Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of maintaining image visibility while improving the diversity of images to be displayed.SOLUTION: A setting suggestion performance includes a first pattern in which a first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed on a display device 410, and a second pattern in which a second specific setting suggestion image 415b is displayed. The first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b are composite images in which setting suggestion icon images 520a, 520b are drawn so as to cover images containing facial images 511a, 512a, respectively. The position where the facial image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is different from the position where the facial image 512a is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b. The setting suggestion icon image 520b is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b at the position where the facial image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in gaming machines in which a fixed gaming value is assigned to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls and games are played to acquire such gaming media, a configuration equipped with a display device for displaying images according to the progress of the game is known.

[0003] In the gaming machine described above, a configuration is known in which, when a gaming state advantageous to the player ends, the image displayed on the display device is changed according to a setting value set in the gaming machine (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-68926 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for gaming machines that use a variety of effects to enhance a player's interest in the effects. In such gaming machines, when a specific trigger is established, a player's interest in the effects can be enhanced by displaying one of a plurality of image patterns on the display device, but when differentiating the content of the image patterns, there is also a demand for improving the diversity of the images while maintaining the visibility of the images.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can improve the diversity of images displayed while maintaining the visibility of the images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes a performance control means (for example, the performance control means 200, paragraph

[0064] ) that controls performance; A display means (for example, a display device 410, paragraph

[0014] ) for displaying an image is provided, The performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance (for example, a setting suggestion performance, paragraph

[0177] ) when a specific trigger is established (for example, when the performance display button PU is operated during a result performance, paragraph

[0177] ), The specific effects include a first pattern in which a first image (for example, first specific setting suggestion image 415a, paragraph

[0186] , FIG. 11(B)) is displayed on the display means, and a second pattern in which a second image (for example, second specific setting suggestion image 415b, paragraph

[0190] , FIG. 11(C)) is displayed on the display means, The first image and the second image are composite images in which a second type of image (e.g., setting suggestion icon images 520a and 520b, paragraphs

[0187] and

[0191] , and Figures 11(B) and (C)) is drawn so as to cover an image including a first type of image (e.g., face images 511a and 512a, paragraphs

[0187] and

[0191] , and Figures 11(B) and (C)), a position where the first type of image is displayed on the first image and a position where the first type of image is displayed on the second image are different positions; The second image displays the second type of image at a position where the first type of image is displayed in the first image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can improve the diversity of images displayed while maintaining the visibility of the images. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing winning areas that can be won by internal lottery in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal area and advantageous area controlled by the AT control means, and the presentation state during the advantageous area. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each batting order when a winning area including a small win is won in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing game results for each batting order when a winning area including a small win is won in the RBB internal state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] (A) is a diagram showing the state in which the initial game number notification effect has started in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention and an image is displayed prompting the operation of the effect display button PU; (B) is a diagram showing the state in which one suggestive image is displayed indicating the number of games that will be added when the effect display button is operated; and (C) is a diagram showing the state in which two suggestive images are displayed when the effect display button is continuously operated from the state shown in (B) and the number of games that will be added. [Figure 8] (A) to (C) are figures showing the state in which suggestive images are displayed overlappingly as the effect display button is continuously operated during the initial game number notification effect in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 9] (A) is a diagram showing the state in which the display mode of the suggestive image changes in an gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the presentation mode in which the number of games played added as the initial number of games is announced. [Figure 10] A diagram showing the relationship between setting suggestion images that are the subject of a lottery in a setting suggestion image lottery depending on the setting values ​​stored in a setting value memory means in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention. [Figure 11](A) is a diagram showing the state in which a result presentation is being executed in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, (B) is a diagram showing the state in which a first specific setting suggestion image is displayed during the result presentation, and (C) is a diagram showing the state in which a second specific setting suggestion image is displayed during the result presentation. [Figure 12] (A) is a figure showing a state in which a third specific setting suggestion image is displayed during the result presentation in an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention, and (B) is a figure showing a state in which a fourth specific setting suggestion image is displayed during the result presentation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description, the side toward the player (nearby) will be referred to as "front" and the opposite side as "rear."

[0011] 1. Overview of the gaming machine configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior configuration of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is configured as a medal-less gaming machine in which gaming value available to a player is recorded electromagnetically based on a lending signal output from an external device provided outside the slot machine 1 and configured to electromagnetically lend and settle electronic medals that constitute gaming value, and a dedicated unit SU (see FIG. 2) serving as a specific unit. The slot machine 1 is configured to store information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals and to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU records the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and dispenses it to settle the electronic medals.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is housed in a box-shaped cabinet consisting of a cabinet BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD, and houses a reel unit RU consisting of a left reel R1 to a right reel R3 as multiple reels. The cabinet of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that is equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1.

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

[0014] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD can be opened and closed separately. The upper front door UD is provided with a display device 410 as a display means for displaying various videos and images to assist and enhance the game. The display device 410 has a display area 410a for displaying images, and a specific area 410b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is made up of a transparent liquid crystal display. The display device 410 is configured so that the spinning and stopped states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed through the display device 410. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three consecutive symbols (top, middle, and bottom symbols) arranged on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 410. Among the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer periphery of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, three symbols arranged consecutively on the outer periphery can be observed through the display device 410.

[0015] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 410, and an activated line L1 is set for an activated line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic medals required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to three, and when electronic medals equivalent to the specified number are inserted, the activated line L1 formed by the middle row of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the valid line L1 (valid line), and if the symbol combination on the valid line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined role, that role is considered to have won, and control according to the winning role is executed.

[0017] In the display device 410 of this embodiment, a game medal number display area 410c that displays the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 is provided near the lower left end of the display area 410a when viewed from the front. Also, in the display device 410, a payout number display area 410d that displays the number of electronic medals paid out in one game when that game is executed is provided near the lower right end of the display area 410a when viewed from the front.

[0018] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a max bet button MB as an inserting operation means for setting the electronic medals stored in the slot machine 1 to an inserted state, a start lever SL as a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform a start operation that triggers the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to spin and start a game, stop buttons B1 to B3 as stop operation means for allowing the player to perform a stop operation that triggers each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are rotated by a stepping motor, a counting button KB as a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 to the dedicated unit SU, a settlement button AB for performing a settlement operation that cancels the inserted state and returns the electronic medals set to the inserted state to the medal count counter 311 (see FIG. 2), and an effect display button PU used to enhance the entertainment value of the effects.

[0019] The effect display button PU is a substantially rectangular button with the word "PUSH" written inside. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the effect display button PU is operated and an effect signal output to the effect control means 200 (see FIG. 2) is activated, an effect is executed on the display device 410 to notify the player that the effect display button PU will be operated, and an effect corresponding to the operation of the effect display button PU is displayed.

[0020] In addition, the lower front door DD is provided with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 10 (see FIG. 2). The main control display device 10D is made up of a 7-segment display or the like, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (alert display) suggesting how to press stop button B1, stop button B2, and stop button B3 related to the payout of electronic medals. The alert display displayed on the main control display device 10D corresponds to a winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on winning information, which is information on the winning combination in the current game, when a specified number of electronic medals are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0021] In addition, the front lower door DD is provided with a game medal count display device MD controlled by a medal count control CPU 31 (see Figure 2). The game medal count display device MD is made up of a 7-segment display or the like, and functions as a conceptual receptacle by displaying the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1.

[0022] The front lower door DD is provided with a plurality of sound devices 420 for producing sound effects. The sound devices 420 output a variety of sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has, as control boards, a main control board 10, a sub-control board 20, and a medal count control board 30. The main control board 10 has a main control CPU 11 (game control means) that controls the progress of the game by controlling the game played using game values. The sub-control board 20 has a sub-control CPU 21 that controls the presentation related to the game. The medal count control board 30 has a medal count control CPU 31 that manages electronic medals and controls the number of game medals by being configured to be able to communicate with the dedicated unit SU.

[0024] The main control CPU 11 functions as setting change means 100, deposit acceptance means 105, random number generation means 110, internal lottery means 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, payout control means 150, game state transition control means 160, assist time control means (AT control means) 170, and complete control means 180. Each means constituting the main control CPU 11 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in main storage means 190 when executing each control process.

[0025] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main storage means 190. The setting change means 100 operates when a setting key is inserted into a setting key cylinder KC provided on the main control board 10 and the setting key is turned, turning on the setting change switch SS provided inside the setting key cylinder KC. When the power is turned on with the setting change switch SS in the ON state, the setting change means 100 transitions to a setting change permitted state in which setting changes are permitted. On the other hand, the setting change means 100 is configured not to transition to the setting change permitted state when the setting change switch SS is in the ON state while the power is on.

[0026] In the setting change permitted state, the setting change means 100 cyclically changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... → Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal output by operating the setting change button BS provided on the power supply device, and determines the setting value based on receiving a start signal output by operating the start lever SL. In the slot machine 1, the winning probability of some of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a combination in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control is executed by the setting change means 100, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 170 are configured to be initialized, the game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 170 before the setting change is also initialized and a normal zone is set. Meanwhile, in the slot machine 1, when the supply of power to the main control CPU 11 is cut off (power interruption) and then the supply of power is resumed, the control relating to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control relating to the advantageous zone executed by the AT control means 170 are configured to be resumed from the state before the power interruption, and the control relating to the auxiliary game executed by the AT control means 170 before the power interruption is also configured to be maintained in the state before the power interruption.

[0028] The deposit acceptance means 105 accepts an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while a number of game medals equal to or greater than a specified number is stored in the medal number counter 311 described below during the deposit acceptance period for accepting the deposit of electronic medals, and sets the electronic medals stored in the medal number counter 311 to an inserted state up to the specified number set for each game state, and performs processing to enable the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that electronic medals equivalent to the specified number have been set to the inserted state.

[0029] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the first pressing of the start lever SL, which is enabled based on the setting of the inserted state of electronic medals equivalent to the specified number, is accepted as a game start operation by the player, which triggers the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and also triggers the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to execute an internal lottery. The specified number set for each game state will be described later in detail.

[0030] In addition, the deposit acceptance means 105 accepts an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated during the period from when the electronic medals are set to the inserted state until the start lever SL is operated to cancel the inserted state and adds the same number of electronic medals set to the inserted state to the number of game medals stored in the medal number counter 311, thereby settling the electronic medals set to the inserted state.

[0031] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for lotteries. In this embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that may be generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore may function as random numbers.

[0032] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on the start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0033] In the lottery table selection process, an internal lottery table to be used for the internal lottery is selected based on the current game state from among the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main storage means 190. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, and non-wins (misses) are associated with each of multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535).

[0034] In the following description, a bonus means a role that activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device when won, a bonus being activated means that a bonus is won and activates a reel or a reel continuous operation device, and a bonus state means that the reel or reel continuous operation device is activated.

[0035] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for lottery) generated by the random number generation means 110 is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is operated to start, and the obtained random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined based on the comparison result whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0036] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to a established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are simultaneously won, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations are set to an established state. Note that the slot machine 1 of this embodiment provides a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over its established state to the next game or thereafter until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to an unestablished state without carrying over its established state to the next game or thereafter regardless of whether a prize is won or not. In addition, the lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main storage means 190.

[0037] The reel control means 130 executes reel rotation control, which starts the rotation of the left reels R1 to R3 and controls the rotation pattern of the left reels R1 to R3, based on the player's start operation of the start lever SL and the output of a start signal. Furthermore, when the left reels R1 to R3 are in a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (e.g., approximately 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to validate a stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. When the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 executes control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reels R1 to R3 corresponding to the stop button B1 to B3 that was operated to stop.

[0038] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and the player operates each of the active stop buttons B1 to B3, the first operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second operation as the second stop operation, and the third operation as the third stop operation.

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped by the time a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) has elapsed since the time when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop button B1 to B3 is also referred to as an operation. The slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop button B1 to B3 is pressed, but also when, for example, an operation of pressing the stop button B1 to B3 and then releasing the pressed stop button B1 to B3 is performed.

[0040] Here, when the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is configured to be able to rotate a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, depending on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of five frames from the frame displayed on the pay line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops are the range (pull-in range) in which symbols can be pulled onto the pay line L1.

[0041] When executing reel stop control, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel based on a predetermined priority through logic calculations including a pull-in process to stop the spinning reel so that a winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a hit state can be won as much as possible, and a kick-off process to stop the spinning reel so that a winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a non-hit state cannot be won, and a table reference process to determine the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to a stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main storage means 190, thereby stopping the spinning reel and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the spinning reel by reel stop control and displaying a pattern on the pay line L1 is also referred to as a "stop display").

[0042] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of the candidate stop positions: a method for determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the activated line L1 (number priority control), and a method for determining the priority according to the number of electronic medals to be paid out based on the payout predetermined for the small winning combination (number priority control). However, when the number priority control is executed, if multiple small winning combinations with the same payout are won, the priority of the candidate stop positions that can win each small winning combination is treated as being the same.

[0043] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, by referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 195 of the main storage means 190, it determines whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is a winning form for each predetermined winning combination. The winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or small winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line L1 when each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination that indicates the winning form of a winning combination will also be referred to as the "winning symbol combination."

[0044] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination process by the winning determination means 140. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a small combination is won, a process is executed to determine the number of game medals to be paid out of electronic medals by the payout control means 150, when a replay is won, a process is executed to make the payout control means 150 execute the next game without consuming electronic medals, and when a combination that triggers a transition of the game state, such as a bonus, is won, a process is executed to make the game state transition control means 160 transition the game state.

[0045] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for paying out electronic medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of electronic medals in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and the number of game medals corresponding to the determined payout number is added to the medal number counter 311 to virtually pay out the medals.

[0046] Furthermore, when the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later has been stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the payout control means 150 performs a replay process (replay process) to set the machine to a ready state in which the next game can be played without inserting electronic medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a specified number of electronic medals without using the electronic medals in the player's possession, and the machine waits for the start operation of the start lever SL to be performed next time, with the same pay line L1 as in the previous game set.

[0047] In addition, in the slot machine 1, during the period from the game in which a replay is won until the start of the next game, i.e., during the period in which a specified number of electronic medals are automatically inserted by the replay process but the game has not started, even if the settlement button AB is operated, the number of game medals equal to the specified number will not be added to the medal number counter 311.

[0048] The game state transition control means 160 performs a process for transitioning game states between multiple game states and a process for activation and termination of bonuses. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0049] The AT control means 170 uses data stored in the AT control data storage means 196 to control the transition between an advantageous zone (advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to instruction functions including auxiliary games that display notifications on the main control display device 10D to assist in winning specific roles, and a normal zone (non-advantageous period), which is a zone (period) during which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, and constitutes an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the normal zone, advantageous zone, and auxiliary games.

[0050] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. that are set to ON or OFF by specified control processing) used in various controls related to multiple types of presentation states, including normal states and AT states, that are executed within the advantageous zone.

[0051] The AT control means 170 sets the presentation state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the advantageous zone, and displays information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that makes it possible to win the specific role that has been won on the main control display device 10D consisting of a 7-segment display, thereby performing an operation notification to assist in the winning of the specific role. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when the operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the presentation control means 200, which will be described later, executes a navigation presentation in which an indicator corresponding to the correct batting order is displayed on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by the operation notification and the winning assistance of the navigation presentation, thereby executing an auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) that is advantageous to the player.

[0052] More specifically, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous zone, which will be described later, is met, the AT control means 170 executes a predetermined termination process that terminates the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous zone, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous zone.

[0053] The AT control means 170 executes an update process (advantageous zone difference number update process) that cumulatively records in the advantageous zone counter 196a the difference value (difference in number of medals, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out by the number of electronic medals inserted from the game that started the advantageous zone. When the AT control means 170 is in control of the advantageous zone, regardless of the game state, it executes advantageous zone difference number update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in number of electronic medals.

[0054] Furthermore, in the advantageous zone difference number update process, when the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a is subtracted because the number of electronic medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number, the AT control means 170 also sets the subtracted result in the advantageous zone counter 196a even if the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes less than the value "0." In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value in the advantageous zone counter 196a.

[0055] When more than 2400 electronic medals are won in the advantageous zone, that is, when the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a exceeds the value "2400," the AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous zone, and executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, for example, if the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a is a negative value of "-900" before the transition to a presentation state in which electronic medals can be won, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be won in the presentation state in which electronic medals can be won: 900 medals until the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes "0" and 2401 medals until the value stored in the advantageous zone counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0056] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes in the advantageous zone, such as each flag set to ON in the advantageous zone and values ​​set in the advantageous zone. Note that the AT control means 170 can also end the advantageous zone when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) other than the specific end condition is met, and also executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined end process when the normal end condition is met. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 170 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0057] The complete control means 180 controls the activation of a complete function, which is a function that stops the slot machine 1 when the cumulative number of electronic medals won since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 medals). The complete control means 180 executes an update process (complete acquired number update process) that cumulatively records the difference value (number of medals difference, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out in each game by the number of electronic medals inserted into the medal acquired number counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. Note that the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the medal acquired number counter 197a when a replay wins.

[0058] In a complete winning number update process that updates the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a, if the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a becomes less than the value "0" when the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a is subtracted because the number of electronic medals paid out in the game is less than the specified number, the complete control means 180 sets the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a to the value "0." This allows the complete control means 180 to fix the value when the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a reaches its lowest point to the value "0." Therefore, in the control process that uses the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a, it is not necessary to vary the value that serves as the judgment threshold depending on the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process that uses the stored value of the earned medal counter 197a can be reduced.

[0059] The complete control means 180 determines that the conditions for activating the complete function are met when the number of medals acquired from the lowest point of the number of electronic medals paid out after the slot machine 1 is turned on reaches 19,000, that is, when the stored value of the medal acquisition number counter 197a reaches the value "19,000."

[0060] When none of the Regular Bonus (RB) as a first type special feature, the Regular Big Bonus (RBB) as a feature continuous operation device related to the first type special feature, and the Challenge Big Bonus (CBB) as a feature continuous operation device related to the second type special feature is operating, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and the left reel R1 to right reel R3 are stopped in a game in which the conditions for activating the complete function are met, based on the establishment of the conditions for activating the complete function.

[0061] On the other hand, when any of RB, RBB or CBB is activated, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated to stop and the left reel R1 to right reel R3 stop in a game in which the activated RB, RBB or CBB has ended.

[0062] When the complete function is activated, the complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a play-stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag that has been set to the ON state is reset to the OFF state by opening the upper front door UD of the slot machine 1 and operating the setting change button BS provided inside. With this configuration, when the complete function is activated, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the complete function cannot be released by an operation by the player.

[0063] The sub-control CPU 21 functions as the performance control means 200. Each means constituting the sub-control CPU 21 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in the sub-storage means 210 when executing each control process.

[0064] The effect control means 200 controls effects related to the game, such as image and video effects using the display device 410 and sound effects using the sound device 420, based on the effect data stored in the effect control data storage means 211 of the sub-storage means 210. Specifically, when a player operates each component of the slot machine 1, such as the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to B3, the count button KB, or the effect display button PU, or when a game event such as a change in the game state occurs, the effect control means 200 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game, assist the game, and notify the player that an operation has been performed, by executing effects such as lighting or flashing of lamps and LEDs and sound output from the sound device 420. In addition, the effect control means 200 causes each component of the effect device 400 to execute effects based on each effect state.

[0065] Furthermore, when the effect control means 200 executes control related to images and videos, it draws them on the corresponding layers among the plurality of layers provided in the sub-storage means 210. The plurality of layers include a priority display layer 212a used in the initial game count notification effect described below, and a layer on which suggestive images described below are drawn. The priority display layer 212a is a layer higher than the layer on which suggestive images are drawn. A total of 20 layers on which suggestive images are drawn are provided, and a display priority order is set for each of them. In the following description, the 20 layers on which suggestive images are drawn are also collectively referred to as the suggestive image layer group 212b.

[0066] The performance control means 200 superimposes the images drawn on a plurality of layers into a single image in the frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210, and displays the superimposed image in the display area 410a of the display device 410. When drawing an image in the frame buffer 213, the performance control means 200 draws the images in the frame buffer 213 in order from the image drawn on the lower layer, so that the image drawn on the higher layer is displayed in the display area 410a in priority to the image drawn on the lower layer.

[0067] The medal count control CPU 31 functions as medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 31 reads out and executes each control program stored in advance in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0068] The medal count control means 300 is configured to be able to transmit signals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and is also configured to be able to receive signals transmitted from the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40. The medal count control CPU 31 stores the number of game medals, which is the total number of electronic medals that can be used for games in the slot machine 1, using a medal count counter 311, and displays the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 on the game medal number display device MD.

[0069] The medal count control means 300 mainly updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operation of the count button KB incorporating the count switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the number of game medals updated in this way on the game medal number display device MD.

[0070] Specifically, when the counting button KB is operated while play is possible, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while play is possible" means a state in which the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, both the gaming machine and the dedicated unit SU are powered on, neither the gaming machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no errors that prevent play from occurring. Furthermore, when the slot machine 1 is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, the slot machine 1 controls the counting button KB so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not decremented by operation of the counting button KB, thereby preventing a situation in which a signal is not sent to the dedicated unit SU even though the stored value of the medal count counter 311 has been decremented.

[0071] If the count button KB is pressed for less than 500 ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "1" corresponding to 1 medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "1." Also, if the count button KB is pressed for 500 ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "50" corresponding to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the timing of counting after 500 ms has elapsed, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "50." Thereafter, every time 300 ms has elapsed while the count button KB is pressed, the medal count control means 300 transmits the value "50" corresponding to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and decrements the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value "50." Furthermore, if the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is less than the value "50" when 500 ms or more has elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the value corresponding to the stored value from the stored value of the medal count counter 311, thereby setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0".

[0072] When the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or greater than the value "16369," the medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred, in which the number of game medals stored exceeds 16368, which is the limit set for storage in the slot machine 1. In the slot machine 1, a medal overflow error occurs based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, and when the count button KB is operated to count the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes equal to or less than the value "16368," the medal overflow error is canceled.

[0073] When the power is turned on with a medal count clear button CL provided inside the gaming machine pressed, the medal count control means 300 initializes the medal count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the medal count by setting the stored value of the medal count counter 311 to the value "0." This allows the slot machine 1 to initialize, when the power is turned on, the information on the number of medals remaining in the medal count counter 311 before the power was turned off.

[0074] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11, details of each component of the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0075] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations that are associated with each winning area. Note that the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has an RBB as a bonus, which is a device for continuously operating a special bonus related to a first-class special bonus.

[0076] 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are the subject of the internal lottery include the winning area "all small roles", the winning area "all 1-coin roles", the winning area "replay 1", the winning area "replay 2", the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 8", the winning area "rare role", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin role", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 15 are associated with these areas, respectively. Also, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with a non-winning (losing) result of the internal lottery.

[0077] Here, "batting order" refers to the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated. In the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

[0078] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the batting order, which is the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, is comprised of six types of batting orders, batting order 1 to batting order 6. Batting order 1 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is called a "sequential pressing" batting order. Batting order 2 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is called a "scissors hitting" batting order. Batting order 3 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Batting order 4 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Batting order 5 is a batting order in which the stop operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Batting order 6 is a batting order called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0079] In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner in order from the winning area associated with the winning number 15 to the non-winning area associated with the winning number 0.

[0080] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has small wins 1 to 13 as small wins that can be won if the internal lottery is won, and has Replay 1 and Replay 2 as replays that can be won in the internal lottery. Each small win and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG. 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, a winning area "RBB & 1 coin win" is set as a winning area that includes a bonus and a small win, and a winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only a bonus.

[0081] In the slot machine 1, the winning probability for the winning area "Replay 2" is set lower than that for the winning area "Replay 1." Also, in the slot machine 1, the winning probability for the winning area "Rare Role" is set lower than that for each winning area including the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" and the small role of the winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role."

[0082] Here, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the role associated with the carryover flag is RBB, and the small role and replay are associated with the non-carryover flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning area including RBB is won in the internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the established state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether the small role and replay will be won or not, even in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small role or replay is won in a game in which the established state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles consisting of the lottery flag of the already-won RBB and the lottery flag of the small role or replay won in the internal lottery are set to an established state.

[0083] <Internal lottery table> The slot machine 1 of this embodiment stores, as internal lottery tables that are lottery tables used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (normal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal state (internal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C) in the internal lottery table storage means 192. In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value number is associated with each winning area that is the subject of the lottery.

[0084] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the internal lottery table A which is referenced when the gaming state is in the non-RT state, the number of lottery values ​​is associated with the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 15, in the internal lottery table B which is referenced when the gaming state is in the bonus established state, the number of lottery values ​​is associated with the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 14, and in the internal lottery table C which is referenced when the gaming state is in the bonus state, the number of lottery values ​​is associated with the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 0 to 2.

[0085] In the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is in the non-RT state, one of the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 15 is won by the internal lottery, and when the gaming state is in the RBB internal state, one of the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 3 to 14 is won by the internal lottery. Also, in the slot machine 1, when the gaming state is in the RBB state, if neither of the winning areas corresponding to winning numbers 1 nor 2 is won, it is a non-win (loss).

[0086] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process, the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the lottery value numbers associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192, and when the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it determines that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted lottery value number has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value after completing the subtraction of all the lottery value numbers stored in the internal lottery table, it determines that no winning combination has been won, that is, that the player has not won.

[0087] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any game state, the priority order of the winning combinations to be stopped on the pay line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "replay > small combination > bonus." In other words, when a bonus and a small combination or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the bonus and win the small combination or replay.

[0088] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to be able to rotate the reels a maximum of four frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reels stop, and is therefore configured to be able to stop and display the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the activated line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0089] <Small win payout> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, small wins 1 to 4 are set to 15 coins, which is more than the specified number (3 coins). Small win 5 is set to 3 coins, which is the same as the specified number. Small wins 6 to 13 are set to 1 coin, which is less than the specified number.

[0090] <Game state transition control means> FIG. 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states to which transition can be made from each game state in the control relating to transition of game states executed by the game state transition control means 160 of this embodiment.

[0091] As shown in Figure 4 (A), the non-RT state is a gaming state (initial gaming state, normal gaming state) that corresponds to the initial state among multiple gaming states, and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the gaming state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0092] The RBB internal state is a gaming state to which a player transitions when either the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" or the winning area "RBB" is won in an internal lottery in a non-RT state, and the RBB is set to an established state, and is a bonus established state in which a bonus is established. In the RBB internal state, the gaming state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table B, in which the winning probability of a replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0093] The RBB state is a gaming state to which the game enters when the RBB is won and the RBB is activated, and is a bonus state in which a bonus is activated. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 determines that the RBB termination condition is met when more than a predetermined payout number (for example, 100 medals) of electronic medals are paid out, terminates the operation of the RBB, and transitions the gaming state to a non-RT state. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0094] As shown in Figure 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the winning area "All Small Wins" where all small wins from small win 1 to small win 13 are won, and the winning area "All 1-Coin Wins" where all small wins from small win 6 to small win 13 where the payout is set to 1 coin are won.

[0095] The RBB state will be explained in detail using Figure 3. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability of winning the winning area "all small roles" or the winning area "all 1-coin roles" in the RBB state in which the internal lottery table C is selected is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including a small role in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. In other words, the probability of winning a small role in the RBB state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any of the small roles in a game state other than the RBB state. Also, the probability of winning the winning area "all small roles" in the internal lottery table C is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any two of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 8" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B.

[0096] Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that in the RBB state, the probability of winning all small prizes is higher than in the non-RT state when the bonus is not activated or in the RBB internal state, and the probability of winning any of the small prizes is the same or higher.

[0097] In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured so that in the RBB state, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Roles" is lower than the probability of winning any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" or the winning area "Common Bell" (the winning probability obtained by combining the winning probabilities of each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8").

[0098] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has multiple types of first winning modes (winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8") in which multiple types of specific roles (small roles 1 to 4) set to payouts greater than the number of game values ​​inserted required to start playing do not overlap with each other but overlap with other small roles, and a second winning mode (winning area "All Small Roles") in which multiple types of specific roles overlap and are won, and the internal lottery means 120 is configured to conduct an internal lottery so that multiple types of first winning modes exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and RBB internal state, and to conduct an internal lottery so that the second winning mode exists in the RBB state. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery in the RBB state is lower than the probability of winning one of the multiple types of first winning modes in the internal lottery in the normal game state or the RBB internal state, and the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the RBB state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state or the RBB internal state.

[0099] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the RBB state is less than 100%.

[0100] Here, in the RBB internal state, as will be described in more detail later, when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, the stop buttons B1 to B3 must be operated in the correct batting order consisting of batting orders 3 to 6 to win, so the probability of winning one of the small prizes 1 to 4 is limited to when the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be operated in the correct batting order from the four types of batting orders. On the other hand, when the auxiliary game in which the winning assistance described below is executed is executed, the correct batting order is notified by the winning assistance when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, so the probability of winning one of the small prizes 1 to 4 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won can be increased by up to 8 times compared to when the winning assistance is not executed.

[0101] As described above, in the present embodiment, four types of small winning combinations (specific winning combinations), namely small winning combination 1 to small winning combination 4, are set as winning combinations (specific winning combinations) that pay out more medals than the specified number of inserted medals that win when a stop operation is performed in the correct batting order. And the probability of obtaining a winning pattern including a specific winning combination in the RBB state is compressed to about 1 / 4 of the probability of obtaining a winning pattern including a specific winning combination in a game state other than the RBB state. By configuring in this way, an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific winning combinations are won without overlapping each other in a game state other than the RBB state, and an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific winning combinations are won repeatedly in the RBB state. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning pattern including a specific winning combination in the RBB state can be compressed to about 1 / N of the probability of obtaining a winning pattern including a specific winning combination in a game state other than the RBB state. As a result, since the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the RBB state can be lowered to less than 100% and then the medal acquisition performance regarding the auxiliary game can be designed, the degree of freedom in designing the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be dramatically improved.

[0102] <AT control means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of a normal section and an advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment, and an effect state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0103] As described above, the normal section is a period in which control regarding the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 170 executes an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the normal section and start the advantageous section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game within the normal section.

[0104] In the advantageous zone lottery, the AT control means 170 first acquires an advantageous zone transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous zone" and "miss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 196. Then, the AT control means 170 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous zone transition lottery table, and determines whether or not to start an advantageous zone based on the comparison result.

[0105] The AT control means 170 executes the advantageous zone lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the winning probability of the "start of the advantageous zone" in the advantageous zone lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0106] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to execute a lottery for an advantageous zone when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8", the winning area "Rare Role", the winning area "RBB & 1-piece Role", or the winning area "Replay 1" are won in the internal lottery, and not execute a lottery for an advantageous zone when another winning area is won. Also, the AT control means 170 executes a lottery for an advantageous zone that wins the "start of an advantageous zone" with a high probability of about 1 / 1.5.

[0107] In the advantageous zone, the AT control means 170 has the following states (presentation states) related to the instruction function: normal state, CZ state, AT preparation state, and AT state. In the normal state, it is configured not to execute the winning assistance for small roles 1 to 4 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, and in the CZ state and AT state, it is configured to execute the winning assistance for small roles 1 to 4 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of players staying in the advantageous zone during the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0108] The normal state is a presentation state (normal presentation state) that corresponds to the normal state among multiple types of presentation states, and is set when there is no transition to another presentation state. When the presentation state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 170 performs an incremental update to add a value "1" corresponding to one game to the stored value of a normal game number counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, each time a game is played. When the stored value of the normal game number counter reaches the value "700", the AT control means 170 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state (CZ transition condition) has been met, and transitions the presentation state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0109] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute a CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state in a game in which a winning area that does not include an RBB is won in an internal lottery in the normal state.

[0110] In addition, when the AT control means 170 wins the winning area "rare role" in the internal lottery, it executes a normal AT lottery to determine whether or not to decide to transition to the AT state, and when it wins "transition to AT state," it determines that the transition condition to the AT state (AT transition condition) has been met, and transitions from the normal state to the AT preparation state.

[0111] The CZ state is configured to be able to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state when control for determining whether to transition the presentation state to the AT state is executed as a control related to auxiliary games, and is a presentation state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 170 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) to the CZ game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and executes a decrement update each time a game is executed, subtracting the value stored in the CZ game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0112] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute a CZ AT lottery for each game played in the CZ state, which determines whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the "transition to the AT state" is selected in the CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 170 transitions the presentation state from the CZ state to the AT preparation state based on the establishment of the AT transition condition after 10 games have been played since the start of the CZ state.

[0113] The AT control means 170 executes a CZ set number addition lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times one set of AT preparation state is executed for the AT preparation state to which the CZ state is transitioned during play until the CZ state ends after winning the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ.

[0114] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 170 ends the CZ state and transitions the presentation state to the normal state.

[0115] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute lotteries related to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, set number addition lottery during CZ) regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Also, the AT control means 170 is configured so that, for lotteries related to auxiliary games executed in the CZ state, if the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (missing)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, resulting in an advantageous result for the player (if the AT lottery is drawn during CZ, the probability of "transition to AT state" is higher).

[0116] The AT preparation state is a presentation state that can be transitioned to when a transition to the AT state is decided in the normal state or CZ state. In the AT preparation state, the AT control means 170 sets the value "1" as the initial value to the AT preparation game number counter, which is a counter that counts the number of games that the AT preparation state continues, and executes a decrement update that subtracts the value "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played.

[0117] In the AT preparation state, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won, the AT control means 170 executes a winning assistance that notifies the correct batting order that makes it possible to win small prizes 1 to 4. Note that, with regard to the winning assistance in the AT preparation state, the AT control means 170 is not limited to the winning assistance that notifies the correct batting order, but may be configured to execute a winning assistance that increases the probability of winning small prizes 1 to 4 but only notifies part of the correct batting order, such as a winning assistance that notifies the stop button that performs the first stop operation in the correct batting order and does not notify the stop button that performs the second stop operation and the third stop operation. In addition, the AT control means 170 may be configured to conduct a lottery to determine whether or not to execute a winning assistance program that notifies the player of the correct batting order when the player wins any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the AT preparation state, and to execute a winning assistance program that notifies the player of the correct batting order when the player wins the lottery to "execute winning assistance program."

[0118] The AT control means 170 executes an AT initial game number addition lottery for each game played in the AT preparation state to determine the value to be added to the AT game number counter (not shown) as the number of games (initial game number) to continue the AT state transitioned from the AT preparation state. The result of the AT initial game number addition lottery can be notified by an initial game number notification effect by the effect control means 200 after one game has been played in the AT preparation state. Details of the initial game number notification effect will be described later.

[0119] When the stored value of the AT preparation game number counter becomes the value "0", the AT control means 170 executes an AT preparation continuation lottery to determine whether or not to continue the AT preparation state, and if the AT preparation continuation lottery is successful in "continuing the AT preparation state", the AT control means 170 adds a value of "1" to the AT preparation game number counter and continues the AT preparation state in the next game. On the other hand, when the AT preparation continuation lottery is successful in "ending the AT preparation state", the AT control means 170 ends the AT preparation state and transitions to the AT state, and starts the AT state from the next game.

[0120] The AT state is a more advantageous presentation state for the player than the normal state, as it provides assistance for winning small prizes 1 to 4 when the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won.

[0121] At the start of the AT state, the AT control means 170 sets the value added to the AT game number counter in the AT preparation state as the initial number of games in the current AT state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the AT game number counter by the value "1" corresponding to one game.

[0122] In addition, when the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 wins the winning area ``rare role,'' the AT control means 170 executes an add-on lottery to determine whether to add (add) the period during which the AT state continues by determining whether to add a value determined by lottery to the stored value of the AT game number counter, and is configured to execute an add-on process to add the determined value to the AT game number counter if the value determined by the add-on lottery is 1 or greater.

[0123] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes "0" due to a decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the AT state termination condition (AT termination condition) has been met and terminates the AT state. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to execute a result effect that displays the game result (result) in the AT state when the left reel R1 to right reel R3 stop and the game ends in a game in which the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes "0". Details of the result effect will be described later.

[0124] Based on the end of the AT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process of initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0125] In addition, if the stored value of the advantageous zone counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the AT termination condition has been met, terminates the AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions for the advantageous zone has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which is a process for initializing information related to the advantageous zone, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous zone and starts the normal zone from the next game.

[0126] As shown in Figure 4 (B), the AT control means 170 is configured to set the presentation state at the start of the advantageous zone to the CZ state when the "start of advantageous zone" is won in the advantageous zone lottery in the normal zone and the advantageous zone starts. Also, as described above, the AT control means 170 is configured to end the advantageous zone and start the normal zone when the AT state ends.

[0127] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the CZ state begins when the AT state ends and the normal zone transitions to the advantageous zone, so that the probability of transitioning back to the AT state is higher than when the normal state is set at the start of the normal zone. As a result, once the AT state begins, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can start the AT state again via the normal zone and CZ state, so that electronic medals can be acquired through multiple AT states, increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0128] <Game results in each game state> Figure 5 is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a small win is won in an internal lottery in a non-RT state, and Figure 6 is a diagram showing the game results for each operation mode of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a small win is won in an internal lottery in an RBB internal state.

[0129] As shown in Figure 5, in the slot machine 1, when a winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" is won in the non-RT state, any of the small winning combinations 6 to 12, which have a payout set to one coin, can be won regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0130] In other words, in the slot machine 1, when in the non-RT state, even if a player wins in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8," which are winning areas including small prizes 1 to 4 set to 15 coins, small prizes 1 to 4 cannot be won.

[0131] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to winning area "Batting Order Bell 8" are won in the RBB internal state, the batting order (correct batting order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 is set so that small winning combinations 1 to 4, with payouts set to 15 coins, can be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0132] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, small wins 6, 7, and 10 will be won with a 1 / 1 probability if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for a win, and small wins 8, 9, 11, and 12 will be won with a 1 / 2 probability if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for a win.

[0133] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the winning area "rare role" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, the stop button B3 is stopped at the operation timing when the small role 5 can be won, and the small role 5 with a payout set to 3 coins is won, and the winning probability is about 1 / 1.3. In the slot machine 1, when the winning area "rare role" is won and the small role 5 is not won, it is configured to be a miss (non-winning).

[0134] In addition, if the winning area "RBB & 1 coin role" is won in the non-RT state or the RBB internal state, regardless of the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3, one of the minor roles 13 with a payout set to 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game will win with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0135] 3. Details of the initial game number announcement Next, the details of the initial game number informing effect executed by the effect control means 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0136] Figures 7 to 9 are figures that explain how the presentation style of the initial game number notification presentation changes over time, with Figure 7(A) showing the state when the initial game number notification presentation starts and an image prompting the user to operate the presentation display button PU being displayed, Figure 7(B) showing the state when the presentation display button PU is operated and one suggestive image is displayed indicating the number of games to be added, Figure 7(C) showing the state when the presentation display button PU is continuously operated from the state shown in Figure 7(B) and two suggestive images to be added are displayed, Figures 8(A) to (C) showing the state when the suggestive images are displayed overlapping each other as the presentation display button PU is continuously operated, Figure 9(A) showing the state when the display style of the suggestive image changes, and Figure 9(B) showing the presentation style that notifies the number of games played added as the initial game number.

[0137] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to determine, in the initial game number addition lottery, to add one of the values ​​that is a multiple of 5 within the range of 25 to 100 to the AT game number counter. The presentation control means 200 is configured to display, in the display area 410a, suggestion images whose number is the value determined in the initial game number addition lottery divided by 5. Figures 7 to 9 illustrate a case where the value "55" is determined in the initial game number addition lottery, and in this case, a total of 11 suggestion images are displayed.

[0138] 7(A), when starting the initial game number notification effect, the effect control means 200 displays an operation notification image 411a at a position P0 approximately in the center of the display area 410a, which prompts the player to press and maintain the pressed state of the effect display button PU (long press). The operation notification image 411a is composed of an image notifying the player with the text "Long press!" and an image having a design similar to that of the effect display button PU.

[0139] Furthermore, the presentation control means 200 displays a character image 411b above the left reel R1 in the figure, and displays an initial game count notification image 411c in the upper left area of ​​the character image 411b in the figure, which displays the number of games added (acquired) as the initial game count. The character image 411b is an image of a character with a design that matches the motif of the slot machine 1. In the first game in the AT preparation state, the initial game count notification image 411c is an image that displays the text "GET ??G" which does not indicate how many games have been added, and when two or more games are played in the AT preparation state, it is updated to an image that displays text that reflects the results of the previous game. Specifically, when the initial game number notification image 411c is determined to add the value "50" in the AT initial game number addition lottery in the first game in the AT preparation state, and the second game is played in the AT preparation state, the initial game number notification image 411c is updated from displaying "GET ??G" to displaying "GET 50G" at the start of the initial game number notification performance in the AT preparation state for the second game.

[0140] In this embodiment, the effect control means 200 is configured to draw the operation notification image 411a and the initial game count notification image 411c on the priority display layer 212a (see FIG. 2). Also, the effect control means 200 is configured to draw the character image 411b on a layer lower than the layers included in the suggestion image layer group 212b (see FIG. 2).

[0141] 7(B), the effect control means 200 displays a round suggestion image 412a at position P1 in the display area 410a based on the depression of the effect display button PU. As shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the operation notification image 411a is displayed at position P0 at the time when the suggestion image 412a is displayed.

[0142] The performance control means 200 is configured to be able to display multiple suggestion images, including suggestion images 412a to 412f shown in Figures 7 and 8, each of which has the same shape, and is configured to draw each suggestion image on a layer included in the suggestion image layer group 212b as described above.

[0143] In the present embodiment, when the suggestion images are sequentially displayed, the effect control means 200 sequentially draws the suggestion images from the lowest layer among the multiple layers included in the suggestion image layer group 212b, so that when a suggestion image drawn and displayed first partially overlaps with a suggestion image drawn and displayed later, the later-drawn suggestion image is displayed in priority to the earlier-drawn suggestion image. The effect control means 200 is also configured to determine the position at which the suggestion image is drawn using coordinate data previously stored in the effect control data storage means 211. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the initial game count notification effect is executed and multiple suggestion images are displayed, the display order and the positions of the suggestion images displayed in that order are associated with each other.

[0144] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can determine the position at which to display each suggestive image, which is necessary to execute control to display multiple suggestive images sequentially, by simply obtaining pre-set coordinate data without executing a process to calculate the position each time, thereby reducing the control load.

[0145] The effect control means 200 may be configured to read out video data composed of video in which a plurality of suggestion images are displayed sequentially from the effect control data storage means 211 and play back the video data to sequentially display the suggestion images, or may be configured to display a number of suggestion images corresponding to the result of the initial number of games lottery by setting the playback time of the video data according to the number of suggestion images to be displayed. Also, the effect control means 200 may be configured to determine by lottery which position the suggestion images will be displayed at, thereby changing the positions at which the suggestion images are displayed and the order in which they are displayed at those positions each time the initial number of games announced effect is executed.

[0146] The suggestion image 412a displayed first is displayed in the display area 410a at a position that does not overlap with any of the operation notification image 411a, the character image 411b, and the initial number of games notification image 411c.

[0147] As shown in Fig. 7(C), the effect control means 200 displays a second suggestion image 412b in the display area 410a based on the fact that the effect display button PU has been continuously pressed and held since the state shown in Fig. 7(B). The second suggestion image 412b is displayed in a position in the display area 410a where it partially overlaps with the initial game number notification image 411c.

[0148] As described above, the effect control means 200 draws the initial game count notification image 411c on the priority display layer 212a, and draws a plurality of suggestive images including the suggestive images 412a and 412b on layers included in the suggestive image layer group 212b. In addition, in the slot machine 1, among the plurality of layers, the priority display layer 212a is a layer higher than any of the layers included in the suggestive image layer group 212b.

[0149] For this reason, in the slot machine 1, as shown in Figure 7 (C), in the area where the initial game number notification image 411c and the suggestion image 412b overlap, the initial game number notification image 411c is configured to be displayed in priority to the suggestion image 412b.

[0150] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the performance control means 200 sequentially displays a plurality of suggestion images one by one based on the continuation of the long press of the performance display button PU, and displays suggestion image 412c at position P2 in the display area 410a. As shown in Fig. 7(C) and Fig. 8(A), the performance control means 200 displays a plurality of suggestion images including suggestion images 412a and 412b in the display area 410a before suggestion image 412c is displayed.

[0151] The suggestion image 412c displayed at position P2 partially overlaps with the suggestion image 412a displayed at position P1. The performance control means 200 displays the suggestion image 412c, which started to be displayed later, in priority to the suggestion image 412a, which was displayed earlier.

[0152] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8 (A), the performance control means 200 displays the suggestion image 412a displayed at position P1 and the suggestion image 412c displayed at position P2 so that they partially overlap, and the suggestion image 412a displayed at position P1 and the suggestion image 412c displayed at position P2 do not overlap with the operation notification image 411a displayed at position P0.

[0153] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the initial game number notification presentation in which multiple suggestive images are displayed sequentially, by overlapping the suggestive image 412a and the suggestive image 412c, the size of the area required to display multiple suggestive images within the display area 410a can be reduced, and by not overlapping the operation notification image 411a and the suggestive images 412a and 412c, images are prevented from becoming crowded and cluttered around the operation notification image 411a, and the visibility of the operation notification image 411a, which is drawn on the priority display layer 212a, which is a layer higher than the multiple suggestive images drawn on the layers included in the suggestive image layer group 212b, and is displayed with priority over the multiple suggestive images, can be more reliably guaranteed, and the visibility of the operation notification image 411a displayed within the display area 410a can be maintained.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 8(B), the effect control means 200 displays suggestion image 412d at position P3 in the display area 410a as the suggestion image to be displayed after suggestion image 412c, based on the fact that the effect display button PU has been continuously pressed and held since the state shown in FIG. 8(A). The suggestion image 412d displayed at position P3 is displayed in the display area 410a at a position that partially overlaps with the suggestion image 412a displayed at position P1. Furthermore, the suggestion image 412d displayed at position P3 also partially overlaps with the suggestion image 412e displayed at position P4 in the display area 410a after the suggestion image 412a was displayed but before the suggestion image 412c was displayed. Furthermore, the suggestion image 412d displayed at position P3 does not overlap with the suggestion image 412c displayed at position P2 in the display area 410a immediately before the suggestion image 412d was displayed.

[0155] In other words, the performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance, in which a plurality of specific images of the same type are displayed so as to appear sequentially at different positions, the plurality of specific images including a first specific image displayed at a first timing, a second specific image displayed at a second timing, and a third specific image displayed at a third timing, the second timing being later than the first timing, and the third timing being the timing following the second timing, and in the specific performance, the first specific image is displayed at a first position in the display area at the first timing, the second specific image is displayed at a second position in the display area at the second timing, and the third specific image is displayed at a third position in the display area at the third timing, and the first specific image displayed at the first position and the second specific image displayed at the second position overlap at least partially, and the second specific image displayed at the second position and the third specific image displayed at the third position do not overlap.

[0156] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the initial game number notification presentation in which multiple suggestive images are displayed sequentially, suggestive image 412d, which starts to be displayed after suggestive image 412c, is made to partially overlap suggestive image 412a, thereby reducing the size of the area required to display a large number of suggestive images within display area 410a, and by not overlapping suggestive image 412c, which starts to be displayed after suggestive image 412a and partially overlaps suggestive image 412a, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility of suggestive image 412c, which starts to be displayed immediately before suggestive image 412d is displayed, and maintain the visibility of suggestive image 412c displayed within display area 410a.

[0157] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, in the initial game number notification effect in which multiple suggestive images are displayed sequentially, suggestive image 412d, which starts to be displayed after suggestive image 412c, is partially overlapped with suggestive image 412a and suggestive image 412e, which started to be displayed after suggestive image 412a started to be displayed but before suggestive image 412c was displayed, thereby reducing the size of the area required to display multiple suggestive images within display area 410a and ensuring an area within display area 410a for displaying images to realize a variety of effects.

[0158] As shown in Fig. 8(C), the effect control means 200 displays suggestion image 412f at position P5 in the display area 410a based on the fact that the effect display button PU has been continuously pressed and held since the state shown in Fig. 8(B). Suggestion image 412f is displayed after suggestion image 412g, which is displayed after suggestion image 412d is displayed. In other words, suggestion image 412f is displayed after suggestion image 412d is displayed.

[0159] The suggestion image 412f displayed at position P5 partially overlaps with the suggestion image 412c displayed at position P2 in the display area 410a immediately before the suggestion image 412d was displayed. Also, the suggestion image 412f displayed at position P5 does not overlap with the suggestion image 412d displayed at position P3 in the display area 410a immediately before the suggestion image 412f was displayed.

[0160] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the initial game number notification presentation in which multiple suggestive images are displayed sequentially, suggestive image 412f, which starts to be displayed after suggestive image 412d, is made to partially overlap suggestive image 412c, which partially overlaps suggestive image 412a, thereby reducing the size of the area required to display a large number of suggestive images within display area 410a, and by not overlapping suggestive image 412d, a decrease in visibility of suggestive image 412d, which starts to be displayed immediately before suggestive image 412f, can be prevented, and the visibility of suggestive image 412d displayed within display area 410a can be maintained.

[0161] Also, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the performance control means 200 displays the suggestion image 412a displayed at position P1 and the suggestion image 412c displayed at position P2 so that they partially overlap, and all suggestion images including suggestion images 412a to 412f do not overlap with the operation notification image 411a displayed at position P0.

[0162] In other words, the performance control means displays images drawn on multiple layers in a superimposed manner, and the performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance, in which multiple specific images of the same type and a priority image different from the multiple specific images are displayed, the multiple specific images are displayed so as to appear sequentially at different positions, the priority image is drawn on a specific layer that is displayed with priority over the layer on which the multiple specific images are drawn, the multiple specific images include a first specific image that is displayed at a first timing and a second specific image that is displayed at a second timing, the second timing being a timing later than the first timing, and in the specific performance, the first specific image is displayed at a first specific position in the display area at the first timing, and the second specific image is displayed at a second specific position in the display area at the second timing, and the priority image is displayed at a third specific position at the time the first specific image is displayed, and the first specific image displayed at the first specific position and the second specific image displayed at the second specific position overlap at least partially, but do not overlap with the priority image displayed at the third specific position.

[0163] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment allows the suggestive images to be displayed overlapping each other in the initial game number notification presentation in which multiple suggestive images are displayed sequentially, thereby reducing the size of the area required to display a large number of suggestive images within the display area 410a, and by not overlapping the operation notification image 411a with the multiple suggestive images, it is possible to prevent images from becoming crowded and cluttered around the operation notification image 411a, and it is possible to more reliably ensure the visibility of the operation notification image 411a, which is drawn on the priority display layer 212a, which is a layer higher than the multiple suggestive images drawn on layers included in the suggestive image layer group 212b, and is displayed with priority over the multiple suggestive images, thereby maintaining the visibility of the operation notification image 411a displayed within the display area 410a.

[0164] This initial game number notification effect constitutes a specific effect, and the multiple suggestive images, each consisting of an image of the same shape and displayed sequentially in different positions, each constitute multiple specific images of the same type, the timing when suggestive image 412a is displayed constitutes the first timing, the timing when suggestive image 412c is displayed constitutes the second timing after the first timing, the timing when suggestive image 412d is displayed constitutes the third timing following the second timing, the timing when suggestive image 412e is displayed constitutes the fourth timing after the first timing and before the second timing, and the timing when suggestive image 412f is displayed constitutes the fifth timing after the third timing.

[0165] Furthermore, the suggestion image 412a constitutes the first specific image, the suggestion image 412c constitutes the second specific image, the suggestion image 412d constitutes the third specific image, the suggestion image 412e constitutes the fourth specific image, the suggestion image 412f constitutes the fifth specific image, and the operation notification image 411a constitutes the priority image. Furthermore, the position P0 constitutes the third specific position, the position P1 constitutes the first position and the first specific position, the position P2 constitutes the second position and the second specific position, the position P3 constitutes the third position, the position P4 constitutes the fourth position, and the position P5 constitutes the fifth position. Furthermore, the priority display layer 212a on which the operation notification image 411a is drawn constitutes the specific layer.

[0166] As shown in Figure 9 (A), the presentation control means 200 changes the display mode of the suggestion image after displaying all of the suggestion images that were determined to be displayed in the initial game count notification presentation. The presentation control means 200 of this embodiment changes the display mode of the suggestion image from a solid circle to a dotted circle, and then ends the display of the suggestion image. Furthermore, after the presentation display button PU is pressed and held and all of the suggestion images that were scheduled to be displayed have been displayed, the presentation control means 200 changes the display mode of the suggestion image regardless of the player's operation and ends the display of the suggestion image.

[0167] As shown in Figure 9 (B), after the presentation control means 200 has finished displaying the suggestion image, it displays a game number notification image 413 at position P6 in the display area 410a to notify the value determined to be added in the initial game number addition lottery.

[0168] In other words, the presentation control means 200 is configured to display multiple suggestive images in succession at different positions based on the operation of a specific operation mode (presentation display button PU) in the initial game number notification presentation, and to terminate the display of the multiple suggestive images based on the display of all of the multiple suggestive images, and to display a game number notification image 413 that notifies the control result (the number of games played to be added to the AT game number counter) notified in the initial game number notification presentation.

[0169] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment displays all of the suggestive images that are scheduled to be displayed during the initial game number notification presentation, in which the display content changes as the presentation display button PU is pressed and held, and when the period in which the display content changes as a result of operation of the presentation display button PU has ended, it displays the game number notification image 413 to notify the result of the AT preparation status, thereby allowing the presentation to proceed without the player's operation and preventing the player's interest in the presentation from waning due to the rapid progression of the presentation.

[0170] The number of games played notification image 413 displayed at position P6 partially overlaps with the operation notification image 411a displayed at position P0. The presentation control means 200 ends the display of the operation notification image 411a at the time shown in Fig. 9(B) because there is no change in the progress of the presentation even if the operation of the presentation display button PU is ended when the presentation of sequentially displaying suggestive images has ended, and because a decrease in the visibility of the number of games played notification image 413 is to be avoided.

[0171] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the initial game number notification effect in which the display content changes by pressing and holding the effect display button PU, after the period in which the display content changes by operating the effect display button PU has ended, the display of the operation notification image 411a prompting the player to operate the effect display button PU is terminated and then a game number notification image 413 that partially overlaps with the area in which the operation notification image 411a was displayed is displayed, thereby ensuring the visibility of the game number notification image 413 and maintaining the visibility of the game number notification image 413 displayed within the display area 410a.

[0172] This game number notification image 413 constitutes a result image that is a control result notified in the specific effect, and the effect display button PU constitutes the specific operation means and the first operation means.

[0173] 7 to 9, when the effect control means 200 sequentially displays a plurality of suggestive images in the initial number of games played notification effect, the effect control means 200 is configured so that when 11 suggestive images are displayed, they are not displayed in the left and right areas of the specific area 410b that makes the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 visible. The effect control means 200 of this embodiment is configured so that when 18 or more suggestive images are displayed in the initial number of games played notification effect, they are displayed in the left and right areas of the specific area 410b.

[0174] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game is played in the AT preparation state and multiple suggestive images are displayed sequentially in the initial game number notification performance that starts with the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stopped, by setting the order in which the suggestive images are displayed near the specific area 410b in descending order, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the pattern combinations that are displayed stopped on the activated line L1 from being obstructed by the suggestive images, and it is possible to maintain the visibility of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 that are made visible through the specific area 410b.

[0175] 4. Details of the result presentation Next, details of the result effect that is executed when the AT state ends in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0176] <Game results displayed in the result presentation> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop in the final game in the AT state and the game ends, the presentation control means 200 is configured to display the game results in the AT state as a result presentation on the display device 410. In the result presentation, the presentation control means 200 displays, as the game results in the AT state, the number of games played in the AT state and the difference value (number of coins difference, number of medals won) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic medals paid out in the AT state by the number of electronic medals inserted in the AT state.

[0177] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment executes a performance in which an LED (not shown) serving as light-emitting means disposed inside the performance display button PU is illuminated while the result performance is being executed. When the performance display button PU is operated while the result performance is being executed, the performance control means 200 executes a setting suggestion performance in which a setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is suggested.

[0178] In the setting suggestion presentation, the presentation control means 200 continues to display the game result in the AT state displayed in the result presentation, while displaying a setting suggestion image suggesting the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 in the background of the display of the game result. The presentation control means 200 executes a setting suggestion image lottery to determine an image to be displayed as the setting suggestion image. In the setting suggestion image lottery, the presentation control means 200 determines the setting suggestion image lottery table to be used in the setting suggestion image lottery from a plurality of setting suggestion image lottery tables stored in the presentation control data storage means 211, using the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191.

[0179] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the setting suggestion images to be drawn in the setting suggestion image lottery according to the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191. As shown in FIG. 10, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the setting suggestion image lottery, the display of one of the setting suggestion images, the normal setting suggestion image, the first specific setting suggestion image to the fourth specific setting suggestion image, is determined according to the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage means 191.

[0180] The normal setting suggestion image is set as a lottery object when any of the setting values ​​of Settings 1 to 6 is stored in the setting value storage means 191, and is an image that is displayed when it is determined as a result of the lottery that no setting suggestion will be made. The first specific setting suggestion image is set as a lottery object when the setting values ​​of Settings 2 to 6 are stored in the setting value storage means 191, and is an image that suggests that the setting is 2 or higher. The second specific setting suggestion image is set as a lottery object when the setting values ​​of Settings 3 to 6 are stored in the setting value storage means 191, and is an image that suggests that the setting is 3 or higher. The third specific setting suggestion image is set as a lottery object when the setting values ​​of Settings 4 to 6 are stored in the setting value storage means 191, and is an image that suggests that the setting is 4 or higher. The fourth specific setting suggestion image is set as a lottery object when the setting value of Setting 6 is stored in the setting value storage means 191, and is an image that suggests that the setting is 6.

[0181] In this way, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the effect display button PU is operated while the result effect is being executed, a setting suggestion image of either the normal setting suggestion image or the first specific setting suggestion image to the fourth specific setting suggestion image is displayed regardless of the setting value from setting 1 to setting 6. Therefore, even if the setting is set to 1 or if the player does not win "display of the first specific setting suggestion image" to "display of the fourth specific setting suggestion image" in the setting suggestion image lottery, the display content of the display device 410 on which the result effect is being displayed can be changed by operating the effect display button PU, thereby improving the marketability of the gaming machine while the result effect is being displayed.

[0182] In this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to draw a result image to be displayed in the result performance on the priority display layer 212a among the multiple layers. The performance control means 200 is also configured to draw a setting suggestion image on the setting suggestion image layer 212c (see FIG. 2) among the multiple layers.

[0183] Here, in the slot machine 1, the setting suggestion image layer 212c is configured as a layer with a lower display priority than the priority display layer 212a. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, a setting suggestion image is drawn on the setting suggestion image layer 212c, and even when the setting suggestion image is superimposed on the result image drawn on the priority display layer 212a in the frame buffer 213 (see FIG. 2), the display of the result image continues.

[0184] <Details of the first specific setting suggestion image to the fourth specific setting suggestion image> Next, the first to fourth specific setting suggestion images will be described in detail. Fig. 11(A) is a diagram showing a state in which a result effect is being executed, Fig. 11(B) is a diagram showing a state in which a first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed during the result effect, and Fig. 11(C) is a diagram showing a state in which a second specific setting suggestion image 415b is displayed during the result effect. Fig. 12(A) is a diagram showing a state in which a third specific setting suggestion image 415c is displayed during the result effect, and Fig. 12(B) is a diagram showing a state in which a fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d is displayed during the result effect.

[0185] As shown in Fig. 11(A), in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a result effect is executed, a result image 414 displaying the game result in the AT state is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410, approximately in the center in the horizontal direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and above the specific area 410b. In the example shown in Fig. 11(A), the AT state continues for 500 games, and 1000 electronic medals are acquired in the AT state, so the result image 414 displays "RESULT 500G 1000 medals." In addition, the result image 414 is configured to be drawn on the priority display layer 212a among multiple layers.

[0186] 11(B), the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is an image in which a character image 510a and a setting suggestion icon image 520a are displayed on a background image 416. In the first specific setting suggestion image 415a, the character image 510a is displayed on the left side of the display area 410a of the display device 410 in the horizontal direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and the setting suggestion icon image 520a is displayed on the right side of the horizontal direction.

[0187] Character image 510a is composed of an image of a human-shaped character, and is composed of face image 511a that forms the character's face and body image 511b that forms the part of the character other than the face. Setting suggestion icon image 520a is composed of a star-shaped image, and is composed of center image 521a that is located approximately in the center when viewed from the front, and corner images 521b that form each corner of the star.

[0188] 11(B), center image 521a is drawn so that a part of rectangle 416a drawn in background image 416 is visible from center image 521a.

[0189] Corner image 521b is an image that makes the overlapping image invisible. In the example shown in Fig. 11(B), corner image 521b is drawn so that the portion of rectangle 416a drawn in background image 416 that overlaps with corner image 521b becomes invisible.

[0190] 11(C), the second specific setting suggestion image 415b is an image in which a character image 510b and a setting suggestion icon image 520b are displayed on a background image 417. In the second specific setting suggestion image 415b, the character image 510b is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410 from the left side to the right side in the horizontal direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and the setting suggestion icon image 520b is displayed on the left side in the horizontal direction.

[0191] Character image 510b is composed of an image of a human-shaped character, and is composed of face image 512a that forms the character's face and body image 512b that forms the part of the character other than the face. Setting suggestion icon image 520b is composed of a star-shaped image, and is composed of center image 522a that is located approximately in the center when viewed from the front, and corner images 522b that form each corner of the star.

[0192] 11(C), center image 522a is drawn so that part of diagonal line 417a drawn in background image 417 is visible from center image 522a.

[0193] 11(C), corner image 522b is drawn so as to make invisible the portion of diagonal line 417a drawn in background image 417 that overlaps with corner image 522b and the portion of character image 510b that overlaps with body image 512b.

[0194] 12(A), the third specific setting suggestion image 415c is an image in which a character image 510c and a setting suggestion icon image 520c are displayed on a background image 418. In the third specific setting suggestion image 415c, the character image 510c is made up of images of two characters, and is displayed on the left side of the display area 410a of the display device 410 in the horizontal direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and the setting suggestion icon image 520c is displayed on the right side in the horizontal direction.

[0195] The character image 510c is composed of a first character image 513 and a second character image 514, each composed of an image of a humanoid character. The first character image 513 is composed of a face image 513a constituting the face of the first character and a body image 513b constituting the parts other than the face of the first character. The second character image 514 is composed of a face image 514a constituting the face of the second character and a body image 514b constituting the parts other than the face of the second character. The setting suggestion icon image 520c is composed of a star-shaped image and is composed of a center image 523a located approximately in the center when viewed from the front and corner images 523b forming each corner of the star shape.

[0196] Center image 523a reduces the visibility of the overlapping images, but makes the overlapping images visible. In the example shown in Fig. 12(A), center image 523a is drawn so that part of horizontal line 418a drawn in background image 418 is visible from center image 523a.

[0197] 12(A), corner image 523b is drawn so as to make invisible the portion of horizontal line 418a drawn in background image 418 that overlaps with corner image 523b, and the portion of character image 510c that overlaps with body image 513b of first character image 513 and the portion of character image 510c that overlaps with body image 514b of second character image 514.

[0198] 12(B), the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d is an image in which a character image 510d and a setting suggestion icon image 520d are displayed on a background image 419. In the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d, the character image 510d is displayed on the left side of the display area 410a of the display device 410 in the horizontal direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and the setting suggestion icon image 520d is displayed on the left side of the horizontal direction.

[0199] Character image 510d is composed of an image of a human-shaped character, and is composed of face image 515a that forms the character's face and body image 515b that forms the part of the character other than the face. Setting suggestion icon image 520d is composed of a star-shaped image, and is composed of center image 524a that is located approximately in the center when viewed from the front, and corner images 524b that form each corner of the star.

[0200] Center image 524a reduces the visibility of the overlapping images, but makes the overlapping images visible. In the example shown in Fig. 12(B), center image 524a is drawn so that a portion of body image 515b of character image 510d is visible from center image 524a.

[0201] The corner image 524b is an image that makes the overlapping image invisible. In the example shown in Fig. 12(B), the corner image 524b is drawn so that the portion of the character image 510d that overlaps with the body image 515b is invisible.

[0202] <Details of the setting suggestion icon image> 11(B), (C), 12(A), and (B), the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d are configured such that corner images 521b to 524b are drawn so that the images drawn in the overlapping portions are invisible, and are composed of substantially identical images, and the center images 521a to 524a are composed of different images. Specifically, the center images 521a to 524a are each configured with a different internal color. For example, the center image 521a is composed of a white image having a first transparency (e.g., 50% transparency), the center image 522a is composed of a blue image having a second transparency (e.g., 30% transparency), the center image 523a is composed of a gold image having a third transparency (e.g., 70% transparency), and the center image 524a is composed of a rainbow-colored image having a fourth transparency (e.g., 40% transparency).

[0203] As a result, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment suggests to the player the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 depending on which of the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d, which have the same shape but different colors for the central images 521a to 524a, is displayed, thereby improving the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0204] In the performance control means 200 of this embodiment, the background images 416 to 419 are configured from different images in order to emphasize the differences between the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d.

[0205] As described above, each image constituting the setting suggestion image is configured to be drawn on one layer (setting suggestion image layer 212c). Therefore, the setting suggestion icon images 520a-520d including corner images 521b-524b, which are drawn so that images overlapping with each other are invisible, are drawn so as to cover each image including character images 510a-510d.

[0206] In this way, the setting suggestion images including the first specific setting suggestion image 415a to the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d are configured to be drawn as a composite image in which the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d are drawn so as to cover each of the images including the character images 510a to 510d. In other words, the setting suggestion images including the first specific setting suggestion image 415a to the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d are configured to be drawn as a composite image in which the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d are drawn so as to be overwritten on each of the images including the character images 510a to 510d, by drawing the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d so as to be positioned so as to overlap each of the images including the character images 510a to 510d.

[0207] In this embodiment, when each setting suggestion image is drawn by the performance control means 200, the image data corresponding to each setting suggestion image obtained from the performance control data storage means 211 is configured to be able to draw a single image in which each composite image is completed, and when it is decided to display each setting suggestion image, the same setting suggestion image is displayed each time. Specifically, when the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed, the character image 510a, the setting suggestion icon image 520a, and the background image 416 are each displayed in the same position each time by drawing based on the image data corresponding to the first specific setting suggestion image 415a.

[0208] In addition, in this embodiment, the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d are drawn in such a way that the visibility of the background images 416 to 419 and character images 510a to 510d, which overlap with the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d, is reduced, so that the player can see that the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d are drawn in front of the background images 416 to 419 and character images 510a to 510d.

[0209] <Relationship between the character image displayed in the specific setting suggestion image and the setting suggestion icon image> Next, the relationship between each character image displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a to the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d and each setting suggestion icon image will be described.

[0210] As shown in Fig. 11(B), a facial image 511a of the character image 510a is displayed in an area A1 of the display area 410a, and as shown in Fig. 11(C), a facial image 512a of the character image 510b is displayed in an area A2 of the display area 410a.

[0211] In other words, the position where the facial image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the position where the facial image 512a is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b are different positions.

[0212] Here, as shown in Figures 11(B) and (C), the setting suggestion icon image 520a is configured to be displayed within area A2 of the display area 410a, and the setting suggestion icon image 520b is configured to be displayed within area A1 of the display area 410a.

[0213] In other words, the second specific setting suggestion image 415b is configured to display the setting suggestion icon image 520b at the position where the face image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a.

[0214] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can change the composition of the character images 510a and 510b including the facial images 511a and 512a by displaying them at different positions in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b. This can improve the diversity of images displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b, and can also display the facial image 511a of the character images 510a and 510b at different positions in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a. A setting suggestion icon image 520b that reduces the visibility of the image that overlaps in position in the suggestion image 415b is displayed, and a setting suggestion icon image 520a that reduces the visibility of the image that overlaps in position in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed in the position where the facial image 512a is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b.In other words, the visibility of the facial image 511a is not reduced by the setting suggestion icon image 520a, and the visibility of the facial image 512a is not reduced by the setting suggestion icon image 520b, so the visibility of the facial images 511a and 512a can be maintained.

[0215] 12(A), facial image 513a of first character image 513 and facial image 514a of second character image 514, which constitute character image 510c, are displayed in area A3 of display area 410a. Also, as shown in FIG. 12(B), facial image 515a of character image 510d is displayed in area A4 of display area 410a.

[0216] In other words, the positions where facial image 513a and facial image 514a are displayed in third specific setting suggestion image 415c and the position where facial image 515a is displayed in fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d are different positions, but are configured to be partially overlapping positions.

[0217] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12(A) and (B), the setting suggestion icon images 520c and 520d are configured to be displayed at positions that do not overlap with areas A3 and A4, and the setting suggestion icon image 520c is displayed at the position where the body images 513b and 514b are displayed in the third specific setting suggestion image 415c, and the setting suggestion icon image 520d is displayed at the position where the body image 515b is displayed in the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d.

[0218] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the positions at which the facial images 513a to 515a of the character images 510c and 510d are displayed in the third specific setting suggestion image 415c and the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d are different and partially overlapped, so that the composition of the character images 510c and 510d including the facial images 513a to 515a can be changed within a smaller range than the change in the composition of the character images 510a and 510b including the facial images 511a and 512a in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b. This can further improve the diversity of the images displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a to the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d, and can also improve the facial image in the third specific setting suggestion image 415c. By partially overlapping the positions where 513a and 514a are displayed and the position where face image 515a is displayed in fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d, it is possible to ensure a sufficient display range when displaying setting suggestion icon images 520c and 520d in positions where they do not overlap with face images 513a to 515a.Furthermore, by displaying setting suggestion icon images 520c and 520d in positions where they overlap with parts of body images 513b to 515b, it is possible to easily maintain the visibility of face images 513a to 515a while sufficiently ensuring the positions of setting suggestion icon images 520c and 520d displayed in third specific setting suggestion image 415c and fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d, thereby improving the ease of design when increasing the diversity of images.

[0219] In this embodiment, operating the effect display button PU during the result effect constitutes the establishment of a specific opportunity, and the setting suggestion effect that suggests the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191, which is executed when the effect display button PU is operated while the result effect is being executed, constitutes the specific effect. In the specific effect, the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed as the first image, which constitutes the first pattern in this embodiment. The second specific setting suggestion image 415b is displayed as the second image, which constitutes the second pattern in this embodiment. The third specific setting suggestion image 415c is displayed as the third image, which constitutes the third pattern in this embodiment. The fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d is displayed as the fourth image, which constitutes the fourth pattern in this embodiment. Furthermore, the facial images 511a-515a displayed in the character images 510a-510d constitute the first type of image in this embodiment, and the setting suggestion icon images 520a-520d constitute the second type of image in this embodiment.

[0220] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the positions where the facial images 511a and 512a of the character images 510a and 510b are displayed are different between the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b, so that the composition of the character images 510a and 510b including the facial images 511a and 512a can be changed, and the diversity of the images displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b can be improved. A setting suggestion icon image 520b that reduces the visibility of the image that overlaps in position in the suggestion image 415b is displayed, and a setting suggestion icon image 520a that reduces the visibility of the image that overlaps in position in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed at the position where the facial image 512a is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b.In other words, the visibility of the facial image 511a is not reduced by the setting suggestion icon image 520a, and the visibility of the facial image 512a is not reduced by the setting suggestion icon image 520b, so the visibility of the facial images 511a and 512a can be maintained.

[0221] 6. Variations In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured so that the setting suggestion icon image 520b is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b at the position where the facial image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a, and the setting suggestion icon image 520a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a at the position where the facial image 512a is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured at least so that the setting suggestion icon image 520b is displayed in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b at the position where the facial image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a.

[0222] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 can change the composition of the character images 510a and 510b including the facial images 511a and 512a by displaying them at different positions in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b, thereby improving the diversity of the images displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a and the second specific setting suggestion image 415b.Furthermore, by displaying a setting suggestion icon image 520b that reduces the visibility of the overlapping image in the second specific setting suggestion image 415b at the position where the facial image 511a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a, the visibility of the facial image 512a is not reduced by the setting suggestion icon image 520b, and therefore the visibility of the facial image 512a can be maintained.

[0223] In addition, in the case of being configured in this way, the slot machine 1 is configured so that, for example, the position where the setting suggestion icon image 520a is displayed in the first specific setting suggestion image 415a is displayed at a position that does not overlap with either of the face images 511a and 512a. The setting suggestion icon image 520a may be configured so as not to reduce the visibility of the facial image 511a, and may be configured so as to maintain the visibility of the facial image 512a.

[0224] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to display, as the setting suggestion icon images 520a-520d, images in which the center images 521a-524a having a predetermined transparency are different in color, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to draw the center images 521a-524a having a predetermined transparency in the same color, and draw the corner images 521b-524b made up of opaque images in different colors.

[0225] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has, as the first type of image, face images 511a to 515a configured from the faces of characters, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 only needs to have, as the first type of image, an image whose visibility is not obstructed by other images when displayed, and may be configured from an image such as an icon of a specific shape or a logo.

[0226] In the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has, as the second type of image, setting suggestion icon images 520a-520d each composed of a center image 521a-524a having a predetermined transparency and an opaque corner image 521b-524b, but is not limited thereto. In the slot machine 1, the second type of image may be composed of an opaque image drawn so as to cover an image including the first type of image.

[0227] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has star-shaped setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d as the second type of image, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that the second type of image is composed of an image including, for example, text, and by suggesting a setting value using text, when suggesting a setting value to a player, the player can more easily distinguish the setting value compared to a configuration that does not include text.

[0228] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to realize a specific trigger when the effect display button PU is operated during the result effect, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to realize a specific trigger when a predetermined time has passed since the start of the result effect, or the specific trigger may be configured as a trigger that does not depend on whether or not the player operates the operating means.

[0229] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute, as a specific effect, a setting suggestion effect that suggests a setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191, but is not limited to this. In a configuration that executes stage effects that are executed in accordance with the progress of a game in a normal state, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute, as a specific effect, a state transition suggestion effect that suggests the expected probability of transitioning to a CZ state or an AT state, and to determine the execution of the state transition suggestion effect when a predetermined specific opportunity is established, such as when a winning area "rare role" is won in an internal lottery, and to display a first image that suggests an increased probability of transitioning to a CZ state if the execution of a first pattern is successful, and to display a second image that suggests an increased probability of transitioning to an AT state if the execution of a second pattern is successful.

[0230] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to draw the normal setting suggestion image and the first to fourth specific setting suggestion images 415a to 415d displayed in the setting suggestion effect on one setting suggestion image layer 212c using image data capable of drawing a single image completed as a composite image, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may have image data corresponding to each of the background images 416 to 419, character images 510a to 510d, and setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d that constitute the first to fourth specific setting suggestion images 415a to 415d, and may be configured to read and draw the corresponding image data when executing the setting suggestion effect.

[0231] When configured in this manner, when the slot machine 1 displays the first specific setting suggestion image 415a to the fourth specific setting suggestion image 415d, it may be configured to obtain the area in each specific setting suggestion image where a facial image is drawn and the area in which a facial image is not drawn, and to set the position in which a facial image is not drawn and which does not overlap with the position of the facial image when a setting suggestion icon image is drawn as the position in which the setting suggestion icon image is drawn.

[0232] Furthermore, when configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured to draw the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d on a layer that has a higher priority when displayed than the layer on which the background images 416 to 419 and the character images 510a to 510d are drawn, thereby reducing the visibility of images drawn at positions where the setting suggestion icon images 520a to 520d overlap with their display positions.

[0233] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to be able to display, as a setting suggestion image, an image suggesting that the setting value is equal to or greater than the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191, but is not limited to this. For example, the performance control means 200 may be configured to be able to display a setting suggestion image that is set as the object of a lottery when the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 is an even number (settings 2, 4, 6), or a setting suggestion image that is set as the object of a lottery when the setting value is an odd number (settings 1, 3, 5).

[0234] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to display, in the result presentation, the number of games played during which the AT state continued and the number of electronic medals won in the AT state, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may, for example, have an AT state configured to be able to execute games for a predetermined period in one set, and may be configured to be able to display, in the result presentation, the number of sets during which the AT state was executed consecutively and the number of medals won in a series of AT states.

[0235] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to display a result image in the result presentation in approximately the center of the display area 410a when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to display the result image on one side of the display area 410a in the left-right direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0236] When configured in this manner, the slot machine 1 may be configured to display a result image on one side of the left or right direction, and a setting suggestion icon image on the other side of the left or right direction in a position where the face image does not overlap with the display.

[0237] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to include medal count control means 300 of the medal count control CPU 31 as management control means that manages digitized medals and is capable of communicating with the dedicated unit SU, and the main control CPU 11 as game control means that controls games played using digitized medals, but this is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured without the medal count control board 30, and various functions mounted on the medal count control board 30 may be realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 manages the digitized medals and functions as management control means that is capable of communicating with the dedicated unit SU. In this configuration, the main control CPU 11 constitutes the first control unit.

[0238] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in an advantageous zone, but this is not limiting. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to notify that it is in an advantageous zone when the expected value of winning electronic medals is 1 or more due to the support of winning a small winning combination.

[0239] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a plurality of reels, namely, left reel R1 to right reel R3, and a plurality of stop buttons, namely, stop buttons B1 to B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to right reel R3, but is not limited to this and may have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0240] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of electronic medals, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to have, for example, in addition to the max bet button MB, a single bet button for inserting one electronic medal.

[0241] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the stored value of each counter and memory means as an initial value, and to perform a decrement update by subtracting 1 each time a game is played, or an increment update by adding 1 each time a game is played, but this is not limited to this, and the method of updating each counter and memory means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

[0242] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a slot machine type gaming machine is exemplified as the gaming machine, but this is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to pachinko machines capable of so-called first type games, which are equipped with a pattern determination means for determining one of a plurality of types of patterns including a jackpot pattern, a pattern display means for displaying the pattern on the pattern display unit when a predetermined variation time has elapsed since the pattern was determined, a big prize game execution means for executing a big prize game consisting of a plurality of rounds of play when the jackpot pattern is displayed on the pattern display unit, a game profit awarding means for awarding a predetermined game profit when a game ball that has entered a big prize opening enters a specific area during a predetermined specific round of play in the big prize game, and an effect execution means for executing an effect during the big prize game, or a pachinko machine capable of a second type game in which a big prize game can be started when a game ball enters a specific area during a small prize game. When the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, the gaming machine may be configured to circulate gaming balls within the gaming machine and record the gaming value used for gaming by an electromagnetic method.

[0243] In the case where the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, the specific trigger is realized by operating the effect operation means, and the specific effect may be composed of a setting suggestion effect that suggests a setting value set in the pachinko machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0244] 1. Slot machines (gaming machines) 200 Production Control Means 410 Display device (display means) 415a First specific setting suggestion image (first image) 415b Second specific setting suggestion image (second image) 511a~515a Facial images (first type of images) 520a to 520d Setting suggestion icon image (second type image)

Claims

[Claim 1] A performance control means for controlling performance; a display means for displaying an image, The performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance when a specific trigger is established, The specific effects include a first pattern in which a first image is displayed on the display means, and a second pattern in which a second image is displayed on the display means, the first image and the second image are composite images in which an image of a second type is drawn so as to cover an image including an image of a first type, a position where the first type of image is displayed on the first image and a position where the first type of image is displayed on the second image are different positions; the second type of image is displayed in the second image at a position where the first type of image is displayed in the first image; A gaming machine characterized by:

Images