degree in the discomfort reach effect is higher than the jackpot winning expectation degree in the normal reach effect, but it is allowed that the high and low of these jackpot winning expectation degrees are reversed. Also, in the present embodiment, the target for causing discomfort is the symbol combination related to the reach state, but as long as it is a symbol combination composed of two or more symbol columns, the symbol combination for causing discomfort is not limited to the symbol combination constituting the reach state, and it may be a symbol combination composed of all symbol columns. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the difference in the distance described above occurs for each of the symbol combinations of the target that causes a sense of discomfort (each of the two decorative symbols constituting the reach state), but it is not limited to this. That is, it is sufficient that the difference in the distance described above occurs in a part of the symbol combination of the target. Also, it is allowed that the above distance D1 and the above distance D2 are the same. Also, the difference in the advantage degree between the above-described discomfort reach effect and the normal reach effect is not limited to being caused by the difference in the winning expectation degree of the big win as in the present embodiment, but may also be caused by the difference in the advantage degree of the big win game itself that occurs when winning the big win. That is, the difference in the advantage degree between the discomfort reach effect and the normal reach effect may be the difference in the advantage degree related to the big win game.

[0143] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the symbol control means (the decorative symbol control means 226) can display a specific symbol combination (7-symbol reach) that is composed of two or more symbol columns among a plurality of symbol columns and includes a specific decorative symbol (7 symbols) related to a specific number. The specific decorative symbol includes a first specific decorative symbol and a second specific decorative symbol. Regarding the predetermined distance that is the distance between the center line with respect to the maximum width of the numerical part (numerical image sg) of the decorative symbol and the center line with respect to the maximum width of the decorative symbol, the predetermined distance (distance D1, distance D2) related to the first specific decorative symbol and the predetermined distance (distance D3, distance D4) related to the second specific decorative symbol are different. The specific symbol combination includes a first specific symbol combination (normal reach 7-symbol reach) that includes the first specific decorative symbol and does not include the second specific decorative symbol, and a second specific symbol combination (discomfort reach) that includes the second specific decorative symbol. In other words, the advantage degree related to the privilege is different when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed.

[0144] In particular, in the present embodiment, the reach state is adopted for the above specific symbol combination, and a plurality of the above specific decorative symbols are included in the above specific symbol combination. According to this, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the difference between the above-mentioned first specific symbol combination and the above-mentioned second specific symbol combination (the sense of incongruity in the sense-of-incongruity reach effect). This contributes to reducing the difficulty level (the difficulty of perception) of the sense-of-incongruity reach effect. In addition, when achieving the above effect, if the above-mentioned specific decorative symbol is included in a plurality in the above-mentioned specific symbol combination, the above-mentioned specific symbol combination is not limited to the reach state.

[0145] Also, in the present embodiment, regarding the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative symbol and the center line of the maximum width of the digital image constituting the decorative symbol, the distance (distance D3, distance D4) related to the sense-of-incongruity reach is shorter than the distance (distance D1, distance D2) related to the normal reach. According to this, in the sense-of-incongruity reach, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the digital image.

[0146] Also, as described above, unlike the present embodiment, regarding the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative symbol and the center line of the maximum width of the digital image constituting the decorative symbol, the distance (distance D3, distance D4) related to the sense-of-incongruity reach may be made longer than the distance (distance D1, distance D2) related to the normal reach. According to this, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the digital image in the normal reach and then show the sense-of-incongruity reach.

[0147] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, it can be said in other words that the predetermined distances (distances D3, D4) related to the second specific decorative symbol are shorter than the predetermined distance (distance) related to the first specific decorative symbol.

[0148] Also, as described above, in the present embodiment, the distance D1 and the distance D2 are configured to be different (refer to FIG. 12(a) and its description). According to this, it is possible to increase the difficulty level of detecting the sense-of-incongruity reach.

[0149] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, it can be said that the first specific symbol combination (the 7-symbol reach in the normal reach) includes a plurality of first specific decorative symbols, and a predetermined distance (distance D1) related to one first specific decorative symbol included in the first specific symbol combination is different from a predetermined distance (distance D2) related to another specific decorative symbol included in the first specific symbol combination.

[0150] <Regarding the effect pattern of the uncomfortable reach effect> Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the details of the effect pattern related to the uncomfortable reach effect will be described. FIG. 15(a) is a timing chart showing the flow of the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P1, and FIG. 15(b) is a timing chart showing the flow of the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P2. FIG. 16(a) is a timing chart showing the flow of the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P3, and FIG. 16(b) is a timing chart showing the flow of the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P4.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 15(a), in the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P1, the uncomfortable reach occurs from the timing (timing t1) when the reach effect occurs, that is, the timing when the reach state first occurs, and continues until the end (timing t2) of the reach effect. In particular, the length of the execution period (timing t1 to timing t2) of the reach effect in the present embodiment is 2500 ms. Although not shown in the figure, the flow of the normal reach effect is obtained by replacing the uncomfortable reach in the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P1 with the normal reach. As shown in FIG. 15(b), in the uncomfortable reach effect related to the effect pattern P2, the normal reach occurs at the timing (timing t1) when the reach effect occurs. Then, at the timing (timing t3) after the period T1 has elapsed from the timing, the normal reach switches to the uncomfortable reach, and the uncomfortable reach continues until the end of the reach effect.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 16(a), in the discomfort reach effect related to the effect pattern P3, a normal reach occurs at the timing (timing t1) when the reach effect is generated. Then, at the timing (timing t4) when a period T2 has elapsed from that timing, the normal reach switches to a discomfort reach, and the discomfort reach continues until the end of the reach effect. In particular, the period T2 (700 ms in this embodiment) is longer than the period T1 (300 ms in this embodiment). As shown in FIG. 16(b), in the discomfort reach effect related to the effect pattern P4, a normal reach occurs at the timing (timing t1) when the reach effect is generated. Then, at the timing (timing t5) when a period T3 has elapsed from that timing, the normal reach switches to a discomfort reach, and the discomfort reach continues until the end of the reach effect. In particular, the period T3 (1200 ms in this embodiment) is longer than the period T2.

[0153] Thus, in this embodiment, except for the effect pattern P1, in the discomfort reach effects (effect patterns P2 to P4), after a normal reach has occurred once, the normal reach switches to a discomfort reach. And as described above, when the effect patterns P2 to P4 are determined as the effect patterns of the discomfort reach effect, the degree of advantage related to a big win is higher than when the effect pattern P1 is determined as the effect pattern of the discomfort reach effect. According to this, when an effect pattern with a high big win expectation degree (effect patterns P2 to P4) is determined, by making the player recognize a discomfort reach after recognizing a normal reach, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the discomfort related to the discomfort reach.

[0154] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when the first specific symbol combination (7-symbol reach of the normal reach) is displayed, there are a first time when the first specific symbol combination switches to the second specific symbol combination (discomfort reach) and a second time when the first specific symbol combination does not switch to the second specific symbol combination. In other words, it can be said that the degree of advantage related to a privilege (big win game) is higher at the first time than at the second time.

[0155] In particular, in the present embodiment, in the order of the production pattern P2, the production pattern P3, and the production pattern P4, the period during which the normal reach is displayed until it switches to the sense-of-discrepancy reach is long, and the degree of advantage related to the big win is high in this order. According to this, when a production pattern (production pattern P2 to production pattern P4) with a higher big win expectation degree is determined, by making it easier to recognize the sense-of-discrepancy reach after recognizing the normal reach, the production effect related to the sense-of-discrepancy reach production can be enhanced. In achieving the above effect, the length of the period during which the normal reach is displayed until it switches to the sense-of-discrepancy reach may be the same between the production pattern P2 and the production pattern P3, or the length of the period may be the same between the production pattern P3 and the production pattern P4. That is, it is sufficient that the degree of advantage related to the big win tends to increase as the length of the period increases. Also, in the present embodiment, when switching from the normal reach to the sense-of-discrepancy reach, although no animation is used, an animation may be used to gradually switch from the normal reach to the sense-of-discrepancy reach. Further, when switching from the normal reach to the sense-of-discrepancy reach, it may be switched from the normal reach to the sense-of-discrepancy reach with a state where the reach state is once hidden in between.

[0156] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, in the above first case, it can be paraphrased that the longer the period during which the first specific symbol combination (7-symbol reach of the normal reach) is displayed, the higher the degree of advantage related to the privilege (big win game) in the above first case tends to be.

[0157] Also, in the present embodiment, in the sense-of-discrepancy reach production of the production pattern P1, that is, when the sense-of-discrepancy reach is displayed from the beginning, the decorative symbols constituting the sense-of-discrepancy reach are variably displayed in the symbol columns (the left symbol column, the right symbol) during the variation until the sense-of-discrepancy reach is displayed. On the other hand, in the sense-of-discomfort reach performance of performance patterns P2 to P3, that is, when the normal reach is displayed without the sense-of-discomfort reach being displayed from the beginning, the decorative symbols that constitute the normal reach are variably displayed in the symbol sequence (the left symbol sequence, the right symbol) during the variation until the normal reach is displayed. According to this, it is possible to increase the difference in the difficulty of recognizing the sense of discomfort related to the sense-of-discomfort reach between the sense-of-discomfort reach performance of performance pattern P1 and the sense-of-discomfort reach performance of performance patterns P2 to P3.

[0158] <Regarding the modified example of the sense-of-discomfort reach> Next, a modified example of the sense-of-discomfort reach will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing modified examples of the sense-of-discomfort reach.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 17(a), the sense-of-discomfort reach in the present embodiment may be such that the decorative symbols in the left symbol sequence that constitute the reach state are replaced with the same decorative symbols as the left symbol sequence that constitutes the normal reach (the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative symbol and the center line of the maximum width of the digital image that constitutes the decorative symbol is distance D1). Also, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the sense-of-discomfort reach in the present embodiment may be such that the decorative symbols in the right symbol sequence that constitute the reach state are replaced with the same decorative symbols as the right symbol sequence that constitutes the normal reach (the distance between the center line of the maximum width of the decorative symbol and the center line of the maximum width of the digital image that constitutes the decorative symbol is distance D2). According to these, it is possible to make it easier to determine whether the reach state is a sense-of-discomfort reach with a plurality of decorative symbols that constitute the reach state.

[0160] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, it can be said that the second specific symbol combination (sense-of-discomfort reach) includes the first specific decorative symbol in addition to the second specific decorative symbol.

[0161] <Regarding other modified examples> Regarding modified examples not described in the above description, they are listed below.

[0162] First, for the decorative patterns related to the sense-of-discomfort reach in this embodiment (especially those different from the decorative patterns constituting the normal reach), the digital images and character images that constitute them adopt the same ones as those of the normal reach, but the size of some or all of these images may be made larger or smaller than those of the normal reach. In particular, when the size is changed in this way, although the above-described distance D3 and distance D4 may be the same length as distance D1 and distance D2, even in that case, since the ratio of the distance occupied by each center line (the center line of the maximum width of the decorative pattern, the center line of the maximum width of the digital image constituting the decorative pattern) to the maximum width of the decorative pattern is different, it functions in the same way as the sense-of-discomfort reach according to this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in both the decorative patterns constituting the normal reach and the decorative patterns constituting the sense-of-discomfort reach, there is no difference in the position of the digital image in the height direction (vertical direction) of the decorative pattern, but there may be such a difference.

[0163] Also, the above-described normal reach effect and sense-of-discomfort reach effect were executed during the execution of the pattern variation in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, but it is not limited to this, and these reach effects may be executed in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB or the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC (both are general drawing high probability).

[0164] Also, the normal reach effect and sense-of-discomfort reach effect in this embodiment were effects using only the main display unit 81, but in addition to this device, a device different from the main display unit 81 such as the speaker 33 may be adopted.

[0165] Also, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment adopts a so-called one-kind two-kind hybrid machine that can derive both a big win and a small win that can cause a big win game in the special drawing win / loss determination, but it is not limited to this, and a machine that can derive only a so-called two-kind win may be adopted.

[0166] In addition, regarding the probabilities, ratios, frequencies, and numbers of times in this embodiment, as long as each relationship is ensured, the smaller value may be 0 or the larger value may be the maximum value. In particular, regarding the high and low of each ratio described above, as long as the phenomenon aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the high and low of each ratio is not limited. In addition, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

[0167] In the above description, the return state at power-on is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at power-on. However, it may be configured to refer to whether the ON state time of the RAM clear switch 43 from power-on exceeds a specified time (for example, 3 s). In this way, the occurrence of incorrect RAM clear processing can be further suppressed.

[0168] In the above description, when determining the return state at power-on, the state of the middle frame opening sensor 76 (the open / closed state of the middle frame 17) is referred to. However, the return state may be set without referring to the state. In this case, uniformly, the return state at power-on may be set according to the case where the middle frame opening sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is in the open state).

[0169] The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications, improvements, etc. as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0170] <Supplementary Note> This embodiment includes the following technical ideas. (1) A gaming machine that variably displays a plurality of symbol lines each having a plurality of types of decorative symbols in a symbol variation accompanied by a win / loss determination, and stops the plurality of symbol lines with a symbol combination corresponding to the result of the win / loss determination, and is a gaming machine capable of granting a privilege after the end of the symbol variation, comprising symbol control means for controlling the plurality of symbol lines, The symbol control means can display a specific symbol combination that is composed of two or more of the plurality of symbol columns and includes a specific decorative symbol related to a specific number. The specific decorative symbol includes a first specific decorative symbol and a second specific decorative symbol. Regarding a predetermined distance that is the distance between the center line with respect to the maximum width of the numerical part of the decorative symbol and the center line with respect to the maximum width of the decorative symbol, the predetermined distance related to the first specific decorative symbol and the predetermined distance related to the second specific decorative symbol are different. The specific symbol combination includes a first specific symbol combination that includes the first specific decorative symbol and does not include the second specific decorative symbol, a second specific symbol combination that includes the second specific decorative symbol, and when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed, the degree of advantage related to the privilege is different. A gaming machine characterized by this. (2) The gaming machine according to the above (1), when the first specific symbol combination is displayed, a first time when the first specific symbol combination switches to the second specific symbol combination, a second time when the first specific symbol combination does not switch to the second specific symbol combination, and in the first time, the degree of advantage related to the privilege is higher than in the second time. A gaming machine characterized by this. (3) The gaming machine according to the above (2), in the first time, as the period during which the first specific symbol combination is displayed becomes longer, the degree of advantage related to the privilege in the first time tends to become higher. A gaming machine characterized by this.

Explanation of Signs

[0171] 10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball receiver 29 Lower ball receiver 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Effect button 38 Cursor button 38a Upper cursor button 38b Lower cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation part 39a Ball lending button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening / closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protection member 55 Big winning hole 57 First start hole 59 Second start hole 61 Normal electric accessory 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric accessory 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General winning hole 69 Outlet 70 First starting sensor 71 Second starting port sensor 72 Large prize entrance sensor 73 General prize entry sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 77 Front frame door open sensor 80 Performance display device 81 Main display 82 Sub display 82a Upper sub display 82b Left sub display 82c Right sub display 90 Pattern display device 91 First special pattern display device 92 Second special pattern display device 93 Ordinary pattern display device 94 1st special pattern reserved lamp 95 2nd Special Design Hold Lamp 96 Normal pattern hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O ports 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entrance determination method 115 Main random number generator 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Preliminary Judgment Measures 130 Special drawing lottery method 131 Means of determining whether or not a special drawing is correct 132 Special stop pattern lottery means 133 Means for deriving special chart variation patterns 135 General drawing method 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electrical equipment control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Restoration process execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Game playable state transition means 180 Power-off process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal performance control means 221 Performance mode control means 222 Performance route determination means 223 Sub-pending control means 224 Pre-read performance control means 225 Performance content determination means 226 Decoration symbol control means 227 Big win performance control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable accessory control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power-off detection circuit 509 Power control board case X First Flow Path Y Second Flow Path zg1 Decorative Knob zg2 Decorative Knob sg Digital Image kg Character Image

Claims

1. A gaming machine that variably displays a plurality of symbol lines, each with a plurality of types of decorative symbols, in symbol variations accompanied by a win / loss determination, and stops the plurality of symbol lines with a symbol combination corresponding to the result of the win / loss determination, and is a gaming machine capable of awarding a privilege after the end of the symbol variation, comprising symbol control means for controlling the plurality of symbol lines, the symbol control means being capable of displaying a specific symbol combination composed of two or more of the plurality of symbol lines and including a specific decorative symbol related to a specific number, the specific decorative symbol including a first specific decorative symbol and a second specific decorative symbol, with respect to a predetermined distance that is the distance between the center line with respect to the maximum width of the numerical part of the decorative symbol and the center line with respect to the maximum width of the decorative symbol, the predetermined distance related to the first specific decorative symbol and the predetermined distance related to the second specific decorative symbol are different, the specific symbol combination includes a first specific symbol combination that includes the first specific decorative symbol and does not include the second specific decorative symbol, a second specific symbol combination that includes the second specific decorative symbol, and the degree of advantage related to the privilege is different when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed, characterized in that it is a gaming machine.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, when the first specific symbol combination is displayed, there is a first time when the first specific symbol combination switches to the second specific symbol combination, and a second time when the first specific symbol combination does not switch to the second specific symbol combination, and the degree of advantage related to the privilege is higher at the first time than at the second time, characterized in that it is a gaming machine.

3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, at the first time, the longer the period during which the first specific symbol combination is displayed, the higher the degree of advantage related to the privilege at the first time tends to be, characterized in that it is a gaming machine.

Images