Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine for improving the taste of a game while suitably adjusting the acquisition performance of a game value.SOLUTION: The game machine includes a first counter for managing the number of games consumed in a normal performance state in an advantageous interval, and a second counter for managing the number of acquired electronic tokens after an AT state is started in the advantageous interval, executes an AT lottery for determining whether or not to shift to the AT state in the normal performance state, adjusts an AT type to be an advantageous degree of the AT state according to a value of the second counter, and determines whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter according to a value of the first counter when the AT lottery is won in the normal performance state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire this gaming value. Furthermore, these types of gaming machines conduct an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when a player initiates a game, and control the multiple reels to stop in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when the multiple reels are stopped, and the payout of gaming value, such as medals, is carried out according to the game result.

[0003] In recent years, gaming machines with instruction functions that change the probability of winning a small prize by providing operation instruction information that assists in winning a correct small prize, which pays out game value greater than the number of inputs upon winning, and make it easier to win game value such as medals in an AT state where operation instruction information can be provided, have been gaining popularity.

[0004] With regard to gaming machines having the above-mentioned instruction function, a method is known in which the total number of plays in the increase section, in which the instruction function is activated to increase the game value held, and the decrease section, which starts after the increase section and in which the game value held is decreased, is adjusted so as to satisfy a predetermined condition (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-108433 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, while conventional methods can prevent players from acquiring gaming value that far exceeds expectations at the time of design, the existence of a decreasing section is not desirable for players, and it is expected that the decreasing section may be controlled to be longer depending on the situation, which raises concerns that this may lead to a decrease in players' motivation to play.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that enhances the enjoyment of the game while suitably adjusting the performance of acquiring gaming value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a gaming machine that is equipped with a zone control means that can set a normal zone and an advantageous zone and can set a first gaming zone and a second gaming zone in the advantageous zone, a first counter that manages the number of games played in the first gaming zone in the advantageous zone, and a second counter that manages the number of gaming values ​​acquired in the advantageous zone after a predetermined condition is met, wherein the two gaming zones are more advantageous than the first gaming zone in terms of acquiring gaming value, and the zone control means determines whether to transition to the second gaming zone in the first gaming zone, adjusts the degree of advantageousness of the second gaming zone according to the value of the second counter, and, when a transition to the second gaming zone in the first gaming zone is decided, determines whether to initialize the value of the second counter according to the value of the first counter.

[0009] In the present invention, whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter, which affects the degree of advantage in the second game section, is determined based on the value of the first counter, which manages the number of games played in the first game section, thereby making it possible to appropriately adjust the ability to acquire game value while increasing the enjoyment of the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [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 perspective view showing the configuration of a reel unit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a gaming machine and a dedicated unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small winning combinations and replays in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation sequence of the stop switch and the winning combination in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the operation sequence of the stop switch and the winning combination in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the presentation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming zone in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of effect images relating to specific effects in the gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a control method in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0012] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called smart pachislot, which is a reel-type gaming machine of the type in which games are played using electronic medals as game value.

[0014] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment has a box-shaped housing made up of a storage box 11 and a front door 12, and houses a first reel 13a, a second reel 13b, and a third reel 13c therein.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a reel unit 30 for a gaming machine according to this embodiment.

[0016] In the reel unit 30 of this embodiment, the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c are each fixed to a metal (or resin) base unit 31 formed in an approximately U-shape via a metal (or resin) support unit 32 that supports a stepping motor 33 for driving each reel.

[0017] Each of the first reel 13a, second reel 13b, and third reel 13c housed in the base unit 31 is configured by winding a reel tape 35 made of a strip-shaped resin film around the outer periphery of a circularly molded resin reel body 34 (reel drum). The reel tape 35 is wound around the reel body 34 so that its front surface forms the outer periphery of each reel and its back surface forms the inner periphery of each reel, and the ends are fixed together with an adhesive or the like.

[0018] Each of the first reel 13a, second reel 13b, and third reel 13c is fixed to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 33 by bolts or the like at a position corresponding to the center of rotation of the reel body 34. The stepping motor 33 for each reel is also fixed to the support unit 32 by bolts or the like.

[0019] The reel tape 35 for each reel is divided into pattern arrangement areas of 20 frames at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of patterns is arranged on the surface of the reel tape 35 at each position corresponding to each frame.

[0020] The reel unit 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a backlight unit 36 ​​(illumination means) that illuminates the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c from the back side of the reel tape 35 of each reel (the inner peripheral side of each reel). Each reel backlight unit 36 ​​is provided with a light source such as an incandescent bulb or an LED bulb so as to illuminate each of the three display positions (upper, middle, and lower) that can be observed through the display window 14 of the gaming machine, and in this embodiment, three light sources are provided corresponding to the display positions of each reel: an upper backlight 37a that illuminates the upper display position, a middle backlight 37b that illuminates the middle display position, and a lower backlight 37c that illuminates the lower display position.

[0021] A power supply unit and a setting change unit are built into the housing of the gaming machine 10, and various switches are provided, such as a power switch for starting up the gaming machine 10, a start-up mode change switch for performing operations related to setting changes, and a setting change switch. The setting change unit may be integrated with a main control board, which will be described later.

[0022] The housing of the gaming machine 10 also contains a main control board, a sub-control board, and a medal count control board, each of which is equipped with a CPU as a computing means, ROM and RAM as storage means, and is capable of controlling the operation of the gaming machine. The main control board and the sub-control board are connected in a manner that allows only one-way communication from the main control board to the sub-control board, and the sub-control board cannot send information to the main control board. Bidirectional communication is also possible between the main control board and the medal count control board, allowing information to be sent from the main control board to the medal count control board, and information to be sent from the medal count control board to the main control board.

[0023] As described above, the outer periphery of each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is divided into 20 regions (each region is called a "frame") at regular intervals, and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged on each frame. Each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c is driven to rotate around the axis of the stepping motor 33, and is provided so as to be able to stop in frame units (units of a predetermined rotation angle, units of a predetermined rotation amount) by controlling the number of pulses, pulse width, etc. of the drive pulses of the stepping motor 33. That is, in the gaming machine 10, the stepping motor 33 drives the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to rotate in response to a drive pulse supplied from the control board, and when a drive pulse for full phase excitation is supplied from the control board, the rotation of the stepping motor 33 stops, causing the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to stop.

[0024] The front door 12 can be opened and closed freely, and is provided with a display window 14 that allows the rotation and stopped states of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to be observed. When the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are arranged consecutively on the outer periphery of each of the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c can be observed through the display window 14 from the front of the gaming machine.

[0025] In addition, in the gaming machine 10, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window 14, and an active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine 10, the number of electronic medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to three or two, and when electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an active line 15 consisting of the upper row of the first reel 13a, the middle row of the second reel 13b, and the lower row of the third reel 13c is activated.

[0026] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line 15 in the display window 14, and if the symbol combination on the valid line 15 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is deemed to have been won and electronic medals are paid out by the medal control board.

[0027] The front door 12 is also provided with a main display 16, a sub-display 18, and a game medal count display 27. The main display 16, the sub-display 18, and the game medal count display 27 are 7-segment displays, with the main display 16 displaying the number of electronic medals paid out for each game, operation instruction information, and main error information, the sub-display 18 displaying the number of electronic medals acquired in a specified game section and sub-error information, and the game medal count display 27 displaying the number of electronic medals in possession.

[0028] The front door 12 is also provided with peripheral lamps 19 and a liquid crystal display 20 for game effects. The peripheral lamps 19 illuminate the front door 12 and, depending on their lighting modes, serve to enhance the game, provide information to assist the game, and notify the status of the gaming machine. The exterior of the peripheral lamps 19 is made of translucent resin or glass, allowing light from the built-in LED unit to pass through. The liquid crystal display 20 displays various videos (or images) to assist the game, enhance the game, and notify the status of the gaming machine. The gaming machine of this embodiment is also provided with a speaker 40 on the front door 12 for game effects. The speaker 40 outputs various sounds and background music to assist the game, enhance the game, and notify the status of the gaming machine.

[0029] The front door 12 is also provided with various operating means. These operating means include a bet switch 21 (insertion operating means) for inserting electronic medals, a start switch 22 (game start operating means) for rotating the first reel 13a, the second reel 13b, and the third reel 13c to start a game, stop switches 23a-23c (stop operating means) for stopping each of the first reel 13a-3 reel 13c driven by the stepping motor 33, a counting switch 26 for transferring electronic medals to an external device, and a settlement switch 28 for canceling the inserted state of electronic medals. In particular, in this embodiment, the bet switch 21 and the stop switches 23a-23c have exteriors made of translucent resin that are transparent to light from built-in LED units. The illumination of the LED units indicates that the insertion of electronic medals has been activated, and that the stopping of the spinning reels has been activated.

[0030] The front door 12 is also provided with a door key cylinder 24, and the front door 12 can be unlocked by inserting a door key into the door key cylinder 24. The front door 12 can also be unlocked by rotating the door key inserted into the door key cylinder 24 clockwise by 90 degrees from its initial position.

[0031] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts an electronic medal by operating the bet switch 21, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start controlling the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. Then, when the player operates the start switch 22, the control board starts rotating the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c by driving the stepping motor 33, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the rotation speed of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c has increased to a predetermined speed, the stop operation of the stop switches 23a to 23c is validated.

[0032] Thereafter, when the player operates the stop switches 23a to 23c at any timing, the operation is detected by a sensor (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop switches 23a to 23c, and the reel stop signal input to the main control board changes from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0033] Furthermore, when the player releases the pressed stop switches 23a to 23c at any timing, the sensors corresponding to the stop switches 23a to 23c detect the end of the operation and change the reel stop signal input to the main control board from ON to OFF.

[0034] The main control board then stops the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c at a stop position according to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from an OFF state to an ON state of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop switches 23a to 23c.

[0035] In addition, when electronic medals are paid out according to the results of the game, the electronic medals corresponding to the number paid out are counted up to a predetermined upper limit, and the display value of the game medal number display 27 is changed in accordance with the change in the number of electronic medals owned.

[0036] In this embodiment, the management of electronic medals is performed by the gaming machine 10 and a dedicated unit 800 (an example of a specific unit) that is communicatively connected to the gaming machine 10. Fig. 3 is a diagram that schematically shows the mechanical configuration of the gaming machine 10 and the dedicated unit 800. The dedicated unit 800 has a built-in CPU that serves as a calculation means that functions as a lending control unit 801 that exchanges information with the gaming machine 10, controls inputs from various switches provided on the dedicated unit 800, and controls various displays provided on the dedicated unit 800.

[0037] When a player uses the gaming machine 10, he or she inserts cash into the cash insertion section 802 of the dedicated unit 800. When cash is inserted into the cash insertion section 802, the number of points corresponding to the inserted cash (for example, "10" for an inserted 1,000 yen) is displayed on the point display 807 of the dedicated unit 800. When the lending switch 804 is operated while points remain in the dedicated unit 800, electronic medals corresponding to the number of points held in the dedicated unit 800 (for example, "50") are transferred to the gaming machine 10 at once. In the gaming machine 10 to which electronic medals have been transferred from the dedicated unit 800, the displayed value of the gaming machine medal count display 27 changes by an increment corresponding to the number of electronic medals transferred.

[0038] When the bet switch 21 of the gaming machine 10 is operated and electronic medals are inserted, the displayed value of the gaming medal count display 27 changes by a decrement equivalent to the number of electronic medals inserted. Also, when electronic medals are paid out as a result of playing, the displayed value of the gaming medal count display 27 changes by an increment equivalent to the number of electronic medals paid out.

[0039] Furthermore, if the settlement switch 28 is operated after the bet switch 21 has been operated and electronic medals have been inserted, but before the start switch 21 is operated, the state in which electronic medals have been inserted is released, and the display value of the game medal display 27 changes by an amount equivalent to the number of medals inserted.

[0040] Furthermore, when a player finishes using the gaming machine 10, the counting switch 26 is operated, and the digitized medals managed in the gaming machine 10 are transferred to the dedicated unit 800. When the digitized medals are transferred to the dedicated unit 800, the displayed value of the acquired medal count indicator 808 of the dedicated unit 800 increases by an amount corresponding to the amount of the transferred digitized medals, and the displayed value of the gaming medal count indicator 27 of the gaming machine 10 decreases by an amount corresponding to the amount of the transferred digitized medals. When the player operates the return switch 805 of the dedicated unit 800, the digitized medals managed in the dedicated unit 800 are transferred to a card medium stored in the dedicated unit 800, and the card medium is removed from the dedicated unit 800 through the card insertion portion 803. In this manner, in this embodiment, digitized medals acquired while using the gaming machine 10 can be stored on a card medium.

[0041] In this embodiment, the use of the gaming machine 10 can be resumed using the card medium on which digitized medals have been accumulated. Specifically, when a player uses the gaming machine 10, he or she can play a game by inserting the card medium on which digitized medals have been accumulated into the card insertion portion 803 instead of cash and having the dedicated unit 800 read the digitized medals accumulated on the card medium. In this case, the digitized medals accumulated on the card medium are transferred to the dedicated unit 800, and the total number of digitized medals accumulated on the card medium is displayed on the acquired medal count display 808. The player can transfer the digitized medals managed by the dedicated unit 800 to the gaming machine 10 by operating the game switch 806 of the dedicated unit 800 instead of the lending switch 804 of the dedicated unit 800.

[0042] As described above, the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment does not require actual medals, thereby preventing fraudulent acts such as inserting fake medals or using illegally brought medals. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for inserting and paying out gaming media such as medals within the gaming machine 10, design and manufacturing costs can be reduced. Furthermore, by centrally managing the lending of gaming media to players and the counting of acquired gaming media, fraud can be prevented. Furthermore, by centrally managing information on electronic medals in the gaming machine 10, gambling behavior can be suppressed, thereby strengthening measures against addiction.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment.

[0044] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a main control unit 100 (main control board), a sub-control unit 200 (sub-control board), and a medal count control unit 600 (medal count control board). The main control unit 100, the sub-control unit 200, and the medal count control unit 600 are started by power supplied from a power supply unit when a power switch is operated. In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 200 starts up earlier than the main control unit 100 due to the relationship between the startup voltages of the main control unit 100 and the sub-control unit 200. In other words, when the gaming machine 10 is powered on, the sub-control unit 200 starts up before the main control unit 100 and waits to receive a command from the main control unit 100. Furthermore, the startup of the main control unit 100 is not completed until a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, so that the game can be played after the startup of the liquid crystal display 20, which is managed by the sub-control unit 200, has been completed. In addition, the medal count control unit 600 receives a start command from the main control unit 100 to start itself and establish a communication connection with the dedicated unit 800.

[0045] The main control unit 100 receives input signals from the start mode change switch 301, setting change switch 302, door open / close switch 303, bet switch 21, start switch 22, stop switches 23a-23c, settlement switch 28, etc., and performs various calculations to set up the gaming machine, manage main errors, or progress the game, and controls the operation of the reel unit 30, etc. based on the calculation results. Also, in response to commands from the main control unit 100, the sub-control unit 200 controls the operation of the display unit 501, speaker 40, lamp unit 503, etc., and manages sub-errors. Also, in response to input signals from the counting switch 26 and commands from the main control unit 100, the medal count control unit 600 manages digitized medals and medal errors, and transfers information about digitized medals to and from the dedicated unit 800. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the functions of the main control unit 100, sub-control unit 200, and medal count control unit 600 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM, or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

[0046] The main control unit 100 includes a setting change means 101 , a game control means 102 , a random number generation means 103 , and a main memory means 105 .

[0047] The setting change means 101 controls changing of the setting values ​​stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 switches between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the start-up mode change switch 301 when the power is turned on. When the start-up mode change switch 301 sets the start-up mode to setting change mode and the power is turned on to the gaming machine 10, the setting change means 101 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, a setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6. The expected value of the payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the degree of advantage in acquiring electronic medals, such as the probability of winning the internal lottery and the probability of winning the automatic timer lottery, changes accordingly. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

[0048] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 302 is actuated in the setting change mode, the setting change means 101 changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 →... setting 6 → setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 302, and when the start switch 22 is actuated, it confirms the setting value and performs control to store the confirmed setting value in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, the main display 16 displays the selected setting value in the setting change mode.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on to the gaming machine 10 with the start-up mode change switch 301 setting the start-up mode to the game mode, the gaming machine 10 is started up in the game mode. In this embodiment, in the game mode, a game can be played but the setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in the setting change mode, the setting values ​​can be changed but the game cannot be played.

[0050] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 101 performs an initialization process to initialize the information stored in the read / write memory (RWM), which is a readable and writable storage area in the main storage means 105. Note that in the initialization process, not all of the information stored in the read / write memory is initialized, but some of the information is retained without being initialized. In the initialization process in the setting change mode, for example, the game state is initialized to the normal state, and control information related to the advantageous zone is initialized and set to the normal zone, but control information related to the electronic medals is not initialized.

[0051] The game control means 102 is a means for controlling the progress of the game, and when an electronic medal is inserted and a game starts, it determines whether or not a winning combination will be achieved by an internal lottery, spins the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, and when a stop operation is performed on the stop switches 23a to 23c, it stops the spinning reels according to the result of the internal lottery, determines whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line, and performs a main loop process to progress the game by processing according to the determination result. Details of this process will be explained below.

[0052] First, the game control means 102 accepts an operation (insertion operation) of the bet switch 21 related to the insertion of electronic medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start switch 22 (game start operation means) based on the insertion of electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (three or two). That is, the game control means 102 functions as an insertion acceptance means that accepts the insertion of electronic medals to be used for a game up to the specified insertion number based on the insertion operation. Note that in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first operation of the start switch 22 that is enabled based on the insertion of electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number is accepted as a game start operation, and serves as a trigger to start the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c and to execute an internal lottery.

[0053] The electronic medal insertion function is realized by cooperation between the main control unit 100 and the medal count control unit 600. When the bet switch 21 is activated, the main control unit 100 transmits an insertion command to the medal count control unit 600 specifying the specified number of electronic medals to be inserted. Upon receiving the insertion command, the medal count control unit 600 returns a reply command to the main control unit 100 if the number of electronic medals stored in the medal information storage unit 603 is equal to or greater than the specified number specified in the insertion command. The counting control unit 601 of the medal count control unit 600 also subtracts the specified number of electronic medals from the number of gaming medals stored in the medal information storage unit 603. If the reply command indicates that an amount of electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number can be inserted, the game control unit 102 in the main control unit 100 sets the electronic medals equivalent to the specified insertion number to the inserted state. In this embodiment, the specified insertion number is set to three medals when the game state is normal or bonus status, and to two medals when the game state is bonus status.

[0054] Furthermore, the game control means 102 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a game start operation on the start switch 22 (the first operation on the activated start switch 22), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc. In other words, the game control means 102 functions as an internal lottery means that determines whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a game start operation.

[0055] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table to use to perform the internal lottery among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, in each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins), are associated with each of multiple random number values ​​(for example, 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, for six levels of setting values, an internal lottery table corresponding to the game state is prepared for each setting value, and the probability of obtaining some winning modes in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between the combination and the random number value is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected value of the payout rate.

[0056] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, bonus established state, and bonus state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of multiple types of internal lottery tables is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing examples of three types of internal lottery tables associated with a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state. Regarding internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Fig. 5, internal lottery table 1 is referenced in the normal state, internal lottery table 2 is referenced in the bonus establishment state, and internal lottery table 3 is referenced in the bonus state.

[0058] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, minor roles 1 to 36 are provided as minor roles, and the winning patterns for the minor roles are set as shown in Figure 6, including batting order bell group a (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b8), watermelon, irregular 3-bell group (irregular 3-bell a1 to irregular 3-bell a4), irregular 3-bell group b (irregular 3-bell b1 to irregular 3-bell b4), sequential push 3-bell group a (sequential push 3-bell a1 to sequential push 3-bell a4), sequential push 3-bell group b (sequential push 3-bell b1 to sequential push 3-bell b4), JAC1, JAC2, and JAC3.

[0059] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays are provided as Replay 1 to Replay 5, and the winning modes of replays are set as watermelon replay, cherry replay, normal replay a, normal replay b, and normal replay c, as shown in Figure 6.

[0060] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the winning probability of a small role is the same on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the winning probability of a replay is higher on internal lottery table 2 than on internal lottery table 1, replays are not subject to lottery on internal lottery table 3, and the lottery mode of a small role on internal lottery table 3 is different from that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the winning probability of a small role is higher than that on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2. In particular, in this embodiment, the winning mode of a small role is always obtained on internal lottery table 3, and in a bonus state in which internal lottery table 3 is referenced, either JAC1, JAC2, or JAC3 is always won. In addition, on internal lottery table 3, the winning probability is higher than on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2 for each of the small roles that are subject to lottery on internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0061] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a big bonus (BB) is prepared as a bonus (an example of a special role), and the big bonus (BB) is an object of lottery in the internal lottery table 1 that is referred to in the normal state.

[0062] In this embodiment, the winning probability for bonuses and replays does not change depending on the setting value, but the winning probability for some minor winning patterns does change depending on the setting value, and the higher the setting value, the higher the winning probability for sequential push 3-bell group a and irregular 3-bell group a, and the higher the setting value, the lower the winning probability for sequential push 3-bell group b and irregular 3-bell group b.

[0063] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 103 for each game based on the operation of the start switch 22, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has resulted in a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main memory means 105.

[0064] The random number generating means 103 mentioned above is a means for generating random number values ​​for lottery. The random number values ​​can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. In this embodiment, the term "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

[0065] 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-winning state (first flag state, OFF state) to a winning state (second flag state, ON state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won in a overlapping manner, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won in a overlapping manner are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flags is stored in the main storage means 105.

[0066] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that can carry over a winning state to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over a winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with a bonus, while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with a small win and a replay. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, for example, when a bonus is won in an internal lottery, a process is performed to carry over the winning state of the bonus lottery flag until the bonus is won. At this time, the game control means 102 performs an internal lottery to determine whether a small win or a replay will be won, even in a game in which the winning state of the bonus lottery flag is carried over. In this way, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small winning combination or a replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the bonus lottery flag is carried over, lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of combinations consisting of the lottery flag of the bonus already won and the lottery flag of the small winning combination or replay won by the internal lottery are set to the winning state.

[0067] Furthermore, the game control means 102 starts the rotation of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c by the stepping motor based on a game start operation on the start switch 22, and controls to validate a stop operation by pressing the stop button 23a to 23c (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is steadily rotating at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute) of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c, and controls to stop the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that are rotationally driven by the stepping motor in a manner corresponding to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery). In other words, the game control means 102 functions as a reel control means that spins a plurality of reels based on a game start operation, and stops the rotating reel in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated.

[0068] When the player operates the stop switches 23a to 23c while the stop operation for the stop switches 23a to 23c is enabled, the game control means 102 controls the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c to stop by stopping the supply of drive pulses (motor drive signals) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 30 based on the signal from the operated stop switch.

[0069] That is, each time one of the stop switches 23a to 23c is operated, the game control means 102 determines the stop position of the reel among the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c corresponding to the operated stop switch, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. Note that in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, operating the stop switch 23a corresponds to an operation for stopping the first reel 13a, operating the stop switch 23b corresponds to an operation for stopping the second reel 13b, and operating the stop switch 23c corresponds to an operation for stopping the third reel 13c. That is, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c changes, the stop order of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c changes. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the reel that stops first among the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c may be referred to as the first stop reel, the reel that stops second may be referred to as the second stop reel, and the reel that stops last may be referred to as the third stop reel. Also, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel that stops first among the stop switches 23a to 23c may be referred to as the first stop operation, the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel that stops second may be referred to as the second stop operation, and the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the reel that stops last may be referred to as the third stop operation. Also, in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, with regard to the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c, the operation order that stops the first reel 13a first may be referred to as the recommended batting order, and the operation order that stops the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c first may be referred to as the irregular batting order.

[0070] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c are stopped within 190 ms of the operation of the stop switch 23a to 23c. When the reels are stopped within 190 ms of the operation of the stop switch, the stop position of each reel is determined based on the number of frames required from the operation of the stop switch to the stop of the reel, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The game control means 102 controls the reel to stop so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time the stop switch is operated, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line on the outer periphery of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch 23a to 23c.

[0071] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 30 is provided with a reel index 405 consisting of a photosensor, and the game control means 102 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotary shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 405) based on the signal detected by the reel index 405 each time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the game control means 102 can obtain the position of the reel at the time the stop switch is activated by determining the rotation angle of the reel from the reference position.

[0072] In this embodiment, multiple types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c that make up the reel unit 30, and when symbols located within four frames from the operation detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the outer periphery of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the operation detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch is activated (the time the operation of the stop switch is detected). In this embodiment, the operation detection position is the display position of the upper row of each reel.

[0073] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol arrangement for the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, a red 7 symbol "RED 7", a white 7 symbol "WHITE 7", a bar symbol "BAR", a watermelon symbol a "WMa", a watermelon symbol b "WMb", a cherry symbol "CH", a bell symbol "BL", a replay symbol "RP", a special symbol a "SPa", and a special symbol b "SPb" are arranged on the outer periphery of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c.

[0074] The game control means 102 also determines the stop position of the spinning reel by referring to a stop control table stored in the main storage means 105. In the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the operation detection position and the number of sliding symbols indicating the amount of rotation from the operation detection position to the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the operation detection position and the actual stop position may also be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0075] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the priority order for small wins, replays, and bonuses is set as "replay > bonus" and then "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including a symbol that constitutes the winning form of a high-priority win is selected according to the priority order associated with each win.

[0076] In addition, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for multiple types of minor roles are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are cases where the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line (number priority control), and cases where the stop position is set according to the number of electronic medals to be paid out based on the payout that is predetermined for the minor role (payout number priority control).When the stop position is set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, and when the stop position is set according to the number of electronic medals to be paid out, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that priority is given to stop positions with a greater number of electronic medals to be paid out based on the payout of the minor role corresponding to the pattern displayed at the display position on the valid line (stop positions that can win a minor role with a greater payout). However, when the stop positions are set according to the number of electronic medals paid out, for multiple stop positions where the number of electronic medals paid out is the same, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the operation detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the priority of each stop position is treated as being the same and a stop position relative to the operation detection position is set, and when the stop positions are set according to the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line, the number of pattern combinations that indicate winning forms that can be displayed on the valid line is the same.

[0077] In this embodiment, the stop positions of the reels relative to the operation detection positions are set in each stop control table so that so-called pull-in control and kick-off control can be realized. Pull-in control is control that determines the stop positions of the reels so that a combination whose lottery flag is set to a winning state can win as many prizes as possible. On the other hand, kick-off control is control that determines the stop positions of the reels so that a combination whose lottery flag is set to a non-winning state cannot win a prize. In this way, the game control means 102 determines the stop positions of the reels so that symbols of a combination whose lottery flag is set to a winning state can stop in a winning form, while symbols of a combination whose lottery flag is set to a non-winning state cannot stop in a winning form.

[0078] In this embodiment, as the winning patterns of small roles in the normal state and the bonus formation state, there are a plurality of types of batting order winning patterns in which a correct small role in which the number of electronic medals paid out when winning is greater than the number of electronic medals inserted, or an equivalent small role in which the number of electronic medals paid out when winning is the same as the number of electronic medals inserted, and a failed small role in which the number of electronic medals paid out when winning is less than the number of electronic medals inserted are overlappingly won, and a correct operation mode is set for each of the batting order winning patterns in which a correct small role or an equivalent small role can be won. In a game in which a batting order winning pattern is obtained in the bonus formation state, the stopping position of the spinning reels is determined so that if a stop operation is performed according to the correct operation mode, priority is given to winning a correct small role or an equivalent small role, and if a stop operation is performed according to a failed operation mode, which is an operation mode that is not the correct operation mode, priority is given to winning a failed small role while avoiding winning a correct small role or an equivalent small role. On the other hand, in a game in which a batting order winning mode is obtained in a normal state, all operation modes for some batting order winning modes become unsuccessful operation modes, and the stopping position of the reel during rotation is determined so as to avoid winning of a correct minor role and give priority to winning of an unsuccessful minor role no matter what mode the stopping operation is performed in.

[0079] In this embodiment, as batting order winning modes, batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8, batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b8, irregular 3-piece bell a1 to a4, irregular 3-piece bell b1 to b4, sequential 3-piece bell a1 to a4, and sequential 3-piece bell b1 to b4 are provided. Hereinafter, batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a8 and batting order bell b1 to b8 are collectively referred to as batting order bells, irregular 3-piece bell a1 to irregular 3-piece bell a1 to a4 and irregular 3-piece bell b1 to b4 are collectively referred to as irregular 3-piece bells, and sequential 3-piece bell a1 to a4 and sequential 3-piece bell b1 to b4 are collectively referred to as sequential 3-piece bells. Each batting order bell is a winning mode in which a 15-piece small combination and a 1-piece small combination are overlappingly won, and the 15-piece small combination corresponds to the correct small combination, and the 1-piece small combination corresponds to the failed small combination. Each irregular 3-coin bell and each sequential 3-coin bell is a winning pattern in which a 3-coin small win and a 1-coin small win overlap, with the 3-coin small win corresponding to an equivalent small win and the 1-coin small win corresponding to a failed small win.

[0080] In the stop control table that is referenced when the batting order bell is won in the internal lottery, the correct batting order that results in the correct operation mode is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figure 8.

[0081] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the batting order bells is won, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct batting order, a 15-coin small win is won, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a 1-coin small win is won and cases where no win is won (a miss of a win). "1-coin small win (1 / 2)" in FIG. 8 means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small win is won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a miss of a win occurs. Also, "1-coin small win (1 / 4)" in FIG. 8 means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a 1-coin small win is won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a miss of a win occurs. In this embodiment, the recommended batting order for any batting order bell is a failure operation mode, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order, one small winning combination is always won.

[0082] In addition, when each batting order bell is won, in the correct batting order, the stop position for the operation detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 15-coin small win are preferentially displayed on the active line by the payout number priority control, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 1-coin small win are preferentially displayed on the active line by the number priority control. In this embodiment, by using the payout number priority control and the number priority control according to the operation order, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 15-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a 1-coin small win, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 1-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a 15-coin small win.

[0083] In this embodiment, for the batting order bell group a, the correct batting order is valid only when the bonus is established, and when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group a is won in the normal state, even if the stop operation is performed according to the correct batting order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small role will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that the role will be missed. In other words, in the normal state, for the batting order bell group a, even if the stop operation is performed in a manner that allows a 15-coin small role to be won in the bonus state, the stop position is determined by the number priority control so as to avoid the winning of the 15-coin small role. On the other hand, for the batting order bell group b, the correct batting order is valid in both the normal state and the bonus state, and in either game state, the stop position is determined by the payout number priority control so that the winning of the 15-coin small role is prioritized in the correct batting order.

[0084] In the stop control table that is referenced when an irregular three-bell is won in an internal lottery, the correct batting order that results in the correct operation mode for each irregular three-bell is set, as shown in Figure 9.

[0085] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the irregular 3-coin bells is won, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the correct hitting order, a 3-coin small role will be won, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct hitting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a 1-coin small role will be won and cases where no role will be won (missed role). "1-coin small role (1 / 2)" in FIG. 9 means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 2 probability that a 1-coin small role will be won, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a role will be missed. Also, "1-coin small role (1 / 4)" in FIG. 9 means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a 1-coin small role will be won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a role will be missed. In this embodiment, the recommended batting order for any irregular three-piece bell is a failure operation mode, and when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order, one-piece small winning combination is always won.

[0086] In addition, when each irregular 3-coin bell is won, in the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 3-coin small combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by the payout number priority control, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 1-coin small combination are preferentially displayed on the active line by the number priority control, so that in each stop control table, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set. In this embodiment, by using the payout number priority control and the number priority control according to the operation order, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 3-coin small combination while avoiding the winning of a 1-coin small combination, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 1-coin small combination while avoiding the winning of a 3-coin small combination.

[0087] In the stop control table that is referenced when a three-bell push in sequence is won in the internal lottery, the correct hitting order that results in the correct operation mode for each three-bell push in sequence is set, as shown in Figure 9.

[0088] In the stop control table that is referenced when any of the three-coin bells is won, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in the correct batting order, a three-coin small win is won. When the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a one-coin small win is won and cases where no win is won (a win is missed). In FIG. 9, "one-coin small win (1 / 4)" means that in that operation order, there is a 1 / 4 probability that a one-coin small win is won, and there is a 3 / 4 probability that a win is missed. In addition, in this embodiment, the recommended batting order for any of the three-coin bells is the correct operation mode, and when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in the recommended batting order, a three-coin small win is always won.

[0089] In addition, when each 3-coin bell is won by pressing in order, the stop position for each operation detection position is set in each stop control table so that in the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 3-coin small win are preferentially displayed on the active line by the payout number priority control, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning form of the 1-coin small win are preferentially displayed on the active line by the number priority control. In this embodiment, by using the payout number priority control and the number priority control according to the operation order, in the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 3-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a 1-coin small win, and in an operation order different from the correct batting order, it is possible to win a 1-coin small win while avoiding the winning of a 3-coin small win.

[0090] In addition, in the stop control table that is referred to when a watermelon is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that there are cases where a 3-coin small combination is won and cases where no combination is won, depending on the operation mode of the stop switches 23a to 23c. In this embodiment, no matter in which operation order the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated, there is a 3 / 4 probability that a 3-coin small combination is won, and there is a 1 / 4 probability that the combination will be missed.

[0091] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when the watermelon replay, cherry replay, normal replay a, normal replay b, or normal replay c is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that any of the replays included in the winning mode of each replay will win, regardless of the mode of stop operation on the stop switches 23a to 23c.

[0092] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC1 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that small win 1 or small win 2 will definitely be won, in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC2 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that one of small wins 3 to 7 will definitely be won, and in the stop control table that is referenced when JAC3 wins in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set so that one of small wins 13 to 36 will definitely be won.

[0093] In addition, the Big Bonus (BB) can only be won if the Big Bonus (BB) is won alone in the normal state, and there are no misses when the bonus is formed, and since there are always overlapping wins of small winning combinations or replays with higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB), the stop position relative to the operation detection position is set in the stop control table so that the Big Bonus (BB) is not won.

[0094] The game control means 102 also performs a win determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a win determination means for determining whether or not a winning combination has been achieved. Specifically, the game control means 102 refers to a win determination table stored in the main storage means 105 to determine whether or not a symbol combination displayed on an active line when all of the first reel 13a to the third reel 13c have stopped is in the form of a winning combination of a predetermined winning combination. In this embodiment, a win determination table is provided so that, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, whether or not a big bonus (BB), replay 1 to replay 5, and small bonus 1 to small bonus 36 have been achieved is determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line when each reel has stopped.

[0095] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the game control means 102 executes a winning process when a winning combination is achieved based on the result of the winning determination process. As the winning process, for example, a payout process of electronic medals is performed when a small combination is achieved, a replay process is performed when a replay is achieved, and a game state transition process for transitioning the game state is performed when a bonus is achieved.

[0096] First, the game control means 102 performs a payout process for paying out electronic medals in accordance with the game results. In this embodiment, the function of paying out electronic medals is realized through cooperation between the main control unit 100 and the medal count control unit 600. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the game control means 102 of the main control unit 100 determines the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and transmits a payout command specifying the number of electronic medals to be paid out to the medal count control unit 600. In the medal count control unit 600 that receives the payout command, the counting control means 601 increases the number of game medals stored in the medal information storage means 603 by the payout number specified in the payout command. Note that in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, when electronic medals are paid out in each game, the number of electronic medals to be paid out is displayed on the main display 16. That is, when electronic medals are paid out as a result of a win of a small winning combination, the game control means 102 controls the main display 16 to display the number of electronic medals to be paid out in response to the win of the small winning combination. In this way, the game control means 102 functions as a payout control means for paying out a number of electronic medals corresponding to the payout of the winning small winning combination when a small winning combination is won. In addition, in this embodiment, the payout for each small winning combination is set in association with the specified insertion number, and for some small winning combinations, the payout when the specified insertion number is three coins is different from the payout when the specified insertion number is two coins. As shown in FIG. 11 , the payouts for small winning combinations 1 to 7 are different when the specified insertion number is three coins and when the specified insertion number is two coins. For small winning combinations 1 and 2, the payout is 15 coins when the specified insertion number is three coins, but the payout is one coin when the specified insertion number is two coins. For small winning combinations 3 to 7, the payout is three coins when the specified insertion number is three coins, but the payout is one coin when the specified insertion number is two coins. For small prizes 8 to 36, the payout is the same whether the specified number of coins is 3 or 2, and the payout is 1 coin for either specified number of coins.In this embodiment, the specified insertion number is set to three in the normal state and the bonus state, and to two in the bonus state. Therefore, in the normal state and the bonus state, if a small win is won, more than the specified insertion number of electronic medals may be paid out. However, in the bonus state, regardless of the small win, the number of electronic medals paid out is controlled to be less than the specified insertion number. Note that a payout limit for electronic medals may be set according to the specified insertion number, and when electronic medals are paid out in response to a small win, the payout limit may be controlled so that more electronic medals than the payout limit are not paid out in a single game. Specifically, if the specified insertion number is three, the payout limit may be set to 15, and if the specified insertion number is two, the payout limit may be set to one. For example, if the specified insertion number is two, even if a 15-coin or 3-coin small win is won, the payout limit is set to one, so the number of electronic medals paid out in response to a 15-coin or 3-coin small win is one.

[0097] Furthermore, when a replay wins, the game control means 102 performs a replay process (replay process) that sets the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any electronic medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed that automatically inserts the same number of electronic medals as in the previous game without using any electronic medals owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation on the start switch 22 with the same pay lines set as in the previous game. In this way, the game control means 102 functions as a replay processing means that provides the next game free of charge when a replay wins.

[0098] In addition, the game control means 102 performs a game state transition process that transitions the game state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state, as shown in FIG. 14. That is, the game control means 102 functions as a game state control means that can set the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in the main memory means 105. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are set, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of one of the multiple predetermined conditions or the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0099] The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among multiple game states, and transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state or the bonus state is possible. Specifically, if a bonus is won in the normal state and the bonus is not awarded, the game state transitions to the bonus establishment state, and if the bonus is awarded, the game state transitions to the bonus state. In the normal state, an internal lottery is performed by referring to an internal lottery table among multiple internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, in which small combinations, replays, and bonuses are set as the lottery targets. In this embodiment, in the normal state, the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to three, and an internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 1 among internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, in the normal state, the payout rate, which corresponds to the expected value of winning electronic medals, is less than 50%.

[0100] The bonus formation state is a gaming state to which the game transitions when a bonus is won in an internal lottery but the bonus is not awarded. In the bonus formation state, among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, the win or loss of a minor combination is determined with the same probability as in the normal state, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which bonuses are excluded from the lottery. Note that replays are also set as a lottery target in the bonus formation state, but the winning probability and winning mode of replays may be different or the same as in the normal state. In this embodiment, in the bonus formation state, the specified number of coins is set to three, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 2 of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in this embodiment, in the bonus formation state, the payout rate when the presentation state is not in the AT state (when not in the AT state) is at least 50% higher, and when the presentation state is in the AT state (when in the AT state) the payout rate is approximately 320%. In addition, when not in AT, the payout rate for the recommended batting order is below 50%, at approximately 44%.

[0101] In addition, in the bonus established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the bonus is maintained in the winning state until the bonus is won, and the win or loss of the minor winning combination and replay is determined, and when the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the bonus is displayed on the active line, the game control means 102 transitions the game state from the bonus established state to the bonus state based on the winning of the bonus.

[0102] The bonus state is a gaming state to which the game enters when a symbol combination indicating a bonus winning mode is displayed on an active pay line. In the bonus state, among the multiple types of internal lottery tables stored in the main storage means 105, the winning probability of a small combination is set higher than in the normal state and the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to an internal lottery table in which replays are excluded from the lottery. In other words, the bonus state is a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state and the bonus state in that small combinations are more frequently won than in the normal state and the bonus state. In this embodiment, in the bonus state, the specified number of coins is set to two, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 3 of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in this embodiment, the payout rate in the bonus state is 50%.

[0103] In the bonus state, the game control means 102 determines whether or not the termination condition is met based on the total number of electronic medals paid out in the bonus game in the bonus state, and when the number of electronic medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number to be paid out for termination (for example, 100 medals), the game control means 102 terminates the bonus state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of payouts in the bonus state is accumulated and stored in the main storage means 105.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 15, the game control means 102 changes the presentation state among multiple presentation states, including an initial presentation state, a normal presentation state, an AT state, a standby state, and a retraction state. The game control means 102 sets the presentation state to the AT state under predetermined conditions and terminates the AT state when the AT state termination condition is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current presentation state is stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, when the AT state is active, the game control means 102 notifies the player of a correct operation by displaying information (operation instruction information) corresponding to the correct operation mode on the main display 16, which is a 7-segment display, when a predetermined batting order winning pattern is achieved. This notifies the player of a correct operation to assist in winning a correct minor combination. This allows the player to play an assist time game, which makes it easier to win medals than a game in the initial presentation state or the normal presentation state. In this embodiment, the function of executing an assist time game in a favorable zone is the instruction function, and the processing that affects the execution of the assist time game is the processing related to the instruction function.

[0105] 16, the game control means 102 is capable of setting a normal zone (non-advantageous zone) and an advantageous zone, and in the normal zone, the presentation state is fixed to the initial presentation state, which is the initial state, and a lottery for transition to an advantageous zone is held, and by winning the lottery for transition to an advantageous zone, the advantageous zone is started, and the presentation state can be set to the AT state on the condition that it is an advantageous zone. In other words, the game control means 102 functions as a zone control means that is capable of setting a normal zone and an advantageous zone, and is capable of providing operation instruction information in the advantageous zone.

[0106] The game control means 102 performs a lottery for shifting to an advantageous zone in each game in the normal zone to determine whether or not the player has won the advantageous zone according to the result of the internal lottery. In this embodiment, the game control means 102 determines whether or not the player has won the advantageous zone by linking it to the winning pattern obtained in the normal state or the bonus formation state, and the player wins the advantageous zone except when a very small number of winning patterns are obtained.

[0107] When a favorable zone is won in a normal zone, the game control means 102 performs a favorable zone transition process based on the fact that the favorable zone has been won, starts the favorable zone from the next game following the game in which the favorable zone has been won, and sets the presentation state to a normal presentation state.

[0108] The game control means 102 performs an AT lottery (an example of processing related to an instruction function) to award AT stocks that constitute the right to transition to the AT state in the normal presentation state of the advantageous zone. In this embodiment, an AT lottery is performed regardless of which winning mode is obtained in the internal lottery, and the AT lottery is performed so that an AT winning result is obtained with a probability corresponding to the winning mode. Then, based on the result of the AT lottery being an AT win, the game control means 102 performs processing to increase the number of AT stocks stored in the main memory means 105 and award AT stocks. The number of AT stocks awarded upon an AT win may or may not be constant. For example, the number of AT stocks may increase by one for each AT win, or there may be cases where the number of AT stocks increases by one or two for each AT win.

[0109] The game control means 102 executes an AT lottery by referring to the value of a specific lottery counter in a normal presentation state. The specific lottery counter is a counter that can take on a value of 0 or 1 and is provided in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, a low probability table and a high probability table are stored in the main storage means 105 so as to correspond to each winning mode obtained in the internal lottery, and when executing an AT lottery, the game control means 102 determines which table to use by referring to the value of the specific lottery counter, the low probability table or the high probability table corresponding to the winning mode obtained in the internal lottery.

[0110] When the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the game control means 102 sets the value of the specific lottery counter to 1. On the other hand, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the game control means 102 resets the value of the specific lottery counter to 0. The specific lottery counter is updated after the AT lottery is performed based on the game start operation and after the third stop operation. Therefore, when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the value of the specific lottery counter referenced at the time the game start operation is performed in the next game will be 0. In this embodiment, when the game control means 102 performs the AT lottery, if the value of the specific lottery counter is 0, it references the low probability table, and if the value of the specific lottery counter is 1, it references the high probability table, which has a higher probability of winning than the low probability table. Therefore, if the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an irregular batting order in the normal presentation state, the player will be at a disadvantage in the AT lottery for the next game. In this manner, in this embodiment, if the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the player will be at a disadvantage in the AT lottery compared to when the stop switches 23a to 23c are operated in an irregular batting order.

[0111] The game control means 102 performs control to transition the presentation state from the normal presentation state to the AT state when the AT stock number stored in the main memory means 105 in the normal presentation state is 1 or more (when the AT stock number > 0). When transitioning the presentation state to the AT state, the game control means 102 performs processing to subtract a fixed value (for example, 1) from the AT stock number stored in the main memory means 105.

[0112] When the AT state begins, the game control means 102 waits for a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group a or the batting order bell group b to be drawn, and sets the transition destination of the presentation state to a standby state based on the drawing of the batting order bell. When the batting order bell is drawn in a game in the AT state in which the value of the navigation management counter provided in the main storage means 105 is an initial value (for example, 0), the game control means 102 determines whether or not a rewrite condition is met based on the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c. In this embodiment, if the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c is an irregular batting order, it is determined that the rewrite condition is met, and if the operation order of the stop switches 23a to 23c is the recommended batting order, it is determined that the rewrite condition is not met. If the game control means 102 determines whether the rewrite condition is satisfied, it controls to rewrite the destination of the presentation state to the AT state and maintain the AT state, and if it determines that the rewrite condition is not satisfied, it controls to maintain the destination of the presentation state to the standby state and transition to the standby state.

[0113] When the presentation state is a standby state, the game control means 102 sets the transition destination of the presentation state to the standby state each time the batting order bell is won, determines whether the rewrite condition is met, maintains the standby state if the rewrite condition is not met, and performs control to rewrite the transition destination of the presentation state to the AT state and transition to the AT state if the rewrite condition is met.

[0114] When the rewrite condition is met, the game control means 102 sets the value of the navigation management counter provided in the main storage means 105 to a predetermined value (e.g., 100), and when the presentation state is the AT state, performs processing to update the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 by a fixed value (e.g., 1) each time a game is played. When the presentation state is the normal state, the value of the navigation management counter is maintained at an initial value (e.g., 0), and at least in the AT state, the value of the navigation counter remains at the initial value (e.g., 0) until the first batting order bell is won. The value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 can be updated at the end of a game, for example, when the third stop operation is released. However, the value of the navigation management counter may be updated not in association with the third stop operation, but in association with the operation of inserting a digital medal, the operation to start a game, the first stop operation, the second stop operation, etc. When the value of the navigation management counter reaches an initial value (e.g., 0) in the AT state, the game control means 102 sets the transition destination of the presentation state to a standby state when the batting order bell is won and determines whether the rewrite condition is met. That is, in this embodiment, when the rewrite condition is met in the AT state, the transition destination of the presentation state is rewritten from the standby state to the AT state, and the AT state continues. If the rewrite condition is not met in the AT state, the AT state is interrupted and transitions to the standby state. When the AT state is interrupted and transitions to the standby state, the value of the navigation management counter is set to its initial value, and each time the batting order bell is won, the transition destination of the presentation state is set to the standby state and whether the rewrite condition is met is determined. When the rewrite condition is met in the standby state to which the AT state is interrupted and transitions to, the game control means 102 rewrites the transition destination of the presentation state to the AT state and controls the return of the presentation state to the AT state. It is preferable that the return from the standby state to the AT state does not require the consumption of AT stocks. In addition, in the standby state, it is preferable that information regarding the interrupted AT state (for example, count information of the number of AT games) be retained from the time the AT state is interrupted until the AT state is resumed.

[0115] The game control means 102 executes an assist time game based on the fact that the presentation state is the AT state, and updates the count information of the number of AT games by an update amount equivalent to one game each time an assist time game is executed. In this embodiment, the count information of the number of AT games is stored in the main storage means 105. Note that if the AT state is interrupted and transitions to a standby state, the count information of the number of AT games may be continuously updated even in the standby state. In this embodiment, when one of the predetermined batting order winning patterns (batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, irregular three-bell group a, irregular three-bell group b) is won in the AT state, the game control means 102 executes a correct operation notification that notifies the correct operation mode corresponding to the winning batting order winning pattern. In this embodiment, when the game control means 102 executes a correct operation notification regarding the winning batting order winning pattern, the operation instruction number (one of "1" to "4") corresponding to the correct batting order corresponding to the winning batting order winning pattern is displayed on the main display 16. For example, if the correct batting order is batting order 3, the main display 16 displays "1," if the correct batting order is batting order 4, the main display 16 displays "2," if the correct batting order is batting order 5, the main display 16 displays "3," and if the correct batting order is batting order 6, the main display 16 displays "4." The information on the operation instruction number is notified to the sub-controller 200, and on the sub-controller 200 side, the performance control means 201 displays an effect image corresponding to the operation instruction number notified from the main controller 100 on the liquid crystal display 20, or outputs a sound corresponding to the operation instruction number from the speaker 40, thereby executing a winning assistance effect that assists in the winning of the correct small role or the equivalent small role. In addition, in this embodiment, there are a group of three bells a by sequential push and a group of three bells b by sequential push as batting order winning modes, but when a bell by sequential push is won, the main display 16 does not notify the correct operation. In the AT state, the expected payout rate of electronic medals is approximately 300%, making it a play zone in which the player can increase the number of electronic medals they own.

[0116] In the standby state, no correct operation notification is made when the batting order bell is won, making it a gaming zone that is at least less favorable for winning electronic medals than the AT state. However, if the AT state is more favorable for winning electronic medals than the standby state, the correct operation notification may be executable in the standby state. In other words, by lowering the winning rate of the 15-coin small combination in the standby state compared to the AT state, it is possible to establish a superiority or inferiority between the AT state and the standby state in terms of winning electronic medals, making the AT state a gaming zone that is more favorable than the standby state (the standby state a gaming zone that is less favorable than the AT state).

[0117] In a situation where the game control means 102 determines whether the rewrite condition is met, the game control means 102 executes an irregular operation notification in which an operation instruction number ("5") corresponding to the irregular batting order is displayed on the main display 16 when the batting order bell is won. Information on the operation instruction number corresponding to the irregular batting order is notified to the sub-controller 200, and the sub-controller 200 executes a special effect in which an effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 that discourages the operation order in which the first reel 13a stops first. In the AT state, if the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 is not an initial value (for example, 0), a correct operation notification is executed when the batting order bell is won, and if the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 is an initial value, an irregular operation notification is executed and a special effect is executed when the batting order bell is won.

[0118] The game control means 102 executes an add-on lottery (an example of processing related to the instruction function) to determine whether or not to add to the AT stock number in a game in which a watermelon, cherry replay, or watermelon replay is won in the AT state. The add-on lottery is executed when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in the recommended batting order (the operation order that stops the first reel 13a first), and is not executed when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an irregular batting order (the operation order that stops the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c first). The game control means 102 executes processing to increase the AT stock number stored in the main memory means 105 when the add-on lottery is won. Thus, in this embodiment, when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the AT state, the player has an advantage in the add-on lottery compared to when the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an irregular batting order.

[0119] The game control means 102 updates the value of a first counter provided in the main storage means 105 every time a game is played in the normal presentation state. The first counter is updated so that it is incremented by a fixed value (for example, 1) corresponding to one game when a game start operation is performed in a game in the normal presentation state. Furthermore, the first counter is initialized to an initial value (for example, 0) when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state. In this embodiment, the value of the first counter is used to determine whether or not to initialize the value of a second counter, which will be described later.

[0120] The game control means 102 updates the value of a second counter provided in the main storage means 105 in association with the number of inserted and paid-out electronic medals, at least in the AT state. The second counter is updated by subtracting a value corresponding to the number of inserted electronic medals (for example, 3 if the number inserted is 3), and by adding a value corresponding to the number of paid-out electronic medals (for example, 15 if the number paid-out is 15). Note that in the case of a replay win, the second counter may be updated as if three electronic medals had been paid out, and in the case of automatic insertion of electronic medals due to replay processing, the second counter may be updated as if three electronic medals had been inserted. Also, in the case of a replay win, the second counter may be configured to be configured as if no electronic medals had been paid out, so that no increment or decrement is made to the value of the second counter, and in the case of automatic insertion of electronic medals due to replay processing, the second counter may be configured to be configured as if no electronic medals had been inserted, so that no increment or decrement is made to the value of the second counter. That is, the replay for updating the second counter may be treated as three coins paid out and three coins inserted, or as zero coins paid out and zero coins inserted.

[0121] In this embodiment, the second counter starts updating at the start of the first AT state after the advantageous zone begins, and thereafter, updating continues even during the reversal state or normal presentation state until the end of the advantageous zone. The game control means 102 sets the AT type, which is the degree of advantageousness of the AT state, according to the value of the second counter. The AT type can be set to three levels, from "1" to "3," with the degree of advantageousness increasing in the order of "1" < "2" < "3." The difference in the degree of advantageousness depending on the AT type can be, for example, the probability of winning the additional lottery; when the AT type is "2," the probability of winning the additional lottery is higher than when the AT type is "1," and when the AT type is "3," the probability of winning the additional lottery is higher than when the AT type is "2."

[0122] In this embodiment, if the value of the second counter satisfies the first condition (for example, 1000 or less), the AT type is set to "2", if the value of the second counter satisfies the second condition (for example, 1001 to 1400), the AT type is set to "1", and if the value of the second counter satisfies the third condition (for example, 1401 or more), the AT type is set to "3". For this reason, when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state, the game control means 102 sets the AT type to "2" at the first transition to the AT state in the advantageous zone because the value of the second counter belongs to the first condition, and starts updating the second counter with the start of the AT state. The value of the second counter is not initialized by the end of the AT state, and thereafter, updating continues even in the rewind state and normal presentation state until the end of the advantageous zone. When the AT lottery is won in the normal presentation state, if the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 230), the game control means 102 maintains the initialization flag stored in the main storage means 105 in the OFF state and does not initialize the value of the second counter, and if the value of the first counter is greater than the predetermined value, sets the initialization flag stored in the main storage means 105 to the ON state, initializes the value of the second counter upon transition to the AT state, and resets the initialization flag to the OFF state. Note that the timing for determining whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter by referring to the value of the first counter may be the time of transition to the AT state.

[0123] When the game control means 102 determines that the conditions for terminating the AT state are met based on the count information of the number of AT games stored in the main memory means 105, it controls the transition of the presentation state to a pullback state.

[0124] In the retracted state, the game control means 102 executes the AT lottery under more favorable conditions than in the normal presentation state. In the retracted state, the game control means 102 updates the value of the specific lottery counter according to the operation order of the stop switches 23a-23c, as in the normal presentation state, and executes the AT lottery by referring to the value of the specific lottery counter. That is, in this embodiment, if the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in the recommended batting order in the retracted state, the AT lottery is more favorable than if the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an irregular batting order. However, in the AT lottery in the retracted state, if a winning pattern of watermelon, cherry replay, or watermelon replay is obtained, the AT winning result can always be obtained regardless of whether the high-probability table or low-probability table is referenced. In the retracted state, the AT type information from the previous AT state may be carried over, and the AT lottery may be executed by referring to that AT type. For example, if the AT type is "1" at the end of the AT state, the AT lottery is performed in the withdrawal state by referring to the high probability table or low probability table corresponding to AT type "1," if the AT type is "2" at the end of the AT state, the AT lottery is performed in the withdrawal state by referring to the high probability table or low probability table corresponding to AT type "2," and if the AT type is "3" at the end of the AT state, the AT lottery is performed in the withdrawal state by referring to the high probability table or low probability table corresponding to AT type "3." Even when the AT lottery is performed by referring to the AT type in the withdrawal state, the degree of advantage can be controlled so that the probability of winning increases in the order of "1" < "2" < "3."

[0125] The game control means 102 controls the presentation state to return from the pullback state to the AT state when the AT stock number stored in the main storage means 105 in the pullback state is 1 or more (when the AT stock number > 0). The game control means 102 stops updating while maintaining the value of the navigation management counter in the pullback state, and when the AT stock number is 1 or more in the pullback state, returns to the AT state regardless of whether the rewrite condition is met, and resumes updating the navigation management counter upon returning to the AT state. When the presentation state returns to the AT state, the game control means 102 performs a process to subtract a fixed value (for example, 1) from the AT stock number stored in the main storage means 105. In this embodiment, there are mainly two cases in which the presentation state returns to the AT state from the pullback state. One is when the AT stock number is 0 at the end of the AT state and the AT lottery is won in a situation where the AT stock number is 0 in the pullback state. The other is when the AT stock number is 1 or more remaining at the end of the AT state and the remaining AT stock number in the pullback state is consumed.

[0126] The pull-back state ends when a fall condition is met, and the game control means 102 controls the presentation state to return to the normal presentation state when the fall condition is met in the pull-back state. The game control means 102 can determine that the fall condition is met when a predetermined number of plays have been played. The game control means 102 also performs a fall lottery in the pull-back state, and can determine that the fall condition is met when the fall lottery is won. The game control means 102 also resets the value of the navigation management counter to an initial value (e.g., 0) when the presentation state transitions to the normal presentation state due to the meeting of the fall condition.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game control means 102 updates the count information of the difference in number of coins in the advantageous zone based on the number of electronic medals inserted and the number of electronic medals paid out, and when it determines that the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are met based on the count information of the difference in number of coins, it performs control to end the advantageous zone. The count information of the difference in number of coins is stored in the main storage means 105, and as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous zone are not met in the advantageous zone, the count information of the difference in number of coins is updated even if a transition in the game state or presentation state occurs.

[0128] In addition, the game control means 102 performs an initialization process to initialize predetermined information stored in the main storage means 105 based on the end of the advantageous zone. In particular, in this embodiment, among the various types of information stored in the main storage means 105, information regarding the presentation state, information regarding the number of AT stocks, information regarding the number of AT games played, the value of the specific lottery counter, the value of the navigation management counter, the value of the first counter, the value of the second counter, and information regarding the difference in number of coins in the advantageous zone are initialized by the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone. Therefore, when the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone is performed, unlike when the initialization process is performed upon a setting change, information regarding the lottery flag for the internal lottery and information regarding the game state are retained without being initialized by the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone. When the initialization process based on the end of the advantageous zone is performed, the presentation state is initialized to the initial presentation state, and the information regarding the number of AT stocks, the count information regarding the number of AT games played, the value of the specific lottery counter, the value of the navigation management counter, the value of the first counter, the value of the second counter, and information regarding the difference in number of coins in the advantageous zone are initialized to their initial values ​​(e.g., 0), and the normal zone is restored.

[0129] In this embodiment, an initialization process is executed at the end of the favorable period to return to the normal period, so if the termination condition based on the count information of the difference in the number of coins is met while remaining in the AT state, the initialization process at the end of the favorable period will forcibly terminate the AT state.

[0130] Next, a description will be given of the sub-control unit 200. The sub-control unit 200 includes a performance control means 201 and a sub-storage means 203.

[0131] The effect control means 201 controls the effects performed using the display unit 501 (for example, the liquid crystal display 20), the effects performed using the speaker 40, and the effects performed using the lamp unit 503 (for example, the outer perimeter lamp 19, etc.) based on the effect data stored in the sub-storage means 202. For example, by lighting or blinking lamps or LEDs in response to the operation of the bet switch 21, the operation of the start switch 22, the stop switches 23a to 23c, or the occurrence of game events such as changes in the game state, the effect control means 201 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or to assist the game in accordance with the progress of the game.

[0132] Furthermore, when the presentation state is in the AT state, if a predetermined batting order winning pattern (batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, irregular 3-bell group a, irregular 3-bell group b) is won and the operation instruction number notified from the main control unit 100 is "1" to "4", the presentation control means 201 controls the liquid crystal display 20 and speaker 40 to execute a winning assistance effect that notifies the correct operation pattern and assists in winning a correct small role or an equivalent small role. In this embodiment, as with the correct operation notification on the main control unit 100 side, the winning assistance effect is not executed when a 3-bell sequential push is won.

[0133] Furthermore, when the operation instruction number notified from the main control unit 100 is "5" when the batting order bell (batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b) is won, the effect control means 201 controls to execute a special effect in which an effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 20, which indicates that the operation sequence in which the first reel 13a is stopped first is not recommended. FIG. 17 is an example of an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 when the special effect is executed. In the effect image for the special effect, as shown in FIG. 17, a first display object 251 corresponding to the stop switch 23a or the first reel 13a, a second display object 252 corresponding to the stop switch 23b or the second reel 13b, and a third display object 253 corresponding to the stop switch 23c or the third reel 13c are displayed in a manner that notifies the player that the operation sequence in which the first reel 13a is stopped first is not recommended.

[0134] Furthermore, when a game is being played in the AT state, the effect control means 201 controls the execution of a remaining number display effect that displays the remaining number of games until the AT state ends on the liquid crystal display 20. In the remaining number display effect, when the count information of the number of AT games is updated by playing a game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games also decreases to reflect the update of the count information.

[0135] In this embodiment, in the main loop processing of the main control unit 100, at least when the reels are rotating, the backlight unit 36 ​​illuminates the pattern display position of each reel to ensure the visibility of the patterns arranged on each reel, and the backlight unit 36 ​​is controlled to turn off or blink at predetermined times such as when the reels stop or when a winning combination is achieved.

[0136] The content of the effects executed in the game is determined in response to a command sent from the main control unit 100 in accordance with the game status, the effect status, the result of the internal lottery, etc., using an effect lottery table stored in the sub-storage means 203. In this embodiment, image data stored in the ROM area of ​​the sub-storage means 203 is read into an image buffer provided in the sub-storage means 203, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer is output to the liquid crystal display 20, and sound data stored in the ROM area of ​​the sub-storage means 203 is read into a sound buffer provided in the sub-storage means 203, and a sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer is output from the speaker 40.

[0137] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the computer system, the bet switch 21, start switch 22, stop switches 23a-23c, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, or a controller. In the computer system, the main display 16, the medal count display 27, the reel unit 30, etc. are not essential components, and these units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display.

[0138] 2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the degree of advantage of the AT state is adjusted according to the acquisition status of electronic medals in the advantageous zone.

[0139] In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the adjustment standard for the number of electronic medals acquired in the advantageous zone is set to 1,400, and as shown in FIG. 18(A), the AT type can be set to one of three levels, "1" to "3." The value of the second counter stored in the main storage means 105 is information primarily used to manage the number of electronic medals acquired in the AT state. The value of the second counter is set to an initial value of 0 at the start of the advantageous zone, and is updated according to the number of electronic medals inserted and paid out from the initial transition to the AT state. In the initial AT state in the advantageous zone, since the value of the second counter is the initial value, the first condition, that the value of the second counter is 1,000 or less, is met, and the AT type is set to "2." When the value of the second counter is close to the adjustment standard of 1,400, the value of the second counter falls within the range of 1,001 to 1,400, and the second condition is met. The AT type drops to "1," creating a situation in which it is difficult to acquire AT stocks. In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the AT stock can be acquired through an additional lottery in the AT state, thereby increasing the number of electronic medals in a short period of time, and when the AT type drops to "1," the presentation state is more likely to fall into the normal presentation state, resulting in a suppression of the payout rate. On the other hand, when the value of the second counter reaches 1401 or more and the third condition is met, the AT type rises to the maximum "3" as a bonus for exceeding the adjustment standard of 1400 medals, creating a situation in which the AT state is more likely to play consecutively, and the acquisition of a large number of electronic medals can be expected.

[0140] In this way, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the AT type has a large effect on the acquisition status of electronic medals, and the setting of the AT type is related to the value of the second counter. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the value of the second counter, which is information on the number of acquired electronic medals, is initialized using the value of the first counter, which is information on the number of games played in the normal presentation state.

[0141] FIG. 18B is a flowchart showing an example of a process for initializing the value of the second counter.

[0142] First, when the AT lottery is won in the normal presentation state (Y in step S101), it is checked whether the value of the first counter is greater than a predetermined value (step S102). In this embodiment, the predetermined value is set to 230, which corresponds to 230 games, and when the value of the first counter is greater than the predetermined value (Y in step S102), an initialization flag stored in the main storage means 105 is set to an ON state (step S103). On the other hand, when the value of the first counter is equal to or less than the predetermined value (N in step S102), the process proceeds to step S104, which waits for a transition to the AT state.

[0143] Thereafter, when the transition to the AT state is made (Y in step S104), the state of the initialization flag is checked, and if the initialization flag is in the ON state (Y in step S105), the value of the second counter is initialized to the initial value (step S106). On the other hand, if the initialization flag is in the OFF state (N in step S105), the value of the second counter is carried over without being initialized.

[0144] In the method of this embodiment described above, whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter, which affects the setting of the AT type, which is the degree of advantage of the AT state, is determined based on the value of the first counter, which manages the number of plays consumed in the normal presentation state, thereby making it possible to suitably adjust the acquisition performance of electronic medals while improving the enjoyment of the game.

[0145] Furthermore, if 1400 coins is used as the adjustment standard as in this embodiment, 230 games outside the AT are required out of 400 games. Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, the acquisition status of electronic medals is managed by the value of the second counter, and in a situation where the number of coins is close to 1400 (a situation where the value of the second counter is 1001 to 1400), the AT type is lowered to "1" so that it is relatively more difficult to acquire electronic medals than when the AT type is "2," and the AT type in the next and subsequent AT states is managed depending on whether or not the transition to the next AT state occurs within a short period of time. In this embodiment, the AT type is lowered when the second condition, in which the value of the second counter is 1001 to 1400, is met, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0146] First, since it is possible to suitably adjust the occurrence of winning more than 1,400 electronic medals, which is the adjustment standard, it is possible to make it more difficult for the winning of electronic medals that far exceed the number assumed at the time of design to occur.

[0147] In addition, it is now possible to manage the situation when the value of the second counter, which is related to the fulfillment of the second condition that lowers the AT type, approaches the adjustment standard of 1001 to 1400, making it possible to design acquisition performance with a high degree of freedom for the AT state when the first condition, in which the value of the second counter is 1000 or less, is fulfilled.

[0148] In addition, by initializing the value of the second counter when more than 230 plays in the normal presentation state are played, even if the game continuously transitions to the AT state at a relatively early stage, the value of the second counter is carried over, and it is possible to accurately capture the situation where the acquisition status of electronic medals is close to the adjustment standard of 1,400. In other words, according to the method of this embodiment, it is not necessary to implement control that prevents early winning of the AT lottery after falling into the normal presentation state, or control that delays the transition to the AT state even if the AT lottery is won early, so it is possible to prevent the player's motivation to play from decreasing.

[0149] Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, although a situation in which the AT type drops to "1" in the AT state is not desirable for the player, it is also a situation in which the player can play with the expectation that the AT type will rise to the maximum "3," thereby motivating the player to play actively.

[0150] The number of games (230 in this embodiment) that constitutes the initialization condition for the second counter can be set based on the relationship between the payout rate in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state and the payout rate in the AT state. For example, with regard to the payout rate in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the lower the payout rate in the recommended batting order in the normal presentation state, the faster the electronic medals are consumed, so the number of games that constitutes the initialization condition for the second counter can be set to be smaller. Also, for example, with regard to the payout rate in the AT state, the higher the payout rate in the AT state, the faster the electronic medals increase, so the number of games that constitutes the initialization condition for the second counter can be set to be larger.

[0151] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the value of the second counter is decremented by the number of electronic medals inserted, the value of the second counter is allowed to be updated to fall below its initial value of 0, but the value of the second counter may be updated so that it does not fall below 0, with a lower limit of 0. In this configuration, the value of the second counter can be updated at the end of a game to reflect the difference between the number of electronic medals inserted and the number of electronic medals paid out.

[0152] In this embodiment, the transition to the standby state is managed using a navigation management counter that is updated in the AT state. Specifically, in the AT state, a game is generated in which a specific effect is executed in which the operation sequence that stops the first reel 13a first is not recommended when the batting order bell is won, depending on the value of the navigation management counter. If a stop operation is performed in the operation sequence that stops the first reel 13a first in a game in which a specific effect is executed, the game transitions to a standby state that is less favorable for acquiring electronic medals than the AT state. If a stop operation is performed in the irregular batting order that stops the second reel 13b or the third reel 13c first in a game in which a specific effect is executed, the AT state can be continued. Therefore, as long as the player performs the stop operation in accordance with the content of the specific effect, the transition to the standby state can be avoided, thereby increasing the interest of the game.

[0153] In this embodiment, the navigation management counter is stopped from being updated in the retracted state, and the navigation management counter is resumed from being updated when the AT state is restored. However, the navigation management counter may be configured to continue to be updated in the retracted state as if it were in the AT state.

[0154] Even in a game in which a process that is disadvantageous to the player is performed in the next game after a game in which an irregular batting order is played by referencing the value of the specific lottery counter stored in the main storage means 105, when the batting order bell is won, the main control unit 100 can notify the player of an irregular operation, and the sub-control unit 200 can execute a specific effect. For example, if the stop switches 23a-23c are operated in an irregular batting order in a game in which a correct operation notification in the AT state has not been performed (for example, a game in which the 3-coin bell is won), a specification is assumed in which the value of the specific lottery counter is not set to 1 but remains 0, and a penalty processing is performed in which a correct operation notification is not performed even if the batting order bell is won in the next game based on the value of the specific lottery counter being 0. In such a specification, if the value of the navigation management counter is 0 and the batting order bell is won in a game in which penalty processing is performed, a correct operation notification is not performed, but an irregular operation notification is performed, thereby achieving the establishment of the rewrite condition.

[0155] In this embodiment, when the machine transitions to the standby state, the standby state is maintained until the rewrite condition is met, but the configuration may also be such that if a predetermined number of plays are played in the standby state, the machine can transition to the AT state regardless of the rewrite condition being met.

[0156] In this embodiment, the value of the navigation management counter stored in the main storage means 105 is reset to the initial value when the retraction state ends, but the value of the navigation management counter may also be reset to the initial value when the AT state ends. In this case, the establishment of the rewrite condition can be eliminated to transition from the retraction state to the AT state. In this way, if an AT stock is acquired in the retraction state, there is no need to wait for the batting order bell to be won, so the AT state can be started quickly.

[0157] Furthermore, the value set in the navigation management counter when a rewrite condition is met may not be fixed but may vary depending on the situation. For example, when transitioning from the normal presentation state to the AT state, the value of the navigation management counter may be set to "200" when the first rewrite condition is met, and when the second or subsequent rewrite condition is met in the AT state and the AT state continues, the value of the navigation management counter may be set to "100." Furthermore, the number of times a rewrite condition is met in a series of advantageous zones may be managed by the main storage means 105, and the more rewrite conditions are met, the lower or higher the value set in the navigation management counter may be. Furthermore, the value set in the navigation management counter may be configured to alternate between two values; for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the navigation management counter is alternately set to "200" and "100."

[0158] In addition, the main memory means 105 may manage information counting the number of times the AT stock is consumed to transition from the pullback state to the AT state as the number of consecutive wins in the AT state, and when the number of consecutive wins has reached a predetermined number, the system may wait for the batting order bell to be drawn in the AT state to determine whether the rewrite condition is met or not.

[0159] In this embodiment, both the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b are treated as winning patterns that are subject to irregular operation notifications. However, some of the batting order bells may be treated as winning patterns that are subject to irregular operation notifications. For example, one of the batting order bell group a and the batting order bell group b may be treated as a winning pattern that is subject to irregular operation notifications, while the other may not be treated as a winning pattern that is subject to irregular operation notifications. In other words, some of the multiple types of batting order bells may be treated as winning patterns that are subject to irregular operation notifications, or all of the multiple types of batting order bells may be treated as winning patterns that are subject to irregular operation notifications. Furthermore, in this embodiment, only batting order bells whose correct batting order is included in the irregular batting order are provided. However, batting order bells whose correct batting order is batting order 1 or batting order 2 may also be provided. Batting order bells whose correct batting order is batting order 1 or batting order 2 may not be subject to irregular operation notifications, and batting order bells whose correct batting order is batting order 3 to batting order 6 may be subject to irregular operation notifications.

[0160] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a plurality of reels (first reel 13a, second reel 13b, third reel 13c) with a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery, a main control unit 100 for controlling the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 for controlling the execution of effects in accordance with the progress of the game, wherein the main control unit performs an internal lottery for determining whether a winning combination will be achieved, reel control for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and stopping the rotating reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery in response to a stop operation, and a first state (normal effect state), a second state (AT state) that is more advantageous for acquiring game value (electronic medals) than the first state, and a third state (standby state) that is less advantageous for acquiring game value than the second state, and determines whether or not to transition to the second state in the first state, and determines whether or not to enter the second state in the second state in order to win a winning combination. and an interval control that can provide auxiliary operation instruction information, wherein the sub-control unit 200 executes effect control that enables execution of a specific effect that discourages a specific operation sequence (an operation sequence that stops the first reel 13a first) that stops a specific reel (the first reel 13a) of the plurality of reels first in the second state, and the main control unit 100 controls a transition from the second state to the third state when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence in a game in which the specific effect is executed in the second state, and controls a continuation of the second state when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence (an irregular hitting order) that stops a reel (the second reel 13b, the third reel 13c) different from the specific reel first among the plurality of reels. The third state may be more advantageous in terms of acquiring game value than the first state. Furthermore, the main control unit 100 updates the value of a predetermined counter (navigation management counter) in the second state, and the sub-control unit 200 executes the specific effect when a specific lottery result (winning the batting order bell) is obtained in an internal lottery during a game in which the value of the predetermined counter is a specific value (initial value) during the second state, and the main control unit 100 can determine whether or not to transition to the third state during a game in which the specific effect is executed.Furthermore, in a game in which the specific effect is executed, the main control unit 100 sets the destination state to the third state, determines whether a specific condition (rewrite condition) is met based on the order of stop operations, and if the specific condition is met, rewrites the destination state to the second state and controls transition to the second state, and if the specific condition is not met, controls transition to the third state. Furthermore, the main control unit 100 can determine that the specific condition is met if the order of stop operations is the non-specific operation order, and can determine that the specific condition is not met if the order of stop operations is the specific operation order.

[0161] Furthermore, this embodiment includes a plurality of reels (first reel 13a, second reel 13b, third reel 13c) with a plurality of types of patterns arranged on the outer periphery, a main control unit 100 that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 that controls the execution of presentations along with the progress of the game, and the main control unit 100 performs an internal lottery that performs an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved, reel control that rotates the plurality of reels for each game and stops the rotating reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is initiated, and zone control that can set a first zone (AT state) and a second zone (standby state) that is less favorable for acquiring game value (electronic medals) than the first zone, and can provide operation instruction information that assists in the winning combination in the first zone. The sub-control unit 200 executes effect control to enable a specific effect that discourages a specific operation sequence (an operation sequence that stops the first reel 13a first) that stops a specific reel (the first reel 13a) of the plurality of reels first in the first section, and the main control unit 100 controls to transition from the first section to the second section when a stop operation is performed in the specific operation sequence in a game in which the specific effect is executed in the first section, and controls to enable the continuation of the first section when a stop operation is performed in a non-specific operation sequence (an irregular hitting order) that stops a reel (the second reel 13b, the third reel 13c) of the plurality of reels different from the specific reel first.

[0162] Furthermore, this embodiment is provided with a main control unit 100 that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control unit 200 that controls the execution of presentations in accordance with the progress of the game, and the main control unit 100 controls the intervals that can set a normal interval and a favorable interval, and can set a first game interval (normal presentation state) and a second game interval (AT state) in the favorable interval, and a main storage means 105 that stores information on the control executed by the main control unit 100 stores a first counter that manages the number of times of play consumed in the first game interval in the favorable interval, and a sub-control unit 200 that manages the number of times of play consumed in the first game interval when a predetermined condition is met in the favorable interval. and a second counter that manages the number of game values ​​acquired after the first game zone is set up, and the two game zones are more advantageous in terms of acquiring game values ​​than the first game zone, and the main control unit 100 decides whether to transition to the second game zone in the first game zone, adjusts the degree of advantage (AT type) of the second game zone according to the value of the second counter, and when it is decided to transition to the second game zone in the first game zone, decides whether to initialize the value of the second counter according to the value of the first counter. In this gaming machine, when the value of the second counter changes from outside a predetermined range (up to 1000) to within a predetermined range (1001 to 1400), the main control unit 100 performs control to lower the degree of advantage of the second gaming section (control to set the AT type to "1"), and when the value of the second counter changes from within the predetermined range (1001 to 1400) to outside the predetermined range (1401 or higher), the main control unit 100 can perform control to increase the degree of advantage of the second gaming section (control to set the AT type to "3"). In this gaming machine, when a transition to the second gaming section is determined in the first gaming section, the main control unit 100 does not initialize the value of the second counter if the value of the first counter is equal to or less than a predetermined value (230), and can initialize the value of the second counter if the value of the first counter exceeds the predetermined value (230).

[0163] "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that the first electronic medal is inserted in the advantageous zone. In other words, the updating of the second counter may start from the first game in the advantageous zone. "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that the first electronic medal is paid out in the advantageous zone. "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that the first batting order bell is won in the AT state. In other words, the updating of the second counter may start from the game in which a correct operation notification is made in the AT state. "A predetermined condition is met in an advantageous zone" may mean that a rewrite condition is met in the AT state. In other words, the value of the second counter may not be updated from the beginning of the AT state, but the updating of the second counter may start midway through the AT state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 10 gaming machines, 11 Storage box, 12 Front door, 13a first reel, 13b second reel, 13c third reel, 14 display window, 15 Effective line, 16 Main display, 18 Sub display, 19 Periphery lamp, 20 LCD display, 21 bet switch, 22 start switch, 23a, 23b, 23c Stop switch, 24 Door key cylinder, 26 counting switch, 27 game medal number display, 28 Settlement switch, 30 Reel unit, 31 Base unit, 32 support unit, 33 stepping motor, 34 reel body, 35 reel tape, 36 backlight unit, 37a Upper backlight, 37b Middle backlight, 37c Lower backlight, 40 speakers, 100 Main control unit, 101 setting change means, 102 game control means, 103 random number generation means, 105 Main memory means, 200 Sub-control section, 201 performance control means, 203 auxiliary storage means, 301 Startup mode change switch, 302 Setting change switch, 303 Door opening / closing switch, 405 Reel index, 501 Display unit, 503 Lamp unit, 600 medal count control unit, 601 counting control means, 603 medal information storage means, 700 Rental equipment connection terminal board, 800 dedicated units, 801 lending control unit, 802 cash insertion unit, 803 card insertion unit, 804 lending switch, 805 return switch, 806 game switch, 807 Frequency Indicator, 808 Medal Count Indicator

Claims

[Claim 1] A zone control means that can set a normal zone and an advantageous zone, and can set a first game zone and a second game zone in the advantageous zone; A first counter that manages the number of games played in the first game zone in the advantageous zone; A second counter that manages the number of game values ​​acquired after a predetermined condition is met in the advantageous zone; A gaming machine comprising: a gaming machine in which the second gaming section is more advantageous in terms of acquiring gaming value than the first gaming section; The section control means determining whether to transition to the second gaming section in the first gaming section; A gaming machine characterized by adjusting the degree of advantage of the second game zone according to the value of the second counter, and when a transition to the second game zone is decided in the first game zone, determining whether or not to initialize the value of the second counter according to the value of the first counter.

Images