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 represented by pachinko machines and the like execute a development effect for notifying 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 it becomes familiar, it does not lead to an improvement in 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 a development effect.

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 granting 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 constituted by 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. The second specific symbol combination includes a plurality of the specific decorative symbols. 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 an effect such as a development effect 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 (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 acquisition amount of prize balls (game media) excluding the effect surface 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 A gaming machine that variably displays a plurality of symbol lines, each with multiple types of decorative symbols, during 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. The gaming machine is capable of awarding a bonus (big win game) after the symbol variation ends. It includes 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) composed of 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 is different from the predetermined distance related to the second specific decorative symbol. 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. A second specific symbol combination (uncomfortable reach) that includes the second specific decorative symbol. There is. The degree of advantage related to the bonus is different when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed. The second specific symbol combination includes a plurality of the specific decorative symbols. A gaming machine characterized by this.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of players who are bored with conventional variation performances such as development performances. Also, according to the present invention, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the difference between the first specific symbol combination and the second specific symbol combination (the discomfort in the uncomfortable reach performance).

[0013] Note that the above-mentioned specific symbol combination is not limited to the symbol combination that constitutes the reach state as long as it is a symbol combination composed of two or more symbol lines, and it may be a symbol combination composed of all symbol lines.

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

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

[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 in the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. Note that each configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is only what is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and configurations and functions not illustrated here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Also, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations illustrated here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

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

[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 the game board 50 on the opening front 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 in front of the outer frame 15. 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 the hinge mechanism 21 and can be opened and closed with respect to the intermediate frame 17. 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 perspective protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50. Further, the front frame 20 includes an upper ball receiver 27 and a lower ball receiver 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiver 27 and the lower ball receiver 29 are vertically spaced apart and provided integrally with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the lower ball receiver 29 is full with the game balls discharged therefrom is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 for discharging game balls to the lower ball receiver 29. Further, the front frame 20 is provided with 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 receiving 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, and as an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 described later, an effect button 37 capable of 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 (an upper cursor button 38a, a lower cursor button 38b, a left cursor button 38c, a right cursor button 38d, a 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. Further, on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27, a movable decorative body 22 that operates (vibrates) by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided. The movable decorative body 22 also has a function of lighting up by a full-color LED provided inside thereof, and a function as a button that receives an operation by a 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, the upper ball receiving tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that moves the stored balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29 by operation, similar to the ball discharging mechanism 36. 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 side and the right side 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 by light-transmissive covers, 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 go out in conjunction with effects, error notifications, etc. that occur 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 a sub-display portion 82 disposed around the main display portion 81. The sub-display portion 82 further includes 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 unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices that operate by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

[0027] The main display unit 81 can display the variable display of the symbol sequence that is linked to the variable display in the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 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 upward, left-right direction, depth direction, or any combination thereof (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode using a technique (for example, perspective method) that makes the player recognize 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. In addition, 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", and 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", and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even symbols".

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

[0029] A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, 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 less visible to the player than 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 to operate a special electric accessory (for example, the special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in the present embodiment include the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. Note that the special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol", the first special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol 1", and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol 2".

[0031] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of symbol variation that determines whether to operate a normal electric accessory (for example, the normal electric accessory 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. Note that the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "Nor. Sym.", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "Elec. Tubing".

[0032] In addition to the above-described display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, and a normal symbol hold lamp 96. The first special symbol hold lamp 94 can specify the number of symbol variations related to the held special symbol 1, the second special symbol hold lamp 95 can specify the number of symbol variations related to the held special symbol 2, and the normal symbol hold lamp 96 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held normal symbol. All of them can specify the number of corresponding symbol variations by the lighting modes of two LEDs (in this embodiment, only the right LED always lit = 1, both the left and right LEDs always lit = 2, the right LED blinks + the left LED always lit = 3, both the left and right LEDs blink = 4).

[0033] In the following description, the symbol variation in which the special symbol is stopped and displayed after the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 is referred to as "symbol variation of the special symbol", and in the following description, the symbol variation in which the normal symbol is stopped and displayed after the normal symbol display device 93 is variably displayed may be referred to as "symbol variation of the normal symbol". In addition, 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 "symbol variation of the decorative symbol" separately from "symbol variation of the special symbol" and "symbol variation of the normal symbol". Note that 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 ball rolls due to the arrangement of a number of game pins (not shown), a windmill 52, and obstacles such as decorative members. On the left side and upper side of the game area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 provided for guiding 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 refers to a nail-shaped object.

[0035] The gaming machine 10 can adjust the strength of launching the game balls according to the magnitude of the rotational operation amount (for example, rotational angle) of the operation handle 31. Various obstacles are arranged in the game area 50a so that the game balls can roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left shot) where the game balls launched more weakly roll or the second flow path Y (so-called right shot) where the game balls launched 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 can be appropriately changed.

[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 into the big winning opening 55 is determined based on 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 such that more game balls roll toward the big winning opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when 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 alternatively transitioned between an open state where it is easy to win into the big winning opening 55 and a closed state where it is difficult for the balls to enter, and is transitioned 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 that starts due to a jackpot being derived by the special figure win / loss determination described later, or in part of the small win game that starts due to a small win being derived by the special figure win / loss 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 small win game, in which the opportunity to obtain prize balls increases significantly, are in an advantageous game state. Also, although details will be described later, the small win game in this embodiment can result in 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 closed. 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 small win 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 small win game, it is less likely for game balls to win at the big winning opening 55 compared to the jackpot game. In this embodiment, at the time when the jackpot game or the small win game is started, a start demo that ends with the passage of time is set, and when the start demo ends, a round game (a small win game in the case of a small win) is started. When all the round games have ended, an end demo that ends with the passage of time is set. That is, in this embodiment, the jackpot game (including those that occur in the small win 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. The winning of the first starting port 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting port sensor 70, and a number (in this embodiment, 4) of prize balls associated with the first starting port 57 are awarded. At least in part when the winning of the first starting port 57 is determined, the symbol variation according to the special figure 1 is performed. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged in the game area 50a according to this embodiment so that more game balls roll toward the first starting port 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[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. The winning of the second starting port 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting port sensor 71, and a number (in this embodiment, 1) of prize balls associated with the second starting port 59 are awarded. At least in part when the winning of the second starting port 59 is determined, the symbol variation according to the special figure 2 is performed. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged in the game area 50a according to this embodiment so that more game balls roll toward the second starting port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[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 alternately 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 ordinary pattern win determination described later is a win for the ordinary pattern (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as "ordinary 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, while suppressing the decrease of the game balls by the prize balls, the opportunity to execute the symbol variation according to the special figure 2 can be significantly increased.

[0042] The gate 63 is disposed at the right center 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 ordinary pattern is performed.

[0043] The general winning port 67 is disposed at the lower left 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, the obstacles are arranged such that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the first flow path X as compared with the case of rolling from the second flow path Y. However, the obstacles may be arranged such 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 launched into the game area 50a and do not enter the above-described 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 the out balls, which are the 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] As shown in FIG. 5, on the back surface of the game board 50, 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 are mounted. 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. In addition, 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] Also, on the back surface of the game board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45, a game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island is arranged. 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 the present embodiment has been described, but these are just one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.

[0049] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of 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 a 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 different from the program processing by the CPU 101 to generate a random number (hard random number). These are mutually connected 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 normal 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 (normal drawing low probability described later) described later is newly set. Further, 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 restriction 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 evacuate the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory at power-off, and recover the evacuated information from the first memory to the second memory at power-on.

[0053] Also, 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 such 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 be adopted instead.

[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 buffer memory for a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards 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 an 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 normally received 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] In addition, 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 such that their lighting is 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 such that their movement is controlled by the movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0059] Although not shown in the drawings, the second sub-control board 300 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to image rendering based on an 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 rendering 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 an effect content determination means 225, which will be 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 image data stored in an 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. In addition, 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 a voice control command from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores a voice control program, 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 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 command 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 output sound.

[0061] The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown in the figure). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of two-way communication. Based on the payout control command from the main control board 100, it executes control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out 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-described control boards based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of 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 drop). 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 of 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 electronic components and electrical components including the above-described 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, the power control board 500 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 of 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 include functional configurations 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 on 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 win at each winning port based on the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port. Further, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines a win 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 win, 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 a plurality of random numbers corresponding to the winning port from the random number circuit 105 at the timing when a win 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 drawing win / loss determination, the random numbers for special drawing stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for special drawing variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. When a winning at the gate 63 is determined, the random numbers for general drawing win / loss determination, the random numbers for general drawing stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for general drawing 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 into 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 related to holding the symbol variation related to the special drawing and holding the symbol variation related to the general drawing. Regarding the special drawing 1, the random numbers for special drawing win / loss determination, the random numbers for special drawing stop symbol lottery, and the random numbers for special drawing 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 drawing 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special drawing 1 hold counter") that is incremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of the special drawing 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of the special drawing 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special drawing lottery means 130). Until the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter reaches the upper limit value (in this embodiment, 4), the operation hold information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current special drawing 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 drawing 1 hold counter to the storage area corresponding to the special drawing 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current special drawing 1 hold counter from the current storage area. Further, the main hold control means 120 also performs the same control as described above separately from FIG. 1 with respect to FIG. 2 of the special drawings and the general drawings. The hold counter in FIG. 2 of the special drawings is referred to as the FIG. 2 hold counter of the special drawings, and the upper limit value of the value of the FIG. 2 hold counter of the special drawings in the present embodiment is 4. Also, in the following description, "holding of the operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of the symbol variation" or simply "holding". Further, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 of the special drawings, it generates an effect control command (hold command) including the FIG. 1 hold counter and the FIG. 2 hold counter of the special drawings, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. In the present embodiment, when both the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 1 of the special drawings and the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 2 of the special drawings are held, a priority variation is performed in which the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 2 of the special drawings 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 FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 of the special drawings, or a simultaneous variation in which the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 1 of the special drawings and the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 2 of the special drawings 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 drawings 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 drawing validity determination, the special drawing stop symbol lottery, and the special drawing variation pattern lottery, which will be 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 will be 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 figure is held. In this embodiment, when the operation hold information of Special Figure 1 is held during the low probability of the general figure 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 Figure 2 is held during the low probability of the general figure described later, the pre-judgment may or may not be restricted.

[0070] The special figure lottery means 130 includes a special figure validity determination means 131, a special figure stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special figure variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes the processing by each means in the order of the special figure validity determination means 131, the special figure stop symbol lottery means 132, and the special figure variation pattern derivation means 133. When the variation start condition of the special figure is satisfied, the special figure 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 figure is satisfied" means, as an example, that it is not during a big win game, that neither Special Figure 1 nor Special Figure 2 is in the middle of a symbol variation (including during the stop display of the symbol variation related to Special Figure 1 or Special Figure 2), and that all conditions for the existence of operation hold information in at least one of Special Figure 1 and Special Figure 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 (when 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 the 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, when 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, when 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] For each symbol variation, the special symbol win / loss determination means 131 reads a random number for special symbol win / loss determination and executes a special symbol win / loss determination to determine whether to win a big win, a small win, or a loss by lottery using the read random number and the lottery table for special symbol win / loss determination. Fig. 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for judging the propriety 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 judgments is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the judgment of the propriety of Special Drawing 1, a big win is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (about 1 / 320), and it is a loss otherwise, and a small win is not derived. On the other hand, in the judgment of the propriety 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 it is a loss 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 judgment of the propriety of the special drawing is set as the one probability described above.

[0073] When the result of the judgment of the propriety of the special drawing is a big win or a small win, 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 the present embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special drawing stop symbol lottery. 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 judgment of the propriety of Special Drawing 1, when a big win is derived in the judgment of the propriety 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, a high probability of general drawing described later is achieved. However, the number of times of symbol variation during which the high probability of general drawing continues (hereinafter referred to as "the specified number of times related to the high probability of general drawing") 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 high probability of general drawing.

[0074] FIG. 8(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for stopping symbol lottery used when a small win is derived in the special figure validity determination according to Special FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 8(c), when a small win is derived in the special figure validity determination according to Special FIG. 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 jackpot 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 jackpot game, and the specified number of times related to the general figure high probability is 80 times. For symbol b, the number of rounds of the jackpot 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 jackpot game, and 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 jackpot 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 (the general figure high probability is not set) after the end of the jackpot 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 it has the same degree of advantage as symbol c from the viewpoint of the number of rounds. Note that since symbol c is the symbol that becomes the general figure low probability after the end, it can be said that it is more disadvantageous than symbol b. Also, the number of rounds in the jackpot game when the jackpot 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 jackpot game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol a may be expressed as "the jackpot game related to symbol a", the jackpot game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol b may be expressed as "the jackpot game related to symbol b", and the jackpot game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol c may be expressed as "the jackpot 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, symbol d corresponds to a big win game with 10 rounds, and is a stopping symbol that becomes a high-probability common symbol after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to this high-probability common symbol is 80 times, which is the same as the big win game related to symbol a.

[0076] Further, 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 the current special figure win / loss determination, it selects one special figure variation pattern lottery table for determining the current 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 the start of the symbol variation related to the special figure (Special Figure 1 or Special Figure 2) to the end of the symbol variation. 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 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 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 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 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 for 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 the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the symbol variation related to 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 drawing win / loss determination is a loss in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11), the special drawing variation pattern HRP is determined with a probability of 52 / 1000 (about 1 / 19.2), the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-A is determined with a probability of 13 / 1000 (about 1 / 76.9), the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-B is determined with a probability of 11 / 1000 (about 1 / 90.9), the special drawing variation pattern HSP2-A is determined with a probability of 9 / 1000 (about 1 / 111), the special drawing variation pattern HSP2-B is determined with a probability of 7 / 1000 (about 1 / 143), the special drawing variation pattern HSP3-A is determined with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), and the special drawing variation pattern HSP3-B is determined with a probability of 3 / 1000 (about 1 / 333). In this case, the special drawing 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 drawing variation pattern HNP is determined, the special drawing variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. On the other hand, when the result of the special drawing win / loss determination is a big win in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-A is determined with a probability of 90 / 1000 (about 1 / 11.1), the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-B is determined with a probability of 110 / 1000 (about 1 / 9.09), the special drawing variation pattern ASP2-A is determined with a probability of 135 / 1000 (about 1 / 7.41), the special drawing variation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 165 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.06), the special drawing variation pattern ASP3-A is determined with a probability of 180 / 1000 (about 1 / 5.56), the special drawing variation pattern ASP3-B is determined with a probability of 220 / 1000 (about 1 / 4.56), and the special drawing variation pattern ASP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In this case, the special drawing 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 rate of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined at a rate 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 rate 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 sometimes 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 an effect 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, executes a general drawing validity determination for determining the validity of the general drawing using the read random number, and determines various parameters (general drawing variation time, general drawing stop display time, etc.) related to the general drawing based on the result of the general drawing validity determination and information such as the current special drawing variation pattern derivation state. In the general drawing validity determination, there are a state where the general drawing lottery state is a high-probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "general drawing high probability") and a state where the general drawing lottery state is a low-probability state (sometimes 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 is a win with a probability of 65535 / 65536 and a loss with a probability of the remaining 1 / 65536. On the other hand, in the general drawing low probability, the general drawing is a win with a probability of 1 / 65536 and a loss 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 is not a win (a loss 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), and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. At the end of the start demo, it 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, it generates a production control command (end demo command) including the required time for the end demo of the big win game and stores it 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, it 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 first special symbol display device 91 to variably display the first special symbol in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the first special symbol, and causes the first special symbol 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 second special symbol, the second special symbol is variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 92, and after the elapse of the variation time, the second special symbol 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 a big win game or a 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 first special symbol and the second special symbol. When stopping and displaying the special symbol (at the timing when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes "0"), an effect control command (variation stop command) for requesting the definite stop display of the decorative symbol is generated, and the command is stored 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 is accompanied by a small up-and-down shaking motion (so-called shaking variation), while in the definite stop display of the decorative symbol, the stopped decorative symbol is not accompanied by shaking 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 drawing, 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 drawing game timer for managing the time related to the normal drawing (such as the normal drawing variation time, the normal drawing 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 drawing.

[0088] The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing to a low probability regardless of the stop symbol of the special drawing 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 drawing to a high probability until the specified number of symbol variations related to the high probability of the normal drawing are performed, and sets the normal drawing to a low probability when the specified number of symbol variations related to the high probability of the normal drawing are completed. Here, as will be described later, in this 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 drawing has been reached is the number of times of symbol variation execution related to the special drawing 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 the special drawing 2 and the number of times of symbol variation execution related to the special drawing 1. Also, in this embodiment, during the small win game, the normal drawing lottery state in the symbol variation in which the small win game occurs is maintained.

[0089] Such a normal drawing lottery state changes in link with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. Hereinafter, the transition of the special drawing 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 drawing variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. As shown in Fig. 10(a), in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, there is a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA as the special drawing variation pattern derivation state corresponding to the general drawing low probability, and there are a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and a special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC as the special drawing variation pattern derivation states corresponding to the general drawing high probability. Except during the jackpot game, one of these special drawing variation pattern derivation states is set. And there are transition conditions (i) to (vi) for the transition conditions between the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA to the special drawing 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 the special drawing 2 executed without sandwiching the jackpot game in the general drawing high probability reaches 40 times (the specified number of times related to the general drawing high probability of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB), the transition condition (v) is the end of the symbol variation when the number of symbol variations related to the special drawing 2 executed without sandwiching the jackpot game in the general drawing high probability reaches 80 times (the specified number of times related to the general drawing high probability of the special drawing 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 drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, after the end of the jackpot game, it transitions back to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC again, and the number of symbol variations related to the special drawing 2 that can be executed until the specified number of times related to the general drawing high probability of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. This is the same when a jackpot game related to symbol b occurs in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB. Also, although not shown in the figure, in the small win game that occurred in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, if the jackpot game did not occur without the game ball passing through the V winning area, the current special drawing variation pattern derivation state ends at the end of the small win game and transitions to the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the average variation time of each 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 becomes shorter 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 appearance 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 the present 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 general 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 times of execution 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 times of the symbol variation, 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 in which it is 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, the 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 the playable state is set (when the middle frame opening sensor 76 at the time of power restoration is OFF, the 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), the 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] The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to the playable state when the playable state is set. Specifically, in the playable state transition process, when the output of the security signal is ON, the output of the security signal is turned OFF, and the initial setting of the device is executed. Also, in the initial setting of the device, processes such as transmitting a launch permission command for permitting the launch of game balls to the payout control board 400, setting a state in which the entry of game balls into each winning port is enabled, 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 presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, an ornament pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0104] When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner that takes consistency with the special figure variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation 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 presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-judgment command, it determines (sets) the presentation route corresponding to the figure 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 figure variation is the above-mentioned special figure variation pattern HNP, the presentation route is not determined when the pre-judgment command is transmitted. Instead, at the start of the figure variation, the presentation route is determined 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). Here, the presentation route is the presentation from the start to the end of the figure variation, which defines the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special figure hit or miss determination in the figure variation. The content of the presentation executed in the figure variation will be determined according to the presentation route corresponding to the figure variation by the presentation content determination means 225 described later.

[0106] The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly classified into a losing presentation route that notifies that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a loss (i.e., the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win), and a big win presentation route that notifies that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win or a small win. Furthermore, the losing presentation route includes a non-developing losing presentation route where the developing presentation is not executed, and a developing losing presentation route where the developing presentation is executed. As will be described later, when the big win presentation route is determined, the developing presentation is executed unless otherwise specified. Here, the developing presentation is a presentation that is executed after the decorative symbols enter the reach state (a state where the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed except for one symbol column, and the remaining symbol columns are variably displayed), and is composed of a first half and a second half, and refers to a presentation that notifies whether the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win or a small win at the end of the second half. Therefore, in the developing presentation corresponding to the developing losing presentation route, a series of presentations corresponding to the developing presentation are executed, and it is notified at the end of the presentation that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win. On the other hand, in the developing presentation corresponding to the big win presentation route, a series of presentations corresponding to the developing presentation are executed, and it is notified at the end of the presentation that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current 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 presentation and a sense-of-discomfort reach generated by a sense-of-discomfort reach presentation, and the details of these will be described later. Also, as will be described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, for each determined special symbol variation pattern, a different presentation route corresponds. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special symbol variation pattern may sometimes be simply expressed by the special symbol variation pattern. However, a plurality of presentation routes may be associated with one special symbol variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from the plurality of presentation routes corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern. The content of the effect route corresponding to each special figure variation pattern determined in each performance mode will be described below.

[0107] For the effect 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 effect route corresponds. Specifically, for the special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D, the decorative pattern does not reach the reach state and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a scattered state (a state where all the pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped and displayed in each pattern row), thereby corresponding to an effect route for notifying that the result of the special figure validity determination in the current pattern variation is a loss. Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern imitating the same number, and even if the parts other than the numbers constituting the decorative pattern are different, it may be in such a mode. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns imitating different numbers. For the special figure variation pattern HRP, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variation, and then, without executing the subsequent developed effect, the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a scattered state, thereby corresponding to an effect route for notifying that the result of the special figure validity determination in the current pattern variation is a loss. Here, pseudo-variation refers to a period delimited by, for example, the stop of the decorative pattern based on a certain rule (such as the stop of the decorative pattern where the same decorative pattern stops in the middle pattern row and the right pattern row like "5 patterns - 6 patterns - 6 patterns") during the period before the developed effect starts. 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 no pseudo-variation occurs when the variation of the decorative pattern until the reach state is constituted is 1 time, 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 may be adopted.

[0108] For the special figure variation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B, the above developed losing effect route corresponds. Specifically, for special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and 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 pattern 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 special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, development effect HEA corresponds, and for special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, development effect HEB corresponds. For special figure variation pattern HSP2-A and 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 pattern 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 special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, development effect HEA corresponds, and for special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, development effect HEB corresponds. For special figure variation pattern HSP3-A and 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 pattern 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 special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, development effect HEA corresponds, and for special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, development effect HEB corresponds.

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

[0110] In this way, in the present embodiment, by corresponding to the same development presentation, the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A is associated with the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B is associated with the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A is associated with the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B is associated with the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A is associated with the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, and the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B is associated with the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the presentations of the associated presentation 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 presentation related to the presentation route). Therefore, in the symbol variation in which the development presentation HEA and the development presentation HEB are executed, it is possible to give the player an expectation of a big win. Also, the above-described special figure variation patterns in which the presentation routes in which the development presentations 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 presentation route for the special figure variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development presentation HEC is executed in the symbol variation, it is possible to definitely make the player recognize a big win. Therefore, it can be said that the presentation route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP-C is a presentation 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 with 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 with 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 with two pseudo-variations, and the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state with 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, sometimes simply 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 probability of a big win game occurring.

[0115] When the prediction production control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called prediction production based on the result of the pre-determination 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 stop symbol of the special symbol determined.

[0118] When the big win performance control means 227 receives a performance control command related to a 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, etc.

[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. When 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, when 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 a playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process upon power restoration, it reads out performance data for notifying that the state has become a playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process. When the return state upon power restoration becomes a playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process, it reads out performance data for notifying that the state has become a playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process. Further, when the game stops, the normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for notifying not only that the game has stopped but also 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 (e.g., 30 s) after the execution starts, and the performance device for executing the notification is not limited.

[0121] When an error command is sent, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern and reads out performance data for executing an 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 when it determines that the machine is in an error state, read out performance data for executing an 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 a lamp in the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220, the lamp control means 240 reads out 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 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 the corresponding storage areas.

[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 to the second sub-control board 300. Further, when a voice control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. In principle, these commands are 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 in 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 recognized by anyone who plays the game, 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 entertain the player at the next stage after grasping the development effect. 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) constituting 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 (general pattern 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 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 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 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 means 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 for which it is certain 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 such 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 such 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 such 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; 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; if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0137] In step S206, a random selection for executing the sense-of-discrepancy reach effect is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(a), in the random selection for executing the sense-of-discrepancy 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 random selection is 300 / 1000 (about 1 / 3.33), and the probability of not winning this random selection 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 random selection for executing the sense-of-discrepancy reach effect is 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the probability of not winning this random selection is 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11).

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

[0139] In step S210, a random selection for choosing the effect pattern related to the sense-of-discrepancy reach effect is executed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(b), in the selection lottery of the production pattern related to the sense of incongruity reach production, 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 incongruity reach production, 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 the selection lottery. Considering these probabilities, in this embodiment, the ratio of the result of the special figure validity determination related to the symbol variation when a production pattern other than the production pattern P1 is determined is higher than the ratio of the result 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 expectations are 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 incongruity reach production related to these production patterns will be described later, but all of these production patterns are the reach productions in which the above-described sense of incongruity occurs.

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

[0141] As described above, in the present embodiment, for the reach presentation that displays a reach state (7-symbol reach) composed of 7 symbols, there are a normal reach presentation that displays a normal reach and a sense-of-dissonance reach presentation that displays a sense-of-dissonance reach, and the winning expectation of a big win is different between the sense-of-dissonance reach presentation and the normal reach presentation. And 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 sense-of-dissonance reach are different. According to this, by incorporating a sense-of-dissonance presentation 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 presentations such as development presentations.

[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 no contradiction occurs. 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 sense-of-dissonance 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 winning expectation of a big win in the sense-of-dissonance reach presentation is higher than the winning expectation of a big win in the normal reach presentation, but it is allowed that the high and low of these winning expectations of a big win are reversed. Also, in the present embodiment, the target for generating a sense of dissonance 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 generating a sense of dissonance is not limited to the symbol combination constituting the reach state, and it may be a symbol combination composed of all the symbol columns. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the difference in the distance described above occurs for each of the symbol combinations of the objects that cause 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 object. Also, it is allowed that the distance D1 and the distance D2 are the same. In addition, 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 any 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) composed of two or more symbol columns among the plurality of symbol columns 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 the predetermined distance, which 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-described specific symbol combination, and a plurality of the above-described specific decorative symbols are included in the above-described specific symbol combination. According to this, it is possible to make it easier to recognize the difference between the above first specific symbol combination and the above 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 achieving the above effect, if the above specific symbol combination includes a plurality of the above specific decorative symbols, the above 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 numerical 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 numerical 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 numerical 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 numerical 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 of perceiving 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 the predetermined distance (distance D1) related to one first specific decorative symbol included in the first specific symbol combination is different from the predetermined distance (distance D2) related to another specific decorative symbol included in the first specific symbol combination.

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

[0151] As shown in FIG. 15(a), in the discomfort reach effect related to the production pattern P1, the discomfort reach occurs from the timing (timing t1) when the reach effect is generated, 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. Also, although not shown, the flow of the normal reach effect is obtained by replacing the discomfort reach in the discomfort reach effect related to the production pattern P1 with the normal reach. As shown in FIG. 15(b), in the discomfort reach effect related to the production pattern P2, the normal reach occurs at the timing (timing t1) when the reach effect is generated. Then, at the timing (timing t3) when a period T1 has elapsed from that timing, the normal reach switches to the discomfort reach, and the discomfort 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) after the 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) after the 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 the discomfort reach after recognizing the 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 switching to the discomfort 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 with a higher big win expectation (production pattern P2 to production pattern P4) is determined, by making it easier to recognize the discomfort reach after recognizing the normal reach, the production effect related to the discomfort reach production can be enhanced. In achieving the above effect, the length of the period during which the normal reach is displayed until switching to the discomfort 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 longer the length of the period, the higher the degree of advantage related to the big win. Also, in the present embodiment, although no animation is used when switching from the normal reach to the discomfort reach, an animation may be used to gradually switch from the normal reach to the discomfort reach. Further, when switching from the normal reach to the discomfort reach, it may be switched from the normal reach to the discomfort reach with a state where the reach state is once hidden in between.

[0156] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, it can be paraphrased that in the above first case, 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 discomfort reach production of the production pattern P1, that is, when the discomfort reach is displayed from the beginning, the decorative symbols constituting the discomfort reach are variably displayed in the symbol columns (the left symbol column, the right symbol) during the variation until the discomfort reach is displayed. On the other hand, in the sense-of-unease reach performance of performance patterns P2 to P3, that is, when the normal reach is displayed without the sense-of-unease reach being displayed from the beginning, the decorative symbols that constitute the normal reach in the symbol sequence (the left symbol sequence and the right symbol) are variably displayed 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 unease related to the sense-of-unease reach between the sense-of-unease reach performance of performance pattern P1 and the sense-of-unease reach performance of performance patterns P2 to P3.

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

[0159] As shown in FIG. 17(a), the sense-of-unease 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 those in 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 numerical image that constitutes the decorative symbol is distance D1). Also, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the sense-of-unease 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 those in 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 numerical 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-unease 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-unease reach) includes the first specific decorative symbol in addition to the second specific decorative symbol.

[0161] <Regarding other modified examples> Modified examples not described in the above description will be listed below.

[0162] First, regarding the decorative pattern related to the sense-of-discomfort reach in this embodiment (particularly, those different from the decorative patterns constituting the normal reach), the digital images and character images constituting it 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 pattern constituting the normal reach and the decorative pattern 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 the 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 so-called two-kind win-only machine that can only derive a two-kind win may be adopted.

[0166] Also, regarding the high or low probabilities, ratios, frequencies, and the number 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 or low of each ratio described above, as long as the appearance aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the high or 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] Also, in the above description, the return state at power recovery is determined with reference to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at power recovery, but it may be determined by referring to whether the ON state time of the RAM clear switch 43 from power recovery exceeds a specified time (for example, 3 s). In this way, the occurrence of incorrect RAM clear processing can be further suppressed.

[0168] Also, in the above description, when determining the return state at power recovery, the state of the middle frame opening sensor 76 (the open / closed state of the middle frame 17) is referred to, but the return state may be set without referring to this state. In this case, uniformly, the return state at power recovery 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, and the like 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 with a plurality of types of decorative symbols in 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 symbol variation, Comprises 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 sequences 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, 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. The second specific symbol combination includes a plurality of the specific decorative symbols. A gaming machine characterized by this. (2) The gaming machine according to (1) above, The second specific symbol combination includes, in addition to the second specific decorative symbol, the first specific decorative symbol. 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 Operation 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 Extraction Mechanism 37 Effect Button 38 Cursor Button 38a Up Cursor Button 38b Down Cursor Button 38c Left Cursor Button 38d Right Cursor Button 38e Middle Cursor Button 39 Main Operation Unit 39a Ball Lending Button 39b Return Button 40 Power Switch 43 RAM Clear Switch 45 Open / Close 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 Opening 57 First Start Opening 59 Second Start Opening 61 Normal Electric Game Device 62 Normal Electric Game Device Solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special Electric Game Device 66 Special Electric Game Device Solenoid 67 General Winning Opening 69 Out Opening 70 First Start Opening Sensor 71 Second Start Opening Sensor 72 Big Winning Opening Sensor 73 General Winning Opening Sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out Ball Sensor 76 Middle Frame Door Opening Sensor 77 Front Frame Door Opening Sensor 80 Effect Display Device 81 Main Display Section 82 Sub-display unit 82a Upper sub-display unit 82b Left sub-display unit 82c Right sub-display unit 90 Symbol display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Normal symbol display device 94 First special symbol hold lamp 95 Second special symbol hold lamp 96 Normal symbol hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Pre-determination means 130 Special symbol lottery means 131 Special symbol hit determination means 132 Special symbol stop symbol lottery means 133 Special symbol variation pattern derivation means 135 Normal symbol lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration 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-hold 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 failure detection circuit 509 Power control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path zg1 Decoration symbol zg2 Decoration symbol sg Digital image kg Character image

Claims

1. A gaming machine that variably displays a plurality of symbol sequences, each having a plurality of types of decorative symbols, in symbol variations accompanied by execution of a win / loss determination, and stops the plurality of symbol sequences 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 sequences, the symbol control means being capable of displaying a specific symbol combination constituted by two or more of the plurality of symbol sequences 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 including the first specific decorative symbol and not including the second specific decorative symbol, a second specific symbol combination including the second specific decorative symbol, and the degree of advantage related to the privilege is different between when the second specific symbol combination is displayed and when the first specific symbol combination is displayed, the second specific symbol combination includes a plurality of the specific decorative symbols, characterized in that it is a gaming machine.

2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second specific symbol combination includes the first specific decorative symbol in addition to the second specific decorative symbol, characterized in that it is a gaming machine.

Images