Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving amusement.SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine 10 acquires reservation information for special pattern on the basis of a winning entry of a game ball into an upper operation port or a lower operation port and makes a propriety lottery on the basis of the reservation information. The Pachinko machine 10 has a main display part 43. After a variable display of patterns starts at the main display part 43, a pattern is stop-displayed with a stop result corresponding to a result of the determination. The Pachinko machine 10 preliminarily identifies information on variable display of patterns, etc., in the cases that specific reservation information becomes a lottery object at a timing before the specific reservation information becomes the lottery object and sets a variable display period of the variable display and a stop display period of the stop display on the basis of a result of the preliminary identification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some gaming machines such as pachinko machines are equipped with a symbol display device that variably displays symbols. In this type of gaming machine, for example, a lottery is conducted to determine whether to generate a specific gaming state advantageous to the player, such as a winning state, triggered by winning a prize in an operation port provided in the gaming area, and the variable display of symbols is started. When winning the lottery, a specific symbol combination or the like is stopped and displayed, and the gaming state shifts to a specific gaming state (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, there is still room for improvement in enhancing the interest.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-exemplified circumstances and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the interestingness.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is an acquisition means for acquiring special information based on the establishment of a predetermined acquisition condition, an acquisition information storage means for storing the special information acquired by the acquisition means as a plurality of numbers with a predetermined number set in advance as an upper limit, An awarding determination means for determining whether or not the special information stored in the acquisition information storage means corresponds to the awarding information, and when a plurality of special information is stored in the acquisition information storage means, sequentially performing the awarding determination on the plurality of special information; A privilege awarding means for awarding a privilege to a player based on the awarding correspondence result that the result of the awarding determination by the awarding determination means is that the special information corresponds to the awarding information; A symbol display means capable of variably displaying symbols; Based on the awarding determination being performed by the awarding determination means, starting the variable display of symbols in the symbol display means, and taking one game round as stopping and displaying the stop result corresponding to the result of the awarding determination, and performing display control of the symbol display means so that each game round is performed according to the special information stored in the acquisition information storage means; A pre-specific determination means for specifying information corresponding to the determination result when a predetermined special information stored in the acquisition information storage means becomes the determination target by the awarding determination means at a timing earlier than when the predetermined special information becomes the determination target; Comprising: The display control means: A variable display period setting means for setting a variable display period for performing the variable display; Means for executing the variable display based on the variable display period set by the variable display period setting means; A stop display period setting means for setting a stop display period for performing the stop display; Means for executing the stop display based on the stop display period set by the stop display period setting means; Comprising: The variable display period setting means comprises means for setting a variable display period based on the specific result of the pre-specific determination means; The stop display period setting means is characterized by comprising means for setting a stop display period based on the specific result of the pre-specific determination means.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to improve the interestingness.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <The First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first form of a pachinko game machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine"), which is a kind of game machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10 developed. In addition, in FIG. 2, the configuration within the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a game machine body 12 that is rotatably attached to the front of the outer frame 11. The outer frame 11 is formed by connecting plate-shaped frame materials or the like to the four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island equipment. In the pachinko machine 10, the outer frame 11 is not an essential configuration, and the outer frame 11 may be provided in the island equipment of the game hall.

[0011] The game machine body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. Among the game machine body 12, the inner frame 13 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer frame 11. Specifically, the inner frame 13 is rotatable forward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip end side in a front view.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and is rotatable forward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip end side in a front view. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and is rotatable backward with the left side as the rotation base end side and the right side as the rotation tip end side in a front view.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device 16 at its rotation tip end portion, and has a function of locking the gaming machine main body 12 in a non-openable state with respect to the outer frame 11, and also has a function of locking the front door frame 14 in a non-openable state with respect to the inner frame 13. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using an unlocking key on a cylinder lock 17 provided to be exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10.

[0014] Next, the configuration on the front side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0015] The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed in the central portion of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. In a state where the game board 24 is attached to the resin base 21, a game area PE formed on the front surface of the game board 24 is exposed on the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 of the resin base 21. Here, the configuration of the game board 24 will be described based on FIG. 4(a). FIG. 4(a) is a front view of the game board 24.

[0016] A plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed in the game board 24. Each opening is provided with a general winning opening 31, a variable winning device 32, an operation opening unit 33 having an upper operation opening 33a and a lower operation opening 33b, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, a main display unit 43, a display unit for accessory 44, and the like.

[0017] When a game ball enters the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, or the operating openings 33a and 33b, it is detected by a detection sensor disposed on the back side or the like of the game board 24, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the detection result.

[0018] In addition, an out opening 37 is provided at the lowermost part of the game board 24, and game balls that do not enter various winning openings or the like are discharged from the game area PE through the out opening 37. Further, a large number of pins 38 are implanted in the game board 24 to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (effect devices) such as windmills are disposed.

[0019] Here, "entering the ball" means that a game ball passes through a predetermined opening, and includes not only the mode of being discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening, but also the mode of not being discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening. However, in the following description, in order to clearly distinguish from the entry of the game ball into the out opening 37, the entry of the game ball into the variable winning device 32, the operating openings 33a and 33b, or the through gate 35 is also expressed as a winning.

[0020] The upper operating opening 33a and the lower operating opening 33b are arranged side by side vertically and are both open upward. Further, the operating opening unit 33 is provided with an electric effect device 34 having a pair of left and right movable pieces 34a and a drive unit for operating these movable pieces 34a.

[0021] The electric effect device 34 (specifically, the drive unit) is connected to a main control device described later, and based on a signal from the main control device, it has a configuration that switches between an open state (support state or guide state) that allows the entry of the ball into the lower operating opening 33b and a closed state (non - support state or non - guide state) that makes the entry of the ball into the lower operating opening 33b impossible. Note that for the electric effect device 34, it is sufficient if it can be switched between a first state and a second state in which winning is more likely to occur than in the first state, and it is not necessarily required to be switchable between an open state / closed state.

[0022] In this pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types of support modes with different support modes by the electric accessory 34 are set. Specifically, in the support mode, when compared in a situation where the shooting of the game balls continues in the same manner with respect to the game area PE, the frequency of the electric accessory 34 being in an open state per unit time is relatively high or low. A low-frequency support mode (or low-frequency guide state) and a high-frequency support mode (or high-frequency guide state) are set.

[0023] In the high-frequency support mode, the probability of winning a prize at the operating port is higher than that in the low-frequency support mode. When a prize is won at the operating port, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. For this reason, in the high-frequency support mode, the player can play the game while suppressing the consumption (investment) of the balls in hand.

[0024] Here, with reference to FIG. 4(b), the operating port unit 33 provided with the operating ports 33a and 33b will be supplemented and explained. FIG. 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the operating port unit 33.

[0025] In the operating port unit 33, a guide passage 33c for guiding the game balls flowing into the upper operating port 33a to a recovery passage provided on the back side of the game board 24 is formed. The guide passage 33c branches into a first branch passage 33d and a second branch passage 33e at an intermediate position thereof.

[0026] At the branching position in the guide passage 33c, a distributing means 33g for alternately distributing the game balls that have reached the branching position to the first branch passage 33d and the second branch passage 33e is provided. The distributing means 33g can be switched between a first guiding state for guiding the game balls that have reached the branching position to the first branch passage 33d and a second guiding state for guiding them to the second branch passage 33e. This distributing means 33g is configured to switch from one guiding state to the other based on guiding the game balls. Therefore, the game balls flowing into the upper operating port 33a are sequentially distributed to the first branch passage 33d / the second branch passage 33e.

[0027] The lower operation port 33b is connected to the second branch passage via the communication passage 33f, and the game balls flowing into the lower operation port 33b directly flow into the second branch passage. That is, for the game balls flowing into the upper operation port 33a, they flow into both branch passages, while the game balls flowing into the lower operation port 33b are configured to flow only into the second branch passage.

[0028] A detection sensor 211c for detecting game balls is disposed in the first branch passage 33d (hereinafter also referred to as the first ball entry part 33d), and a detection sensor 211d for detecting game balls is disposed at a position downstream of the communication part of the communication passage 33f in the second branch passage 33e (hereinafter also referred to as the second ball entry part 33e). These detection sensors 211c and 211d are connected to the main control device, and the main control device grasps the presence or absence of ball entry into the branch passages 33d and 33e, that is, the winning of the operation ports 33a and 33b, based on the detection information (detection signals) from the detection sensors 211c and 211d.

[0029] The variable winning device 32 includes a large winning port 32a leading to the back side of the game board 24 and an opening / closing door 32b for opening and closing the large winning port 32a. The opening / closing door 32b is normally in a closed state where winning of game balls into the large winning port 32a is not possible, and is switched to an open state where winning of game balls into the large winning port 32a is permitted when winning the transition to the opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution state) in the internal lottery. Here, the opening / closing execution mode is a mode that is to be shifted when a big win is won. As an opening mode of the variable winning device 32 in the opening / closing execution mode, there is a mode in which the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened with a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit, with the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 30 sec) or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of wins as one round. Note that for the variable winning device 32, it is sufficient if it can be switched between a first state and a second state in which winning is more likely to occur, and it is not necessarily required to be switchable between an open state / closed state.

[0030] The main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are provided on a decorative member 39 disposed along the outer edge on the lower side of the game area PE. The decorative member 39 protrudes forward of the pachinko machine 10 from the board surface of the game board 24. More specifically, the front surface of the decorative member 39 faces a window panel 62 provided on the front door frame 14 so that the game area PE can be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the distance between the decorative member 39 and the window panel 62 is narrower than the size of one game ball. Thus, it is possible to prevent the game balls from dropping in front of the front surface of the decorative member 39.

[0031] The main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are provided so as to be exposed from the front surface of the decorative member 39. That is, the main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 can be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the window panel 62 of the front door frame 14, and it is possible to suppress the game balls from dropping in front of these two display units 43 and 44. Note that a part of the plurality of general winning holes 31 described above is installed on the upper surface of the decorative member 39 in a state where the upper part is open.

[0032] Although detailed description with reference to the drawings is omitted, the main display unit 43 has a segment display, and a result display unit for the operation openings is provided on the segment display. The result display unit for the operation openings has a display area for the first ball entry unit 33d and a display area for the second ball entry unit 33e corresponding one-to-one to the respective ball entry units 33d and 33e. In these display areas, the result of the internal lottery performed based on winning in the operation openings 33a and 33b (specifically, ball entry into the ball entry units 33d and 33e) is clearly shown. In this case, in the same display area, based on winning in the operation openings 33a and 33b as a trigger, a pattern change display (variable display) is performed by sequentially turning on and off the segments for display, and as a result of the stop of the change display, the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning is clearly shown. That is, the lottery result based on the ball entry into the first ball entry unit 33d is clearly shown in the display area for the first ball entry unit, and the lottery result based on the ball entry into the second ball entry unit 33e is clearly shown in the display area for the second ball entry unit.

[0033] The display unit 44 for game devices also has a segment display, similar to the main display unit 43 described above, and a result display section for game devices is provided in the segment display. The result display section for game devices is a display section for clearly showing the result of an internal lottery conducted based on winning in the through gate 35. In this case, in the result display section for game devices, triggerd by winning in the through gate 35, a pattern change display (or variable display or switching display) is performed by sequentially lighting and extinguishing each display segment, and as a result of the stop of the change display, the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning in the through gate 35 is clearly shown by the display. When the result of the internal lottery based on winning in the through gate 35 is a winning result corresponding to the transition to the electric winning release state, after a predetermined stop result is displayed in the result display section for game devices and the change display stops, a transition is made to the electric winning release state. In the electric winning release state, the electric game device 34 provided in the lower operation port 33b is in an open state in a predetermined manner.

[0034] The variable display unit 36 is provided with a pattern display device 41 that has a display screen 41a and variably displays a pattern on the display screen 41a (variable display). Further, a center frame 42 is disposed around the pattern display device 41 (specifically, the display screen 41a) in the variable display unit 36. The upper part of this center frame 42 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10. Thereby, it suppresses the game balls from falling in front of the display screen 41a, and it is configured such that inconveniences such as a decrease in the visibility of the display screen 41a (for example, the above-mentioned pattern and the hold image described later) due to the fall of the game balls are less likely to occur.

[0035] The symbol display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. In the symbol display device 41, for example, symbol columns are displayed side by side in the upper, middle, and lower positions, and these symbol columns are variably displayed by being scrolled in the left - right direction. In this case, the variable display in the symbol display device 41 is started based on winning in the winning ports 33a and 33b. Then, for example, in a game round that shifts to an opening - closing execution mode corresponding to 16 rounds in which the large winning port 32a of the variable winning device 32 is opened 16 times as the opening - closing execution mode, a predetermined combination of symbols stops and is displayed on the effective line set in advance in the symbol display device 41.

[0036] At the lower part of the center frame 42, a hold lamp section 47 corresponding to the result display section for the accessory of the accessory display section 44 is provided. The number of times the game ball has passed through the through - gate 35 is held up to a maximum of 4 times, and the number of held - up balls is displayed by lighting the hold lamp section 47. Note that the hold information corresponding to the through - gate 35 can also be configured to be displayed on the symbol display device 41.

[0037] An inner rail section 51 and an outer rail section 52 are attached to the game board 24, and an induction rail is formed by these inner rail section 51 and outer rail section 52 so that the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 53 is guided to the upper part of the game area PE. As shown in FIG. 2, the game ball launching mechanism 53 is attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21, and the launching operation of the game ball is performed by operating the launching handle 54 provided on the front door frame 14.

[0038] The front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13, and a window portion 61 is formed in the front door frame 14 so that almost the entire game area PE can be visually recognized from the front (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, the window portion 61 has a substantially elliptical shape, and the above-described window panel 62 is fitted therein. The window panel 62 is formed of glass to be colorless and transparent, but is not limited thereto and may be formed of a synthetic resin to be colorless and transparent.

[0039] Light-emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the window portion 61. A display lamp portion 63 is provided above the window portion 61 as a part of the various lamp portions. In addition, speaker portions 64 that output effect sounds and the like according to the game state are provided on both the left and right sides of the display lamp portion 63.

[0040] Below the window portion 61 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 65 and a lower bulging portion 66 that bulge forward are provided side by side vertically. An upper dish 71 that opens upward is provided in the upper bulging portion 65, and a lower dish 72 that also opens upward is provided in the lower bulging portion 66. The upper dish 71 has a function of temporarily storing the game balls paid out from the payout device described later and guiding them toward the game ball launching mechanism 53 side while aligning them in a row. In addition, the lower dish 72 has a function of storing the surplus game balls in the upper dish 71. The game balls paid out from the payout device 96 of the back pack unit 15 are discharged through a passage forming unit 73 (see FIG. 2) provided on the back surface of the front door frame 14 to the upper dish 71 and the lower dish 72.

[0041] In addition, in the region of the upper bulging portion 65 facing the front of the pachinko machine 10, an effect operation unit 75 (specifically, an operation button) that is manually operated by the player is provided. For example, when the effect operation unit 75 is manually operated according to a suggestion or the like displayed on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41, the effect content on the display screen 41a and the like of the symbol display device 41 becomes a predetermined effect content corresponding to the operation.

[0042] Next, the configuration on the back side of the game machine main body 12 will be described.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24), the main control device 81 and the notification / performance control device 82 are mounted.

[0044] The main control device 81 includes a main control board that controls the main game and a power failure monitoring board that monitors the power supply. These main control board and power failure monitoring board are housed in a board box 83 made of a transparent resin material or the like and configured. The board box 83 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base (front case body) and a box cover (rear case body) that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are inseparably connected by a box coupling portion 85 as a separation prevention means (or coupling means), whereby the board box 83 is sealed. And, by being inseparably connected by these box coupling portions 85, when opening the internal space of the board box 83, it is configured to require destruction or partial excision of the board box 83. A plurality of box coupling portions 85 are provided on the long side portion of the board box 83, and at least one of them is used for the coupling process.

[0045] The box coupling part 85 can adopt any configuration as long as it non - releasably couples the box base and the box cover. However, by inserting the locking claw into the long hole forming the box coupling part 85, the box base and the box cover are non - releasably coupled. The coupling process by the box coupling part 85 prevents unauthorized opening after coupling, and even if unauthorized opening occurs, such a situation can be discovered early and easily. It is possible to perform the opening process again even after once opening. That is, among the plurality of box coupling parts 85, the coupling process is performed by inserting the locking claw into at least one long hole. When opening the substrate box 83, such as when a problem occurs in the housed main control board or during inspection of the main control board, the connection part between the box coupling part 85 into which the locking claw is inserted and other box coupling parts 85 or the connection part with the box body is cut. Thereby, the box base and the box cover of the substrate box 83 are separated, and the internal main control board can be taken out. Then, when performing the coupling process again, the locking claw is inserted into the long hole of another box coupling part 85. If a history of opening the substrate box 83 is left on the substrate box 83, it can be easily discovered that unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the substrate box 83.

[0046] On one short side of the substrate box 83, a plurality of coupling pieces 86 are provided so as to protrude laterally. These coupling pieces 86 correspond one - to - one with a plurality of pieces to be coupled 87 formed on the mounting base of the main control device 81, and the coupling process between the substrate box 83 and the mounting base is performed by the coupling pieces 86 and the pieces to be coupled 87.

[0047] In addition, as a trace means for detecting unauthorized opening of the substrate box 83, a configuration may be adopted in which a sealing label is attached so as to straddle the boundary between the box base and the box cover. In this case, when the sealing label is peeled off from the attachment location, the adhesive layer of the sealing label remains on the substrate box 83 side, leaving a trace. Further, an IC tag that transmits a response wave including identification information with respect to a calling wave of a predetermined frequency may be provided on the sealing label. When the sealing label is peeled off, the antenna of the IC tag is cut off, making it impossible to transmit the response wave.

[0048] The notification / effect control device 82 includes a notification / effect control board that controls voice, lamp display, and a display control device (not shown) according to instructions from the main control device 81, and the notification / effect control board is housed in a substrate box 84 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 91, and a payout mechanism unit 92 and a control device assembly unit 93 are attached to the back pack 91. The back pack 91 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and has a protective cover portion 94 that protrudes rearward and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to cover the main control device 81, the notification / effect control device 82, etc. from the rear.

[0050] The payout mechanism unit 92 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover portion 94, and includes a tank 95 to which game balls supplied from the island equipment in the game arcade are sequentially replenished, and a payout device 96 for paying out the game balls stored in the tank 95. The game balls paid out from the payout device 96 are discharged to the upper tray 71 or the lower tray 72 through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 96. Further, the payout mechanism unit 92 is supplied with, for example, a main power supply of 24 volts AC, and a back pack board provided with a power switch for turning the power supply on and off is mounted thereon.

[0051] Further, on the back pack 91, an external output terminal board 99 is provided on the rotation axis side of the back pack unit 15 and on the upper edge side. The external output terminal board 99 is provided with output terminals for outputting signals when the game balls are insufficient in the tank 95 or the like, output terminals for outputting signals every time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, output terminals for outputting signals every time a predetermined number of game balls are lent out, output terminals for outputting signals when the game machine main body 12 is opened, output terminals for outputting signals when the front door frame 14 is opened, and output terminals for outputting signals during the state transition such as the opening / closing execution mode (or while transitioning to a state). And through these output terminals, signals regarding the state of the frame side are output to the management control device on the game hall side. Note that the output terminals for outputting signals every time a predetermined number of game balls are lent out are unnecessary in a so-called cash machine.

[0052] The control device assembly unit 93 includes a payout control device 97 and a power supply / firing control device 98. These payout control device 97 and power supply / firing control device 98 are arranged one on top of the other in the front-rear direction so that the payout control device 97 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0053] The payout control device 97 is configured by housing a payout control board for controlling the payout device 96 in a board box. In this case, the same anti-fraud means as the board box 83 of the main control device 81 may be applied to the board box of the payout control device 97.

[0054] The power supply / firing control device 98 is configured by housing a power supply / firing control board in a board box. By this board, predetermined power required by various control devices and the like is generated and output, and further, the control of shooting out game balls accompanying the operation of the firing handle 54 by the player is performed. Also, this pachinko machine 10 has a function of storing and holding various data, and can hold the state at the time of a power failure even if a power failure occurs, and can return to the state at the time of power failure when resuming from the power failure.

[0055] <Electrical Configuration of Pachinko Machine 10> Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. 5.

[0056] An MPU 202 is mounted on a main control board 201 provided in the main control device 81. The MPU 202 includes a ROM 203 that stores various control programs and fixed-value data executed by the MPU 202, and a RAM 204 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 203. It is an element incorporating an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and various counter circuits as a random number generator. Note that a part of the functions of the MPU 202, for example, the functions of the ROM 203 and the RAM 204, may be configured to be provided by separate elements.

[0057] The MPU 202 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. On the input side of the MPU 202, a power failure monitoring board 205 provided in the main control device 81, a payout control device 97, and various detection sensors 211a to 211e are connected. In this case, a power supply / transmission control device 98 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 205, and power is supplied to the MPU 202 via the power failure monitoring board 205. Also, as part of the various detection sensors 211a to 211e, detection sensors provided in various prize-winning corresponding ball entry parts (payout corresponding ball entry parts) such as the general winning opening 31, the variable winning device 32, the operating openings 33a, 33b (specifically, the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e), and the through gate 35 are respectively connected. Based on the detection information (detection signals) from these detection sensors, the MPU 202 of the main control device 81 performs a prize-winning determination (ball entry determination) for each ball entry part. Also, in the MPU 202, a jackpot lottery is executed based on a prize-winning at the operating openings 33a, 33b, and a support lottery is executed based on a prize-winning at the through gate 35.

[0058] On the output side of the MPU 202, a power failure monitoring board 205, a payout control device 97, and a notification / performance control device 82 are connected. To the payout control device 97, for example, a prize ball command is output based on the winning determination result for the winning corresponding ball entry parts such as the above-described operating ports 33a, 33b, etc. In this case, when outputting the prize ball command, the command information storage area 224 of the ROM 203 is referred to. And when winning at the general winning port 31 is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, when winning at the variable winning device 32 is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 15 game balls is output, when winning at the first ball entry part 33d is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 3 game balls is output, and when winning at the second ball entry part 33e is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 1 game ball is output.

[0059] To the notification / performance control device 82, various commands such as a variation command, a type command, a variation end command, an opening command, an ending command, a hold command, and a command at the time of shift are output from the main control device 81. In this case, when outputting these various commands, the command information storage area 224 of the ROM 203 is referred to. Details of these various commands will be described later. Note that each of the above commands is configured as information of a predetermined number of bytes, and various information is included as the information of the predetermined number of bytes.

[0060] Also, on the output side of the MPU 202, a variable winning drive part 32c that opens and closes the opening / closing door 32b of the variable winning device 32, an electric accessory drive part 34b that opens and closes the movable piece 34a of the electric accessory 34, and a main display part 43 are connected. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 201, and through the driver circuits, the MPU 202 executes drive control of various drive parts.

[0061] That is, in the open / close execution mode, the MPU 202 executes drive control of the variable winning drive unit 32c so that the big winning opening 32a is opened and closed. Further, when winning the support lottery of the electric accessory 34, the MPU 202 executes drive control of the electric accessory drive unit 34b so that the electric accessory 34 is opened and closed. Also, the MPU 202 executes display control of the main display unit 43.

[0062] Furthermore, an external output terminal board 99 is connected to the output side of the MPU 202, and information regarding ball entry information to various ball entry parts and lottery results such as jackpot is output to the management control device (hall computer HC) on the game hall side through this external output terminal board 99. Thereby, it becomes possible for the hall computer HC to grasp the state of the pachinko machine 10 and the like.

[0063] The power failure monitoring board 205 relays the main control board 201 and the power supply / firing control device 98, and the power failure monitoring board 205 is provided with a function of monitoring the voltage of 24 VDC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / firing control device 98. The payout control device 97 performs payout control of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 96 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 81.

[0064] The power supply / firing control device 98 is connected to a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a game hall or the like, for example. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, it generates the necessary operating power for the main control board 201, the payout control device 97, etc., respectively, and supplies the generated operating power through a predetermined power path. Also, the power supply / firing control device 98 is responsible for the firing control of the game ball firing mechanism 53, and the game ball firing mechanism 53 is driven when predetermined firing conditions are met.

[0065] Based on various commands input from the main control device 81, the notification / performance control device 82 drives and controls the hold lamp unit 47 provided in the variable display unit 36, the display lamp unit 63 provided in the front door frame 14, the speaker unit 64, etc., and also controls the display control device 212.

[0066] The display control device 212 executes display control of the symbol display device 41 based on the commands input from the notification / performance control device 82. In this case, the notification / performance control device 82 specifies the variation display mode of the symbols in the symbol display device 41 (for example, the presence or absence of a reach and the content of the reach performance, etc.), the stop display mode of the symbols (the type of combination of symbols to be finally stopped and displayed when the variation display ends), and the outline of the confirmation display mode based on the combination of the symbols that have stopped being displayed, based on various commands input from the main control device 81.

[0067] Here, the configuration related to the variation display of the symbols in each game round and the content of the variation display will be described. In the following description, FIGS. 6 and 7 will be referred to as appropriate. FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining the display content on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41.

[0068] The display control device 212 is provided with a character ROM. In the character ROM, data of nine types of main symbols with numbers from "1" to "9" (see FIGS. 6(a) to (i)) and data of sub-symbols without numbers (see FIG. 6(j)) are stored in advance.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7(a), on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41, three symbol columns Z1, Z2, and Z3 in the upper, middle, and lower stages are set. Each symbol column Z1 to Z3 is configured by arranging main symbols and sub-symbols in a predetermined order. Then, on the display screen 41a, the symbols in these symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are variably displayed so as to scroll in a predetermined direction (specifically, from right to left) periodically.

[0070] In the upper pattern row Z1, nine main patterns from "1" to "9" are arranged in descending numerical order, and one sub-pattern is arranged between each main pattern. In the lower pattern row Z3, nine main patterns from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, and one sub-pattern is arranged between each main pattern. In other words, the upper pattern row Z1 and the lower pattern row Z3 are composed of 18 patterns. In contrast, in the middle pattern row Z2, nine main patterns from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, and a main pattern of "4" is additionally arranged between the main pattern of "9" and the main pattern of "1", and one sub-pattern is arranged between each of these main patterns. In other words, only the middle pattern row Z2 is composed of 20 patterns, with 10 main patterns arranged.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the display screen 41a is designed to display three symbols per symbol row, resulting in a total of nine symbols, 3×3, being displayed in a stopped state. The display screen 41a is also set with five active lines, namely the left line L1, the middle line L2, the right line L3, the right downward line L4, and the right upward line L5. The variable display stops in the order of the upper symbol row Z1, the lower symbol row Z3, and the middle symbol row Z2, and when the variable display of all the symbol rows Z1 to Z3 ends with a predetermined combination of symbols (for example, a combination of symbols with the same number) formed on any of the active lines, a video for a big win (for example, an opening movie) is displayed as a big win result.

[0072] In addition, considering that the varying display of each pattern row is stopped as described above, the upper pattern row Z1 can be referred to as the first pattern row (or first picture row), the lower pattern row Z3 can be referred to as the second pattern row (or second picture row), and the middle pattern row Z2 can be referred to as the third pattern row (or third picture row).

[0073] Among the above main symbols, the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to "specific symbols", and when a first type jackpot result (jackpot result corresponding to 16R) occurs, for example, a combination of the same specific symbols is stopped and displayed. Also, the main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to "non-specific symbols", and when a second type jackpot result (jackpot result corresponding to 4R) occurs, for example, a combination of the same non-specific symbols is stopped and displayed.

[0074] Note that the mode of the variable display of symbols in the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of symbol columns, the direction of the variable display of symbols in the symbol column, the number of symbols in each symbol column, etc. can be changed as appropriate. For example, a plurality of symbol columns may be set to be arranged horizontally, and the direction of the variable display of symbols in the symbol column may be set to the vertical direction.

[0075] In the display screen 41a, a hold display area NE is set in a portion below the variable display area ME having the variable display area of the upper symbol column, the variable display area of the middle symbol, and the variable display area of the lower symbol. In the hold display area NE, a hold number display area Da is provided in which unit hold display areas Da1 to Da8 having the same number as the maximum number of holds when a game ball wins at the winning openings 33a and 33b (when the game ball enters the ball entry parts 33d and 33e) are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0076] Specifically, the maximum number of holds when a game ball enters the first ball entry part 33d is 4, and the maximum number of holds when the game ball enters the second ball entry part 33e is 4. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, a total of 8 hold information is stored in the order of winning at the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e. Corresponding to this, in the hold number display area Da, a first unit hold display area Da1, a second unit hold display area Da2, a third unit hold display area Da3, a fourth unit hold display area Da4, a fifth unit hold display area Da5, a sixth unit hold display area Da6, a seventh unit hold display area Da7, and an eighth unit hold display area Da8 are set.

[0077] For example, when the number of holds (total number of holds) when the game ball wins in the winning openings 33a and 33b is 1, a predetermined hold display image MP is displayed only in the first unit hold display area Da1. When the number of holds when the game ball wins in the winning openings 33a and 33b is 4, a predetermined hold display image MP is displayed in the first unit hold display area Da1 to the fourth unit hold display area Da4. Note that FIG. 6(b) illustrates the case where the number of holds is 3.

[0078] In addition, in the hold display area NE, an execution target display area Db is provided in which a hold display image MP corresponding to the game turn being executed (in progress) is displayed so as to be horizontally aligned with the hold number display area Da (specifically, the first unit hold display area Da1).

[0079] When the game turn ends and the next game turn starts, the hold display image MP displayed in the hold number display area Da (first unit hold display area Da1) moves to the execution target display area Db, and the hold display image MP displayed in the hold number display area Da is shifted downward.

[0080] In the display screen 41a, a special display area OE is set in a portion above the variable display area ME. The special display area OE is provided with a display unit KP, and variable display is possible by switching the display color in the display unit KP. The special display area OE is smaller than the variable display areas in each symbol column Z1 to Z3, and the display unit KP in the special display area OE is smaller than each symbol (main symbol and sub-symbol).

[0081] The special display area OE corresponds to the main display unit 43, and when variable display is performed on the main display unit 43, variable display is also performed in the special display area OE. Specifically, the variable display of the display unit KP is performed so as to match the variable display of the pattern on the main display unit 43, the variable display start timing, and the variable display time. Further, for the stop display of the display unit KP (a state in which the display color is fixed without switching the display color), the stop display of the pattern on the main display unit 43, the stop display start timing, and the stop display time are also made to match.

[0082] Note that in this embodiment, the stop display of the display unit KP does not show the result of the validity determination based on winning in the operation ports 33a and 33b, but a plurality of modes may be provided as the stop display mode of the display unit KP, and the above result may be clearly shown or suggested. Further, the display unit KP is not limited to being composed of a single display image, and may be composed of a plurality of display images.

[0083] <Regarding various counters> Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described.

[0084] During the game, the MPU 202 uses various counter information to perform jackpot generation lottery, setting the display of the main display unit 43, general setting of the symbol display of the symbol display device 41, setting the display of the accessory display unit 44, etc. Specifically, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 8, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery of jackpot generation, a jackpot type counter C2 used when determining the jackpot type such as the first type jackpot result or the second type jackpot result, a reach random number counter C3 used for the reach lottery when the symbol display device 41 deviates and fluctuates, a random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, a result display unit for the operation port of the main display unit 43, and a variation type counter CS for determining the variation display time of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 in the variation display area ME of the symbol display device 41 and the display unit KP in the special display area OE are used. Further, an electric accessory release counter C4 used for the lottery of whether to set the electric accessory 34 of the lower operation port 33b to the electric accessory release state is used.

[0085] Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that is incremented by 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and its updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 231 set in a predetermined area of the RAM 204. In the lottery counter buffer 231, information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the hold ball storage area 232 as acquisition information storage means when a winning (specifically, a ball entry into the first ball entry unit 33d or the second ball entry unit 33e) occurs at the operation ports 33a and 33b.

[0086] The hold ball storage area 232 includes a hold area RE for operation ports and an execution area AE. The hold area RE includes a first area Ra1, a second area Ra2, a third area Ra3, a fourth area Ra4, a fifth area Ra5, a sixth area Ra6, a seventh area Ra7, and an eighth area Ra8. In accordance with the winning history of the operation ports 33a and 33b (specifically, the ball entry history into the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e), the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 stored in the lottery counter buffer 231 is stored as hold information in any one of the areas Ra1 to Ra8. Note that the hold information corresponds to special information.

[0087] When multiple winnings at the operation ports 33a and 33b (specifically, multiple consecutive ball entries into the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e) occur, the numerical information is stored in chronological order in the order of the first area Ra1 → the second area Ra2 → the third area Ra3 → the fourth area Ra4 → the fifth area Ra5 → the sixth area Ra6 → the seventh area Ra7 → the eighth area Ra8. By providing these eight areas Ra1 to Ra8 in this way, the ball entry history of the game balls into the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e is stored and held up to four each, that is, the total winning history at the operation ports 33a and 33b is stored and held up to eight. In addition, a total hold number storage area is provided in the hold ball storage area 232, and information for specifying the storage number of the hold information acquired and stored based on the ball entry into the first ball entry part 33d or the second ball entry part 33e is stored in the total hold number storage area.

[0088] For example, when a ball enters only one of the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e and the number thereof becomes 4 or more, the maximum number of memories related to winning in the operation ports 33a and 33b is limited to 4. However, as long as the game balls alternately enter the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e by the distribution means 33g described above, the maximum number of memories related to winning in the operation ports 33a and 33b is increased to 8. That is, in the present embodiment, even in a situation where it is difficult for a winning to occur in the lower operation port 33b, it is possible to suppress the number of stored hold information from reaching 4 and leveling off.

[0089] The execution area AE is an area for moving each value stored in the first area Ra1 of the hold area RE when starting the variable display on the main display unit 43. At the start of one game round, a win / loss determination or the like is performed based on various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

[0090] Regarding each counter in detail, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 299, and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 299). In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 299). The jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically. When a game ball wins in the operation ports 33a and 33b, specifically, at the timing when the game balls flowing into the ball entry parts 33d and 33e are detected by the detection sensors 211c and 211d, they are stored in the hold ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204.

[0091] The value of the random number that results in a jackpot win is stored as a win / loss table (win / loss information group) in the win / loss table storage area 221 as the win / loss information group storage means in the ROM 203. Here, the content of the win / loss table will be described.

[0092] In the win / loss table, address information consisting of binary information and jackpot numerical information also consisting of binary information are set in a one-to-one correspondence. Specifically, ten types of address information represented in decimal numbers from "1" to "10" are set, and ten types of jackpot numerical information represented in decimal numbers "7", "36", "67", "100", "131", "164", "195", "223", "241", "272" are set, and these address information and jackpot numerical information are associated with each other in a one-to-one manner. The numerical value of each jackpot numerical information is included in the numerical value range of the random number information that can be updated in the jackpot random number counter C1, which is from "0" to "299".

[0093] Here, in this pachinko machine 10, as lottery modes in the win / loss lottery means, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set. And the number of jackpot numerical information referred to in the low probability mode and the number of jackpot numerical information referred to in the high probability mode are different, and the former is less than the latter. Specifically, in the low probability mode, only the jackpot numerical information with the address information being "1" is referred to in the win / loss lottery, and in the high probability mode, the jackpot numerical information corresponding to all address information is referred to in the win / loss lottery. That is, in the low probability mode, there is 1 piece of numerical information that wins the jackpot, and in the high probability mode, there are 10 pieces, which is more than in the low probability mode. As a result, the probability of winning the jackpot in the low probability mode is 1 / 300, while the probability of winning the jackpot in the high probability mode is 1 / 30, and the probability of winning the jackpot is higher in the high probability mode than in the low probability mode. Note that as long as the winning probability in the high probability mode is higher than that in the low probability mode, the number and value of the random numbers that win are arbitrary.

[0094] The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within the range of 0 to 29, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 29). The jackpot type counter C2 is updated periodically, and when a game ball wins a prize at the winning openings 33a, 33b, specifically, at the timing when the game balls flowing into the ball entry parts 33d, 33e are detected by the detection sensors 211c, 211d, they are stored in the reserved ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204.

[0095] The destination for distributing the game results for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in the distribution table storage area as the distribution information group storage means in the ROM 203. And as such a distribution destination, a first type jackpot result (special game result corresponding to 16R) and a second type jackpot result (special game result corresponding to 4R) are set.

[0096] When winning the first type jackpot result and the second type jackpot result, it shifts to the opening / closing execution mode. After the opening / closing execution mode ends, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the high probability mode, and it is a jackpot result that becomes the high frequency support mode until the number of game times reaches the end reference number of times (specifically, 100 times) after the transition to the support mode. Note that after the end reference number of times (prescribed number of times) has elapsed, it shifts to the normal game state corresponding to the low probability mode and the low frequency support mode. In the following description, the game state corresponding to the high probability mode and the high frequency support mode is referred to as the high probability game state.

[0097] When the first type jackpot result is obtained, the variable winning device 32 is opened 16 times, and when the second type jackpot result is obtained, the variable winning device 32 is opened 4 times. That is, it is set such that the number of game balls that can be obtained in the opening / closing execution mode is larger for the first type jackpot result than for the second type jackpot result, and a difference in the degree of advantage is set.

[0098] In the distribution table corresponding to the first ball entry part 33d, "0 to 9" corresponds to the first type jackpot result, and "10 to 29" corresponds to the second type jackpot result. In the distribution table corresponding to the second ball entry part 33e, "0 to 19" corresponds to the first type jackpot result, and "20 to 29" corresponds to the second type jackpot result. Thus, a difference is provided so that the distribution based on the ball entry into the second ball entry part 33e is more advantageous to the player than the distribution based on the ball entry into the first ball entry part 33d.

[0099] The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically, and when a game ball wins at the operation openings 33a and 33b, specifically, at the timing when the game balls flowing into the ball entry parts 33d and 33e are detected by the detection sensors 211c and 211d, they are stored in the reserved ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204. Then, it is determined whether to generate a reach based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 203. However, in a game round in which the open / close execution mode is shifted to, the MPU 202 determines whether to generate a reach regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Note that the number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the generation of the reach display may be the same in each game state, or may be individually set according to each game state. For example, when the support mode is the high-frequency support mode, the number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the generation of the reach display may be set to be larger than that in the low-frequency support mode.

[0100] Here, the reach display (reach state) refers to a display state in a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device 41 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of symbols (patterns), and in a game round in which the open / close execution mode of the variable winning device 32 becomes the high-frequency winning mode, the stop display result after the variable display becomes a special display result. It is a display state that makes the player think that it is a variable display state in which the special display result is likely to occur in the stage before the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display (or variable display) of the symbols (patterns) in the symbol display device 41 is started.

[0101] In other words, by stopping the display of symbols for some of the symbol columns displayed on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41, a combination of reach symbols that has a possibility of forming a jackpot symbol combination corresponding to the occurrence of the high-frequency winning mode is displayed, and in this state, the symbols are variably displayed in the remaining symbol columns. This is the display state.

[0102] More specifically, as a stage before ending the variable display of symbols, a reach line is formed by stopping the display of a combination of reach symbols that has a possibility of forming a jackpot symbol combination corresponding to the occurrence of the high-frequency winning mode on a preset effective line within the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41, and the symbols are variably displayed by the final stop symbol column in the situation where the reach line is formed.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 7, the display mode in the case of the above reach display will be exemplified. In the case of the reach display, first, the variable display of symbols in the upper symbol column Z1 is ended (stopped), and further, in the state where the variable display of symbols in the lower symbol column Z3 is ended (stopped), a reach line is formed by the main symbol with the same number being stopped and displayed on any of the effective lines L1 to L5. Then, in the situation where the reach line is formed, a reach display is achieved by performing variable display of symbols in the middle symbol column Z2. And when the high-frequency winning mode occurs, the variable display of symbols in the middle symbol column Z2 is ended so that the main symbol with the same number as the main symbol forming the reach line is stopped and displayed on the reach line.

[0104] In addition, for the reach display, while displaying the combination of reach symbols as described above, variable display of symbols is performed in the remaining symbol columns, and a reach effect is produced by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a video on the background screen. There are also those that perform a reach effect by reducing or hiding the combination of reach symbols and then displaying a predetermined character or the like as a video over substantially the entire display screen. Also, when determining whether to perform a precursor display or the like using a predetermined image such as a predetermined character during or before the reach display, a reach random number counter C3 or other counters may be used.

[0105] The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 198). The variation type counter CS is used in the MPU202 to determine the variable display time in the main display unit 43 and the variable display time in the variable display area ME and the special display area OE of the symbol display device 41. The variation type counter CS is updated once each time the normal process described later is executed, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of symbol variation by the symbol display device 41.

[0106] When determining the variable display time in the symbol display device 41 or the main display unit 43 (specifically, the result display unit for the operation port), the buffer values of the reach random number counter C3 and the variation type counter CS, and the display time table storage area 223 of the ROM203 are referred to. Also, in the MPU202, the stop result in the result display unit for the operation port is determined using the values of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. When making this determination, the stop result determination table stored in the ROM203 is used.

[0107] The electric accessory opening counter C4 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within the range of, for example, 0 to 199, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 199). The electric accessory opening counter C4 is updated periodically and is stored in the electric accessory reserved area 233 of the RAM 204 at the timing when a game ball wins in the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is conducted to determine whether to control the electric accessory 34 to the open state based on the value of the stored electric accessory opening counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 99, the electric accessory 34 is controlled to the open state, and if C4 = 100 to 199, the electric accessory 34 is not controlled to the open state.

[0108] (Regarding various processes executed by the main control device 81) Next, the timer interrupt process and the normal process executed by the MPU 202 in the main control device 81 to advance the game in each game round will be described. In addition to the above-mentioned timer interrupt process and normal process, the MPU 202 executes a main process that is started when the power is turned on and an NMI interrupt process that is started by the input of a power failure signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal), but the description of these various processes will be omitted.

[0109] <Timer interrupt process> First, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the timer interrupt process will be described. This process is periodically started by the MPU 202 (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec).

[0110] In step S101, a reading process of various winning detection sensors is executed. That is, the states of various winning detection sensors connected to the main control device 81 are read, the states of the winning detection sensors are determined, and detection information (winning detection information) is stored.

[0111] Thereafter, in step S102, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value, it is cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 204.

[0112] In the subsequent step S103, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach the maximum value, they are each cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 204.

[0113] In the subsequent step S104, the through prize process associated with winning in the through gate 35 is executed. In the through prize process, it is determined whether a through prize detection flag for the through gate is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. If the flag is stored, then on the condition that the number of accessory hold memories stored in the electric accessory hold area is less than 4, the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 updated in the step S103 is stored in the electric accessory hold area. Also, a process for lighting the hold lamp section 47 of the variable display unit 36 corresponding to the number of hold memories is executed for the notification and effect control device 82. And if the through prize detection flag for the through gate is stored in the various flag storage areas 235, the through prize detection flag is erased and the through prize process for the through gate is ended.

[0114] After executing the through prize process for the through gate in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, where the prize process for the operating ports is executed in association with winning in the operating ports 33a and 33b, and this timer interrupt process is ended.

[0115] <Prize process for the operating ports> Here, the prize process for the operating ports will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0116] In step S201, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered (won) the first ball entry unit 33d. If it is determined that the game ball has entered the first ball entry unit 33d, the process proceeds to step S202, and a bonus ball command for causing the payout control device 97 to pay out three game balls is set.

[0117] In the subsequent step S203, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the hall computer HC on the game hall side indicating that a game ball has entered the first ball entry unit 33d. As a result, the hall computer HC grasps that a ball has entered the first ball entry unit 33d. Thereafter, in step S204, an information acquisition process for storing each value such as the jackpot random number counter C1 and the jackpot type counter C2 is performed, and this winning process is terminated.

[0118] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the game ball has not won in the first ball entry unit 33d, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered (won) the second ball entry unit 33e. If it is determined that the game ball has entered the second ball entry unit 33e, the process proceeds to step S206, and a bonus ball command for causing the payout control device 97 to pay out four game balls is set. The bonus ball commands set in steps S202 and S206 are transmitted to the payout control device 97 in the external output process S401 of the normal process described later.

[0119] In the subsequent step S207, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the hall computer HC on the game hall side indicating that a game ball has entered the second ball entry unit 33e. As a result, the hall computer HC grasps that a ball has entered the second ball entry unit 33e. Thereafter, in step S204, an information acquisition process is performed, and this winning process is terminated.

[0120] If a negative determination is made in the process of step S205, that is, if no ball has entered either the first ball entry unit 33d or the second ball entry unit 33e, this winning process is terminated as it is.

[0121] Here, referring to FIG. 11, the information acquisition process in step S204 will be described.

[0122] <Information acquisition process> In the information acquisition process, first in step S301, it is determined whether the starting hold memory number N stored in the hold number storage area FE of the hold ball storage area 232, specifically, the starting hold memory number N related to the ball entry part that triggered the information acquisition process among the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e, is less than the upper limit value (in this embodiment, "4"). If the starting hold memory number N is the upper limit value, this information acquisition process is terminated as it is. If it is less than the upper limit value, in step S302, the starting hold memory number N of the corresponding ball entry part is incremented by 1, and in step S303, the total hold number (hereinafter referred to as the common hold number CRN) stored in the hold number storage area FE is incremented by 1.

[0123] In the subsequent step S304, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and variation type counter CS updated in step S103 are stored in the first storage area among the free storage areas of the operation port use hold area RE, that is, the storage area corresponding to the common hold number CRN incremented by 1 in step S302.

[0124] In the subsequent steps S305 and S306, the notification and effect control device 82 and the display control device 212, which are the sub - side (secondary side) control devices, are made to recognize that a winning (ball entry into the ball entry parts 33d, 33e) has occurred at the operation ports 33a, 33b, and a confirmation process for hold notification and a setting process for hold commands, which are processes for executing the hold notification described later, are executed, and this information acquisition process is terminated. Note that the hold command includes information on which ball entry part among the first ball entry part 33d and the second ball entry part 33e the winning is based on.

[0125] The hold command set in the hold command setting process of step S306 will be transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82 and the display control device 212 in the external output process (step S401) of the normal process described later. In the display control device 212, when receiving the hold command, a process is executed to change the display in the hold number display area Da described above in response to an increase in the number of holds.

[0126] Specifically, when the display control device 212 receives the command at the display control device 212 via the notification and effect control device 82, a process is executed to display (for example, add) the hold display image MP in the hold number display area Da. In the hold number display area Da, hold images are sequentially displayed from the left. For example, if the common hold number CRN is 1, the hold image is displayed in the first unit hold display area Da1 at the left end, and if the common hold number CRN is 8, the hold image is displayed in the eighth unit hold display area Da8 from the left.

[0127] <Normal Process> Next, the flow of the normal process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12. The normal process is a process that starts after the main process that is started when the power is turned on is executed, and the main processes of the game are executed in the normal process. As an overview, the processes of steps S401 to S406 are executed as periodic processes with a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processes of steps S408 and S409 are executed in the remaining time.

[0128] In the normal process, first, an external signal output process is executed in step S401. In the external signal output process of step S401, output data such as timer interrupt processing or commands set in the previous normal process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, it is determined whether there is a bonus ball command, and if the bonus ball command is set, it is transmitted to the payout control device 97. Also, when various commands such as effect commands such as variable commands, type commands, variable end commands, hold commands, and shift commands described later are set, they are transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82.

[0129] Next, in step S402, an update of the variation type counter CS is executed. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value, the counter value is cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 204.

[0130] In the subsequent step S403, a game round control process for controlling the game in each game round is executed. In this game round control process, a big win determination, setting of the variation display of symbols by the symbol display device 41, display control of the main display unit 43, etc. are performed.

[0131] After executing the game round control process in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404, and a game state transition process is executed. Although details will be described later, by this game state transition process, the game state transitions to an opening / closing execution mode, a high probability mode, and a high frequency support mode (high probability game state), etc. Note that details of the game round control process in step S403 and the game state transition process in step S404 will be described later.

[0132] In the subsequent step S405, an electric accessory support process for driving and controlling the electric accessory 34 provided in the operation port unit 33 is executed. In this electric accessory support process, an electric accessory release lottery for determining whether to set the electric accessory 34 to the open state is performed using the numerical information obtained from the electric accessory release counter C4 stored in the electric accessory reservation area 233 of the RAM 204. When the electric accessory release state is selected as the winning result, the opening / closing process of the electric accessory 34 is executed. Also, display control of the accessory display unit 44 is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the electric accessory release lottery.

[0133] As already described, as the support modes by the electric accessory 34, a low-frequency support mode and a high-frequency support mode are set, and a transition to either support mode is made in the game state transition process. When a high-frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204 through this process, the high-frequency support mode is entered, and when the flag is not set, the low-frequency support mode is entered.

[0134] In the electric accessory support process, it is determined whether it is the high-frequency support mode by determining whether the high-frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. When it is the high-frequency support mode, when the electric accessory release state is won, the number of times the electric accessory 34 becomes the release state is set to be larger than in the case of the low-frequency support mode, and the release time for one time is set to be longer. Also, when it is the high-frequency support mode, when the electric accessory release state is won and the release state of the electric accessory 34 occurs a plurality of times, the closing time from the end of one release state to the start of the next release state is set to be shorter than the release time for one time.

[0135] Incidentally, when the open / close execution mode is entered, even if the high-frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204, the support mode is forcibly set to the low-frequency support mode.

[0136] Thereafter, in step S406, the game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball launch control process, on the condition that a launch permission signal is input from the power supply / launch control device 98 (that is, a launch operation is being performed), the solenoid of the game ball launch mechanism 53 is excited once every predetermined period (for example, 0.6 sec). Thereby, the game ball is launched toward the game area PE.

[0137] In the subsequent step S407, it is determined whether the execution timing of the next normal process has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. And within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process arrives, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS is repeatedly executed.

[0138] That is, in step S408, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when its counter value reaches the maximum value, it is cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding area of the RAM204. Also, in step S409, the update of the variation type counter CS is executed. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach the maximum value, they are cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding area of the RAM204.

[0139] Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S401 to S406 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process arrives varies and is not constant. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using such remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big win random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the variation type counter CS can also be randomly updated.

[0140] <Game turn control process> Next, the game turn control process of step S403 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 to 16 and the like.

[0141] In the game round control process, first, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, it is determined in step S501 whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode. If it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the game round control process ends without executing any of the processes after step S502, that is, the game round start processing from step S503 to step S506 and the game round progress processing from step S507 to step S510.

[0142] If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, it is determined in step S502 whether the result display section for the operation port of the main display section 43 is in variable display. If the result display section for the operation port is not in variable display, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, it is determined whether the confirmation display in the result display section for the operation port of the main display section 43 has ended. That is, after the above variable display ends, the result display continues for a predetermined period. If this confirmation display has ended, an affirmative determination is made in step S503 and the game round control process ends. That is, the start of the next game round is restricted during the confirmation display.

[0143] If negative determinations are made in both step S502 and step S503, the process proceeds to the game round start processing from step S504 to step S506. In the game round start processing, first, it is determined in step S504 whether the total number of start-retained balls (common retained number CRN) is "0". The case where the common retained number CRN is "0" means that there is no retained information stored in the retained ball storage area 232. Therefore, the game round control process ends as it is.

[0144] On the other hand, if the common retained number CRN is not "0", a data setting process for setting the data stored in the retained area RE of the retained ball storage area 232 for variable display is executed in step S505, and after a variable start process for starting the variable display on the main display section 43 and the variable display on the symbol display device 41 is executed in step S506, the game round control process ends.

[0145] Here, the data setting process in step S505 and the variation start process in step S506 will be described in detail. First, the data setting process in step S505 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 14.

[0146] <Data Setting Process> In the data setting process, first, in step S601, the starting reservation storage number N stored in the reservation number storage area FE and the common reservation number CRN that are the targets of the current setting process are decremented by 1. In the subsequent step S602, the data stored in the first area Ra1 of the reservation area RE is moved to the execution area AE.

[0147] Thereafter, in step S603, a process of shifting the data (i.e., reservation information) stored in each area Ra1 to Ra8 of the reservation area RE is executed. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the first area Ra1 to the eighth area Ra8 to the lower area side, clearing the data in the first area Ra1, and shifting the data in the second area Ra2 to the first area Ra1, the data in the third area Ra3 to the second area Ra2, the data in the fourth area Ra4 to the third area Ra3, the data in the fifth area Ra5 to the fourth area Ra4, the data in the sixth area Ra6 to the fifth area Ra5, the data in the seventh area Ra7 to the sixth area Ra6, and the data in the eighth area Ra8 to the seventh area Ra7.

[0148] In the subsequent step S604, a shift command, which is information for causing the notification and effect control device 82 to recognize that the data in the reservation area has been shifted, is set. Thereafter, this data setting process is terminated. The shift command set in step S604 is transmitted to the display control device 212 via the notification and effect control device 82 in step S401 in the normal process (FIG. 12). In the display control device 212, upon receiving the shift command, a process for changing the display in the reservation number display area Da for the operation port in correspondence with the decrease in the number of reservations is executed.

[0149] <Variation Start Process> Next, the variation start process in step S506 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15.

[0150] In the variation start process, first, in step S701, an acceptance / rejection determination process for determining whether the reservation information referred to in the current variation start process corresponds to a jackpot win is executed. Specifically, information for jackpot determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, information obtained from the information updated by the jackpot random number counter C1 is grasped. Then, when the acceptance / rejection lottery mode is the low probability mode, referring to the acceptance / rejection table for the low probability mode stored in the acceptance / rejection table storage area 221 of the ROM203, it is specified whether the grasped information is included in the information corresponding to the jackpot win. When the acceptance / rejection lottery mode is the high probability mode, referring to the acceptance / rejection table for the high probability mode stored in the acceptance / rejection table storage area 221 of the ROM203, it is specified whether the grasped information is included in the information corresponding to the jackpot win.

[0151] In the subsequent step S702, it is determined whether the result of the acceptance / rejection determination process in step S701 is a result corresponding to a jackpot win. If it is a result corresponding to a jackpot win, the type determination process is executed in step S703.

[0152] In the type determination process, information for type determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, information obtained from the information updated by the jackpot type counter C2 is grasped. Also, referring to the distribution table stored in the distribution table storage area 222 of the ROM203, it is specified whether the grasped information for type determination is included in the information corresponding to the first type jackpot result. Specifically, when the reservation information corresponds to the ball entry into the first ball entry part 33d, the distribution table for the first ball entry part 33d is referred to. When the reservation information corresponds to the ball entry into the second ball entry part 33e, the distribution table for the second ball entry part 33e is referred to for type determination.

[0153] In the subsequent step S704, it is determined whether the type of the current jackpot win is a first type jackpot result based on the information specified in the type determination process in step S703. If it is a first type jackpot result, the stop result setting process for the first type jackpot is executed in step S705. If it is not a first type jackpot result, the stop result setting process for the second type jackpot is executed in step S706. Also, if it is determined in step S702 that there is no jackpot win, the stop result setting process for when losing is executed in step S707.

[0154] In each of the stop result setting processes from step S705 to step S707, the information on the pattern mode to be finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 43 is specified by referring to the stop result table stored in the stop result table storage area of the ROM203, and the specified information is stored in the RAM204. Also, in step S705 and step S706, information (first type jackpot flag or second type jackpot flag) for the MPU202 to specify that the win / loss determination result of the current game round is a jackpot result is stored in the various flag storage area 235 of the RAM204.

[0155] After executing any of the processes from step S705 to step S707, in step S708, the setting process for the variable display time for performing the variable display is executed. In the subsequent step S709, the variable command and the type command are set. The variable command includes information on the presence or absence of a jackpot, the presence or absence of a reach occurrence, and the variable display time. Also, the type command includes information on the game result. That is, the type command includes information on the game result such as the information on the first type jackpot result, the information on the second type jackpot result, and the information on the losing result.

[0156] The variable command and the type command set in step S709 are transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82 in step S401 of the normal process (Figure 12). Based on the received variable command and type command, the notification and effect control device 82 determines the light emission pattern of the display lamp unit 63 and the sound output pattern from the speaker unit 64 in that game round, and controls the display lamp unit 63 and the speaker unit 64 so that the determined effect content is executed. Further, the notification and effect control device 82 transmits the variable command and the type command to the display control device 212 while maintaining their information forms. Based on the received variable command and type command, the display control device 212 grasps the variable display pattern on the symbol display device 41 in that game round, and controls the display of the symbol display device 41 so that the grasped variable display pattern is executed. After that, after starting the variable display of the picture pattern in the operation port display part of the main display part 43 in step S710, this variable start process is ended.

[0157] Returning to the explanation of the game round control process (Figure 13), when the main display part 43 is in the variable display state, the game round progress processes of steps S507 to S510 are executed. In the game round progress process, first, in step S507, it is determined whether the variable display time of the current game round has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether the value of the variable display time information stored in the variable display time counter area of the RAM 204 has become "0". As described above, the value of the variable display time information is set in the variable display time setting process (Figure 17). Also, each time the timer interrupt process (Figure 9) is activated, the value of the set variable display time information is decremented (subtracted) by 1.

[0158] If the variable display time has not elapsed, the variable display process is executed in step S508. In the variable display process, the display mode in the main display part 43 is changed. After that, this game round control process is ended.

[0159] When the variable display time has elapsed, the confirmation display process is executed in step S509. The confirmation display process is for causing the pattern on the main display unit 43 to be confirmed and displayed based on the stop result set by any one of the processes in steps S705 to S707 described above. After the execution of step S509, this game round control process ends. Note that the details of the confirmation display process in step S509 will be described later.

[0160] <Game state transition process> Next, the game state transition process in step S404 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 16.

[0161] In the game state transition process, first, in step S801, it is determined whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode. If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S802, and it is determined whether it is the timing when the variable display → confirmation display in the main display unit 43 (specifically, the result display unit for the operation port) for one game round has ended. If it is not the timing when the confirmation display has ended, this game state transition process ends as it is.

[0162] On the other hand, if it is the timing when the confirmation display has ended, in step S803, it is determined whether the game result of this game round corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether the first type jackpot flag or the second type jackpot flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. If none of the above flags are stored, this game state transition process ends as it is.

[0163] When any of the above flags is stored, in step S804, opening process is executed. In the opening process, the opening time at the start of the opening / closing execution mode is set. Then, in step S805, a value determined according to the jackpot type, specifically "16" in the case of the first type jackpot and "4" in the case of the second type jackpot, is set in the round counter area RC provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM 204. The round counter area RC is a counter area for counting the number of times the big winning opening 32a has been opened. After that, this game state transition process ends.

[0164] On the other hand, when it is in the opening / closing execution mode, an affirmative determination is made in step S801 and the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, the big winning opening opening / closing process is executed. In the big winning opening opening / closing process, when the big winning opening 32a is closed, the variable winning drive unit 32c is driven to open the big winning opening 32a on the condition that the round counter area RC is "1" or more. Also, when the big winning opening 32a is open, the driving state of the variable winning drive unit 32c is stopped and the big winning opening 32a is closed on the condition that a predetermined time (30 sec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the opening of the big winning opening 32a or a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have won.

[0165] In the subsequent step S807, it is determined whether the value of the round counter area RC is "0". If the value of the round counter area RC is not "0", this game state transition process ends as it is. If the value of the round counter area RC is "0", in step S808, the transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode is executed.

[0166] In the transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode is set to the high-probability mode, and the support mode is set to the high-frequency support mode. Note that these high-probability mode and high-frequency support mode end when the number of game rounds continues for a specified number of times (100 times) or when a big win is won during the specified number of times, and then, the game transitions to the normal game state where the win / loss lottery mode is the low-probability mode and the support mode is the low-frequency support mode.

[0167] After that, in step S809, after executing the end process of the opening / closing execution mode, this game state transition process ends. In the end process of the opening / closing execution mode, the big win flag stored in the various flag storage area 235 is erased, and a process for outputting an ending command as a command indicating that the opening / closing execution mode has ended to the notification / performance control device 82 is performed.

[0168] The notification / performance control device 82 displays a video (ending movie) indicating that the opening / closing execution mode has ended based on this ending command. This video includes information indicating that the opening / closing execution mode has ended and the game has transitioned to the high-probability game state.

[0169] In the present embodiment, a device is provided to suppress the monotony of the game progress by changing the game progress speed according to the game situation. Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17, the setting process of the variable display time shown in step S708 (see FIG. 15) will be described.

[0170] <Variable display time setting process> In the variable display time setting process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the win / loss lottery has been won. Specifically, it is determined whether either the first special big win flag or the second special big win flag is stored in the various flag storage area 235 of the RAM204.

[0171] If a negative determination is made in step S901, that is, if the result of the above pass / fail lottery is a losing result, the process proceeds to step S902. In step S902, it is determined whether a reach display occurs on the symbol display device 41 in the current game turn. Specifically, if the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the execution area AE is a value corresponding to the occurrence of a reach, an affirmative determination is made in step S902 as the occurrence of a reach display. When specifying the presence or absence of a reach occurrence using the value of the reach random number counter C3, the reach determination table stored in the reach determination table storage area 225 of the ROM203 is referred to.

[0172] If an affirmative determination is made in either step S901 or step S902, the process proceeds to step S903, where the variable display time information corresponding to the value of the current variation type counter CS and the like is obtained by referring to the reach occurrence variable display time table stored in the display time table storage area 223 of the ROM203. Subsequently, in step S904, the variable display time information is set in the variable display time counter area (variable display time measuring means) provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM204. Then, this setting process is terminated.

[0173] That is, in the present embodiment, a reach display is executed when the result of the pass / fail lottery is a big win winning result, or when the result of the pass / fail lottery is a losing result and the lottery for reach occurrence is won.

[0174] Here, for the reach display, a normal reach display and a super reach display with different variable display modes are provided. In the reach occurrence variable display time table, variable display time information corresponding to each of the normal reach display and the super reach display is set. By referring to the table, the variable display time information corresponding to each reach display is obtained. Regarding the determination of the type of reach display, a table in which the type of reach display corresponds to the value of the variation type counter CS is provided. By referring to the table, the reach display corresponding to the value of the current variation type counter CS is determined.

[0175] More specifically, the variable display time table for reach occurrence corresponds to the type of jackpot. Specifically, in the case of the first type of jackpot result, the variable display time is set so that a specific symbol combination can be stopped and displayed, and in the case of the second type of jackpot result, the variable display time is set so that a non-specific symbol combination can be stopped and displayed. Incidentally, the variable display time table for reach occurrence to be referred to is common in both the normal game state and the high-probability game state.

[0176] Returning to the description of step S902, if a negative determination is made in step S902, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, it is determined whether the game state is the high-probability game state. If an affirmative determination is made in step S905, the process proceeds to step S906, where the variable display time corresponding to the value of the current variable type counter CS is obtained by referring to the variable display time table for non-reach occurrence corresponding to the high-probability game state stored in the display time table storage area 223, and the variable display time information is set in the variable display time counter area in step S906. Then, this setting process ends.

[0177] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S905, the process proceeds to step S907, where the variable display time corresponding to the value of the current variable type counter CS is obtained by referring to the variable display time table for non-reach occurrence corresponding to the normal game state stored in the display time table storage area 223, and the variable display time information is set in the variable display time counter area in step S906. Then, this setting process ends.

[0178] In this embodiment, the variable display time information when a reach does not occur is set to, for example, 8 seconds. Further, the variable display time information when a reach does not occur is set such that the variable display time becomes shorter as the number of common holds CRN increases. Specifically, when the number of holds is 3 or more, it is set to a time shorter than 8 seconds (for example, 4 seconds) (hold number time shortening function). Furthermore, when the high-probability gaming state (the support mode is the high-frequency support mode) is established, the variable display time table for when a reach does not occur is set such that a shorter variable display time is selected compared to when the normal gaming state (the support mode is the low-frequency support mode) is established and the number of hold information is the same.

[0179] As described above, the variable display time for each game turn is determined using parameters such as the presence or absence of a reach, the type of reach display, the number of stored hold information (the number of subsequent hold information), and the value of the variable type counter CS (the so-called time shortening function). However, the variable display time for each game turn is determined without using as parameters the content of other hold information, specifically, the jackpot determination information, type determination information, and reach determination information included in other hold information.

[0180] In recent pachinko machines, there are some in which the number of prize balls related to the ball entry section with an electric accessory is set to be "3" or more. In this type of gaming machine, since the electric accessory picks up a large number of game balls, more benefits than expected can be given to the player. Therefore, in order to avoid such an event, the opening time and the like in the high-frequency winning mode are suppressed so that the ball entry to the electric accessory does not become excessive, and accordingly, the degree of shortening of the variable display time per game turn is determined. That is, suppressing the occurrence of ball entry is a factor that hinders the shortening of the variable display time. Also, in such a configuration, it is possible to increase the number of balls in hand in the high-probability gaming state by performing the launch of game balls in accordance with the release of the electric accessory by means of technical intervention such as so-called stopping. If such an action becomes easy, there is a concern that the function of improving the digestion speed will not be utilized well and the game will not proceed speedily.

[0181] In this embodiment, as already described, the number of prize balls based on the entry into the second ball entry section 33e is set to "1". By setting the number of prize balls for "1" entry to "1", even if the opening time of the electric accessory 34 is set to more than twice the time of a conventional gaming machine (approximately "6 seconds" in this embodiment) so as to be almost always open, it is possible to avoid giving the player a privilege exceeding the above assumption. That is, even if most of the launched game balls enter the electric accessory 34 → the second ball entry section 33e, the above-mentioned inconvenience does not occur. Therefore, the above-mentioned time reduction function can be preferably exhibited, and an improvement in the digestion speed of the hold in the high-probability gaming state is realized.

[0182] Here, in this embodiment, the effect related to the hold notice that suggests the content of the hold information stored in the hold ball storage area 232 of the RAM 204 is configured to be executed before the game turn related to the hold information starts. The effect corresponding to the hold information that has not yet been the subject of the lottery is executed at a timing before the game turn related to the hold information. According to such a configuration, not only the game of confirming the lottery result of the hold information corresponding to the currently ongoing game turn, but also the game of confirming or predicting the result when the hold information that will be the subject of the lottery later becomes the subject of the lottery according to the content of the above effect is added, and the diversification of the game is achieved. Thereby, the degree of attention to the game can be increased.

[0183] <Regarding the hold notice> Next, the flow of the hold notice will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 18. The hold notice is performed using the determined display time in a game turn before the game turn (specific game turn) that is the subject of the hold notice. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18(a1) and (a2), after the variable display of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41 ends, as shown in FIG. 18(a3), a plurality of effect images (bubble images) imitating bubbles are configured to be displayed rising from the lower end of the display screen 41a.

[0184] This bubble image is an opaque or translucent display image, and is displayed in front of the symbols in a state where the symbols in each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are stopped and displayed. Therefore, when the bubble image passes in front of the symbols, the symbols will be hidden behind the bubble image. However, the passing area of the bubble image does not overlap with the display part KP in the special display area OE, or even if it overlaps, it is a small amount, and the visibility of the display part KP is not hindered or is less likely to be hindered by the bubble image.

[0185] This preview display effect is executed over a plurality of game rounds before a specific game round. Specifically, the number of times the preview effect is executed is set to 2 times, and it is performed in each game round starting from the game round two before the specific game round. That is, as shown in FIGS. 18(a1) to (a3), after displaying the bubble image in the confirmed display in the game round two before, as shown in FIGS. 18(a4) to (a6), the bubble image is similarly displayed in the confirmed display in the next game round.

[0186] And, as shown in FIGS. 18(a7) to (a10), in the specific game round, the symbols in each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are stopped and displayed with a stop result corresponding to the result of the win / loss determination. At that time, in the confirmed display of the specific game round, the bubble image as a hold preview is not displayed. Note that FIG. 18 shows a case where, as the specific game round, after the start of variation of each symbol column Z1 to Z3, a jackpot result or a non-winning reach result is notified via a reach effect.

[0187] As a process related to the hold preview, a confirmation process for hold preview (step S305 in FIG. 11) is set, and this process is configured to be executed as part of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 9), specifically, as part of the prize winning process for the operation port (FIG. 10), more specifically, as part of the information acquisition process in step S204. That is, the confirmation process for hold preview is configured to be executed based on winning in the operation ports 33a and 33b. Hereinafter, the confirmation process for hold preview will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19.

[0188] <Confirmation Process for Hold Preview> In the confirmation process for reservation notice, in step S1001, the starting reservation storage number N stored in the reservation number storage area FE of the reservation ball storage area 232 and the common reservation number CRN are read out, and the information on such reservation numbers is stored in the register of the MPU 202. Thereafter, in steps S1002 to S1006, it is confirmed whether or not the information on the jackpot win is included in the reservation information obtained by the current winning.

[0189] Specifically, first in step S1002, among the reservation information obtained in step S304 (FIG. 11) based on the current winning for the operating ports 33a and 33b, the information for jackpot determination, that is, the value of the acquired jackpot random number counter C1 is grasped.

[0190] In the subsequent step S1003, it is determined whether or not it is in the low probability mode. Specifically, by determining whether or not the high probability mode flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204, it is determined whether or not the current win / loss lottery mode is the low probability mode. If it is in the low probability mode, the process proceeds to step S1004, and by referring to the win / loss table for the low probability mode, it is specified whether or not the information for jackpot determination (the value of the jackpot random number counter C1) grasped in step S1002 is included in the information group corresponding to the jackpot win. Also, if it is in the high probability mode, the process proceeds to step S1005, and by referring to the win / loss table for the high probability mode, it is specified whether or not the information for jackpot determination (the value of the jackpot random number counter C1) grasped in step S1002 is included in the information set as the jackpot win.

[0191] After step S1004 or step S1005, the process proceeds to step S1006, and it is determined whether or not the information for jackpot determination (the value of the jackpot random number counter C1) grasped in step S1002 corresponds to the jackpot win. If it corresponds to the jackpot win, in step S1007, the jackpot information is stored in the register of the MPU 202, and the confirmation process for this reservation notice is terminated as it is.

[0192] In the process of step S1007, based on the current winning, the information for jackpot type determination among the hold information obtained in step S304 above, that is, the value of the acquired jackpot type counter C2, is grasped, and the jackpot type is determined by referring to the distribution table. Therefore, the information stored in the register of the MPU202 in step S1007 will include information related to the jackpot type (such as whether it is a normal jackpot or a sure-change jackpot).

[0193] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1006, the process proceeds to step S1008. In step S1008, based on the current winning to the operating ports 33a and 33b, the information for off-reach determination among the hold information obtained in step S304 above, that is, the value of the acquired reach random number counter C3, is grasped.

[0194] In the subsequent step S1009, by referring to the reach determination table (reach determination information group) stored in the reach determination table storage area (reach determination information group storage means) 225 of the ROM203, it is specified whether the reach determination information (the value of the reach random number counter C3) grasped in step S1008 is included in the information set as a reach win.

[0195] After executing the process of step S1009, the process proceeds to step S1010, and it is determined whether the reach determination information (the value of the reach random number counter C3) grasped in step S1008 corresponds to the occurrence of a reach. If it corresponds to the occurrence of a reach, in step S1011, after storing the reach occurrence information in the register of the MPU202, this confirmation process ends. On the other hand, if it does not correspond to the occurrence of a reach, this confirmation process ends as it is.

[0196] The jackpot information and reach occurrence information stored in the register of the MPU202 in steps S1007 and S1011 are referred to in the setting process of the hold command in step S306 in the information acquisition process (Figure 11), and in this setting process, the hold command is set so as to include information regarding the presence or absence of a jackpot or reach occurrence and the jackpot type.

[0197] Here, in the present embodiment, a configuration is provided in which, in association with the result specified by the confirmation process for the reservation notice, the confirmation display time when the pattern is confirmed and displayed on the main display unit 43 is set. That is, when executing the above reservation notice, the length of the confirmation display time is changed in order to secure the period (production period) during which the above bubble image is displayed. Therefore, hereinafter, first, the confirmation display time will be described, and then, specific control processing for changing the confirmation display time will be described.

[0198] <Regarding the confirmation display time> As shown in FIG. 20, in the game round on the main display unit 43, the variable display of the pattern is started based on the execution of the win / loss lottery, and then, the pattern that has been variably displayed is confirmed and displayed in a manner corresponding to the result of the win / loss lottery once. That is, a game round consists of the variable display of the pattern and the confirmation display of the pattern that has been variably displayed.

[0199] Here, the confirmation display of the pattern is not completed by the end of the variable display, but is completed by continuously displaying the pattern in a manner corresponding to the result of the win / loss lottery for a predetermined confirmation display time. This is for ensuring the time for the player to recognize the game result and clarifying the boundary with the subsequent game rounds.

[0200] For this reason, the start of the next game round (variable display) after the start of the variable display of the pattern occurs after the elapse of the variable display time, which is the actual execution period of the game round, and further after the elapse of the confirmation display time, which is the standby period. Hereinafter, the period from the start of the variable display to the start of the next game round, that is, the total period of the execution period and the standby period of the game round, is referred to as the "game time related to one game round". Incidentally, the reason for using "confirmation" is based on the fact that the stop display during the above confirmation display time is performed as a display of a definite stop result with the display content (pattern) remaining unchanged.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 20, in this embodiment, the confirmation display time is divided into a first confirmation display time and a second confirmation display time. Specifically, from the start of the confirmation display time to the middle of the confirmation display time is the first confirmation display time, and the remaining time until the end of the confirmation display time is the second confirmation display time. The first confirmation display time has its length set based on the specific result identified in the above-mentioned confirmation process for the hold notice. The types of lengths as the first confirmation display time include a normal time for normal use, a special time longer than the normal time, and a short-time use time shorter than the normal time. On the other hand, the second confirmation display time is set to a time length determined in advance regardless of the above-mentioned specific result.

[0202] On the main display unit 43, the same pattern continues to be stopped and displayed during both the first confirmation display time and the second confirmation display time. That is, the pattern that has been stopped and displayed as the stop result continues to be displayed even after the first confirmation display time has elapsed, and the stop display ends when the second confirmation display time has elapsed. At that time, if there is hold information that has not yet been the subject of the lottery, a variable display of the pattern is started after the second confirmation display time has elapsed. Conversely, if there is no hold information that has not yet been the subject of the lottery, the stopped display state continues as it is even after the second confirmation display time has elapsed.

[0203] In the following description, in order to distinguish the confirmation display performed at the first confirmation display time from the confirmation display performed at the second confirmation display time, the former may be referred to as the "first confirmation display" and the latter as the "second confirmation display".

[0204] Next, the control process for changing the confirmation display time will be described. In this embodiment, a confirmation display process (step S509 in FIG. 13) is set as this process. This process is executed in the game round control process (FIG. 13) set as a part of the normal process (FIG. 12), and is configured to be executed at the start of the confirmation display. Hereinafter, the confirmation display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 21.

[0205] <Confirmation display process> In the confirmation display process, first, at step S1101, it is determined whether the result display section for the operation port of the main display section 43 is in the second confirmation display. If it is not in the second confirmation display, then at step S1102, it is determined whether the result display section for the operation port of the main display section 43 is in the first confirmation display.

[0206] If a negative determination is made at step S1102, it means that the confirmation display has not started on the main display section 43. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1103, and the stop start process for starting the first confirmation display is executed. Here, the stop start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22.

[0207] In the stop start process, first, at step S1201, it is determined whether a special setting flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The special setting flag is set when the first confirmation display time is set to a special time for reservation notice.

[0208] If a negative determination is made at step S1201, then at step S1202, it is determined whether a special setting flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The special setting flag is set when the first confirmation display time should be set to a special time.

[0209] If a negative determination is made in step S1202, then in step S1203, it is determined whether the subsequent hold information stored in the hold ball storage area 232 corresponds to a jackpot or a reach occurrence. Here, all the hold information acquired after this step is executed at the timing of the confirmed display in the previous game round is targeted. The process of step S1203 is performed with reference to the information stored in the register of the MPU 202, that is, the result of the above-mentioned confirmation process for hold notification. Specifically, in the register, it is determined whether jackpot occurrence information (step S1007) or reach occurrence information (step S1011) is stored as corresponding to the subsequent hold information. If any of these pieces of information is stored, an affirmative determination is made, and if none of them are stored, a negative determination is made.

[0210] If an affirmative determination is made in step S1203, the process proceeds to step S1204, and a process of grasping the execution count DN is executed. The execution count DN indicates the number of times the first confirmed display time is set to a special time. Here, the process of grasping the execution count DN will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23(a).

[0211] In the process of grasping the execution count DN, first, in step S1301, the common hold count CRN stored in the hold count storage area FE is read out to grasp the common hold count CRN. The common hold count CRN in this case is not the one at that time, but the common hold count when hold information (special hold information) corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurrence is stored. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 23(b), after the timing tA which is the previous setting timing, winnings occur at the timings tB and tC to the winning ports 33a, 33b, and assuming that the hold information stored at the earlier timing tB is special hold information, in the above step S1301, the common hold count CRN of 2 at the timing tB is grasped.

[0212] After the execution of step S1301, in step S1302, the grasped common hold count CRN is compared with the set count AN (2 times in this embodiment) set in advance as the number of times of hold notice execution, and it is determined whether the common hold count CRN is greater than or equal to the set count AN.

[0213] When an affirmative determination is made in step S1302 (for example, when the common hold count CRN is 4), in step S1303, the set count AN is set as the execution count DN as it is. On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S1302 (for example, when the common hold CRN is 1), in step S1304, the common hold count CRN is set as the execution count DN instead of the set count AN. In this way, when the common hold count CRN is less than the set count AN, by reducing the number of execution counts DN according to the number of common hold counts CRN, it becomes possible to execute the hold notice even if the common hold count CRN is less than the set count AN.

[0214] Returning to the description of the start / stop processing (Figure 22), after grasping the execution count DN in step S1204, in the subsequent step S1205, within the range of the execution count DN, it is determined whether there is anything corresponding to a big hit or a reach occurring in the hold information before the special hold information. Also in this step, similar to the case of step S1203 above, it is performed with reference to the information stored in the register of the MPU202, that is, the result of the confirmation process for the hold notice.

[0215] In this step, for example, when the number of executions DN is 2, the specific results (results of the confirmation process for reservation notice) regarding the reservation information for the previous two times before the special reservation information are referred to, and it is determined whether there is anything corresponding to a jackpot or a reach among those reservation information. If there is even one piece of reservation information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach among them, a negative determination is made. Conversely, if there is no reservation information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach in any of them, an affirmative determination is made. Incidentally, this step is provided to prevent a game round of a jackpot or a reach unrelated to the reservation notice from occurring during the execution of the reservation notice. Thereby, the correlation between the reservation notice and the game round can be clarified, and it becomes possible to easily convey the production intention of the reservation notice to the player.

[0216] When a negative determination is made in step S1205, in step S1206, a lottery is conducted to determine whether to set the first confirmed display time to a special time. That is, on the condition that a specific game round corresponding to a jackpot or a non-winning reach is pending and there is no game round corresponding to a jackpot or a non-winning reach in the game rounds before the specific game round within the range of the number of executions DN, the lottery determines whether to execute the reservation notice.

[0217] Specifically, the lottery for determining whether to execute the reservation notice is conducted by referring to the lottery table stored in the ROM203. The lottery table is roughly classified into a lottery table corresponding to a jackpot, which is referred to when the triggered reservation information corresponds to a jackpot, a lottery table corresponding to a non-winning normal reach, which is referred to when the triggered reservation information corresponds to a non-winning normal reach, and a lottery table corresponding to a non-winning super reach, which is referred to when the triggered reservation information corresponds to a non-winning super reach. Thereby, for example, the appearance probability of the reservation notice can be varied according to the content corresponding to the reservation information, such as the execution frequency of the reservation notice increasing in the order of non-winning normal reach, non-winning super reach, and jackpot. As the lottery value used for the above determination of whether to execute, an existing counter value such as the jackpot random number counter C1 may be used, or a dedicated counter value for the determination of whether to execute may be provided.

[0218] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, since the main control device 81 determines the approval or disapproval of the reservation notice as described above, the sub-control devices such as the notification / display control device 82 and the display control device 212 do not execute processes such as approval / disapproval determination related to the reservation notice.

[0219] If it is determined in step S1207 that the lottery for approval or disapproval is won, the process proceeds to step S1208, and the execution count counter DC is set in the execution count counter area provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM 204. Here, the execution count DN is set as the value of the execution count counter DC. The execution count counter DC is a counter for counting the number of executions with the first confirmation display time set as a special time.

[0220] In the subsequent step S1209, the standby count counter WC is set in the standby count counter area provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM 204. When the common reservation number CRN is larger than the execution count DN, it is necessary to wait for the special setting of the confirmation display time. The standby count counter WC is a counter for counting the number of game rounds during that standby. In this step, the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the execution count DN from the common reservation number CRN is set as the value of the standby count counter WC.

[0221] After the execution of step S1209, in step S1210, a special setting flag is set (stored) in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. In the subsequent step S1211, it is determined whether the value of the standby count counter WC is 0. If the determination in step S1211 is affirmative, in step S1212, a special setting in progress flag is set in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204.

[0222] In the subsequent step S1213, "750" (equivalent to 1.5 seconds) is set in the first confirmed display time counter area provided in various counter areas 234 of the RAM 204. The count value set here is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt process is activated, that is, at a 2 msec cycle. As a result, the first confirmed display time is set to 1.5 seconds as a special period.

[0223] As described above, in this embodiment, at the start of the confirmed display, it is determined whether or not reservation information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach has been specified in the confirmation process for reservation notice, and based on the determination result, the first confirmed display time of the confirmed display is set. Thereby, when reservation information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurs during the variable display, the result can be quickly reflected in the confirmed display time of the confirmed display.

[0224] After the execution of step S1213, in step S1214, the value of the execution count counter DC is decremented by 1 and updated.

[0225] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1211, that is, if the value of the standby count counter WC is not 0, then in step S1215, the value of the standby count counter WC is decremented by 1 and updated. In the subsequent step S1216, it is determined whether or not the common reservation number CRN stored in the reservation number storage area FE is equal to or greater than a predetermined value K set in advance as the time shortening setting number. The time shortening setting number K is for shortening the first confirmed display time based on the common reservation number CRN, and in this embodiment, it is set to the same 3 as the setting number for variable display.

[0226] If a negative determination is made in step S1216, then in step S1217, "100" (equivalent to 0.2 sec) is set in the first confirmed display time counter area provided in each counter area 234 of the RAM 204. As a result, the first confirmed display time is set to 0.2 sec as the normal time. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1216, then in step S1218, "0" (equivalent to 0 sec) is set in the above-mentioned first confirmed display time counter area. As a result, the first confirmed display time is set to 0 sec as the time-saving time.

[0227] After the execution of steps S1214, S1217, and S1218, in step S1219, the confirmed display (first confirmed display) of the pattern is started in the operation port display section of the main display section 43, and then the current stop start processing is terminated.

[0228] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in steps S1203 and S1207 and an affirmative determination is made in step S1205, then the process proceeds to step S1216, and the first confirmed display time is set to either the normal time or the time-saving time based on the common reserved number CRN.

[0229] Also, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1202, that is, when only the special setting flag among the special setting flag and the special setting use flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204, it means that it is during the standby period to set the first confirmed display time to a special time in a later game round. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1211 to determine whether the standby has been completed, and the processes after step S1212 or the processes after step S1215 are executed according to the result.

[0230] In this way, when a positive determination is made in step S1202, by skipping the processes of steps S1203 to S1210, while the special setting flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204, the execution of the result determination process for specifying the hold destination in step S1203 is restricted. As a result, during the standby period, even if new hold information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurs, it is suppressed from being reflected in the setting of the first fixed display time, and it becomes possible to suppress duplication and mid-course changes in the setting.

[0231] On the other hand, when a positive determination is made in step S1201, that is, when the special setting in progress flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204, the process proceeds to step S1220, and it is determined whether the value of the execution count counter DC is 0. If the value of the execution count counter DC is not 0, that is, if the number of game rounds corresponding to the execution count DN determined in steps S1303 and S1304 of FIG. 23 has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S1213, and the first fixed display time is set to the special time (1.5 sec) again. Thereby, before a specific game round starts, the first fixed display time is set to the special time in each of the game rounds corresponding to the execution count DN.

[0232] When a positive determination is made in step S1220, that is, when the number of game rounds for which the first fixed display time should be the special time has reached the execution count DN, the process proceeds to step S1221, and the special setting flag and the special setting in progress flag stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204 are deleted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1216, and the processes after step S1216 are executed. That is, when the start timing of the fixed display is reached with the value of the execution count counter DC having reached 0 (when it is the start timing of the fixed display of a specific game round), either the normal time or the time shortening time is set as the first fixed display time.

[0233] Returning to the description of the confirmation display process (Figure 21), after the execution of step S1103, a first stop display command is set in step S1104, and this confirmation display process ends. The first stop display command includes information regarding the length of the first confirmation display time. The set first stop display command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82 in the external output process (step S401) in the normal process (Figure 12).

[0234] Based on the received first stop display command, the notification and effect control device 82 determines the light emission pattern of the display lamp unit 63 and the sound output pattern from the speaker unit 64 in that game round, and controls the display lamp unit 63 and the speaker unit 64 so that the determined effect content is executed. Further, the notification and effect control device 82 transmits the first stop display command to the display control device 212 while maintaining its information form.

[0235] Based on the received first stop display command, the display control device 212 grasps the length of the first confirmation display time. Then, it controls the symbol display device 41 so that the stop display states of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP continue for the grasped length. Furthermore, based on the received first stop display command, the display control device 212 grasps the stop display timing of the symbols on the symbol display device 41 in that game round, and controls the symbol display device 41 to stop and display all the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 at that timing. Also, for the display unit KP in the special display area OE, it is controlled to start stop display based on the first stop display command.

[0236] Incidentally, in a gaming machine, when stopping and displaying the symbols in the variable display area ME of the symbol display device 41, it is common to gently stop the symbols while reducing the variable display speed, rather than abruptly stopping the symbols in the final stop column (symbol column Z2 in this embodiment). Under such circumstances, in this embodiment, for example, when the display control device 212 receives the first stop display command and is configured to start stopping the symbols in the middle symbol column Z2 (the final stop column), since it takes a deceleration time until the symbols stop, the time in the state where the symbols have stopped becomes shorter, resulting in a shortening of the substantial stop display time.

[0237] Therefore, in this embodiment, before receiving the first stop display command, the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 including the final stop column are stopped (temporarily stopped), and then, based on receiving the first stop display command, the temporarily stopped symbols are configured to be finally stopped (definitely displayed). In this case, the timing of the temporary stop is determined based on the variable display time information included in the variable command from the main control device 81, and the type of the symbols to be temporarily stopped is determined based on the type command from the main control device 81. These determinations may be made by the notification / effect control device 82 or may be made by the display control device 212.

[0238] The display modes of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 during the temporary stop are different from those during the definite display. For example, at least one of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 gently reciprocates and slightly moves, or at least a part of the characters such as octopuses (see FIG. 6) that make up the main symbols and sub-symbols moves. That is, the temporary stop is performed so as to maintain an incomplete stop state although the symbols seemingly appear to have stopped at first glance (suspended display). On the contrary, the definite display is performed without the above-mentioned reciprocating micro-movement or character movement so as to be in a complete stop state. Note that the display modes of the temporary stop and the definite display may be configured such that they are not different from each other and their identification is impossible or difficult.

[0239] On the other hand, regarding the display unit KP in the special display area OE, unlike the case of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, the display control is such that it suddenly stops from the state of variable display. This is because the modes of variable display and stop display of the display unit KP are made to match those of the picture pattern in the main display unit 43. For this reason, when viewed in relation to the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, the display unit KP continues to perform variable display while the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are in the pseudo-stop state, and when the definite display of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 starts, the display unit KP also stops displaying simultaneously.

[0240] Returning to the explanation of the definite display processing (Fig. 21), when a positive determination is made in step S1102, that is, when it is in the first definite display, it is determined in step S1105 whether or not the first definite display time set in steps S1213, S1217, and S1218 of Fig. 22 has elapsed. If the first definite display time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1106, and "250" (equivalent to 0.5 sec) is set in the first definite display time counter area provided in each counter area 234 of the RAM 204. The count value set here is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt process is activated, that is, at a 2 msec cycle. As a result, the second definite display time is set to 0.5 sec. Note that the second definite display time is set regardless of the specific result specified in the confirmation process for reservation notice (Fig. 19), and is a fixed time uniformly set to 0.5 sec.

[0241] After the execution of step S1106, the second stop display command is set in step S1107, and this definite display processing is terminated. The set second stop display command is transmitted to the notification / effect control device 82 in the external output process (step S401) in the normal processing (Fig. 12).

[0242] The second stop display command includes information regarding the length of the second confirmation display time. The notification and effect control device 82 and the display control device 212 grasp the start timing of the second confirmation display and the length of the second confirmation display time based on the received second stop display command, and control the symbol display device 41 so that the confirmation display of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP ends 0.5 seconds after the reception of the second stop display command.

[0243] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1101, that is, if it is during the second confirmation display, it is determined in step S1108 whether or not the second confirmation display time set in step S1106 has elapsed. If the second confirmation display time has elapsed, in step S1109, the confirmation display (second confirmation display) of the symbol in the operation port display unit of the main display unit 43 is ended, and then the current stop start time process is ended. Also, if a negative determination is made in steps S1105 and S1108, the current confirmation display process is ended as it is.

[0244] <Regarding the electrical configuration of the notification and effect control device 82 and the display control device 212> Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 5, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the electrical configuration of the notification and effect control device 82 and the display control device 212.

[0245] An MPU 242 is mounted on the notification and effect control board 241 provided in the notification and effect control device 82. The MPU 242 includes a ROM 243 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 242, a RAM 244 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 243, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data input / output circuit. Note that it is not an essential configuration that the ROM 243 and the RAM 244 are integrated into one chip with respect to the MPU 242, and they may be configured as individual chips. This is the same for the MPU of other control devices.

[0246] The MPU242 is provided with an input port and an output port respectively. The main control device 81 is connected to the input side of the MPU242, and receives game turn control commands (game turn control information) such as the variation command, type command, first stop display command, and second stop display command, which have already been described, from the main control device 81. In addition, it receives hold display control commands (hold display control information) such as the shift-time command and hold command, and furthermore, receives open / close execution mode commands (open / close execution mode information) such as the opening command and ending command.

[0247] As already described, on the output side of the MPU242, the hold lamp unit 47 provided in the variable display unit 36, the display lamp unit 63 and the speaker unit 64 provided in the front door frame 14, and the display control device 212 are connected. A part of various commands input from the main control device 81 to the notification / performance control device 82 is transmitted to the display control device 212 while maintaining the information form as it is.

[0248] The display control device 212 includes a display control board equipped with an MPU, which is an element in which a program ROM and a work RAM are integrally chipized, a video display processor (VDP), a character ROM, and a video RAM. The MPU of the display control device 212 analyzes various commands received from the main control device 81 via the notification / performance control device 82 or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received various commands to control the VDP (specifically, generate internal commands for the VDP). More specifically, in the MPU, a process of grasping the variation display pattern of each game turn in the symbol display device 41 is executed based on the command transmitted from the main control device 81 via the notification / performance control device 82, and a drawing process for the VDP255 is executed corresponding to the processing result. As a result, various images are displayed on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41.

[0249] The program ROM is a memory for storing various control programs and fixed-value data to be executed by the MPU, and also stores JPEG format image data for the background image. The work RAM is a memory for temporarily storing work data, flags, etc. used when executing various programs by the MPU. These work data, flags, etc. are stored in each area of the work RAM. The VDP is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an image processing device as a liquid crystal display driver incorporated in the symbol display device 41. Since the VDP is integrated into an IC chip, it is also called a "drawing chip", and its entity should be said to be a microcontroller chip incorporating firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP intervenes in data reading and writing by adjusting the timings of the MPU, the video RAM, etc., and reads out the image data to be stored in the video RAM from the character ROM at a predetermined timing and displays it on the symbol display device 41.

[0250] The character ROM serves as an image data library for storing character data such as symbols to be displayed on the symbol display device 41. This character ROM 256 holds bitmap format image data of various display symbols, a color palette table referred to when determining the display color at each dot of the bitmap image, and the like.

[0251] The video RAM is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the symbol display device 41, and the display content of the symbol display device 41 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM.

[0252] <Explanation of the production for each game round> Here, an overview of the game production (linked production) using the display screen 41a will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0253] When a game round starts, first, high-speed variable display starts for all symbol columns Z1 to Z3. In this case, it is impossible or difficult to recognize which symbol is being variably displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 24(a), the variable display mode of the upper symbol column Z1 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display where the player can recognize the symbol being variably displayed. And, as shown in FIG. 24(b), when the variable display of the upper symbol column Z1 ends, the variable display mode of the lower symbol column Z3 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display. Then, as shown in FIG. 24(c), the variable display of the lower symbol column Z3 ends.

[0254] After the variable display of all symbol columns Z1 to Z3 ends, a stop display time is provided to maintain the stop display and wait for a predetermined period. During the stop display time, a confirmation display is performed to clearly show the player the game result of this game round. And when the confirmation display time elapses with a combination of symbols (specific symbols or non-specific symbols) corresponding to a big win result stopped and displayed on any of the effective lines L1 to L5, as the occurrence of a big win result, it then shifts to the opening and closing execution mode. The above stop display time is composed of a temporary stop time for temporary stop and a confirmation display time for final confirmation. Regarding the point of giving a hold announcement using the confirmation display time, it has been explained as above.

[0255] In this embodiment, separately from the above hold announcement, on the display screen 41a, it is configured to perform (1) a window step-up announcement performance as a first type of announcement performance and (2) a character passing announcement as a second type of announcement performance. These announcement performances do not suggest the presence or absence of a big win or a reach occurring in a subsequent game round like the hold announcement, but rather suggest the presence or absence of a big win or a reach occurring in the game round in which these announcement performances are executed.

[0256] First, the window step-up preview effect as the first type of preview effect will be described with reference to FIG. 25(a). In the window step-up preview effect, as shown in FIG. 25(a1), a window image 301 partitioned into a rectangular shape is displayed as the effect image. The window image 301 is opaque or semi-transparent, and a predetermined character, text, etc. are displayed inside it.

[0257] In the window step-up preview effect, the effect content is configured to be gradually upgraded. Specifically, in addition to providing the mode in which the above window image 301 is displayed as step 1, as shown in FIG. 25(a2), it includes a mode in which a window image 302 larger than the window image 301 is displayed as step 2, and further, as shown in FIG. 25(a3), it includes a mode in which a window image 303 larger than the window image 302 is displayed as step 3. That is, the probability that the preview video of step 3 is displayed is the highest as the jackpot result.

[0258] The window image 302 in step S2 is displayed so as to cover the window image 301 from the front side after the window image 301 in step 1 is displayed. Also, the window image 303 in step S3 is displayed so as to cover the window image 302 from the front side after the window image 302 in step 2 is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 25, in order to make it easy to understand that the window images 301 to 303 are displayed in order, a mode in which the upper window image covers a part of the lower window image is described, but it may also be a mode in which the entire lower window image is covered.

[0259] As shown in Fig. 25(c), the window step-up preview effect is carried out by using the period from the start of the variable display of all symbol columns Z1 to Z3 to the middle of the high-speed variable display. Here, each window image 301 to 303 is displayed in front of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, and the symbols of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are hidden behind in the area overlapping with each window image 301 to 303. However, at this time, each symbol column Z1 to Z3 is in high-speed variable display, and it is impossible or difficult to recognize which symbol is being variably displayed, so practical inconveniences are unlikely to occur. Regarding the display part KP in the special display area OE, it does not overlap, or even if it overlaps, it is made a small amount so that the display part KP cannot be difficult to visually recognize or invisible by each window image 301 to 303.

[0260] Next, the character passing preview effect as the second type of preview effect will be described with reference to Fig. 25(b). In the character passing preview effect, an effect image 304 imitating a fish is displayed so as to cross the display screen 41a. Specifically, the effect image 304 that appears from the right end of the display screen 41a advances in the same direction (left direction) as the variable display direction of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, and then is displayed so as to disappear outside the display screen 41a from the left end of the display screen 41a. Although the illustration is omitted, as the character passing preview effect, an aspect in which the effect image 304 appears from the left end of the display screen 41a and advances in the direction opposite to the variable display direction of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 (right direction) is also prepared. In this embodiment, the case where the effect image 304 advances in the right direction has a lower appearance rate and a higher expectation of a jackpot result.

[0261] As shown in Fig. 25(c), this character passing preview effect is carried out by using the period of high-speed variable display of all symbol columns Z1 to Z3 so as not to overlap with the first type of preview effect. The effect image 304 is displayed in front of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, but it does not overlap with the display part KP, or even if it overlaps, it is made a small amount.

[0262] Regarding the above window step-up preview effect and character passing preview effect, unlike the case of a hold preview, the execution or non-execution is determined by the notification and effect control device 82 and the display control device 212, which are control devices on the sub side. Specifically, in order to associate with the degree of expectation of the jackpot result, although jackpot information and the like included in the variation command from the main control device 81 are referred to, the notification and effect control device 82 and the like take into account the result of the preview execution lottery performed independently and the duplication with other effects, and are configured such that the notification and effect control device 82 or the display control device 212 makes the final decision. In this way, when executing multiple types of preview effects, by distributing the decision-making power to each control device, the concentration of the control load caused by the diversification of the preview effects is avoided.

[0263] <Processing related to various effects> As already described, in this embodiment, the outline of the variation display mode of the symbols on the display screen 41a is specified by the notification and effect control device 82 with reference to the command from the main control device 81, and the details of the variation display mode are grasped by the display control device 212 based on the specified result. Specifically, in the MPU 242 of the notification and effect control device 82, the variation display control process is executed as part of the periodic process that is activated at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec), and the outline of the variation display mode of the symbols and the like are specified in this variation display control process. Here, the variation display control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26.

[0264] <Variation display control process> In the variation display control process, first, in step S1401, it is determined whether or not a confirmed display flag is stored in various flag storage areas (not shown) provided in the RAM 244. The confirmed display flag is set when the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 or the display unit KP in the special display area OE are confirmed to be displayed.

[0265] If the determination in step S1401 is negative, it is determined in step S1402 whether it is during a game, that is, whether the variation display to the determination display of symbols for one game is being executed on the symbol display device 41. If it is determined that it is not during a game, the process proceeds to step S1403 to determine whether the variation command transmitted from the main control device 81 is being received.

[0266] If the determination in step S1403 is negative, this variation display control process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1403 is positive, after executing the variation start process in step S1404, this variation display control process is terminated. Here, the details of the variation start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 27.

[0267] <Variation start process> The variation start process is a process for starting the effect for the game based on receiving the variation command transmitted from the main control device 81. In the variation start process, settings such as the reach display are made as the effect for the game.

[0268] In the variation start process, first, in step S1501, the variation command received this time is read out, and information on the presence or absence of a big win, the presence or absence of a reach occurrence, and information on the variation display time are specified from the command. As already described, when the variation command is transmitted from the main control device 81, the type command is also transmitted together. In step S1501, the type command received together with the variation command received this time is read out, and information on the game result such as information on the first type big win result, information on the second type big win result, or information on the losing result is specified from the command. Then, in step S1501, from the information specified above, information on the presence or absence of a big win winning, information on the big win type if it is a big win winning, information on the presence or absence of a reach occurrence if it is a non-big win winning, and information on the variation display time are grasped, and the grasped information is stored in the register of the MPU242.

[0269] In the subsequent step S1502, based on the information grasped in step S1501, it is determined whether the game result of the game round starting this time corresponds to a jackpot result. If it is a jackpot result, that is, if it is a first type of jackpot result or a second type of jackpot result, then in the subsequent step S1503, a stop result (symbol combination) for the jackpot is determined (stop result determination process is performed).

[0270] In the stop result determination process, when it is a first type of jackpot result, a stop result in which a combination of the same specific symbol (main symbol with an odd number) is established on one of the valid lines L1 to L5 is determined as the stop result of this game round. Also, when it is a second type of jackpot result, a stop result in which a combination of the same non-specific symbol (main symbol with an even number) is established on one of the valid lines L1 to L5 is determined as the stop result of this game round.

[0271] When it is a jackpot result, the type of the main symbol to be stopped and displayed and the valid lines L1 to L5 are randomly determined by lottery or the like. In the final stop line table stored in various table areas of the ROM243, each of the valid lines L1 to L5 and address information are stored, and the final stop line determined in the above process is stored as address information in the final stop line address storage area provided in the RAM244. Also, at this time, a process of storing the information of the determined stop result in the stop result address storage area is executed. In the following description as well, the address information of the stop result determined in various stop result determination processes is stored in the stop result address storage area of the RAM244.

[0272] After the execution of step S1503, in step S1504, a production setting process for the jackpot is executed.

[0273] In the production setting process for a big win, the variable display mode of the symbols for a big win is determined (a variable display mode determination process (production pattern determination process) is performed). As already explained, when a big win result occurs, the result is configured to be notified through a reach display. In the variable display mode determination process for the reach display, the variable display pattern table for the reach display stored in various table areas of the ROM 243 is acquired, and the production pattern of the normal reach display or the super reach display corresponding to the variable display time of the variable command received this time and the game result in the type command is determined. Further, a process of storing the address information of the determined variable display mode in the pattern address storage area of the RAM 244 is executed. In the variable display mode determination process shown below, the corresponding variable display pattern table is also acquired from the variable display pattern table storage area of the ROM 243 to determine the production pattern corresponding to the variable display time and the game result. Then, the address information of the production pattern determined in the production pattern determination process is stored in the pattern address storage area of the RAM 244. Also, in this step, a process of determining whether to execute the above first type of pre-announcement production and the second type of pre-announcement production is also performed.

[0274] If it is determined in step S1502 that it is not a jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S1505. In step S1505, it is determined whether a reach occurs in the current game round. If a reach occurs, the process proceeds to step S1506 and a stop result determination process for the reach is executed. Since this process corresponds to a non-winning reach, the stop result (symbol combination) is determined so as not to be a symbol combination corresponding to a jackpot result. That is, a stop result in which a combination of non-winning reach symbols is established on one of the valid lines L1 to L5 is determined as the current stop result. In this case, the type of the combination of non-winning reach symbols and the valid lines L1 to L5 are randomly determined by lottery or the like. Also, in this determination, the same symbol combination is not established on any of the valid lines L1 to L5, and the stop result on the valid line is determined so that the symbol in the middle symbol column Z2 that is the same as the symbol forming the reach line stops finally at a stop position shifted forward or backward with respect to the reach line. Thereafter, a process of storing the information of the determined stop result in the stop result address storage area is executed.

[0275] After the execution of step S1506, a production setting process for reach occurrence is executed in step S1507. Since this process is the same as the process of step S1504 described above, the description thereof is incorporated by reference.

[0276] If it is determined in step S1505 that a reach does not occur, the process proceeds to step S1508. In step S1508, a stop result determination process for a normal miss (complete miss) is executed. In this process, the stop symbols are determined so that a symbol combination corresponding to a jackpot result is not formed. In the subsequent step S1509, a production setting process for a complete miss is executed.

[0277] After executing any one of the processes in step S1504, step S1507, and step S1509, the process proceeds to step S1510. In step S1510, a process is executed to output, to the display control device 212, commands including the stop result and the information of the effect pattern determined in steps S1503, S1504, S1506 to S1509 as a stop result command and a pattern command, respectively. In the MPU of the display control device 212, based on the received stop result command and pattern command, display control of the symbol display device 41 is performed to execute the effect in the current game round. As a result, the variable display of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 in the variable display area ME and the display unit KP in the special display area OE is started on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41.

[0278] After executing the process of step S1510, in the subsequent step S1511, after executing the process of starting the game effect, this variable start process is terminated. Specifically, based on the effect pattern determined in step S1504, step S1507, and step S1509 above, the drive control of the speaker unit 64 and the lamp unit 63 is started to start the game effect.

[0279] Returning to the description of the variable display control process (Fig. 26), if an affirmative determination is made in step S1402, that is, if it is determined that the game is in progress, the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S1405, it is determined whether the first stop display command from the main control device 81 has been received. If a negative determination is made in step S1405, after executing the process during variable display in step S1406, this variable display control process is terminated. The process during variable display is a process of executing various effects and changing the determined effects in the game round started by the variable start process. Also, in the process during variable display, as described above, a command is sent to the display control device 212 so that the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are temporarily stopped at the end of the variable display time. Note that the temporary stop process may be performed independently by the display control device 212.

[0280] If an affirmative determination is made in step S1405, the process proceeds to step S1407, and a stop start process for starting the confirmation display is executed. Here, the stop start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 28.

[0281] <Stop start process> In the stop start process, first, in step S1601, the length of the first confirmation display time is grasped based on the first stop display command from the main control device 81. In the subsequent step S1602, it is determined whether the grasped first confirmation display time is 1.5 sec, that is, whether it is a special time for the hold notice. If the first confirmation display time is the special time, the process proceeds to step S1603, and a setting process for the hold notice effect is executed. When this setting process is executed, it is set so that a preview display effect (see FIG. 18) for causing a bubble image to appear is executed on the display screen 41a.

[0282] After the execution of step S1603 or when a negative determination is made in step S1602, in step S1604, a confirmation display start process is executed, and then this stop start process ends. In step S1604, a process of outputting a first confirmation display command including information regarding the length of the first confirmation display time to the display control device 212 is executed. In the MPU of the display control device 212, based on the received first confirmation display command, the symbol display device 41 is controlled to start the confirmation display of the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP in the special display area OE. Also, when the setting process for the hold notice effect in step S1603 is being executed, information indicating that the hold notice should be executed is included in the first confirmation display command. In this case, in the MPU of the display control device 212, the symbol display device 41 is controlled to execute the hold notice at the first confirmation display time.

[0283] When executing the reservation notice, after transitioning to the confirmed display state, instead of immediately displaying the bubble image, it is controlled such that the bubble image is displayed after a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 sec) has elapsed since transitioning to the confirmed display state. Since the bubble image is displayed on the front side of the symbol and has the above configuration, it becomes possible to suitably secure the time for the player to grasp the confirmed symbol.

[0284] Also, the bubble image is configured such that the time from the appearance of the first bubble image to the disappearance of the last bubble image is completed in a time shorter than the remaining time of the first confirmed display time (e.g., 1.0 sec). As a result, it is suppressed that the reservation notice is carried out across the second confirmed display time or the next game turn. Consequently, it is suppressed that the reservation notice cannot be displayed until the end, or that it is displayed overlapping with an effect (e.g., the first type of notice effect) carried out in the next game turn, etc., and the visual appearance in terms of the effect deteriorates. In addition, it is possible to secure a period during which the effect image other than the symbol is not displayed before the start of the next game turn (before the start of the variable display), and it becomes easier for the player to grasp the boundary between this game turn and the next game turn.

[0285] Returning to the explanation of the variable display control process (Figure 26), after executing the stop start process in step S1407, in step S1408, a confirmed display flag is set in each flag storage area of the RAM 244, and then this variable display control process is terminated.

[0286] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1401, that is, if the confirmation display flag is stored in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 244, the process proceeds to step S1409 to determine whether the second stop display command from the main control device 81 has been received. If the second stop display command has been received, the confirmation display end process is executed in step S1410. In the confirmation display end process, the length of the second confirmation display time (0.5 sec) is grasped based on the second stop display command, and a process of outputting a second confirmation display command including information regarding the length to the display control device 212 is performed. As a result, in the MPU of the display control device 212, based on the received second confirmation display command, the symbol display device 41 is controlled so that the confirmation display of the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP in the special display area OE ends after 0.5 sec.

[0287] <Regarding the game flow> Next, the game flow when the hold announcement is executed will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. In the present embodiment, the game flow differs depending on the common hold number CRN when the confirmation display starts. In the following, the case where the common hold number CRN is less than or equal to the number of hold announcement setting times AN and the case where the common hold number CRN is greater than the number of setting times AN will be separately described. In the following description, it is assumed that all hold information other than the hold information corresponding to the occurrence of a big win or a reach corresponds to a completely off result (an off result where a reach does not occur).

[0288] <Regarding the case where the common hold number CRN is less than or equal to the number of hold announcement setting times AN> The case where the common hold number CRN is less than or equal to the number of hold announcement setting times AN will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 29. Here, the case where the common hold number CRN and the number of setting times AN are the same will be described as an example.

[0289] When the stop display timing in the variable display of the main display unit 43 is reached at timing t1 without the hold information being previously specified to correspond to a big win or a reach occurrence, the first confirmed display time is set to the normal time (0.2 sec) in the main control device 81 (see Fig. 29(c)). As a result, the confirmed display time (timings t1 to t2), which is the sum of the normal time as the first confirmed display time and the second confirmed display time, becomes 0.7 sec. In this case, the hold preview effect is not executed during the confirmed display time.

[0290] Thereafter, at timing t3, when a winning of a game ball into the upper operation port 33a or the lower operation port 33b occurs during the variable display started from timing t2 (see Fig. 29(a)), new hold information for the winning is stored in the hold ball storage area 232 (see Fig. 8) (see Fig. 29(b)). Then, the main control device 81 executes a confirmation process for hold preview for the hold information (step S305 in Fig. 11). Here, it is assumed that the hold information corresponds to a reach occurrence and is specified in the above confirmation process. In the following description, in order to distinguish the hold information for which a reach occurrence has been previously specified from other hold information, it will be referred to as special hold information. At timing t4, which is the timing when the variable display started from timing t2 ends, that is, the start timing of the confirmed display, the main control device 81 executes a determination process as to whether or not special hold information has been previously specified.

[0291] When the number of reservation notice settings AN is 2, in this case, the common reservation number CRN when the definite display starts (when the first stop display time is set) is 2 (see Fig. 29(b)). That is, on the premise that the reservation notice should be executed over two game rounds, the game round (the ongoing game round) for which the definite display time is set is the game round two before the specific game round corresponding to the previously specified reservation information. In such a case, the first definite display time is set so that the ongoing game round becomes the target of the reservation notice execution. That is, 2 is set in the execution count counter DC (see Fig. 29(e)), and 0 is set in the waiting count counter WC (not shown). As a result, the first definite display time is set to a special time (1.5 sec) (see Fig. 29(c)). At this time, the special setting flag is stored in the RAM 204 (see Fig. 29(d)).

[0292] At timing t4, when the first definite display time is set by the main control device 81, the first stop display command is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82. As a result, the main display unit 43 and the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are definitely displayed in a mode corresponding to being disengaged, while the display color switching is completed on the display unit KP. At timing t5 when a predetermined period (0.5 sec) has elapsed since the start of the definite display, a notice display effect (a display that causes a bubble image to appear) as a reservation notice effect is displayed on the display screen 41a. This notice display effect is displayed within the remaining time (1.0 sec) of the first definite display time (see Fig. 29(f)).

[0293] When the first definite display time elapses at timing t6, the main control device 81 sets the second definite display time to 0.5 sec (see Fig. 29(c)), and the second stop display command to that effect is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82. As a result, the definite display being executed on the main display unit 43 etc. continues for 0.5 sec. Note that the total time of the definite display when the first definite display time is set to a special time is 2.0 sec, which is the sum of the special time and the second definite display time.

[0294] Then, when the second fixed display time elapses at timing t7, the main control device 81 ends the fixed display on the main display unit 43, and the fixed displays on the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP are ended by the notification / effect control device 82 or the display control device 212. Incidentally, the count (period measurement) of 0.5 sec, which is the second fixed display time, is separately performed by the main control device 81 and the notification / effect control device 82 or the display control device 212, which is a sub-side control device. That is, the sub-side control device independently measures the elapsed period since receiving the second stop display command (step S1107 in FIG. 21), and ends the fixed displays on the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP on the display screen 41a when 0.5 sec has elapsed.

[0295] Incidentally, when it is desired to accurately synchronize the end timings of the respective fixed displays on the main display unit 43, the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 on the display screen 41a, and the display unit KP, it may be configured to output a command for ending the fixed display from the main control device 81 when 0.5 sec has elapsed since the start of the fixed display time. In this case, in response to receiving the command, the respective fixed displays on the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP can be ended.

[0296] On the other hand, the count (period measurement) of 1.5 sec, which is the first fixed display time, does not necessarily have to be independently performed by the sub-side control device, and it may be configured such that the sub-side control device does not perform the period measurement. On the display screen 41a, not only does the display form of the display screen 41a simply remain the same even when the first fixed display time has elapsed, but also the sub-side control device can grasp the elapse of 1.5 sec by receiving the second stop display command from the main control device 81. In this case, the first stop display command may be configured to include information indicating the presence or absence of the execution of the hold notice instead of the information regarding the length of the first fixed display time.

[0297] Returning to the description of FIG. 29, at timing t7 when the second determination display ends, with the end of the determination display, the variable display for the next game round starts (see FIG. 29(c)). Then, when the variable display ends at timing t9, the first determination display time for the next game round is set. The game round in this case is the game round immediately preceding the specific game round. For this reason, at timing t9, the first determination display time is set to the special period (1.5 sec) so that the game round becomes the execution target of the hold announcement (see FIG. 29(c)). Specifically, based on the value of the execution count counter DC being 1, the first determination display time is set to the special time (see FIG. 29(e)). And, similar to the case of two game rounds before, at timing t10, the announcement display effect is displayed on the display screen 41a (see FIG. 29(f)).

[0298] Here, in this case, separate from the special hold information generated at timing t3, at timing t8 during the variable display of the immediately preceding game round, a winning of a game ball into the upper operation port 33a or the lower operation port 33b has occurred. And as a result of performing the confirmation process for hold announcement for the hold information corresponding to the winning, it has been specified that the hold information corresponds to a big win or a reach occurrence.

[0299] Thus, even if a new special hold information is specified after the execution setting of the hold announcement has been performed, in this embodiment, it has no effect on the various settings (such as the execution count counter DC) that have already been made (see FIG. 29(e)). This is because when a special setting flag is stored in the RAM 204, the determination process (step S1203 in FIG. 22) for the result of the confirmation process for hold announcement is configured to be restricted. As a result, duplication of settings is avoided, and it is suppressed that the execution count of the hold announcement changes during the execution of the hold announcement, and the confusion of the player is preferably suppressed.

[0300] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the determination process is provided separately from the confirmation process for the reservation notice, and the restricted target is limited to the determination process, and no restriction is imposed on the confirmation process for the reservation notice. As a result, while avoiding duplicate settings, it is possible to continue performing the confirmation process for the reservation notice itself. As a result, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that even other effects using the special reservation information (for example, an effect of changing the display mode of the reservation display displayed in the reservation display area NE from the normal mode to a special mode different therefrom) are restricted, and it is possible to adopt a configuration suitable for diversifying and combining effects.

[0301] When the second confirmation display time elapses at timing t11, each confirmation display on the main display unit 43 and the like ends, and the variable display of the next game round (specific game round) is started. In the specific game round, after a predetermined reach effect is executed on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41, the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are stopped and displayed (temporarily stopped) in a combination that does not result in a big win.

[0302] Then, at timing t12 when the confirmation display starts, based on the fact that the value of the execution count counter DC is 0, the first confirmation display time is set to the normal time (0.2 sec) (see FIG. 29(c)). Therefore, in the confirmation display in the specific game round, the first confirmation display time is not set to the time for the reservation notice. As a result, even though the variable display of the specific game round has ended, the inconvenience of continuously executing the reservation notice and causing confusion to the player is suppressed. Also, at timing t12, based on the fact that the value of the execution count counter DC is 0, the special setting flag stored in the RAM 204 is erased (see FIG. 29(d)), and the restriction on the above determination process is released.

[0303] <When the common reservation number CRN is greater than the set number AN> Next, a case where the common reservation number CRN is greater than the set number AN of the reservation notice will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 30. In the following description, parts similar to those in the case of FIG. 29 will be omitted or simplified.

[0304] During the variable display started at timing t21, winning at the upper operation port 33a or the lower operation port 33b occurs at timings t22 and t23 respectively. Among them, assuming that the held information stored at the time of winning at timing t23 corresponds to the occurrence of a reach, at the timing when the winning occurs, it is specified as special held information by the confirmation process for held information prediction in the main control device 81. Since the common held number CRN at timing t21 is 2 (the updated held number), the variable display time of the variable display started at that timing is set to 8 seconds. Then, when the variable display time elapses at timing t24, a determination process is executed in the main control device 81 as to whether the special held information has been previously specified or not.

[0305] When the set number of held information predictions AN is 2, in this case, the common held number CRN when the definite display starts is 4 (see Fig. 30(b)). That is, on the premise that the held information prediction should be executed over two game rounds, the game round (the ongoing game round) that is the target for setting the definite display time is the fourth game round before the specific game round corresponding to the previously specified held information. In such a case, the first definite display time is set so that the ongoing game round is excluded from the target of the held information prediction. That is, 2 is set in the standby count counter WC (see Fig. 30(e)), and the process of setting the first definite display time as a special time is awaited. At timing t24, since the common held number CRN is 4 and the time shortening set number K (K = 3) or more, the first definite display time is set to the time shortening time (0 seconds). Also, at timing t24, the special setting flag is stored in the RAM 204, and the execution count counter DC is set to 2 (see Figs. 30(d) and (f)).

[0306] When the first confirmation display time is 0 sec, the second confirmation display is immediately performed. Since the second confirmation display time is 0.5 sec, the total confirmation display time is 0.5 sec (see Fig. 30(c)). When the second confirmation display time is set in this way, the main display unit 43 and the symbol display device 41 are controlled so that the confirmation display is performed at the set second confirmation display time.

[0307] Note that the specific time lengths of the special time (1.5 sec), normal time (0.2 sec), and short-time use time (0 sec) for the first confirmation display time, and the second confirmation display time (0.5 sec) are merely examples and are not limited thereto. That is, it is sufficient that the special time is longer than the normal time and the short-time use time is shorter than the normal time, and the length of each time is arbitrary. At that time, it is preferable that the above-mentioned times are configured such that the first confirmation display time, or the total confirmation display time obtained by adding the first confirmation display time and the second confirmation display time, is shorter than the variable display time. When those times become longer than the variable display time, it is likely to give an impression of delay to the player during the game, and this can be suitably suppressed by adopting the above configuration. In this case, it is preferable to configure the first confirmation display time or the above total time to be shorter than the variable display time of the game turn corresponding to the non-occurrence of a reach and an abnormal result outside the normal range. In such a configuration, the special time and the normal time are preferably made shorter than the variable display time (8 sec) during non-short-time periods, and the short-time use time is preferably made shorter than the variable display time (4 sec) during short-time periods.

[0308] Returning to the description of FIG. 30, when the second confirmation display time elapses at timing t25, each confirmation display on the main display unit 43 and the like ends, and the variable display for the next game round starts. Since the common hold number CRN at timing t25 is 3 (see FIG. 30(b)), the variable display time for the game round is set to 4 sec, and the variable display time is shortened. At timing t26 when the variable display time has elapsed, the first confirmation display time for the confirmation display in that game round is set. The game round in this case is the game round three before from the perspective of the specific game round, and also, the common hold number CRN at this time is the same 3 as the shortened setting number K. For this reason, it is excluded from the target of hold notification and shortened, and the first confirmation display time is set to 0 sec. As a result, the total confirmation display time becomes 0.5 sec of the second confirmation display time (see FIG. 30(c)).

[0309] At timing t27 when the second confirmation display time has elapsed, the confirmation display on the main display unit 43 and the like ends, and the variable display for the further next game round starts. Then, when the variable display time elapses at timing t28, the first confirmation display time for the confirmation display in that game round is set. Since the game round in this case is the game round two before from the perspective of the specific game round, the main control device 81 is controlled to make the game round the execution target of hold notification. Specifically, as a result of the standby count counter WC being updated at the previous timing t26 and its value becoming 0, the first confirmation display time is set to a special time (1.5 sec) based on this (see FIGS. 30(c) and (e)). Thereafter, similar to the case of FIG. 29, a special time is also set for the first confirmation display time of the immediately previous game round, and hold notification is executed in each confirmation display of the game round two before and the immediately previous game round.

[0310] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

[0311] Based on the result identified by the confirmation process for the reservation notice, the first confirmation display time of the confirmation display is set. In this case, the length of the confirmation display time can be varied according to the content of the reservation information that has not yet been the subject of the success / failure determination. As a result, it becomes possible to correlate the determination result of the success / failure determination for the reservation information that is the subject of the confirmation process for the reservation notice (prior identification), etc., with the confirmation display time of the game round. Moreover, in the present embodiment, when prior identification is performed during the game round, the confirmation display time of that game round is set based on the result of the prior identification, so the content of the reservation information can be promptly reflected in the game round. For example, in a configuration where the result of prior identification during the progress of a game round is reflected in subsequent game rounds, if the specific game round that is the subject of prior identification is the game round that is played next after the ongoing game round, it becomes difficult to secure an opportunity to change the first confirmation display time. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the first confirmation display time can be made an object of change including the ongoing game round, it becomes possible to stably secure the opportunity for change.

[0312] By the way, when executing the reservation notice, instead of securing the opportunity by extending the confirmation display time, it is also conceivable to shift the execution timing of the reservation notice to the start of the variation or during the variation display in the next game round. However, it is assumed that other performance displays are being performed during the start of the variation or during the variation display, such as the first type of notice performance or the second type of notice performance. For this reason, there is a risk of overlap in the performance displays, and problems may occur such as a decrease in the discriminability of each performance or the need for priority adjustment such as which one to display on the front side. Moreover, in a case where the meanings of each performance are different, such as in the relationship between the first type of notice performance and the reservation notice in the present embodiment, where one corresponds to the success / failure determination result of that game round and the other corresponds to the success / failure determination result of a game round later than that, if they are displayed together, the player is likely to be confused, and the performance effect may also be significantly reduced. In this regard, in the present embodiment, by lengthening the confirmation display time to secure the execution opportunity of the reservation notice, overlap with other performance displays is suppressed, and it becomes possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the above inconveniences.

[0313] Furthermore, in a configuration that secures an opportunity to execute a reservation notice by extending the confirmation display time, the following effects can also be expected. Generally, in recent pachinko machines, the variation display of patterns and symbols is performed based on a predetermined variation display time, and once the variation display starts, the period cannot be changed. For this reason, for example, when there is a desire to extend the game time of a game session during the game session to allow for the addition of sudden game effects, if one tries to respond by changing the variation display, it becomes necessary to completely overhaul the design of the pachinko machine. Even if such a change could be realized, during the variation display, it is normal to synchronize other game effects with the variation display time separately from the variation display of patterns and symbols, and in some cases, these game effects may be performed in a complex manner. Therefore, in case the variation display time is changed during the variation display, it is necessary to have a configuration that can execute various effect adjustments considering the scale adjustment between the variation display time and the effect time, the replacement of effects, and the consistency between each effect during the variation display, which causes the significant burden increase of the effect design. In this regard, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to change the game time related to one game session while keeping the variation display time as a predetermined period. Moreover, since the confirmation display is originally intended to show the result of the win / loss determination, during its execution period, there are many cases where no game effects are performed, or even if they are performed, they are simple. Therefore, even if the confirmation display time is changed, the adjustment burden on the effects can be light, and the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

[0314] A configuration is adopted in which the first confirmation display time is set corresponding to the start timing of the confirmation display. In this case, the result of the destination specification that occurs until the start timing of the confirmation display can be reflected in the length of the stop display period. Thereby, it becomes possible to cope with the destination specification occurring in the final stage of the variation display and the winning to the winning ports 33a and 33b, and it can be an optimal configuration when changing the game time related to one game session midway.

[0315] In the fixed display, a preview display effect (a preview display effect that causes a bubble image to appear) is displayed on the display screen 41a of the symbol display device 41. Since the fixed display time of the ongoing game round can be changed according to the previously specified result, according to this configuration, it becomes possible to add or reduce the preview display effect according to the previously specified result during the fixed display. That is, it becomes possible to utilize the fixed display time as a period for effect adjustment, and it becomes possible to facilitate effect adjustment compared to the case of adding or reducing etc. in the variable display where effect displays frequently appear on the display screen 41a.

[0316] The preview display effect performed during the fixed display is configured to end by the end of the fixed display. For example, if the preview display effect continues even after the end of the fixed display (after the end of the game round), there is a concern that it will be difficult for the player to recognize the boundary with the subsequent game round. Also, there is a possibility that the distinctiveness of the effects will decrease or it will interfere with the player's understanding of the effects due to overlapping with other effect displays executed in the next game round. According to this configuration, those inconveniences can be suitably suppressed, and it becomes possible to improve the ease of play.

[0317] The length of the special time (1.5 sec) of the first fixed display time is set to a length such that the total time (2.0 sec) obtained by adding the second fixed display time (0.5 sec) to the special time is shorter than the immediately preceding variable display time (8.0 sec). If the fixed display time is made unduly long, there is a risk of giving the impression of a long waiting time from the end of the variable display to the start of the next variable display, which may lead to an induced sense of delay. In this configuration, even when the first fixed display time is the special time on the longer side, the total time is configured to be shorter than the variable display time. Thereby, even when the fixed display time becomes long, the game can proceed smoothly, and it becomes possible to ensure the ease of play.

[0318] A configuration is adopted in which it is determined whether a previous specific result is a predetermined result, and a first confirmed display time is set based on the result. For example, if the configuration is such that each time the previous specific determination is made, it is directly reflected in the setting of the first confirmed display time, when the previous specific determination is made multiple times within one game round, it may be forced to reset the setting of the first confirmed display time, leading to an increase in the processing load. In this regard, in this configuration, the process of the previous specific determination and the process of determining the result are performed separately, and the first confirmed display time is set based on the result of the latter. Therefore, by executing the determination process in accordance with the timing of setting the first confirmed display time, it becomes possible to set the first confirmed display time in a batch, and it is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience.

[0319] A configuration is adopted in which the execution of the determination process for determining the result of the previous specific determination is restricted when it has been determined that the result of the previous specific determination is a predetermined result. In a configuration where the hold announcement is made over multiple game rounds, there may be a case where the ongoing game round is the target of the execution of the hold announcement started from a previous game round. In such a case, if the first confirmed display time is set based on the result of the previous specific determination that occurs during the game round, there may be a risk of changes or duplications in the setting. In this regard, in this configuration, since the configuration is such that the execution of the determination process for determining the result of the previous specific determination is restricted, it becomes possible to suppress the occurrence of changes or duplications in the setting.

[0320] When hold information corresponding to the occurrence of a big win or a reach is previously specified, the first confirmed display time is set based on which game round it is counting back from the specific game round corresponding to the above hold information for the game round that is the target of setting the first confirmed display time.

[0321] Due to the ability to store a plurality of pending information, in a situation where the number of stored pending information has increased, it may happen that the pending information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurrence is specified first. In such a case, the specific game turn will be executed with a significant delay from the timing of the first specification. In such a case, if the configuration is such that the result of the first specification is immediately reflected in the first confirmed display time of the game turn, as a result, the number of other game turns intervening until the specific game turn increases, and it becomes difficult for the player to grasp which game turn the pending notice made at the first confirmed display time is a suggestive effect for, which may cause confusion among the players. Also, in a configuration where the pending notice is repeated a plurality of times until immediately before the specific game turn, the number of executions of the pending notice increases depending on the number of stored pending information, and it is also assumed that the player may misunderstand the intended effect. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, in addition to being able to adjust the number of game turns intervening between the execution of the pending notice and the execution of the specific game turn, inconveniences such as an increase in the number of repetitions of the pending notice depending on the number of stored pending information are also suppressed. As a result, the function as a suggestive effect for suggesting the content of the specific game turn can be suitably exhibited, and the interestingness can be improved.

[0322] When grasping which game turn from the specific game turn the game turn to be set for the first confirmed display time is, it is configured to grasp based on the common pending number CRN when the pending information corresponding to the first specification is stored. For example, if another pending information subsequent to the first specified pending information is stored (see Fig. 23(b)), it is included in the calculation target up to the subsequent pending information, and there is a risk that the number of game turns cannot be properly grasped. According to this configuration, such inconveniences are suitably suppressed, and it becomes possible to properly grasp the number of game turns.

[0323] A waiting count (waiting count counter WC) for waiting for a process of setting the first determination display time to a special time is set, and when the waiting count is set, the first determination display time is univocally set to a normal time. According to the above configuration, once the waiting count is set, the first determination display time can be set by managing the waiting count thereafter. For this reason, it is not necessary to compare the common hold count CRN and the number of hold notifications each time the setting timing of the first determination display time arrives, or to determine which value to set the first determination display time based on the result, and it becomes possible to reduce the processing load.

[0324] When the previous specification is performed, the actual execution count (execution count DN) is set based on the grasped common hold count CRN and the set count AN of the hold notification. The common hold count CRN varies each time, but in this configuration, the execution count is set based on the magnitude relationship between the common hold count CRN and the set count AN. For this reason, within the range of the common hold count CRN each time, the first determination display time can be set to a special time, and it becomes possible to properly perform the hold notification.

[0325] The first determination display time is set based on the number of stored hold information. Thereby, it becomes possible to correlate the number of stored hold information with the length of the determination display time. As a result, when the number of stored hold information is large, the start timing of the next game round can be advanced by shortening the determination display time, and it becomes possible to promote efficient game progress. Moreover, in the present embodiment, when hold information is stored, the determination display time of the ongoing game round can be set based on the number of stored hold information. For this reason, it becomes possible to promptly reflect the change in the number of stored hold information in the determination display time. Thereby, when shortening the determination display time, it becomes possible to improve the responsiveness compared to a configuration in which time adjustment is made after waiting for the next game round. In particular, it becomes possible to shorten the determination display time prior to shortening the variable display time, and it is possible to further promote efficient game progress.

[0326] <Modification Example 1 of the First Embodiment> In this modification, the stop display mode of the symbol strings Z1 to Z3 when the reserved notice is executed is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the reserved notice according to this modification will be described with reference to Figs. 31 and 32.

[0327] The reserved notice is made by using the stop result (combination of stopped symbols) in a game before the game (specific game) of the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice is started. Specifically, as the stop result of a game before the game related to the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice, a combination of symbols corresponding to a jackpot result is not formed on the pay line, and the same symbols are stopped and displayed in all the symbol rows Z1 to Z3, suggesting the content of the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice.

[0328] For example, if the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice is any of the results of a special jackpot, as shown in Fig. 31(a), in the game round before the game round of the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice, the combination of specific symbols is not stopped on the pay line, and the same specific symbols are stopped and displayed in all the symbol rows Z1 to Z3, and the game round is ended. In the following explanation, this stopping mode is also called the stopping mode of the reserved notice.

[0329] This reserved notice is executed over a number of times in a game before the specific game. That is, in the game next to the game shown in Fig. 31(a), the game is ended in a stopping mode of the reserved notice by the specific symbol, as shown in Fig. 31(b). Then, in the specific game that is the subject of the reserved notice, the combination of the specific symbol is stopped and displayed on the pay line, and the occurrence of the special jackpot result is clearly indicated, as shown in Fig. 31(c).

[0330] Although illustration is omitted, if the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice is a normal jackpot result, the game round before the specific game round that is the subject of the reserved notice is ended with the reserved notice stopped by a non-specific symbol. After that, in the specific game round, a combination of non-specific symbols is stopped and displayed on the pay line, and the game round is ended, and the occurrence of a normal jackpot result is clearly indicated. In this way, the player can understand which jackpot result will be in the specific game round from the content of the reserved notice (stop result).

[0331] This reserved notice is executed with a predetermined probability for reserved information that will result in any big win, and is also executed with a predetermined probability for reserved information that will result in a normal miss. In this case, since the reserved information that is the subject of the reserved notice is a normal miss, when the specific game round that is the subject of the reserved notice comes, the game round is ended without stopping the combination of specific symbols (non-specific symbols) on the pay line and without stopping and displaying the same specific symbols (non-specific symbols) in all the symbol rows Z1 to Z3.

[0332] In addition, in this modified example, a re-change performance is set for this reserved notice. In the re-change performance, first, the symbols of each symbol row Z1 to Z3 are temporarily stopped in a stop mode different from the stop mode of the reserved notice. For example, as shown in FIG. 32(a), the same symbol (symbol 3) exists in the upper symbol row Z1 and the lower symbol row Z3, but is displayed in a manner in which it does not exist in the middle symbol row Z2.

[0333] Then, as shown in Fig. 32(b), each symbol row Z1-Z3 is displayed again, and then the symbols of each symbol row Z1-Z3 are displayed in a stopped state in the reserved notice. In this case, for example, as shown in Fig. 32(c), the stopped display state of each symbol row Z1-Z3 is set so that the same specific symbol (7 symbol) exists in all symbol rows Z1-Z3. Note that the re-changing performance in the reserved notice can be displayed in a different direction for each symbol row Z1-Z3.

[0334] Next, each control process executed by the MPU 242 of the notification and effect control device 82 in this modification example will be described.

[0335] <Variable display control process> FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the variable display control process executed by the MPU 242 of the notification and effect control device 82 in this modification example. This process is performed in place of the variable display control process of FIG. 26 according to the above-described first embodiment, and is different from the variable display control process of FIG. 26 in that the processing content of the stop start processing in step S2007 is changed and the stop display in-progress processing in step S2009 is added.

[0336] In the variable display control process, first, in step S2001, it is determined whether a fixed display flag is stored in various flag storage areas (not shown) provided in the RAM 244. If the determination in step S2001 is negative, it is determined in step S2002 whether it is during a game round. If it is determined that it is not during a game round, the process proceeds to step S2003, and it is determined whether a variable command from the main control device 81 is being received.

[0337] If the determination in step S2003 is negative, this variable display control process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2003 is positive, after executing the variable start processing in step S2004, this variable display control process is terminated.

[0338] Also, if the determination in step S2002 is positive, that is, if it is determined that it is during a game round, the process proceeds to step S2005. In step S2005, it is determined whether a first stop display command from the main control device 81 is being received.

[0339] Here, in this modification example, the configuration of the first stop display command from the main control device 81 is different from that in the case of the above-described first embodiment. The configuration of the first stop display command in this modification example will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 34.

[0340] In the first stop display command of this modification example, the types of information included in the command differ depending on the length of the first confirmed display time. Specifically, in the stop start processing (Fig. 22) by the main control device 81, when a special time (1.5 sec) is set as the first confirmed display time, the first stop display command includes at least information regarding the length of the first confirmed display time (information indicating that it is 1.5 sec).

[0341] On the other hand, when a normal time (0.2 sec) or a time-saving time (0 sec) is set as the first confirmed display time, the first stop display command includes, in addition to information regarding the length of the first confirmed display time, at least information regarding the execution of the hold announcement and information regarding the start timing of the hold announcement.

[0342] The information regarding the execution of the hold announcement is information indicating whether or not the hold announcement should be executed. When this information is the content to be executed, it does not actually immediately execute the hold announcement, but indicates that it should be executed in any game round after the next one. That is, in the main control device 81, even if it is determined to execute the hold announcement, when the grasped common hold number CRN is larger than the number of times the hold announcement is to be executed and it waits for the process of setting the first confirmed display time to a special period, after setting the first confirmed display time to a normal time or a time-saving time, it is configured to include information indicating that the hold announcement should be executed in the first stop display command and output it.

[0343] On the other hand, the information regarding the start timing of the hold announcement is information indicating after how many game rounds the hold announcement should be started. In other words, it indicates the number of waiting rounds. This information is set in the first stop display command together with the information indicating that the hold announcement should be executed.

[0344] Returning to the description of the variable display control process (Fig. 33), if the determination in step S2005 is negative, after executing the process for the variable state in step S2006, this variable display control process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2005 is positive, the process proceeds to step S2007 to execute the stop / start process for starting the confirmed display. Here, the stop / start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 35.

[0345] <Stop / start process> In the stop / start process, first, in step S2101, based on the first stop display command from the main control device 81, the length of the first confirmed display time is grasped. In the subsequent step S2102, it is determined whether the grasped first confirmed display time is 1.5 sec, that is, whether it is a special time for the hold notice. If the first confirmed display time is the special time, in step S2103, it is determined whether the hold notice flag is stored in the RAM 244. The hold notice flag indicates that information indicating that the hold notice should be executed has been received from the main control device 81.

[0346] If the determination in step S2103 is negative, that is, when information indicating that the first confirmed display time is a special period for the hold notice is received in a situation where information indicating that the hold notice should be executed has not been received, it means that an instruction to execute the hold notice for the first time is received from the main control device 81 at the start timing of the stop display. In this case, in step S2104, a re-variation process for re-varying the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 is executed. Here, the re-variation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 36.

[0347] In the re-variation process, first, in step S2201, based on the hold command from the main control device 81 (step S306 in Fig. 11), the specific result of the destination specification for the hold information is grasped. Specifically, referring to the hold command received from the main control device 81, it is grasped whether the hold command corresponds to a big win, a reach occurrence, and if it corresponds to a big win, whether it corresponds to a certain-variable big win or a normal big win.

[0348] In the subsequent step S2202, it is determined whether there is a hold command corresponding to a certain big win as a result of the grasping process in the above step S2201. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2202, then in step S2203, a stop result determination process for a preview symbol corresponding to the certain big win result is executed. In such a process, as a preview symbol corresponding to the certain big win result, a specific symbol (main symbol with an odd number) is grasped as the preview symbol. Then, the arrangement pattern on the display screen 41a of the grasped preview symbol, that is, the stop results of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are determined based on a stop result table for hold preview.

[0349] Here, the stop result table for hold preview will be described with reference to FIG. 37. Note that FIG. 37(a) illustrates a stop result table in the middle line L2 when the number attached to the preview corresponding symbol is "7". In this table, the sub-symbols arranged between the main symbols in each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are conveniently shown using the number in the middle of the numbers attached to the left and right main symbols. Also, FIG. 37(b) simply shows the stop result of the address information D(1) as a specific example of the stop result on the display screen 41a.

[0350] In the stop result table for hold preview, a plurality of stop results for stopping the same main symbol in all symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are set according to the symbol combinations to be stopped on the effective lines L1 to L5, and the information of each stop result is stored as address information. In this case, the same main symbol does not align and stop on any of the effective lines L1 to L5, and it is set so that a reach line is not formed by the same main symbol in the upper symbol column Z1 and the lower symbol column Z3 on any of the effective lines L1 to L5. For example, when the address information D(1) is selected and the preview corresponding symbol (7) is stopped at the upper stage of the middle line L2, the middle stage and the lower stage of the right line L3, the symbol combination for stopping is set on the middle line L2 in the order from top to bottom as the main symbol with "7" attached, the sub-symbol between "6" and "7", and the sub-symbol between "6" and "7".

[0351] As the types of hold announcement stop results, from all types (3×3×3 = 27) where the same main symbol is stopped in all symbol columns Z1 to Z3, it is the number excluding the symbol combinations (5) corresponding to the jackpot results where the same main symbol aligns and stops in the effective lines L1 to L5 and the symbol combinations where the reach fails (5 lines × 2 types). Specifically, it is 27 - 5 - 10 = 12 types.

[0352] Returning to the explanation of the re-variation process (Figure 36), if a negative determination is made in step S2202, then in step S2204, it is determined whether there is a hold command corresponding to a normal jackpot. If an affirmative determination is made in step SS2204, then in step S2205, the stop result determination process for the preview symbols corresponding to the normal jackpot result is executed. In such a process, as the preview symbols corresponding to the normal jackpot result, after grasping the non-specific symbols (main symbols with an even number) as the preview symbols, the stop results of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are determined based on the above hold preview stop result table.

[0353] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2204, then it proceeds to step S2206, and the stop result determination process for the preview symbols corresponding to the off-reach result is executed. In such a process, first, based on the received hold command corresponding to the off-reach result, the symbols forming the reach line when the reach display is executed in the game turn (specific game turn) of the hold information that triggered such a hold command are specified. And if the symbol forming this reach line is a specific symbol, the preview symbol corresponding to the off-reach is determined as the specific symbol, and if the symbol forming the reach line is a non-specific symbol, the preview symbol corresponding to the off-reach is determined as the non-specific symbol. Then, the stop results of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are determined based on the above hold preview stop result table.

[0354] After the execution of steps S2203, S2205, and S2206, at step S2207, the address information of the stop result determined in each of those processes is stored in a stop result address storage area (not shown) provided in RAM244. Then, at each of steps S2208 and S2209, a re-variation flag and a preview execution flag are set in RAM244, and this re-variation processing is terminated. The re-variation flag is a flag indicating that the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 should be re-varied during the first confirmed display, and the preview execution flag is a flag indicating that a pending preview is being executed.

[0355] Returning to the explanation of the stop start processing (Fig. 35), after the execution of the re-variation processing in step S2104, at step S2105, a pending preview flag is stored in RAM244. As already explained, this pending preview flag indicates that information to execute a pending preview has been received from the main control device 81. Note that when the first confirmed display time is a special time, the information to execute a pending preview may not be included in the first stop display command. However, even in this case, it is possible to grasp that a pending preview should be executed based on the fact that the first confirmed display time is a special time.

[0356] In the subsequent step S2106, setting processing for a pending preview production is executed. When this setting processing is executed, it is set so that a preview display production (see Fig. 18) that causes a bubble image to appear is executed on the display screen 41a.

[0357] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2102, that is, if the first confirmed display time grasped based on the first stop display command is a normal time (0.2 sec) or a time-saving time (0 sec), at step S2107, it is determined whether information (see Fig. 34) to execute a pending preview is included in the first stop display command from the main control device 81. If such information is included, at step S2108, a pending preview flag is stored in RAM244.

[0358] After the execution of steps S2106 and S2108, or when a negative determination is made in step S2107, the definite display start process is executed in step S2109, and then the present stop start process ends. In step S2109, a process of outputting a first definite display command including information regarding the length of the first definite display time to the display control device 212 is executed. In the MPU of the display control device 212, based on the received first definite display command, the symbol display device 41 is controlled to start the definite display of the symbols of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP in the special display area OE. When the re-variation process of step S2104 is being executed, re-variation is to be executed after the definite display of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 based on the above step S2109.

[0359] Also, when the setting process of the hold preview effect of step S2106 is being executed, information indicating that the hold preview is to be executed is included in the first definite display command. In this case, in the MPU of the display control device 212, the symbol display device 41 is controlled to execute the hold preview during the first definite display time.

[0360] Returning to the description of the variable display control process (FIG. 33), after executing the stop start process of step S2007, in the subsequent step S2008, a definite display flag is set in each flag storage area of the RAM 244, and then the present variable display control process ends.

[0361] On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S2001, that is, when a definite display flag is stored in each flag storage area of the RAM 244, the process proceeds to step S2009, and a process for during stop display for controlling the display mode of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 during the first definite display is executed. Here, the process for during stop display will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 38.

[0362] <Process for during stop display> In the process during the stop display, first, at step S2301, it is determined whether a re-variation flag is stored in the RAM 244. If an affirmative determination is made at step S2301, then at step S2302, it is determined whether it is the start timing of re-variation. This start timing of re-variation is predetermined and is set to start re-variation after a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 sec) has elapsed since the start of the first confirmed display.

[0363] If an affirmative determination is made at step S2302, then at step S2303, a process of outputting a re-variation command for starting re-variation to the display control device 212 is executed. In the display control device 212, based on receiving the re-variation command, the symbol display device 41 is controlled to start re-variation of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3.

[0364] Here, the execution period of re-variation is predetermined and is set to 0.8 sec in this modified example. Therefore, including the period of temporary stop before the start of the first confirmed display, on the display screen 41a, the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are once stopped and displayed, and after that state is maintained for 0.2 sec + α (α is the period of temporary stop before the start of the first confirmed display), re-variation of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 is started, and after 0.8 sec, all the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are re-stopped and displayed. At that time, at the time of re-stopping and displaying, each symbol column Z1 to Z3 is controlled to be stopped and displayed simultaneously.

[0365] After the execution of step S2303, at step S2304, the re-variation flag stored in the RAM 244 is erased, and then the process during the stop display is terminated. Also, if a negative determination is made at steps S2301 and S2302, the process during the stop display is terminated as it is.

[0366] Returning to the description of the variable display control process (Fig. 33), after executing the process for the stop display during step S2009, it is determined in step S2010 whether a second stop display command from the main control device 81 is received. If the second stop display command is received, the process for ending the confirmed display is executed in step S2011. In the process for ending the confirmed display, the length of the second confirmed display time (0.5 sec) is grasped based on the second stop display command, and a process of outputting a second confirmed display command including information regarding the length to the display control device 212 is performed. Thereby, in the MPU of the display control device 212, based on the received second confirmed display command, the symbol display device 41 is controlled so as to end the confirmed display of the symbols in the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP in the special display area OE after 0.5 sec.

[0367] <Stop result determination process for complete miss> Next, the stop result determination process for complete miss will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 39. This process is executed at the start of the variation, specifically, it is executed in step S1508 of the process for starting the variation (Fig. 27).

[0368] In the stop result determination process for complete miss, first in step S2401, it is determined whether a hold notice flag is stored in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 244. This hold notice flag is stored in steps S2105 and S2108 of the process for starting the stop (Fig. 35). That is, in this modification example, it is configured to uniformly receive an instruction from the main control device 81 to execute a hold notice at the start of the confirmed display.

[0369] If an affirmative determination is made in step S2401, in step S2402, it is determined whether a notice execution flag is stored in the various flag storage areas of the RAM 244. This notice execution flag indicates that a hold notice is already being executed as described above.

[0370] If a negative determination is made in step S2402, then in step S2403, it is determined whether it is the start timing of the hold notice, specifically, whether it is the start timing of the game round in which the hold notice starts to be executed. This determination process is performed based on the information regarding the start timing of the hold notice (see FIG. 34) included in the first stop display command from the main control device 81. If it is the start timing of the game round in which the hold notice starts to be executed, then in the subsequent step S2404, a notice execution flag is set in various flag storage areas of the RAM 244.

[0371] After the execution of step S2404 or if an affirmative determination is made in step S2402, then in step S2405, a stop result determination process for the notice symbols is executed. This stop result determination process is the same as steps S2201 to S2206 in the above-mentioned re-variation process (FIG. 36). That is, based on the hold command from the main control device 81, it is determined whether the hold information that has become the previously specified target corresponds to a jackpot result or a non-winning reach result, and if it corresponds to a jackpot result, whether it corresponds to a certain-variable jackpot. Then, based on the determination result, the notice symbols are grasped. And the stop results of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are determined so that the display mode of the grasped notice symbols on the display screen 41a becomes the stop mode of the hold notice.

[0372] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in steps S2401 and S2403, then the stop result determination process of step S2406 is executed. The stop result determination process of this step is for setting the stop modes of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 so that they do not become the stop mode of the hold notice and show a non-winning result. Specifically, the stop results of each symbol column Z1 to Z3 are determined so that a symbol combination corresponding to a jackpot result or a non-winning reach result is not formed in any valid line and the same symbol is not stopped and displayed in all symbol columns Z1 to Z3.

[0373] After the execution of steps S2405 and S2406, at step S2407, the address information of the stop result determined in each of those processes is stored in the stop result address storage area provided in the RAM 244, and then this stop result determination process for complete deviation is terminated.

[0374] <Regarding the game flow> Next, the game flow when a hold announcement is executed will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41. In this modified example, similar to the case of the first embodiment, the game flow differs depending on the common hold number CRN when the definite display starts. In the following, the case where the common hold number CRN is less than or equal to the set number AN of hold announcements and the case where the common hold number CRN is greater than the set number AN of hold announcements will be separately described. Note that in the following description, it is assumed that all hold information other than the special hold information corresponds to a normal deviation result (a deviation result where a reach does not occur).

[0375] <Regarding the case where the common hold number CRN is less than or equal to the set number AN of hold announcements> The case where the common hold number CRN is less than or equal to the set number AN of hold announcements will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 40. Here, the case where the common hold number CRN and the set number AN are the same will be taken as an example for explanation. Note that in the following description, the parts similar to those in FIGS. 29 and 30 according to the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified in the explanation.

[0376] When the variable display starts on the main display unit 43 at timing t31, the variable display of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP on the display screen 41a also starts accordingly. Then, if a winning occurs at the upper operation port 33a or the lower operation port 33b at timing t32, which is near the end of the variable display, and the hold information corresponds to the occurrence of a reach, at the timing when the winning occurs, it is first specified by the confirmation process for hold notice in the main control device 81 that it is special hold information. At the subsequent timing t33 when the variable display time has elapsed and it becomes the start timing of the fixed display, the main control device 81 executes a determination process as to whether the special hold information has been previously specified.

[0377] Where the set count AN of the hold notice is 2, in this case, the common hold count CRN when the fixed display starts is 2 (see Fig. 40(b)). In this case, in the main control device 81, the first fixed display time is set to the special period (1.5 sec) in order to immediately execute the hold notice. Then, a first stop display command to that effect is transmitted to the notification and effect control device 82, and the symbol on the main display unit 43 is stopped and displayed.

[0378] The notification and effect control device 82 grasps that the hold notice should be executed upon receipt of the first stop display command, and a hold notice flag is set in the RAM 244 (see Fig. 40(d)). At this time, since it is grasped for the first time from the first stop display command that the hold notice should be executed without having received a prior instruction from the main control device 81, it is determined that the hold notice should be immediately executed with the re-variation of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, and a re-variation flag and a notice execution flag are set in the RAM 244 (see Figs. 40(e) and (f)). At that time, the stop display mode of the hold notice is set as the stop display mode of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 after the re-variation.

[0379] Thus, in this modified example, whether to execute the reservation notice is determined by the main control device 81, and whether to execute the re-variation of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 is determined by the notification and effect control device 82. As a result, it is not necessary for the main control device 81 to make a judgment considering the presence or absence of re-variation, and it becomes possible to simplify the control program and reduce the processing load on the main control device 81 side. Note that the display control device 212 may determine the presence or absence of re-variation.

[0380] Also, at timing t33, a first confirmed display command is transmitted from the notification and effect control device 82 to the display control device 212, and the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP are stopped and displayed. The stopped display mode of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 at this time is a mode that does not take into account the execution of the reservation notice, that is, the normal completely off stopped mode set at the start of the variation at timing t31 (see Fig. 40(g2)).

[0381] At timing t34 when a predetermined time (0.2 sec) has elapsed since timing t33, the re-variation of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 is started (see Fig. 40(g3)). Also, the re-variation flag stored in the RAM 244 is erased with the start of the re-variation (see Fig. 40(e)). At this time, the main display unit 43 and the display unit KP of the display screen 41a remain in the stopped display state. Then, at timing t35 when the execution period (0.8 sec) has elapsed since the start of the re-variation, the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 are stopped and displayed again in the stopped mode of the reservation notice (see Fig. 40(g4)). The stopped display mode at this time is the one set at the disclosure of the confirmed display at timing t33.

[0382] At timing t36 after the re-variation has ended, a preview display effect that causes a bubble image to appear is executed for the remaining time (0.5 sec) of the first confirmation display time (see Fig. 40(g5)). After the end of the hold preview, when the first confirmation display time elapses at timing t37, the main control device 81 sets the second confirmation display time to 0.5 sec (see Fig. 40(c)), and a second stop display command to that effect is transmitted to the notification / effect control device 82. As a result, the confirmation display being executed on the main display unit 43 etc. continues for 0.5 sec. Then, when the second confirmation display time elapses at timing t38, each confirmation display on the main display unit 43 etc. ends.

[0383] Also, at timing t38, with the end of the confirmation display, the variation display for the next game round is started (see Fig. 40(c)). At this time, in the notification / effect control device 82, when the stop result determination process for complete miss (Fig. 39) is executed, since the hold preview flag and the preview execution flag are stored in the RAM 244, the stop display modes of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are set to the stop modes for hold preview (see steps S2401, S2402, S2405 in Fig. 39).

[0384] And at timing t39 when the said variation display ends, the first confirmation display time for that game round is set. Since the game round in this case is the game round immediately before the specific game round, at timing t39, the first confirmation display time is set to a special time (1.5 sec) so that the said game round is the target of hold preview execution (see Fig. 40(c)).

[0385] Also, at timing t39, the main control device 81 causes the main display unit 43 to perform a confirmation display, and the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP are confirmed by the notification / effect control device 82 or the display control device 212. The stop display modes of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 at this time are the stop modes for hold preview set at the start of variation of the immediately preceding game round at timing t38 (see Fig. 40(g7)). That is, in the confirmation display of the immediately preceding game round, no re-variation effect is performed on the symbol columns Z1 to Z3.

[0386] After that, in the same manner as in the case of FIG. 29 in the first embodiment, after a hold notice for causing a bubble image to appear is executed (see FIG. 40(g8)), the specific game turn that is the target of the hold notice is executed (see FIG. 40(c)).

[0387] <When the common hold number CRN is larger than the number of set times AN> Next, a case where the common hold number CRN is larger than the number of set times AN of the hold notice will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 41. In the following description, parts similar to those in the case of FIG. 40 will be omitted or simplified.

[0388] If a winning occurs at the upper operation port 33a or the lower operation port 33b at the timing t42, which is near the end of the variable display started at the timing t41, and the hold information corresponds to the occurrence of a reach, then at the timing when the winning occurs, it is specified by the confirmation process for hold notice in the main control device 81 that it is special hold information. Then, when the variable display time elapses at the timing t43, a determination process as to whether the special hold information has been previously specified is executed by the main control device 81.

[0389] Also, at the timing t43, the first determined display time is set by the main control device 81. In this case, the common hold number CRN when the determined display starts is 3 (see FIG. 41(b)), and the game turn (the ongoing game turn) that is the target of setting the determined display time is the third game turn before the specific game turn corresponding to the previously specified hold information. For this reason, the first determined display time is set to the time shortening time (0 sec) so that the ongoing game turn is not the target of the hold notice.

[0390] Furthermore, at timing t43, based on the above determination process and the setting result of the first fixed display time, a first stop display command including information indicating that the first fixed display time is the time-saving time, information indicating that a hold announcement should be executed, and information indicating that the hold announcement should be started from the next game round is output from the main control device 81. As a result, the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP are fixedly displayed by the notification / effect control device 82 or the display control device 212, and a hold announcement flag is set in the RAM 244 by the notification / effect control device 82 (see FIG. 41(d)). The stop display mode of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 at this time is the stop mode set at the start of the variation at timing t41, and specifically, it is a completely off stop mode different from the stop mode of the hold announcement.

[0391] When the second fixed display time (0.5 sec) elapses at timing t44, each fixed display on the main display unit 43 and the like ends, and the variation display of the next game round starts. At this time, based on the fact that the hold announcement flag is stored in the RAM 244 and that this game round is designated as the game round in which the hold announcement should be started, the stop display mode of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 is set to the stop mode of the hold announcement by the notification / effect control device 82. Furthermore, a flag indicating that a notice is being executed is set in the RAM 244 by the notification / effect control device 82 (see FIG. 41(e)).

[0392] Then, when the variable display time elapses at timing t45, the main control device 81 sets the first fixed display time. In this case, since the game round is the game round two before the specific game round, the first fixed display time is set to the special time (1.5 sec) for the hold announcement (see Fig. 41(c)). Then, the first stop display command including information indicating that the first fixed display time is the special time is output from the main control device 81. As a result, the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the display unit KP are fixedly displayed by the notification / effect control device 82 or the display control device 212. The stop display mode of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 at this time is the stop mode of the hold announcement set at the start of the variable display at timing t44 (see Fig. 41(f1)). That is, when the notification / effect control device 82 or the display control device 212 grasps that a hold announcement should be executed at the start of the variable display, the hold announcement is executed without the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 being variably displayed again.

[0393] Thereafter, as in the case of Fig. 40, the first fixed display time of the immediately preceding game round is set to the special time (1.5 sec), and then the hold announcement is executed using the first fixed display time (see Fig. 41(c), (f4), (f5)). After that, the specific game round targeted by the hold announcement is executed (see Fig. 41(c)).

[0394] According to the present modification described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

[0395] A configuration is adopted in which a reservation notice is given using the stop results (combinations of stopped symbols) of symbol columns Z1 to Z3. Since the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are stopped and displayed with stop results corresponding to the result of the win / loss determination, it is assumed that the player is paying high attention and watching closely. Therefore, with the above configuration, it becomes easier for the player to notice the reservation notice, and it is possible to suitably enhance the sense of anticipation for the subsequent game rounds. Moreover, a configuration is adopted in which the stop results of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 can be changed based on the result of a specific prediction made during the game round, and the result of the specific prediction can be promptly reflected. For this reason, even when the game round targeted for the specific prediction is the next game round of the ongoing game round, the reservation notice using the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 can be executed, and the execution opportunity of the said effect can be expanded.

[0396] In addition, according to this modified example, a configuration is adopted in which the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are once stopped and displayed with the setting result at the start of the variation (step S1508 in FIG. 27), and then the stop result is changed. For this reason, although it is a configuration in which the stop result is suddenly changed based on the result of a specific prediction during the game round, it is possible to suppress the induction of discomfort or distrust in the player. For example, when the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are in the slow variation display (see FIG. 25(c)) or at least one of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 has been stopped and displayed, the player is in a situation where the symbols on the display screen 41a can be identified. If the configuration is such that the symbol change process is immediately performed when a specific prediction is made in such a situation, it is necessary to replace the symbols during the slow variation display or the symbols that have been stopped and displayed, which may cause discomfort or distrust in the player. In this regard, in this modified example, a configuration is adopted in which after waiting for the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 to be stopped and displayed with the setting result at the start of the variation, the stop result is changed with a re-variation. In this case, it is suppressed that the variation display of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 before the change of the stop result becomes unnatural, and the stop result can be changed in a natural flow.

[0397] However, since the unscheduled re-variation is added midway in such a way that it follows the variable display at the start of the game round, the final stop display of the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 is postponed, and ensuring the time for this becomes a problem. In this regard, in this modified example, when a hold notice is given, the first fixed display time is made longer, and a configuration is adopted in which re-variation is performed using that period. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately secure the time for re-variation, and inconveniences such as the game round ending during the re-variation or the display period of the stop result after the change not being secured are preferably suppressed. Moreover, the setting timing of the first fixed display time is separately set from the setting timing of the variable display time, and the first fixed display time is set according to the start timing of the fixed display. Thereby, it becomes possible to flexibly change the fixed display time with respect to the early identification after the start of the variable display, and it can be made into an optimal configuration for adding a re-variation midway.

[0398] Also, by adopting a configuration in which the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 that have been stopped and displayed are re-varied and then the stop result is changed, the following effect is also expected. For example, if the stop result is changed instantaneously, as described above, there is a risk of causing a sense of discomfort and distrust, and there is also a possibility that the player may not notice the change. In this regard, according to this configuration, the presence of the re-variation display makes it easier to notice the change in the stop result, and the significance of the hold notice due to the change in the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 can be preferably ensured. Furthermore, it is possible to add the pleasure of guessing which stop result will be changed, and the interestingness is improved.

[0399] A configuration is adopted in which the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 are re-varied and displayed after a predetermined time (0.2 sec) has elapsed since the start of the fixed display. According to this configuration, it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of the stop result before the re-variation display. In addition, it becomes easier to recognize that the re-variation display has been made, and it becomes possible to promote the player's understanding of the production. Moreover, by providing a temporal accumulation before the re-variation display, it is possible to stimulate the sense of anticipation for the re-variation and improve the interestingness.

[0400] In the above-described modification example, the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are stopped and displayed in the stop mode of the hold announcement, and a preview display effect for causing the bubble image to appear is performed. However, a configuration that does not execute such a preview display effect may also be used.

[0401] <Modification Example 2 of the First Embodiment> In this modification example, the execution mode of the hold announcement is different from that of the first embodiment described above. Specifically, it is different from the first embodiment in that both the variable display time and the confirmation display time are set based on a previously specified result. Hereinafter, the hold announcement according to this modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 42.

[0402] In the hold announcement according to this modification example, as shown in FIG. 42(b), when it is specified that the hold information that has not yet been the subject of the win / loss determination corresponds to a jackpot or a near-miss occurrence, the variable display time of the variable display in the main display unit 43, the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, and the display unit KP is set to a special time (1.0 sec) for the hold announcement that is shorter than normal. Also, regarding the confirmation display time of the confirmation display, as in the case of the first embodiment, the first confirmation display time is set to a special time (1.5 sec) for the hold announcement, so that it becomes 2.0 sec, which is longer than normal. Then, as shown in FIG. 42(c), the stop display mode of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 when the hold announcement is made is the same as in the case of the above modification example 1, and is the stop mode of the hold announcement. Further, during the confirmation display, a preview display effect for causing a bubble image to appear on the display screen 41a is displayed.

[0403] According to the above configuration, when executing the hold announcement, the variable display time is shortened while the confirmation display time is lengthened. Therefore, the ratio occupied by the confirmation display in one game round can be increased compared to the normal time when the hold announcement is not executed. As a result, the presence of the confirmation display can be enhanced, and the degree of attention to the hold announcement (the stop display result of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 and the preview display effect by the bubble image) performed using the confirmation display time can be increased.

[0404] Also, in the above configuration, when executing the hold notice, the fixed display time is set to be longer than the variable display time. As shown in Fig. 42(a), usually, the fixed display time is extremely short compared to the variable display time. By making an extreme change that reverses the length relationship between the fixed display time and the variable display time, a strong sense of discomfort can be given to the player. As a result, it becomes easier for the player to notice the hold notice, and it becomes possible to suitably enhance the sense of anticipation for the subsequent game rounds.

[0405] In addition, in the configuration where the variable display time is shorter than the fixed display time, the number and types of effect displays that can be executed during the variable display time are greatly restricted compared to normal times. As a result, the effect displays performed during the variable display become limited, and accordingly, it becomes possible to highlight the hold notice performed during the fixed display.

[0406] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the game time (total time obtained by adding the variable display time and the fixed display time) for one game round when executing the hold notice is set to be shorter than when not executing the hold notice. When the hold notice is executed, it is assumed that the player's attention is likely to be directed towards the specific game round that is the subject of the hold notice. With the above configuration, the required period until the specific game round can be shortened. As a result, the player can play the specific game round earlier, and a configuration suitable for the player's needs can be achieved.

[0407] Next, in this modification example, each control process executed by the MPU 202 of the main control device 81 will be described.

[0408] In this modified example, a configuration is adopted in which both the variable display time and the fixed display time are set based on the previously specified result. As timings at which these respective times can be set, there are at least two timings. Specifically, they are the start of variable display for setting the variable display time and the start of fixed display for setting the fixed display time. In view of this point, in this modified example, a determination process as to whether or not special hold information has been specified by a confirmation process for hold notice (step S305 in FIG. 11) is executed not only at the disclosure of fixed display but also at the start of variable display. And when it is determined in any of the determination processes that special hold information has been specified, a configuration is adopted in which settings for each hold notice regarding variable display and fixed display (settings such as the number of executions of special time and the number of standby times until it becomes special time) are performed collectively. Hereinafter, specific control processes for realizing the above configuration will be described in detail.

[0409] <Processing at Stop Start> FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the processing at stop start executed by the MPU 202 of the main control device 81. This processing is executed in place of the processing at stop start in FIG. 22.

[0410] In the processing at stop start of this modified example, first, in step S2501, it is determined whether or not a stop-side special setting in flag F2 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The stop-side special setting in flag F2 is set when the first fixed display time is set to a special time for hold notice (1.5 sec).

[0411] If the determination in step S2501 is negative, then in step S2502, it is determined whether or not a variable-side special setting flag F3 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The variable-side special setting flag F3 is set when the variable display time should be set to a special time (1.0 sec).

[0412] If a negative determination is made in step S2502, then in step S2503, it is determined whether or not a stop-side special setting flag F1 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The stop-side special setting flag F1 is set when the first confirmed display time should be set to a special time.

[0413] If a negative determination is made in step S2503, then in step S2504, it is determined whether or not the subsequent hold information stored in the hold ball storage area 232 corresponds to a jackpot or a near miss occurring, that is, whether or not special hold information has been identified by the hold preview confirmation process. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2504, the process proceeds to step S2505, and a process of grasping the execution count DN1 of the stop-side special period setting is executed. The execution count DN1 indicates the number of times the first confirmed display time is set to a special time. Here, the process of grasping the execution count DN1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 44(a).

[0414] <Process of grasping the execution count DN1 of the stop-side special period setting> In the process of grasping the execution count DN1, first, in step S2601, the common hold count CRN stored in the hold count storage area FE is read out to grasp the common hold count CRN. In the subsequent step S2602, the common hold count CRN is compared with a set count AN (2 times) preset as the execution count of the hold preview, and it is determined whether or not the common hold count CRN is equal to or greater than the set count AN. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2602, then in step S2603, the set count AN is set as the execution count DN1 as it is. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2602, then in step S2604, the common hold count CRN is set as the execution count DN1. After the execution of steps S2603 and S2604, the process of grasping the execution count DN1 ends.

[0415] Returning to the description of the start / stop processing (Fig. 43), after the execution of step S2505, the processes of steps S2506 to S2508 are executed. These processes are the same as steps S1205 to S1209 of the start / stop processing in Fig. 22. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2508, that is, if the lottery for the feasibility of the hold notice is won, the hold notice setting process for the stop side and the variable side is executed in step S2509. This process is for setting each hold notice for variable display and confirmed display. Here, the above hold notice setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 44(b).

[0416] <Hold Notice Setting Process for Stop Side and Variable Side> In the hold notice setting process for the stop side and the variable side, first, in step S2701, the execution count DN1 grasped in the execution count grasping process (Fig. 44(a)) of the above execution count DN1 is set as the execution count counter DC1 in the execution count counter area provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM204. The execution count counter DC1 is a counter for counting the number of executions with the first confirmed display time set to a special time.

[0417] In the subsequent step S2702, the standby count counter WC1 is set in the standby count counter area provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM204. In this step, the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the execution count DN1 from the common hold count CRN is set as the value of the standby count counter WC1. The standby count counter WC1 is a counter for counting the number of game rounds waiting for the process of setting the first confirmed display time to a special time.

[0418] After the execution of step S2702, setting processes for variable display are performed in steps S2703 to S2707. In this setting process, first, in step S2703, it is determined whether or not the subtracted value obtained by subtracting 1 from the common reserved number CRN is equal to or greater than the set number of times AN (2 times). If the determination in step S2703 is affirmative, then in step S2704, the set number of times AN is set as the execution number DN2 as it is. The execution number DN2 indicates the number of times of setting the variable display time to a special time. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2703 is negative, then in step S2705, the subtracted value obtained by subtracting 1 from the common reserved number CRN is set as the execution number DN2.

[0419] After the execution of steps S2704 and S2705, in step S2706, the execution number DN2 set in steps S2704 and S2705 is set as the execution number counter DC2 in the execution number counter area provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM204. The execution number counter DC2 is a counter for counting the number of times of setting the variable display time to a special time.

[0420] In the subsequent step S2707, the subtracted value obtained by subtracting the execution number DN2 from the common reserved number CRN - 1 is set as the standby number counter WC2 in the standby number counter area provided in the various counter areas 234 of the RAM204, and the setting process for this reserved notice is terminated. The standby number counter WC2 is a counter for counting the number of game turns to wait for the process of setting the variable display time to a special time.

[0421] Here, the reason for using the subtracted value obtained by subtracting 1 from the common reserved number CRN as the reference value when setting the execution number and the standby number in steps S2703 to S2707 is that the processes of steps S2504 and S2505 in FIG. 43 are premised on the case where new reserved information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurrence is stored during variable display as shown in FIG. 45(a).

[0422] That is, when new hold information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurs at timing t51, the first confirmed display time can be set to a special time starting from timing t52, which is the start timing of the subsequent confirmed display 321. However, the variable display time can be set to a special time starting from timing t53 when the next variable display 322 starts. In this case, since the number of common hold numbers CRN at timing t53 is one less than that at timing t52, a subtracted value obtained by subtracting 1 from the common hold number CRN is used as a reference value.

[0423] Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 45(b), when the common hold number CRN at timing t52 is 1 and a specific game round corresponding to the hold information specified earlier at timing t51 is executed starting from timing t53, 1 time is set as the number of execution times DN1 for the first confirmed display time, and 0 time is set as the number of execution times DN2 for the variable display time.

[0424] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 45(c), when the common hold number CRN at timing t52 is 4 and a specific game round corresponding to the hold information specified earlier at timing t51 is executed starting from timing t54 after a waiting period, 3 times is set as the number of waiting times WC1 for the first confirmed display time, and 2 times is set as the number of waiting times WC2 for the variable display time. In this case, since both the common hold number CRN and the common hold number CRN - 1 at timing t52 are greater than the set number of times AN(2), 2 times is set for each of the execution times DN1 and DN2.

[0425] Returning to the description of the stop start processing (FIG. 43), after the execution of step S2509, a stop side special setting flag F1 is set in the various flag confirmation areas of the RAM204 at step S2510. In the subsequent step S2511, it is determined whether the value of the waiting time counter WC1 is 0. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2511, a stop side special setting in - progress flag F2 is set in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM204 at step S2512.

[0426] In the subsequent step S2513, the first confirmation display time is set to 1.5 sec as a special time. Then, in step S2514, the execution count counter DC1 is decremented by 1 and updated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2511, after decrementing the wait count counter WC1 by 1 and updating it in step S2515, the processes of steps S2516 to S2518 are executed. The processes of these steps S2516 to S2518 are the same as the processes of steps S1216 to S1218 in the stop start processing of FIG. 22. After the execution of steps S2514, S2517, and S2518, in step S2519, the confirmation display (first confirmation display) of the pattern is started in the operation port display section of the main display section 43, and this stop start processing is terminated.

[0427] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in steps S2502 and S2503, the process proceeds to step S2511 to determine whether the value of the wait count counter WC1 is 0, and the processes after step S2512 or the processes after step S2515 are executed according to the determination result.

[0428] Also, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2501, the process proceeds to step S2520 to determine whether the value of the execution count counter DC1 is 0. If a negative determination is made in step S2520, the process proceeds to step S2513 to set the first confirmation display time to 1.5 sec. In contrast, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2520, in step S2521, the stop side special setting flag F1 and the stop side special setting in progress flag F2 stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204 are erased. Then, the processes after step S2516 are executed.

[0429] <Variable display time setting process> Next, the variable display time setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 46. This process is executed in place of the variable display time setting process of FIG. 17.

[0430] The setting process for the variable display time according to this modification example is common to the setting process for the variable display time in FIG. 17, except that the setting process for the variable display time for complete deviation in step S2807 is performed instead of the process in step S907 of FIG. 17, and the setting process for this variable display time ends as it is after the execution of step S2807. Hereinafter, the setting process for the variable display time for complete deviation in step S2807 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 47.

[0431] <Setting Process for Variable Display Time for Complete Deviation> In the setting process for the variable display time for complete deviation according to this modification example, first, in step S2901, it is determined whether the variable-side special setting in progress flag F4 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The variable-side special setting in progress flag F4 is set when the variable display time is set to a special time (1.0 sec) for reservation notice.

[0432] If the determination in step S2901 is negative, then in step S2902, it is determined whether the stop-side special setting flag F1 (see step S2510 in FIG. 43) is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. If the determination in step S2902 is negative, then in step S2903, it is determined whether the variable-side special setting flag F3 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204. The variable-side special setting flag F3 is set when the variable display time should be set to a special time.

[0433] If the determination in step S2903 is negative, then in step S2904, it is determined whether the subsequent reservation information stored in the reservation ball storage area 232 corresponds to a jackpot or a reach occurrence, that is, whether special reservation information is specified by the confirmation process for reservation notice. If the determination in step S2904 is affirmative, then the process proceeds to step S2905, and a process of grasping the execution count DN2 of the variable-side special period setting is executed. Here, the process of grasping the execution count DN2 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 48(a).

[0434] <Processing for grasping the execution count DN2 of the variable-side special period setting> In the processing for grasping the execution count DN2, first, in step S3001, the common hold count CRN stored in the hold count storage area FE is read out to grasp the common hold count CRN. In this case, since the process of updating the common hold count CRN (refer to the data setting process in step S505 of FIG. 13 and the process in step S601 of FIG. 14) when starting the variable display is performed before the execution of the variable display time setting process shown in FIG. 47, it becomes the updated common hold count CRN.

[0435] In the subsequent step S3002, the common hold count CRN is compared with the set count AN (2 times) preset as the execution count of the hold notice, and it is determined whether the common hold count CRN is equal to or greater than the set count AN. If an affirmative determination is made in step S3002, then in step S3003, the set count AN is set as the execution count DN2 as it is. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S3002, then in step S3004, the common hold count CRN is set as the execution count DN1. After the execution of steps S3003 and S3004, the processing for grasping the current execution count DN2 ends.

[0436] Returning to the explanation of the setting process for the variable display time for complete deviation (FIG. 47), after the execution of step S2905, the processes of steps S2906 to S2908 are executed. These processes are the same as those of steps S1205 to S1209 in the stop start time process of FIG. 22. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2908, that is, if the lottery for the availability of the hold notice is won, then in step S2909, the setting process for the hold notice for the variable side and the stop side is executed. This process is for making the settings for each hold notice for variable display and confirmed display. Here, the above-mentioned setting process for the hold notice will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 48(b).

[0437] <Setting process for the hold notice for the variable side and the stop side> In the setting process for the hold notice on the variable side and the stop side, first, in step S3101, the execution count DN2 grasped in the grasping process of the above execution count DN2 (Figure 48(a)) is set as the execution count counter DC2 in the execution count counter area provided in each counter area 234 of the RAM204. In the subsequent step S3102, the standby count counter WC2 is set in the standby count counter area provided in each counter area 234 of the RAM204. In this step, the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the execution count DN2 from the common hold count CRN is set as the value of the standby count counter WC2.

[0438] After the execution of step S3102, the setting process for the first confirmation display is performed in steps S3103 to S3107. In this setting process, first, in step S3103, it is determined whether the common hold count CRN is equal to or greater than the set count AN (2 times). If an affirmative determination is made in step S3103, the set count AN is set as the execution count DN1 (indicating the number of times to set the first confirmation display time to a special time) in step S3104. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S3103, the common hold count CRN is set as the execution count DN1 in step S3105.

[0439] After the execution of steps S3104 and S3105, in step S3106, the execution count DN1 set in steps S3104 and S3105 is set as the execution count counter DC1 in the execution count counter area provided in each counter area 234 of the RAM204. In the subsequent step S3107, the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the execution count DN1 from the common hold count CRN is set as the standby count counter WC2 in the standby count counter area provided in each counter area 234 of the RAM204, and this hold notice setting process is terminated.

[0440] Here, in steps S3103 to S3107 shown in FIG. 48(b), unlike the case of steps S2703 to S2707 in FIG. 44(b), the reference values for setting the number of execution times and the number of standby times are the same for the variable display and the confirmation display because it is assumed that the processes of steps S2904 and S2905 in FIG. 47 store new pending information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach during the confirmation display as shown in FIG. 49(a).

[0441] That is, when new pending information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach is stored at timing t61, the variable display time can be set to a special time starting from timing t62, which is the start timing of the subsequent variable display 323, and the first confirmation display time can be set to a special time starting from timing t63, which is the start timing of the confirmation display 324 immediately following the variable display 323. Since the variable display 323 and the confirmation display 324 belong to the same game round, there is no difference in the common pending number CRN at timings t62 and t63, so the same reference value is used.

[0442] For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 49(b), when the common pending number CRN at timing t62 is 1 and it is executed from timing t64 after one game round of the specific game round corresponding to the pending information specified at timing t61, the number of execution times DN2 for the variable display time and the number of execution times DN1 for the first confirmation display time are both set to 1.

[0443] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 49(c), when the common pending number CRN at timing t62 is 3 and it is executed from timing t65 after the standby period of the specific game round corresponding to the pending information specified at timing t61, the number of standby times WC2 for the variable display time and the number of standby times WC1 for the first confirmation display time are both set to 1. In this case, since the common pending number CRN at timing t62 is larger than the set number AN(2), the number of execution times DN1 and DN2 are each set to 2.

[0444] Returning to the description of the setting process for the variable display time for complete deviation (Fig. 47), after the execution of step S2909, at step S2910, the variable-side special setting flag F3 is set in the various flag determination areas of the RAM 204. In the subsequent step S2911, it is determined whether the value of the standby count counter WC2 is 0. If an affirmative determination is made in step S2911, then at step S2912, the variable-side special setting in-progress flag F4 is set in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204.

[0445] In the subsequent step S2913, the variable display time is set to 1.0 sec as a special period, and then, at step S2914, the execution count counter DC2 is decremented by 1 and updated. Thereafter, this variable display time setting process ends. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2911, then after the standby count counter WC2 is decremented by 1 and updated at step S2915, the process proceeds to step S2916, and the variable display time corresponding to the value of the current variation type counter CS is obtained by referring to the non-occurrence variable display time table for the normal game state stored in the display time table storage area 223. In the subsequent step S2917, the variable display time obtained in step S2916 is set in the variable display time counter area, and then, this variable display time setting process ends.

[0446] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2902, that is, if the stop-side special setting flag F1 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204, it means that a decision to execute a reservation notice has already been made in the stop start-time process (Fig. 43) before this variable display time setting process is executed, and various settings for that have also been completed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S2911 to determine whether the value of the standby count counter WC2 is 0, and the processes after step S2912 or the processes after step S2915 are executed according to the determination result.

[0447] Thus, when an affirmative determination is made in step S2902, if it is determined that the processing of steps S2904 to S2910 is skipped and a hold notice is to be executed by the stop start processing prior to the setting process of the present variation display time, the execution of the result determination process for specifying the hold destination in step S2904 is restricted. As a result, after it is determined that a hold notice is to be executed by the stop start processing, even if new hold information corresponding to a jackpot or a reach occurs, the impact thereof is suppressed.

[0448] This is the same in the stop start processing shown in FIG. 43. In this processing, when an affirmative determination is made in step S2502, that is, when the variation side special setting flag F3 is stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 244, the processing of steps S2504 to S2510 is skipped. For this reason, if it is determined that a hold notice is to be executed by the setting process of the variation display time for complete miss (FIG. 47) prior to the stop start processing, the execution of the result determination process for specifying the hold destination in step S2504 is restricted.

[0449] As described above, in this modification example, a configuration is adopted in which the previously performed processing (determination to execute a hold notice and various setting processes for the hold notice based thereon) is prioritized between the stop start processing shown in FIG. 43 and the setting process of the variation display time for complete miss shown in FIG. 47. Therefore, among the two determination timings, i.e., the timing of disclosure of the confirmed display and the start of the variation display, it is possible to suitably suppress inconveniences such as competition of determination results, duplication of settings, and mid-course changes.

[0450] Returning to the description of the setting process of the variation display time for complete miss (FIG. 47), when an affirmative determination is made in step S2903, steps S2904 to S2910 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S2911, similar to the case when an affirmative determination is made in step S2902.

[0451] On the one hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2901, the process proceeds to step S2918 to determine whether the value of the execution count counter DC2 is 0. If a negative determination is made in step S2918, the process proceeds to step S2913 to set the variable display time to 1.0 sec. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2918, in step S2919, the variable-side special setting flag F3 and the variable-side special setting in-progress flag F4 stored in the various flag storage areas 235 of the RAM 204 are erased. Thereafter, the processes after step S2916 are executed to end the setting process of the present variable display time.

[0452] According to the present modification described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0453] Regarding the variable display time in addition to the fixed display time, it is configured to be set based on the previously specified result. In this case, it is possible to change the game time related to one game round (the period from the start of the variable display to the start of the next variable display) by utilizing both the fixed display and the variable display. For example, in a configuration where the game time related to one game round is changed only by the fixed display, if the fixed display time is made unduly long, the player is likely to get the impression of dilly-dallying, so the time difference of the game time is likely to be limited. In this regard, in the present modification, since the game time related to one game round is changed by the cooperation of the variable display and the fixed display, the time difference between the case where the special hold information is previously specified and the case where it is not can be increased. Thereby, a dynamic change can be realized and it becomes easy to give a special impression.

[0454] At each of the start timing of the fixed display and the start timing of the variable display, it is configured to determine whether the hold information of the occurrence of a big win or a reach is previously specified, and to set the variable display time and the first fixed display time based on each determination result. Thereby, it becomes possible to suitably perform the special setting for the hold notice regarding the variable display time and the fixed display time.

[0455] For example, in a configuration where the above determination process is performed only at the start timing of the final display, as shown in Fig. 50(a), when special hold information is first specified at timing t71 during the final display, as shown in Fig. 50(b), the first specification result of the special hold information is determined only at timing t73 when the final display 332 starts. As a result, the variable display time of the variable display 331 becomes the normal time, and then it is set to a special time for hold notice from the subsequent final display 332.

[0456] On the other hand, in this modification example, since the above determination process is also performed at the start timing of the variable display, the first specification result of the special hold information can be determined at timing t72 when the variable display 331 starts. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 50(c), the variable display time of the variable display 331 can be set to a special time for hold notice, and it becomes possible to start the hold notice earlier than in the case of Fig. 50(b).

[0457] Also, in a configuration where the above determination process is performed only at the start timing of the variable display, as shown in Fig. 51(a), when special hold information is first specified at timing t81 before the final display (during the variable display), as shown in Fig. 51(b), the first specification result of the special hold information is determined only at timing t83 which is the start timing of the variable display 334. As a result, the final display time of the final display 333 becomes the normal time, and then it is set to a special time for hold notice from the subsequent variable display 334.

[0458] On the other hand, in this modification example, since the above determination process is also performed at the start timing of the final display, the first specification result of the special hold information can be determined at timing t82 when the final display 333 starts. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 51(c), the final display time of the final display 333 can be set to a special time for hold notice, and it becomes possible to start the hold notice earlier than in the case of Fig. 51(b).

[0459] That is, according to this modification example, regardless of whether the special hold information is specified first during the fixed display or during the variable display, the special setting for the hold notice can be started promptly, and it becomes possible to expand the production opportunity.

[0460] On the other hand, in a configuration where the determination process is performed at two timings, if the prior specification is made between the time when one determination is made and the time when the other determination is made, there is a risk that the determination results will conflict, leading to overlapping or mid-course changes in the period setting. In this regard, in this modification example, the determination result on the side where it is first determined that the special hold information has been specified first among those determination processes is ...

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine in which a gaming ball launched by a predetermined launching means can enter a predetermined ball entry means, a first determination means for making a first determination based on whether a predetermined first condition is satisfied; a means for variably displaying a symbol for the first determination on a predetermined display means based on the first determination being made by the first determination means, and then displaying a symbol corresponding to the result of the first determination; a second determination means for making a second determination different from the first determination based on the establishment of a second condition different from the first condition; a means for variably displaying a symbol for the second determination on the predetermined display means or a display means different from the predetermined display means based on the second determination being made by the second determination means, and then displaying a symbol corresponding to the result of the second determination; Equipped with The game is played in a plurality of states including a first state and a second state that is more advantageous to the player than the first state, a means for transitioning a game state to one of the plurality of states based on the result of the first determination; In the first state, when the result of the second judgment is a first result that allows the ball to be scored into the specific scoring means, a pattern corresponding to the first result can be displayed for a predetermined period of time. In the first state, when the result of the second determination is a second result different from the first result, a pattern corresponding to the second result can be displayed for a specific period different from the predetermined period, The launching means is configured to be operated in a specific manner so that the launched game ball can reach the specific ball entry means, A configuration capable of executing a predetermined notification that guides a firing operation in the specific manner, The configuration is such that, in a situation after the result of the second determination is the first result and a pattern corresponding to the first result is displayed, the predetermined notification can be executed in a predetermined manner, A gaming machine characterized in that it is configured to be able to execute the specified notification in the specified manner when the result of the second judgment is the first result and before the pattern corresponding to the first result is displayed.

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