Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that can suppress the decline in the marketability of the gaming machine. [Solution] The gaming machine can execute a first specific performance control (steps S14, S15) when the first game in the non-advantageous section, which is set based on the end of the advantageous section, is executed and a transition to the advantageous section is determined. The second specific performance control (steps S14-S16) can execute when the first game in the non-advantageous section, which is set based on the end of the advantageous section, is executed and a continuation of the non-advantageous section is determined. In the second specific performance control, a performance of the same nature as the performance in the first specific performance control or a performance of a nature that imitates the performance in the first specific performance control is executed. After the execution of the second specific performance control, if a transition to the advantageous section is determined during a game in the non-advantageous section, the gaming machine does not execute the first specific performance control.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (rotary gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on their outer peripheral surfaces are known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and conducts a game to obtain such gaming media. Also, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the player's rotation start operation, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the player's stop operation. Then, the result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in the state where the plurality of reels have stopped, and payouts such as medals are made according to the result of the game.

[0003] In the above-described gaming machine, as an effect state for executing a winning assistance effect for assisting the winning of a combination, by shifting to an assist time state, the winning probability of a specific combination can be varied, making it easier to obtain a gaming value. Also, in a state where the winning assistance effect is not being executed, when a plurality of stop buttons are operated in an operation order with a high winning probability for the specific combination, a control process that is disadvantageous to the player over a plurality of games is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, there has been a need to prevent excessive payouts of game value in gaming machines by limiting the period during which control related to instruction functions, including prize-winning assistance control during assist time, can be executed to a specific section (advantageous section), and by imposing a restriction that prevents the execution of control related to instruction functions in sections other than the specific section (unadvantageous section). In cases where a gaming machine is configured to execute control processing that is disadvantageous to the player across multiple games, as described in Patent Document 1, the control processing cannot be executed in an unadvantageous section. However, if the player determines that it is an unadvantageous section, information about the gaming machine, such as whether it has been initialized due to a setting change, can be identified by the player, which could lead to the gaming machine being exploited and reduce the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can suppress the decline in the marketability of the gaming machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to a plurality of reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, It includes control means for controlling non-advantageous periods and advantageous periods, When the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is executed and a transition to the advantageous period is determined, the first specific performance control (for example, the processing of steps S14 and S15 in the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control, paragraphs

[0282] and

[0283] , Figure 15) can be executed. When the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is executed and it is determined that the non-advantageous period will continue, the second specific performance control (for example, the processing of steps S14 to S16 in the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control, paragraphs

[0282] -

[0284] , Figure 15) can be executed. In the second specific performance control, a performance is executed that is identical in nature to the performance in the first specific performance control, or a performance that mimics the performance in the first specific performance control. The first specific performance control is not executed after the second specific performance control has been executed, and when a transition to the advantageous section is determined during gameplay in the non-advantageous section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can suppress the decline in the marketability of the gaming machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the winning areas in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the winning roles included in each winning area, and the winning areas in which an advantageous section lottery is conducted by the AT control means when an internal lottery is won. [Figure 4] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means, and the performance state during the advantageous section. [Figure 5] (A) is a diagram showing the small wins awarded for each batting order and the probability of winning each small win when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" is selected in the non-RT state of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the small wins awarded for each batting order and the probability of winning each small win when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 6" is selected in the RBB internal state. [Figure 6] This figure shows the winning combinations for each turn of the bat when a winning area containing a winning combination is hit in the RBB state of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the probability of winning each winning combination. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the process for setting the upper limit of the number of payouts in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a table summarizing the winning combinations for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This table summarizes some of the errors that occur in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a front view showing the internal configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main control board unit of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] (A) is a diagram showing a state in which the display device shows a normal screen and the setting change switch is in the OFF state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the setting change switch is switched to the ON state from the state shown in (A) and the setting confirmation screen is displayed on the display device. [Figure 13] (A) is a diagram showing the state in which a setting confirmation screen is displayed on the display device in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the state in which a dispensing device connection error occurs from the state shown in (A), and a dispensing device connection error notification screen is displayed on the display device. [Figure 14] (A) is a diagram showing a state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention where the setting change switch is in the OFF state and a dispensing device connection error has occurred, and a dispensing device connection error notification screen is displayed on the display device; (B) is a diagram showing a state in which the setting change switch has been switched from the state shown in (A) to the ON state; and (C) is a diagram showing a state in which the dispensing device connection error has been resolved from the state shown in (B). [Figure 15] This is a flowchart showing the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control executed by the main performance control means in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16](A) is a diagram illustrating a state where a game that transitions from an advantageous section to a non-advantageous section in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention has ended; (B) is a diagram illustrating a state where the first game in a non-advantageous section transitioned from an advantageous section is executed and a state where a transition to an advantageous section has not occurred; (C) is a diagram illustrating a state where the next game of the game shown in (B) has started. [Figure 17] (A) is a diagram illustrating a state where a game to transition from an advantageous section to a non-advantageous section in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention has ended; (B) is a diagram illustrating a state where the first game in a non-advantageous section transitioned from an advantageous section is executed and a state where a transition to an advantageous section has not occurred; (C) is a diagram illustrating a state where the next game of the game shown in (B) has started. [Figure 18] (A) is a diagram illustrating a state where the reel rotation start freeze has ended and a plurality of reels have started rotating in the game shown in FIG. 17(C); (B) is a diagram illustrating a state where a transition to an advantageous section has been determined by an advantageous section lottery based on winning the winning area "REPLAY 1" in an internal lottery in the game shown in (A); (C) is a diagram illustrating a state where the next game of the game shown in (B) has started.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 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. Also, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Outline of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is a so-called medalless gaming machine that records the gaming value that can be used by the player by an electromagnetic method based on a lending signal output from a dedicated unit SU (see Figure 2), which is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration that lends and settles electronic tokens that constitute the gaming value by an electromagnetic method. The slot machine 1 stores information on the number of recorded electronic tokens as the number of gaming tokens and is configured to transmit the stored number of gaming tokens to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU settles the electronic tokens by recording the number of gaming tokens received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and dispensing it.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a box-shaped casing BX, which consists of an upper front door UD and a lower front door DD, both of which are openable and closable doors. Inside this casing is a reel unit RU consisting of multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. The casing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment also houses a control board that controls the operation of the slot machine 1, which is equipped with a CPU, ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM, etc.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are each divided into 20 regions (hereinafter referred to as "frames") at regular intervals on their outer surface, and one of several types of symbols is arranged in each frame.

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is equipped with a display device 410, which serves as a display means for displaying various videos and images to assist or enhance the gameplay. The display device 410 has a display area 410a for displaying images, and a specific area 410b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is made of a transparent liquid crystal display, allowing the rotation and stopping states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to be observed through the display device 410. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) that are arranged consecutively on the outer surface of each of the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer surface of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 410.

[0015] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display device 410, and an active line L1 is set for the combination of display positions on each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic tokens required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to 3 tokens (first specified number) or 2 tokens (second specified number), and when the specified number of electronic tokens are inserted, the active line L1, which is composed of the middle sections of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop and are displayed on the active line L1. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that combination is considered to have been won, and control corresponding to the winning combination is executed.

[0017] The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a max bet button MB, which is an insertion operation means for setting the electronic medals stored in the slot machine 1 to the insertion state; a start lever SL, which is a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation that triggers the start of the game by rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3; stop buttons B1 to B3, which are stop operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation that triggers the stop of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors; a counting button KB, which is a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 to a dedicated unit SU; a settlement button AB for performing a settlement operation that releases the insertion state and returns the electronic medals set to the insertion state to the medal counter 311 (see Figure 2); and a performance button EB used for performance effects.

[0018] The performance button EB is a performance operation means that causes the player to perform an operation that triggers the display of the menu screen on the display device 410 when no electronic tokens are inserted and no game is being played with the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stopped. The performance button EB has multiple selection buttons for selecting an item from the items displayed on the menu screen, and a confirmation button for confirming the selected item. The items displayed on the menu screen include an item that displays a volume adjustment screen for adjusting the volume of sound output from the slot machine 1, and an item that displays a settings information screen that issues setting information about the performance environment of the slot machine 1 via a QR code (registered trademark).

[0019] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 10 (see Figure 2). The main control display device 10D consists of a 7-segment display and other components, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (notification display) indicating how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to the payout of electronic tokens. The notification display shown on the main control display device 10D corresponds to the winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on the winning combination information in the current game when a specified number of electronic tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0020] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a game token count display device MD controlled by the token count control CPU 31 (see Figure 2). The game token count display device MD consists of a 7-segment display and functions as a conceptual container by displaying the number of game tokens stored in the slot machine 1.

[0021] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with multiple sound devices 420 for sound-based effects. The sound devices 420 output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0022] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a main control board 10, a sub-control board 20, and a medal count control board 30 as control boards. The main control board 10 has a main control CPU 11 (game control means) that controls the progress of the game by controlling the game played using game value. The sub-control board 20 has a sub-control CPU 21 that controls the effects related to the game. The medal count control board 30 has a medal count control CPU 31 that manages electronic medals and is configured to communicate with a dedicated unit SU to perform control related to the number of game medals.

[0023] The main control CPU 11 functions as a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a game state transition control means 160, an assist time control means (AT control means) 170, and a complete control means 180. Each means constituting the main control CPU 11 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the main memory means 190 when executing each control process.

[0024] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main memory means 190. The setting change means 100 operates when a setting key is inserted into the setting key cylinder KC provided on the main control board 10 and the setting key is turned, causing the setting change switch SS provided inside the setting key cylinder KC to turn ON. When the setting change switch SS is ON and the power is turned on, the setting change means 100 transitions to a setting change permission state, which allows setting changes. On the other hand, the setting change means 100 is configured not to transition to the setting change permission state if the setting change switch SS is ON while the power is on.

[0025] The setting change means 100, in the setting change permission state, receives an input signal output when the setting change button BS provided on the power supply is operated, and cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ..., and confirms the setting value based on the reception of a start signal output when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 of this embodiment is configured to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. To put it another way, the setting value is configured as a value that can change the probability of winning in the internal lottery, as a degree of advantage in the game.

[0026] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state performed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section performed by the AT control means 170 are initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was performing before the setting change is also initialized and the non-advantageous section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, if the power supply to the main control CPU 11 is cut off (power out), and the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is not performed until the power supply is restored, the control related to the game state performed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section performed by the AT control means 170 are restarted from the state before the power outage, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was performing before the power outage is also maintained at the state before the power outage.

[0027] The input receiving means 105, during the input receiving period for accepting the insertion of electronic tokens, receives an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 (described later) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Based on this, it sets the electronic tokens stored in the token counter 311 to the insertion state, up to a predetermined number set for each game state, and activates the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that the electronic tokens corresponding to the predetermined number have been set to the insertion state.

[0028] In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the initial press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a predetermined number of electronic tokens, is accepted as the player's operation to start playing, triggering the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and also triggering the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to perform an internal lottery. Details of the predetermined numbers set for each game state will be described later.

[0029] Furthermore, the input receiving means 105, during the period between when the electronic tokens are set to the input state and when the start lever SL is started, receives an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated, thereby releasing the input state and adding the same number of electronic tokens that were set to the input state to the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311, thereby settling the electronic tokens that were set to the input state.

[0030] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In this embodiment, "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that, even if their generation is regular, can function as effectively random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0031] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal output when a player performs a start operation on the start lever SL, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0032] In the lottery table selection process, the system selects which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main memory means 190 will be used to perform the internal lottery, based on the current game state. In each internal lottery table, each of the multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535) is associated with various roles such as replays, minor roles, and bonuses, as well as losses (misses).

[0033] In the following description, "bonus" refers to a feature that activates a special mechanism or a continuous special mechanism activation device upon winning; "bonus activated" means that a bonus is won and the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated; and "bonus state" means the state in which the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated.

[0034] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for drawing) is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is started. The obtained random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and a determination is made based on the comparison result as to whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0035] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously is set to an established state. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state without being carried over to subsequent games regardless of whether a win is achieved (carry-over non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main memory means 190.

[0036] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL and outputting a start signal. Furthermore, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reaches a state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. Then, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stopped stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0037] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and the player operates the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second operation as the second stop operation, and the third operation as the third stop operation.

[0038] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 will also be referred to as the operation. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, but also, for example, when the operation of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 and then releasing the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0039] In this case, if the spinning reels are to be stopped within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each spinning reel is configured such that, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, it is possible for the reels to rotate a maximum of 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until they stop. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be drawn onto the active line L1 (draw-in range) is a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until it rotates 4 frames.

[0040] When reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, which includes a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to the "established" state can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to the "not established" state cannot be awarded, and a table reference process that determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main memory means 190, thereby stopping the rotating reel and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine the priority according to the number of electronic medals dispensed based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each of these small wins is treated as the same.

[0042] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage means 195 of the main memory means 190, it determines whether the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped correspond to predetermined winning combinations. The prize determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or minor win can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "prize determination") based on the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 in the state in which each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combinations that indicate the winning combination will also be referred to as "prize symbol combinations".

[0043] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. As for each process executed based on the result of the prize determination, for example, if a small prize is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of game tokens to be dispensed as electronic tokens; if a replay is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to execute a process that will allow the next game to be played without consuming electronic tokens; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is won, the game state transition control means 160 is instructed to transition to a game state.

[0044] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of electronic tokens according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and virtually controls the payout by adding the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0045] Furthermore, the payout control means 150, when it is determined by the winning determination means 140 that a combination of symbols indicating the winning of one of the multiple types of replay symbols described later has stopped and is displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay process (re-play process) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of electronic tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted without using the electronic tokens held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

[0046] In slot machine 1, the system is configured so that even if the settlement buttons A and B are operated during the period from when a replay is awarded until the start of the next game, that is, during the period when a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted due to the replay process and the game has not yet started, the same number of game tokens as the predetermined number will not be added to the token counter 311.

[0047] The game state transition control means 160 performs the process of transitioning game states between multiple game states, and the process of activating and terminating bonuses. Here, the transition conditions for each game state may be defined as one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0048] The AT control means 170 is an instruction function control means (auxiliary game control means) that performs control related to the transition between an advantageous section (advantageous period), which is a section (period) in which control related to instruction functions, including auxiliary games that display notifications assisting in winning specific roles on the main control display device 10D, can be executed, and an unadvantageous section (unadvantageous period, normal section), which is a section (period) in which control related to instruction functions (control related to auxiliary games) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 196, thereby performing control related to the unadvantageous section, the advantageous section, and instruction functions.

[0049] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including the normal state and the AT state, which are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to the ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process).

[0050] The AT control means 170 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and provides operation notification to assist in winning specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 10D, which consists of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the performance control means 200, described later, executes a navigation performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct sequence of hits on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 are notified through operation notification and navigation performance assistance, thereby executing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0051] The AT control means 170, when a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period, as will be described in more detail later, is met, executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous period and starts the non-advantageous period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous period, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous period.

[0052] The AT control means 170 performs an update process (advantageous section difference in tokens update process) that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens, number of tokens acquired) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed from the game in which the advantageous section started by the number of electronic tokens inserted into the advantageous section counter 196a. When the AT control means 170 is in an advantageous section, it performs an advantageous section difference in tokens update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous section counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in electronic tokens, regardless of the game state.

[0053] Furthermore, in the process of updating the difference in the number of tokens in the advantageous section, the AT control means 170 subtracts the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a when the number of electronic tokens dispensed in the game is less than a specified number, and if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes less than "0", the AT control means 170 also sets the result of the subtraction to the advantageous section counter 196a. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the advantageous section counter 196a.

[0054] The AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period when more than 2400 electronic medals are acquired during the advantageous period, that is, when the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous period and start the non-advantageous period from the next game. For example, in slot machine 1, if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a was a negative value of "-900" before transitioning to a performance state in which electronic medals can be acquired, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be acquired: 900 medals until the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a becomes "0", and 2401 medals until the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0055] The AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values ​​set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 170 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 170 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0056] The main performance control means 500 executes control related to performances using performance devices (performance means) such as lamps electrically connected to the main control board 10, and performances that cause freezes that temporarily delay the progress of the game, based on performance data stored in the main performance control data storage means 510. The freezes executed by the main performance control means 500 are configured to include, for example, a reel rotation start freeze that delays the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and keeps the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stopped when the start lever SL is operated based on the insertion of a predetermined number of electronic tokens, and a reel stop freeze that delays the process of activating the stop buttons B1 to B3 after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have started to rotate at a steady rate.

[0057] The complete control means 180 controls the slot machine 1 to activate a complete function, which stops the game when the cumulative number of electronic tokens acquired since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 tokens). The complete control means 180 performs an update process (complete acquired number update process) in which the difference (difference in tokens, acquired number) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed in each game from the number of electronic tokens inserted after the slot machine 1 is powered on is cumulatively recorded in the token acquired counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. However, the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the token acquired counter 197a when a replay is awarded.

[0058] In the complete medal acquisition update process, which updates the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, the complete control means 180 subtracts the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a when the number of electronic medals dispensed in the game is less than a predetermined number, and if the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a becomes less than "0", the complete control means 180 sets the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a to "0". As a result, the complete control means 180 can fix the value of the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a to "0" when it reaches its lowest point, eliminating the need to change the threshold value for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point in the control process using the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, thereby reducing the load on the control process using the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a.

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

[0060] The complete control means 180 activates the complete function when none of the following are activated: the regular bonus (RB) as a first-class special feature, the regular big bonus (RBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the first-class special feature, and the challenge big bonus (CBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the second-class special feature. Based on the fulfillment of the conditions for activating the complete function, the complete function is activated in the game in which the conditions are met, after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped.

[0061] On the other hand, if RB, RBB, or CBB is active, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped in a game where the active RB, RBB, or CBB has finished.

[0062] The complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state when activating the complete function. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag, which is set to the ON state, is reset to the OFF state when the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 is opened and the setting change button BS located inside is operated to initialize it. Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the complete function is activated, the complete function cannot be deactivated by the player's operation.

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

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

[0065] The performance control means 200 superimposes images drawn on multiple layers onto a frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210 to create a single image, and displays the superimposed image on the display area 410a of the display device 410. When drawing images to the frame buffer 213, the performance control means 200 draws the images to the frame buffer 213 in order from the images drawn on the lower layers, so that images drawn on higher layers are displayed on the display area 410a with priority over images drawn on lower layers.

[0066] The medal count control CPU 31 functions as a medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 31 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0067] The medal count control means 300 primarily updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operations on the counting button KB which has a built-in counting switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the updated number of game medals on the game medal count display device MD.

[0068] Specifically, the medal count control means 300, when the counting button KB is operated while the game is playable, transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while the game is playable" means that the game machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, power is supplied to both the game machine and the dedicated unit SU, neither the game machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no error has occurred that would prevent the game from being played. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is controlled so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not subtracted by operation of the counting button KB when it is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, thereby preventing a situation in which the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted but no signal is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU.

[0069] If the counting button KB is pressed for less than 500ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "1" equivalent to one medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "1". If the counting button KB is pressed for 500ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the counting timing after 500ms have elapsed, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "50". Thereafter, every 300ms that elapse while the counting button KB is pressed, a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted by the value of "50". Furthermore, when 500ms or more have elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, if the stored value of the medal counter 311 is less than "50", the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal counter 311 by the value corresponding to that stored value, thereby setting the stored value of the medal counter 311 to "0".

[0070] The medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred when the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds the value "16369", which is set as the limit of 16368 medals to be stored in the slot machine 1. Based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, the slot machine 1 issues a medal overflow error, and when the counting button KB is operated and the stored number of medals in the medal count counter 311 is counted, the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes "16368" or less, the medal overflow error is cleared.

[0071] When the coin count control means 300 is powered on while the coin count clear button CL, which is located inside the gaming machine, is pressed, it initializes the coin count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the coin count, setting the stored value of the coin count counter 311 to "0". As a result, the slot machine 1 can initialize the information on the number of coins that remained in the coin count counter 311 before the power was turned off when the power is turned on.

[0072] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 14, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0073] <Stop button> In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has LEDs inside the stop buttons B1 to B3 that can light up in a first color (red), a second color (blue), and a third color (purple). In this embodiment, the lighting patterns of the LEDs inside the stop buttons B1 to B3 are controlled by the sub-control CPU 21.

[0074] Slot machine 1 illuminates the LEDs located inside the activated stop buttons B1 to B3 in blue when the stop operation is enabled, and illuminates the LEDs located inside the disabled stop buttons B1 to B3 in red.

[0075] Specifically, in slot machine 1, the LEDs inside stop buttons B1 to B3 light up red from the time the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped until they begin to rotate steadily. Once the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 begin to rotate steadily, the LEDs inside stop buttons B1 to B3 light up blue.

[0076] In addition, in slot machine 1, when any of the stop buttons B1 to B3, whose internal LEDs are lit blue, are pressed, all of the internal LEDs of stop buttons B1 to B3 light up red at the moment the button is pressed. When the pressed stop button is released, the internal LED of a different stop button lights up blue again. Also, in slot machine 1, the LED located inside the pressed stop button changes from blue to red and then remains lit red.

[0077] Specifically, in slot machine 1, for example, if the first stop operation is performed on stop button B1 while the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are rotating steadily, the LEDs inside stop buttons B1 to B3 change from blue to red when stop button B1 is pressed, and when stop button B1 is released, the LEDs inside stop buttons B2 and B3 change from red to blue, but the LED inside stop button B1 remains lit red.

[0078] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the setting change switch SS is switched to the ON state while an error occurs, and the error is cleared while the setting change switch SS remains in the ON state, the LEDs inside stop buttons B1 to B3 will light up purple. Details regarding when the LEDs inside stop buttons B1 to B3 light up purple will be described later.

[0079] <Control related to the specified number via input acceptance means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, during the insertion acceptance period in which the insertion acceptance means 105 accepts the insertion of electronic tokens, when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the same number of input signals as the predetermined number set for each game state are output. Each time an input signal is received, the insertion acceptance means 105 adds a value of "1" corresponding to one electronic token to the insertion count storage means 198 of the main storage means 190, and continues to add values ​​to the insertion count storage means 198 up to the predetermined number set for each game state.

[0080] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of specified coins is set to 3 (first specified number) for the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the number of specified coins is set to 2 (second specified number) for the RBB state.

[0081] In other words, when the game state is not RT state or RBB internal state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "3" in the coin insertion count storage means 198 based on the fact that the input signal is received three times when the Max Bet button MB is operated with three or more game tokens stored in the medal count counter 311. Also, when the game state is RBB state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "2" in the coin insertion count storage means 198 based on the fact that the input signal is received twice when the Max Bet button MB is operated with two or more game tokens stored in the medal count counter 311.

[0082] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 shows the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning numbers and winning roles associated with each winning area, the winning areas that can be won in each game state, and the winning areas in which, if a win occurs in the internal lottery, the advantageous section lottery described later is performed by the AT control means 170. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has an RBB as a bonus, which is a continuous action device for a special role related to the first type of special role.

[0083] In Figure 3, the non-RT state is labeled "General Mode," the RBB internal mode state is labeled "Internal Mode," and the RBB state is labeled "Operating." In Figure 3, areas where a win is possible in each game state and where a favorable section lottery is executed if a win occurs are labeled "◎," and areas where a win is possible in each game state and where a favorable section lottery is not executed if a win occurs are labeled "〇."

[0084] As shown in Figure 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery include the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1", the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2", the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6", the winning area "Replay 1", the winning area "Replay 2", the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Win", the winning area "RBB & Rare Win", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 13 are associated with each of these areas. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery when the result is not won (a miss).

[0085] Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which operations are performed on stop buttons B1 through B3. Furthermore, in the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 through B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

[0086] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated consists of six types of stop orders, from stop order 1 to stop order 6. Stop order 1 is a stop order called "sequential pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3. Stop order 2 is a stop order called "scissors pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2. Stop order 3 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Stop order 4 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Stop order 5 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Furthermore, batting order 6 is a so-called reverse batting order, where the stopping operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0087] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is correct or incorrect in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 13 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0088] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are minor roles 1 to 10 that can be won when selected by internal lottery, and there are replays 1 and 2 that can be won by internal lottery. Each minor role and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the slot machine 1, there are winning areas that include both bonuses and minor roles, namely the winning area "RBB&1-coin role" and the winning area "RBB&rare role", and there is a winning area that includes only bonuses, namely the winning area "RBB".

[0089] In slot machine 1, the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" has a lower winning probability than the winning areas "Ball Order Bell 1" to "Ball Order Bell 6" and the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role," which include the small roles. Also, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is won while not in RT state or during RBB internal state, the stop button B3 is stopped at a timing when small role 2 can be won, and small role 2, which is set to pay 3 coins in a 3-coin bet game, is won, with a winning probability of approximately 1 / 1.7. In slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is won but small role 2 is not won, it is considered a miss (non-win).

[0090] In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the carry-over flag is associated with the RBB, while the minor role and replay are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, if the internal lottery hits a winning area including the RBB, the state in which the RBB lottery flag is established is carried over until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine whether the minor role and replay are won, even in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over, if a minor role or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles, consisting of the already won RBB lottery flag and the minor role or replay lottery flag won in the internal lottery, are set to the established state.

[0091] <Internal Lottery Table> In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 an internal lottery table used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, which includes an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal mode (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (operating) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value is associated with each winning area that is the target of the lottery.

[0092] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery table A has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following: winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 6", winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Replay 2", winning area "RBB & 1-coin win", winning area "RBB & rare win", or winning area "RBB", and is configured so that in the internal lottery, the player wins either a small win, a replay, or a bonus.

[0093] Furthermore, the internal lottery table B has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following winning areas: "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6", "Replay 1", "Replay 2", "RBB & 1-Coin Win", or "RBB & Rare Win". The internal lottery is configured to result in winning either a small win, a replay, or a bonus.

[0094] Internal draw table A and internal draw table B are such that the number of draw values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" in internal draw table A is associated with the winning area "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. The probability of winning in each winning area other than "Replay 2" and "RBB" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning in each winning area other than "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. Specifically, for example, the probability of winning in winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 6" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning in winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 6" in internal draw table B.

[0095] Internal lottery table C has 65,536 lottery values, each associated with either the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" or the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2," and is configured to result in winning a small win in the internal lottery. Furthermore, in the internal lottery using internal lottery table C, the probability of winning each of the small wins 1 through 10 is higher than in the internal lottery using internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B.

[0096] Given this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that it will not result in a loss (failure) in any of the internal lotteries during the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, or the RBB state.

[0097] <Random number generation process> In this embodiment, the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192. If the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it is determined that the player has won in the winning area corresponding to the number of lottery values ​​that was subtracted. Furthermore, if the result of the subtraction is a positive value after subtracting by all the number of lottery values ​​stored in the internal lottery table, it is determined that the player has not won any role and is therefore unsuccessful.

[0098] <Bonus Winning Determination Process> As described above, in the internal lottery table B of this embodiment, when the RBB is in the internal state, the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" and the winning area "RBB & rare win" have lottery values ​​set. In the internal lottery when the game state is in the internal state of RBB, there is a possibility that an RBB may be won again when an RBB has already been set to be established. Therefore, the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus win determination process that determines whether the winning area whose win or loss is determined by the random number determination process is a winning area that includes a bonus, in order to prevent the newly won RBB from being set to be established.

[0099] In the bonus winning determination process, the internal lottery means 120, when it determines in the random number determination process that a winning area including a bonus is subject to determination of win or loss, executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to the active state if the winning area including a bonus is a win and the game state is in the RBB internal state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the active state when an RBB is already set to the active state.

[0100] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order for the winning combinations to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is set to "Replay > Small Win > Bonus". In other words, when a bonus and a small win or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

[0101] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to rotate up to 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. Therefore, it is configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 for symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0102] <Payouts for minor roles> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the payouts for minor wins 1 to 10 are set for both when three electronic tokens, which constitute the first predetermined number, are inserted to start the game (3-token bet) and when two electronic tokens, which constitute the first predetermined number, are inserted to start the game (2-token bet).

[0103] Small win 1 has the same payout when betting 3 coins as when betting 2 coins, and is set at 15 coins, which is more than the first specified number. Small win 2 has the same payout when betting 3 coins as when betting 2 coins, and is set at 3 coins, which is the same as the first specified number. Small wins 3 to 10 have the same payout when betting 3 coins as when betting 2 coins, and is set at 1 coin, which is less than the first specified number.

[0104] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment sets the payout for all small wins from small win 1 to small win 10 to be the same whether a 3-coin bet is played or a 2-coin bet is played. As a result, there is no need to set a predetermined number of parameters for the data related to setting the payouts, and there is no need to set the payouts for 3-coin bets and 2-coin bets separately. Therefore, the data capacity of the data related to small wins in the area of ​​the main memory means 190 that stores various data can be reduced.

[0105] <Game state transition control means> Figure 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of game states performed by the game state transition control means 160 of this embodiment.

[0106] As shown in Figure 4(A), the non-RT state is the initial state among several types of game states (initial game state, normal game state), and is a non-bonus state in which no bonus is activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). In slot machine 1, when the game state is the non-RT state, the game can be started by setting a first predetermined number (3) of electronic tokens to the insertion state.

[0107] The internal RBB state is a gaming state that transitions when winning an area in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, such as the winning area "RBB & 1 card combination", the winning area "RBB & rare combination", or the winning area "RBB", and the RBB is set to the established state. In the internal RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3). In the slot machine 1, when the game state is the internal RBB state, the game can be started by setting the first specified number (3 medals) of electronic medals to the inserted state.

[0108] The RBB state is a gaming state that transitions when the RBB wins and the RBB operates. In the RBB state, when the number of electronic medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number of payouts (for example, 12), the game state transition control means 160 determines that the end condition of the RBB is satisfied, ends the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to the non-RT state. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. In the slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB state, the game can be started by setting the second specified number (2 medals) of electronic medals to the inserted state. Details of the gameplay in the RBB state will be described later.

[0109] <AT control means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of the non-favorable section and the favorable section controlled by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment, and the production state controlled during the favorable section.

[0110] As described above, the non-favorable section is a period during which control regarding the instruction function based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 170 performs a favorable section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the non-favorable section and start the favorable section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game during the non-favorable section.

[0111] In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 170 first obtains an advantageous section transition lottery table from the AT control data storage means 196, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous section" and "miss (failure)" are associated with each of several random numbers. Then, the AT control means 170 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and decides whether or not to start the advantageous section based on the comparison result.

[0112] The AT control means 170 performs a favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the probability of winning a winning area in the internal lottery and the probability of winning "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0113] As shown in Figure 3, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to perform a favorable section lottery when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Replay 1" is won in the internal lottery during the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and when the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", the winning area "RBB & Rare Role", or the winning area "RBB" is won in the internal lottery during the non-RT state, and does not perform a favorable section lottery when any other winning area is won. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 performs a favorable section lottery with a high probability of winning "Start of Favourite Section" of approximately 1 / 1.5.

[0114] In the advantageous period, the AT control means 170 has states (performance states) related to the instruction function, namely a first start state, a second start state, a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state. In the normal state and the CZ state, it is configured not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 6". In the AT state, it is configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 6". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

[0115] The first starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is not in an RT state and is in a normal section, and the player is selected as a target for the advantageous section lottery and is selected in an advantageous section lottery that includes RBB, such as the winning area "RBB&1-coin role", the winning area "RBB&rare role", or the winning area "RBB", and the player transitions from the normal section to the advantageous section. In the first starting state, the AT control means 170 terminates the first starting state and transitions the performance state to the normal state when one game is played.

[0116] The second starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is a non-RT state or an RBB internal state and is in a normal section, and the player transitions from the normal section to the advantageous section through an advantageous section lottery based on winning in an internal lottery in one of the winning areas that are set as targets for the advantageous section lottery and do not include RBB, namely winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 6" or winning area "Replay 1".

[0117] In the second start state, the AT control means 170 refers to the game state at the time the second start state is initiated. If the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is a non-RT state, the AT control means 170 terminates the second start state after one game is played and transitions the performance state to the normal state. Also, if the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is an RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 decides to execute the CZ state after the second start state ends, terminates the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the performance state to the CZ state.

[0118] With this configuration, in slot machine 1, during gameplay in the normal section (first game), if the game transitions from the normal section to the advantageous section, the performance state is set to either the first start state or the second start state by a control process that sets the performance state by the AT control means 170 during the first game. Next, in slot machine 1, during gameplay following the first game (second game), the game is played with the performance state set to either the first start state or the second start state. If the performance state is the first start state, the game transitions to the normal state; if the performance state is the second start state, the performance state transitions to either the normal state or the CZ state depending on the gameplay state in the second game.

[0119] The normal state is the performance state that corresponds to the normal state among several types of performance states (normal performance state), which is set when the performance state has not transitioned to any other performance state. When the performance state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 170 performs an increment update to the normal game counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, by adding a value of "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played. When the value of the normal game counter reaches the value of "700", the AT control means 170 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state (CZ transition conditions) have been met, and transitions the performance state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0120] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state in a game where the internal lottery in the normal state has resulted in a winning area that does not include RBB. If the CZ lottery results in "transition to CZ state", the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0121] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 performs a normal AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state when it wins the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" in the internal lottery. If it wins "Transition to AT state", it determines that the conditions for transitioning to the AT state (AT transition conditions) have been met, and transitions from the normal state to the AT state.

[0122] The CZ state is configured such that, as a control related to the instruction function, when a control is executed to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, it is possible to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state, making it a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) in the CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the CZ game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0123] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a CZ-in AT lottery in each game played in the CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the CZ-in AT lottery results in "transition to AT state", the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the CZ state to the AT state after 10 games have been played from the start of the CZ state.

[0124] The AT control means 170, in the gameplay from the end of the CZ until the "transition to AT state" is won in the AT lottery during the CZ, executes a lottery during the CZ to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times one set of AT state is executed for the AT state to which the transition is made from the CZ state.

[0125] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 170 terminates the CZ state and transitions the performance state back to the normal state.

[0126] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute lotteries related to instruction functions executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, lottery for increasing the number of sets during CZ) regardless of the results of internal lotteries. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is won in the lottery related to instruction functions executed in the CZ state, the probability of "not winning (miss)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, resulting in a more favorable outcome for the player (in the case of AT lottery during CZ, the probability of "transitioning to AT state" is higher).

[0127] The AT state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because assistance is provided for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6". The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to perform winning assistance (correct bat order notification) that notifies the correct bat order that makes it possible to win small role 1 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" is won in the internal lottery in the AT state.

[0128] The AT control means 170 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the AT state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the AT game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to one game.

[0129] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured to perform an add-on lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the period during which the AT state continues, by determining whether or not to add the value determined by the lottery to the stored value of the AT game counter when the winning area "RBB & rare role" is won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, and if the value determined by the add-on lottery is 1 or more, it performs an add-on process to add the determined value to the AT game counter.

[0130] The AT control means 170 determines that the AT state termination condition (AT termination condition) has been met when the stored value of the AT game counter becomes "0" due to a decrement update performed each time a game is played in the AT state, terminates the AT state, and also determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met, and performs a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the non-advantageous section from the next game.

[0131] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 also determines that the AT termination condition has been met if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" while in the AT state, terminates the AT state, and determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the non-advantageous section from the next game.

[0132] <Details of control using the first and second start states> As described above, the reel control means 130 of this embodiment is configured to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for small wins or replays on the active line L1, prioritizing them over bonuses. Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is configured to stop and display a symbol combination on the active line L1 that is different from any of the winning symbol combinations for small wins when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated at an operation timing that makes it impossible to win a small win that has been won by the internal lottery, thereby executing reel stop control to result in a missed win (non-winning).

[0133] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the game state is in the RBB internal state, either a small win or a replay is won in the internal lottery, so the combination of winning symbols for RBB is not displayed on the active line L1, and the RBB internal state is maintained.

[0134] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, once the game state is set to the RBB internal state, gameplay continues in the RBB internal state thereafter. Therefore, when the advantageous section ends and the non-advantageous section begins based on the fulfillment of the normal termination condition or specific termination condition in the advantageous section, the game state becomes the RBB internal state and is controlled to the non-advantageous section. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, after transitioning from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section while the game state is the RBB internal state, if the advantageous section lottery results in a "transition to the advantageous section" and the player transitions to the advantageous section, the performance state is set to the second start state. Since the game state at the start of the second start state is the RBB internal state, the performance state is configured to transition to the CZ state after one game is played in the second start state.

[0135] In the slot machine 1 having such gameplay, as described above, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state and the control related to the advantageous period are initialized, so that the game state is set to a non-RT state and the period is set to a non-advantageous period.

[0136] Therefore, in slot machine 1, if the system is configured to always set the performance state to the CZ state when transitioning from a non-advantageous period to an advantageous period, there is a risk that the system will be reset to a non-advantageous period due to initialization when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, which could result in an extremely high probability of transitioning to the CZ state immediately after the setting change control.

[0137] In this configuration, in slot machine 1, when the CZ state is started based on the transition to the advantageous section immediately after the setting change control is executed, the performance control means 200 executes the performance in the normal state (normal performance), which prevents the player from visually recognizing that the current performance state is the CZ state. However, this requires data and programs specifically for the normal performance in the CZ state immediately after the setting change, which increases the program capacity related to the performance.

[0138] Furthermore, in slot machine 1 with this configuration, although the CZ state immediately after a setting change can be made invisible through normal animations, the CZ state is executed by the AT control means 170, which creates a loophole that makes it easier to transition to the AT state immediately after a setting change and easier to acquire electronic medals.

[0139] On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when transitioning from a non-advantageous period to an advantageous period, the AT control means 170 refers to the winning area selected by the internal lottery and has a configuration that determines whether to set the performance state to be set at the start of the advantageous period to a first start state or a second start state.

[0140] The AT control means 170 sets the performance state at the start of the advantageous period to the first start state when it starts based on winning in the winning area "RBB", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin role", or the winning area "RBB & rare role", which are winning areas that can only be won in an internal lottery during a non-RT state. As described above, the first start state is a performance state that transitions to the normal state after one game is played.

[0141] Therefore, in slot machine 1, even if the game state at the start of the advantageous section is in the RBB internal state, if the setting change control is executed and the game state in the normal section transitions from a non-RT state to the advantageous section, the performance state can be set to the normal state via the first start state.

[0142] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 sets the performance state at the start of the advantageous period to the second start state when it is determined that a winning area has been reached in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" or "Replay 1", which are winning areas that can be reached even in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. The AT control means 170 is configured to refer to the game state when a game is played in the second start state and to determine the performance state to which the player will transition after one game has been played in the second start state.

[0143] Specifically, the AT control means 170 determines that if the game state during gameplay in the second starting state is a non-RT state, the transition state after one game in the second starting state will be the normal state, and if the game state during gameplay in the second starting state is an RBB internal state, the transition state after one game in the second starting state will be the CZ state.

[0144] In this embodiment, the game state during gameplay in the second starting state becomes a non-RT state only when the advantageous period is started based on the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Replay 1" being selected in the internal lottery during the non-RT state.

[0145] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured not to perform a favorable section lottery when a winning area, "RBB & 1-coin win" or "RBB & rare win," which are winning areas that can be won in an internal lottery in the RBB internal state, which is a game state set when the RBB is carried over to the established state, is won.

[0146] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the game state during gameplay in the second starting state becomes the RBB internal state only when the advantageous period is started based on the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" or the winning area "Replay 1" being selected in the internal lottery during the RBB internal state.

[0147] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the game state is set to a non-RT state and set to a normal section, but when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section immediately after setting change control, it is set to a normal state based on the start of the advantageous section, and when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section when the game state is in the RBB internal state, it is set to a CZ state based on the start of the advantageous section, thereby realizing gameplay that improves product appeal while having an advantageous section.

[0148] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can prevent the development of a strategy that makes the immediate period after the setting change control is initiated excessively advantageous, and when the transition to the advantageous period immediately after the setting change control is executed, data and programs for executing different effects from the set effect state become unnecessary, thus preventing an increase in the program capacity related to the effects.

[0149] <Main production control means> The main performance control means 500 of this embodiment is configured to perform a reel rotation start freeze when the game transitions from an advantageous section to a non-advantageous section, and in the next game after one game has been played in the non-advantageous section, the game state is in the RBB internal state and not the first start state, and based on the start operation to the start lever SL, it delays the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and continues to keep the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stopped. The main performance control means 500 performs the reel rotation start freeze and terminates the reel rotation start freeze after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed. Based on the termination of the reel rotation start freeze, the reel control means 130 starts rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0150] The main performance control means 500 of this embodiment is configured to store that a reel rotation start freeze has been performed by setting the reel rotation start freeze execution flag provided in the main performance control data storage means 510 to the ON state when the game in which the reel rotation start freeze has been performed is controlled to a non-advantageous section. The main performance control means 500 is configured to maintain the reel rotation start freeze execution flag in its initial OFF state by not performing the process related to updating the reel rotation start freeze execution flag when the game in which the reel rotation start freeze has been performed is controlled to a favorable section. Furthermore, the main performance control means 500 is configured to initialize the reel rotation start freeze execution flag and set it to the OFF state based on the fact that when the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is set to the ON state, the game transitions to a favorable section and transitions from the second start state to the CZ state after one game is performed. Details of the process related to updating the reel rotation start freeze execution flag will be described later.

[0151] <Complete control means> As described above, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function when the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a reaches the value "19000". In other words, the complete control means 180 is configured to control whether or not the complete function is activated by referring to a stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a that is different from the medal count counter 311 controlled by the medal count control means 300.

[0152] The performance control means 200 executes a pre-completion notification performance to inform the player that the completion function will be activated by acquiring the remaining 1,000 electronic medals when the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a reaches the value "18,000," that is, when the number of game medals acquired from the lowest point of the number of electronic medals paid out since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches 18,000.

[0153] In the pre-completion notification sequence, the performance control means 200 outputs a pre-completion notification sound from the sound device 420, which serves as a sound indicating that the completion function will be activated when 1000 more electronic medals are acquired. The performance control means 200 also displays a pre-completion notification image on the display device 410, which serves as a display indicating that the completion function will be activated when 1000 more electronic medals are acquired.

[0154] The performance control means 200 terminates the display of the pre-completion notification image when it displays the pre-completion notification image, when the completion function is activated, or when the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a falls below a predetermined termination value (for example, the value "17970"). In other words, when the completion function is activated, the performance control means 200 terminates the display of the pre-completion notification image and displays a completion notification image (complete notification display) to indicate that the completion function has been activated. If the number of electronic medals that need to be acquired before the completion function is activated becomes more than 30 medals from 1000 medals remaining, the performance control means 200 terminates the display of the pre-completion notification image and displays an image corresponding to the progress of the game.

[0155] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can terminate the display of the pre-completion notification image if, after displaying the pre-completion notification image, the player is unable to acquire electronic tokens and more than 30 electronic tokens are consumed, in accordance with the decreased likelihood of the completion function activating. This prevents the pre-completion notification image from being displayed for an extended period without the completion function activating, thus preventing a decrease in the player's interest in the presentation.

[0156] <Performance control means> When the number of medals stored in the medal counter 311 exceeds 15,000, the performance control means 200 executes a counting prompting performance to encourage the player to count the medals, as a medal count warning has been issued and no electronic medals are being lent out. In the counting prompting performance, the performance control means 200 displays a counting prompting image on the display device 410 as a display to encourage the player to count the electronic medals by operating the counting button KB, as a warning has been issued for the number of medals to be held.

[0157] Furthermore, when the number of medals stored in the medal counter 311 exceeds 16,369, the performance control means 200 executes an overflow notification performance to notify that a medal overflow error, described later, has occurred due to a medal overflow. In the overflow notification performance, the performance control means 200 outputs a medal overflow notification sound from the sound device 420 as a sound to notify that a medal overflow has occurred. The performance control means 200 also displays a medal overflow notification image on the display device 410 as a display to notify that a medal overflow has occurred.

[0158] When the counting button KB is operated and electronic medals are counted, the performance control means 200 outputs a counting sound from the sound device 420 to indicate that counting is taking place each time a signal related to the number of game medals is transmitted from the medal count control means 300 to the dedicated unit SU. In other words, if the counting button KB is pressed continuously for 500ms or more and more than 50 electronic medals are counted, the performance control means 200 outputs a counting sound 500ms after the counting button KB is pressed, and thereafter outputs a counting sound each time 300ms have passed and electronic medals are counted.

[0159] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to display a setting confirmation screen 412 (see Figure 12) on the display device 410 when the setting key is inserted into the setting key cylinder KC and turned while the power to the slot machine 1 is turned on, thereby turning on the setting change switch SS. This screen allows the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 as a preset setting for the slot machine 1 to be displayed (confirmed). Details of the setting confirmation screen 412 will be described later.

[0160] The performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to perform a CZ start suggestion performance that indicates the start of a CZ state when the game transitions from an advantageous section to a non-advantageous section, and in the next game after one game has been played in the non-advantageous section, the game state is in the RBB internal middle state and is not in the first start state. The CZ start suggestion performance is performed in both cases, whether the game is controlled in an advantageous section or a non-advantageous section, when the game state in the next game after one game has been played in the non-advantageous section is in the RBB internal middle state and is not in the first start state. Details of the various controls related to the CZ start suggestion performance will be described later.

[0161] 3. Gameplay in each game state Next, the gameplay characteristics of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment in each game state will be described.

[0162] <Game results in each game state> Figure 5(A) shows the game results for each operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" is selected in the internal lottery during a non-RT state. Figure 5(B) shows the game results for each operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" is selected in the internal lottery during an RBB internal state. Figure 6 shows the game results for each operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 when the winning area including a small win is selected in the internal lottery during an RBB state.

[0163] As shown in Figure 5(A), in slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" during a non-RT state, it is possible to win one of the small wins 3 to 9, which are set to pay out 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game, regardless of how the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated.

[0164] In other words, in slot machine 1, when not in RT mode, even if you win in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 6", which includes the winning combination 1 with a payout of 15 coins in a 3-coin bet game, the machine is configured so that the winning combination 1 cannot be awarded.

[0165] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5(B), in slot machine 1, when the player wins in the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1" to "Beat Order Bell 6" during the RBB internal state, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are set to allow the player to win small prize 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 3-coin bet game, with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0166] In other words, in slot machine 1, if the internal lottery in the non-RT state results in winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6", and stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the correct batting order, then small win 1 will not be awarded, and a small win with a payout of 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game will be awarded. Even if the internal lottery results in winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6", and stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the correct batting order set for each of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6", there is a possibility that small win 1 will not be awarded depending on the game state in the game in which the internal lottery was conducted.

[0167] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" during a non-RT state or RBB internal state, minor prize 3 is awarded with a probability of 1 / 1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for winning, and minor prizes 4 to 9 are awarded with a probability of 1 / 2 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for winning.

[0168] As shown in Figure 6, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" is hit in RBB state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 to turn 4, small win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 2-coin bet game, will be awarded with a probability of 1 / 1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 5 and turn 6, small win 2, which has a payout of 3 coins in a 2-coin bet game, will be awarded with a probability of approximately 1 / 1.3. If small win 2 is not awarded, small win 10, which has a payout of 1 coin in a 2-coin bet game, will be awarded with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0169] The winning symbol combinations for minor win 2 and minor win 10 include a common symbol in the symbols on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2. In addition, the winning symbol combinations for minor win 2 and minor win 10 consist of different symbols on the right reel R3. The symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for minor win 2 are symbols that have a pull-in range of 15 out of 20 frames on the right reel R3, while the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for minor win 10 are symbols that are arranged to be stoppable on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop button B3.

[0170] Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 5 and turn 6, if stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols on the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 2 can be stopped on the active line L1, then small win 2 is awarded. If stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols on the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 2 cannot be stopped on the active line L1, then small win 10 is awarded.

[0171] In slot machine 1, if you win in the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2" while in RBB state, regardless of the order in which you press stop buttons B1 to B3, there is a 1 / 1 probability that you will win Small Win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 2-coin bet game.

[0172] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set an upper limit on the number of electronic tokens that can be paid out when a game is played with a two-coin bet. When a winning combination with a payout equal to or greater than this upper limit is achieved, the number of payouts is set to this upper limit, and electronic tokens are paid out. Specifically, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the upper limit on the number of electronic tokens that can be paid out to one when a game is played with a two-coin bet.

[0173] <Processing to set the upper limit of the number of payouts> Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process by which slot machine 1 sets an upper limit on the number of payouts. The process shown in Figure 7 is executed in the payout process by the payout control means 150, which is performed when a winning combination is achieved, after the payout value set for the winning combination has been stored in the payout storage means 199 (see Figure 2).

[0174] As shown in Figure 7, the payout control means 150 first obtains the payout amount stored in the payout amount storage means 199 (S1). In this process, the payout control means 150 obtains the stored value of the payout amount storage means 199, which stores the payout values ​​set for the winning combinations in the current game.

[0175] Next, the payout control means 150 confirms the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted for the current game (S2). In this process, the payout control means 150 can determine whether the current game is a 2-coin bet game or a 3-coin bet game by checking the value stored in the number of tokens inserted storage means 198.

[0176] Next, the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted in the current game was 2 (S3). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether the stored value of the inserted number storage means 198, which was confirmed in step S2, was the value "2". By executing the process in step S3, the payout control means 150 can determine whether the current game was played in an RBB state with a second predetermined number (2 tokens) set.

[0177] In step S3, if it is determined that the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted for this game is 2 (YES), the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of tokens to be paid out for this game is 2 or more (S4). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of tokens to be paid out stored in the payout number storage means 199 obtained in step S1 is 2 or more.

[0178] In step S4, if it is determined that the number of payouts for this game is 2 or more (YES), the payout control means 150 sets the number of payouts to 1 (S5). In this process, the payout control means 150 sets the number of payouts for this game to 1 by changing the value of 2 or more stored in the payout number storage means 199 to the value "1".

[0179] This process in step S5 constitutes a process that sets the upper limit of the number of electronic tokens that can be dispensed to a specific number (1 token) less than the second specified number (3 tokens) when the game starts with a second specified number (2 tokens) of electronic tokens inserted.

[0180] After executing the process in step S5, if in the process of step S3 it is determined that the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted in this game is 3 (NO), or if in the process of step S4 it is determined that the number of tokens to be paid out in this game is 1 (NO), the payout control means 150 executes the process of paying out electronic tokens (S6) and terminates the payout process. In this process, the payout control means 150 determines the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 as the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game, and adds the number of electronic tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0181] <Dispensing of electronic tokens in each game state> As shown in Figure 5(A), slot machine 1 is configured so that, in the non-RT state, no payout is awarded based on the winning of small role 1, which is set to have a payout greater than the first specified number. For this reason, the payout rate in the non-RT state is configured to be less than 50% regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated.

[0182] The payout rate is the ratio of the total number of electronic tokens paid out during a predetermined number of games (e.g., 17,500 games) to the total number of electronic tokens inserted during that predetermined number of games, assuming that the effects of temporary probability biases are sufficiently ignored.

[0183] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(B), in slot machine 1, when in the RBB internal state, if the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" is selected, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in the correct batting order from batting order 1 to batting order 6, then small win 1 can be awarded. For this reason, the payout rate in the RBB internal state is configured to exceed 50%.

[0184] As shown in Figure 7, the payout control means 150 is configured to skip steps S4 and S5 from step S3 and proceed to step S6 when a game with a 3-coin bet is played. The payout control means 150 determines the value stored in the payout number storage means 199, which stores the value set as the payout for the winning combination in the game, as the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game, and adds the number of electronic medals corresponding to the determined payout number to the medal counter 311.

[0185] Due to this configuration, slot machine 1 is set up so that in non-RT state and RBB internal state, the same number of electronic tokens as the payout set for the winning combination are dispensed. In other words, in slot machine 1, in non-RT state and RBB internal state where the specified number is set to the first specified number (3 tokens), if the winning combination 1 is achieved, a payout exceeding the first specified number is executed.

[0186] On the other hand, the payout control means 150 is configured to proceed to step S6 after executing the process in step S5 if a game with a 2-coin bet is played and a small win with a payout of 2 or more coins is awarded in the game with a 2-coin bet. Regardless of the value set as the payout for the small win awarded in the game, the value stored in the payout number storage means 199, which is set to the value "1", is determined as the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game, and the number of electronic medals (1) corresponding to the determined payout is added to the medal counter 311.

[0187] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the RBB state is set to a predetermined number of 2 coins, if the winning area "Bonus Medium Small Win 1" is won in the internal lottery, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 to turn 4, making it possible to win Small Win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 2-coin bet game. The stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 5 and turn 6, making it possible to win Small Win 2, which has a payout of 3 coins in a 2-coin bet game. If the winning area "Bonus Medium Small Win 2" is won in the internal lottery, regardless of the operation of the stop buttons B1 to B3, Small Win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 2-coin bet game, is made possible. However, the payout control means 150 shown in Figure 7 performs an upper limit setting process for the number of payouts, so that the number of electronic medals paid out in a game in which Small Win 1 or Small Win 2 is won is set to 1.

[0188] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game is played with a 3-coin bet and a game is played with a 2-coin bet, if a minor role 1 or minor role 2, which has the same payout and a payout of more than 1 coin, is won, a payout of 1 coin will be made, which is less than the set payout and less than the prescribed number (2 coins) in the RBB state.

[0189] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when a game is played with two bets, the payout for minor wins 3 through 10 is set to one coin.

[0190] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the game transitions to an RBB state where the number of specified coins is set to 2, and a winning area including a minor role is hit, a payout of 1 coin is executed regardless of which minor role is hit. To put it another way, in the slot machine 1, when the number of specified coins is set to the second specified number (2 coins) in an RBB state, if minor role 1 is hit, a payout of less than the second specified number is executed.

[0191] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in slot machine 1, during the internal lottery in the RBB state where the internal lottery table C is used, the player is configured to win either the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" or the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2". In other words, in slot machine 1, in each game played in the RBB state where the prescribed number is set to 2, a small win is awarded and 1 coin is paid out.

[0192] Thus, in this embodiment, when a game is started with a first predetermined number of game values ​​inserted into the slot machine 1, it is possible to pay out game values ​​exceeding the first predetermined number. When a game is started with a second predetermined number of game values, which is less than the first predetermined number, the upper limit of the number of game values ​​that can be paid out is set to a specific number less than the second predetermined number.

[0193] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when in the RBB state, two electronic tokens are set to be inserted and one electronic token is dispensed. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB state can be reduced to 50%, and the performance of acquiring game value when the RBB is not active can be designed, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0194] Furthermore, as mentioned above, slot machine 1 is configured such that, in the non-RT state, the payout rate is less than 50% regardless of the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, and the payout rate in the non-RT state is lower than the payout rate in the RBB state (50%).

[0195] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment does not have a lower payout rate in the RBB state than in the non-RT state where the RBB is not activated, and the performance of the RBB state does not deteriorate excessively, thus ensuring sufficient performance of the gaming machine.

[0196] <Winning combinations available in each game state> Next, using Figure 8, we have a table summarizing the small wins that are awarded based on winning in each game state of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment: non-RT state, RBB internal state, and RBB state.

[0197] As shown in Figure 8, the small win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins for both the 3-coin bet and the 2-coin bet, is configured not to award a prize if won in a non-RT state, but to award a prize based on whether it was won in the RBB internal state or in the RBB state.

[0198] Furthermore, the small win 2, which is set to pay out 3 coins for both 3-coin bets and 2-coin bets, is configured to award based on whether it is won in a non-RT state, an RBB internal state, or an RBB state.

[0199] Furthermore, regarding the payouts for both the 3-coin bet and the 2-coin bet, among the minor roles 3 to 10, which are set to 1 coin each, minor role 10 is awarded based on winning in the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state, while minor roles 3 to 9 are not awarded if won in the RBB state, but are awarded based on winning in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0200] As described above, in slot machine 1, in the RBB state where the game starts with the second specified number (2 coins) of electronic tokens inserted, even if a small win with a payout of 2 or more tokens is achieved, the payout limit setting process shown in Figure 7 is executed, resulting in a payout of 1 token.

[0201] In other words, in slot machine 1, when small wins 1 and 2 are set to pay out more than 1 coin each, both when 3 electronic coins are inserted and the game starts, the payout will be different from when 3 electronic coins are inserted and the game starts.

[0202] In other words, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that when each of the minor role 1 and minor role 2 is won in the RBB state, which is set to insert two electronic tokens and the game starts, the payout amount is different from when the game starts with three electronic tokens inserted. Furthermore, both minor role 1 and minor role 2 are configured to be awarded when the game state is the RBB state, based on whether they have been won.

[0203] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved, and these multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations that belong to a predetermined group. The predetermined group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out differs depending on whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value, which is less than the first predetermined number. Each minor winning combination in the predetermined group is awarded based on being won in the internal lottery, regardless of whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value.

[0204] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the minor roles included in a predetermined group include a first minor role (minor role 1) and a second minor role (minor role 2). The first minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a first operation pattern (batting order 1 to batting order 4) when it is won in an internal lottery during a game that has been started with a second predetermined number of game values ​​inserted. The second minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a second operation pattern (batting order 5, batting order 6) that is different from the first operation pattern when it is won in an internal lottery during a game that has been started with a second predetermined number of game values ​​inserted.

[0205] With this configuration, in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number set to a first specified number in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of electronic medals paid out when small win 1 and small win 2 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when they are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, because the machine is awarded based on the fact that both small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, it is possible to prevent the performance of small win 1 and small win 2 from being excessively reduced and to sufficiently guarantee the performance of the gaming machine.

[0206] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in slot machine 1, the payout when three electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts is set to one token, and the payout when two electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts is also set to one token. For minor roles 3 to 10, which pay out the same amount when a win occurs in the RBB state when two electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts when three electronic tokens are inserted, the machine is configured to award a win based on whether it is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, in the RBB state, while minor role 10 is awarded based on whether it is won, minor roles 3 to 9 are configured not to award a win regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated when they are won.

[0207] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved. These multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations in a first group and minor winning combinations in a second group. The first group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is the same whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value (which is less than the first predetermined amount). The second group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is different whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value. The minor winning combinations in the first group include those for which no win is achieved when the game is started with a second predetermined amount of game value, regardless of the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons.

[0208] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the RBB state, where the number of electronic medals paid out does not change when a win occurs in the RBB state compared to when a win occurs in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of wins for minor roles 3 to 8 does not occur in the RBB state. This eliminates the need to pre-store stop control data related to reel stop control that enables wins for minor roles 3 to 8 in the reel control data storage means 194, thereby reducing the data capacity related to stop control data in the RBB state.

[0209] These minor roles 1 and 2 constitute a second group of minor roles and a predetermined group of minor roles, each having a different payout amount based on whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value. Minor roles 3 to 10 constitute a first group of minor roles, each having the same payout whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value (which is less than the first predetermined amount).

[0210] <Summary of gameplay in each game state> As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of specified coins is fixed to the first specified number (3 coins) in the first game state, which is the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, when the RBB is not operating, and in the second game state, which is the RBB state, when the RBB is operating, the number of specified coins is fixed to the second specified number (2 coins). Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate in the RBB state is higher than the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the probability of winning each small win is higher in the RBB state than in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0211] Furthermore, slot machine 1 is configured such that when a win occurs in the RBB state, which is set to insert a second predetermined number of electronic tokens and the game starts, the payout for small wins 1 and 2 will be different from when the game starts with inserting a first predetermined number of electronic tokens. The slot machine is configured to award prizes based on the win when the game state is RBB.

[0212] Then, in the RBB state, when slot machine 1 is set to insert the second specified number of electronic tokens and gameplay begins, the payout limit setting process is executed, so that the maximum number of electronic tokens that can be paid out in that game is set to a specific number (1 token) which is less than the second specified number. Therefore, even if small win 1 or small win 2 is achieved, 1 token will be paid out.

[0213] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can reduce the payout rate in the RBB state to less than 100% (50% in this embodiment), and the performance in the RBB state can be designed to acquire game value in the state when the RBB is not operating while adhering to the performance required for a gaming machine, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0214] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the machine transitions to the RBB state with a predetermined number of 2 coins, and a winning area including a minor role is hit, the payout limit setting process (see Figure 7) is executed, so that 1 coin is paid out regardless of which minor role is hit. As a result, the payout rate in the RBB state is reduced to 50%, and the performance of acquiring game value in the state when the RBB is not activated can be designed, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0215] Furthermore, in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number set to a first specified number for the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of electronic medals paid out when small win 1 and small win 2 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when they are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, because the machine is awarded based on the fact that both small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, it is possible to prevent the performance of small win 1 and small win 2 from being excessively reduced and to sufficiently guarantee the performance of the gaming machine.

[0216] Furthermore, in the RBB state, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the RBB state, the number of electronic medals paid out does not change when a win occurs in the RBB state compared to when a win occurs in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and that wins do not occur in the RBB state for minor roles 3 to 9. This eliminates the need to pre-store stop control data related to reel stop control that enables wins for minor roles 3 to 9 in the reel control data storage means 194, thereby reducing the data capacity related to stop control data in the RBB state.

[0217] Furthermore, as mentioned above, slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate becomes 50% when the RBB state is set to a second specified number (2 coins) which is different from the first specified number (3 coins) as the specified number, by executing a process to set the upper limit of the number of payouts.

[0218] Here, as a gaming machine that suppresses the payout rate in the bonus state and allows medals to be won by executing AT game in a game state different from the bonus state (for example, a non-bonus state where the bonus is not activated, such as a bonus-established state), conventionally, there are multiple types of first specific small wins in which multiple types of first specific small wins, which are set to pay out more than the number of game value inputs required to start the game, do not overlap with each other but overlap with second specific small wins different from the first specific small wins, and a third type of first specific small wins in which multiple types of first specific small wins overlap and are won, and the internal lottery means is in the normal game state, bonus state It is known that a machine is configured such that, in the standing state, an internal lottery is conducted so that there are multiple types of first winning patterns, and in the bonus state, an internal lottery is conducted so that there is a third winning pattern, and the probability of winning the third winning pattern in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple types of first winning patterns in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus state, and the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is higher than or equal to the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus state.

[0219] In a gaming machine configured as described above, while compressing the probability of winning the first specific minor winning combination in the bonus state to the reciprocal of the number of types of the first specific minor winning combination (for example, 1 / 4 in a configuration having four types of the first specific minor winning combination), the performance in the bonus state is ensured as sufficient performance required for the gaming machine, and in the non-bonus state, by executing the winning assistance for the first specific minor winning combination, the winning probability of the first specific minor winning combination is increased compared to the case where the winning assistance is not executed, and although it is possible to obtain medals in the AT game, it is necessary to have a plurality of types of the first specific minor winning combination.

[0220] In a gaming machine, for a minor winning combination that can obtain medals by winning, although it is common to stop and display a specific symbol (for example, a bell symbol) in a visible form to the player, when each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is configured to be visible in three frames in a specific area where the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are visible, since the patterns for displaying a specific symbol in a row are limited to five patterns, when the number of types of the first specific minor winning combination exceeds five types, it is necessary to display it in the specific area in a display mode different from the display mode for displaying in a row.

[0221] Also, in a gaming machine, the method for determining the priority of the stop position candidates when a plurality of types of minor winning combinations are won in the internal lottery includes a method for determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line L1 (number priority control), and a method for determining the priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout predetermined for the minor winning combination (number of medals priority control).

[0222] Therefore, in a gaming machine, when setting the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the first specific minor winning combination to win and the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that disable the first specific minor winning combination and enable the second specific minor winning combination to win, in order to enable the second specific minor winning combination to win, it is necessary to enable the second specific minor winning combination by number priority control.

[0223] Because of these limitations, in gaming machines, the more you try to increase the number of types of the first specific small win and compress the payout rate in the bonus state, the more types of the second specific small win also need to be increased. Furthermore, the arrangement of symbols required to make the second specific small win possible also needs to be increased. As a result, compressing the payout rate in the bonus state increases the amount of data related to the small wins, and the difficulty of design tends to increase.

[0224] In contrast, in a slot machine 1 configured such that the payout rate becomes 50% when the payout limit setting process is executed in an RBB state where the number of specified tokens is set to a second specified number (2 tokens) different from the first specified number (3 tokens), even if the machine is configured to have one small win with a payout greater than the first specified number when the first specified number of tokens are inserted and the game starts, the performance of the RBB state can be guaranteed to be sufficient for the performance required of a gaming machine, while the payout rate in the RBB state can be sufficiently reduced.

[0225] With this configuration, slot machine 1 can reduce the payout rate in the RBB state and prevent an increase in the data capacity related to small wins when designing the medal acquisition performance when the RBB is not activated. This reduces the data capacity related to small wins and improves the design freedom related to the arrangement of symbols. Furthermore, by reducing the data capacity related to small wins, data capacity can be allocated to various data used in other control processes executed by the main control CPU 11, thereby improving the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0226] 4. Relationship between errors occurring in gaming machines and setting changes Next, we will explain in detail the case in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment where the occurrence of an error and the display of the setting confirmation screen 412 overlap.

[0227] <Errors that occur in gaming machines> Figure 9 is a table summarizing some of the errors that can occur in slot machine 1. Figure 9 includes five types of errors: backup error, medal overflow error, dispensing device connection error, stop error, medal count warning, and door open error, as well as a medal count warning. However, other errors may occur in slot machine 1 besides those shown in Figure 9, but details of those errors are omitted.

[0228] A backup error occurs when the RWM backup of the main control board 10 fails. When a backup error occurs, the main control CPU 11 displays the error code "E0" on the main control display device 10D. The main control CPU 11 compares the checksum of the data backed up before the power was turned off with the checksum calculated when the power was turned on, and determines that a backup error has occurred if the values ​​are different. When a backup error occurs, the slot machine 1 cannot proceed with the game, and this is resolved by opening the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 and operating the setting change button BS located inside to initialize it.

[0229] A medal overflow error occurs when the number of game medals stored in the medal counter 311 exceeds 16,369. When a medal overflow error occurs, the main control CPU 11 displays the error code "E1" on the main control display device 10D. When a medal overflow error occurs, the slot machine 1 is unable to continue playing. The counting button KB is operated to count the electronic medals, and the error is cleared when the number of game medals stored in the medal counter 311 becomes 16,368 or less.

[0230] A loan device connection error occurs when the dedicated unit SU is not connected to the loan device connection terminal board 40. When a loan device connection error occurs, the main control CPU 11 displays the error code "E2" on the main control display device 10D. When a loan device connection error occurs, the slot machine 1 is unable to proceed with the game, and this is resolved when the dedicated unit SU is connected to the loan device connection terminal board 40.

[0231] The stop-play error occurs when the number of electronic tokens acquired since power-on exceeds 19,000, and the complete function is activated by the complete control means 180. When a stop-play error occurs, the main control CPU 11 displays the error code "E3" on the main control display device 10D. When a stop-play error occurs, the slot machine 1 is unable to continue playing. The error is cleared by opening the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 and operating the setting change button BS located inside to initialize it.

[0232] A token count warning is issued when the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 exceeds 15,000. When a token count warning is issued, the slot machine 1 can continue playing, but upon receiving a lending signal from the dedicated unit SU, it sends a signal indicating that a token count warning has been issued, preventing the lending of electronic tokens and preventing the stored value in the token counter 311 from being added. The token count warning is released in the slot machine 1 when the counting button KB is operated to count the electronic tokens and the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 falls below 14,999, or when the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 falls below 14,999 due to the execution of the game setting which includes electronic tokens. Note that the token count warning is merely a warning that prevents the lending of electronic tokens but allows the game to continue, and it is not necessary to open the front upper door UD or the front lower door DD to release it. Therefore, the main control CPU 11 does not display an error code on the main control display device 10D.

[0233] The door open error occurs when either the front upper door UD or the front lower door DD is open. When a door open error occurs, the main control CPU 11 displays the error code "E4" on the main control display device 10D. When a door open error occurs, the slot machine 1 is unable to continue playing, and the error is resolved when the open door (either the front upper door UD or the front lower door DD) is closed. In the following description, the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are collectively referred to as the front doors.

[0234] In slot machine 1, the presence or absence of a medal count warning and a medal overflow error are determined by referring to the stored value of the medal count counter 311. If the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds "15000", a medal count warning is issued and the dispensing of electronic medals by the dedicated unit SU is stopped. If the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds "16369", a medal overflow error occurs and the game cannot proceed until the electronic medals are counted. In addition, in slot machine 1, the presence or absence of a stop error is determined by referring to the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not referred to when determining whether or not a stop error occurs.

[0235] Given this configuration, if a stop error occurs in slot machine 1 while the stored value of the medal counter 311 is less than "15000", the machine is configured to not only count electronic medals but also to dispense electronic medals.

[0236] Furthermore, if the conditions for a stop error and the conditions for a medal overflow error occur at the same time, specifically, in a game where a small win 1 occurs, if the stored value of the medal counter 311 becomes "16369" or more, and the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a becomes "19000" or more, the performance control means 200 will display a medal overflow notification image that notifies the occurrence of a medal overflow error, prioritizing it over a complete notification image that notifies the occurrence of a stop error due to the activation of the complete function.

[0237] As mentioned above, the stop error occurs based on the activation of the complete function, and the gaming establishment is configured to stop the operation of a gaming machine that has an stop error occurring on the day the error occurred. On the other hand, the medal overflow error is an error that is cleared when the stored value of the medal counter 311 becomes "16368" or less after the counting button KB is operated and the electronic medals are counted.

[0238] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment prioritizes notifying the player of a medal overflow error, which can be quickly resolved by the player's operation of the counting button KB, over a stop error, which cannot be resolved by the player and remains unresolved until the end of business hours at the arcade. This prevents a state in which multiple errors occur simultaneously from continuing for a long period of time, and suppresses an excessive increase in the processing load of the main control CPU 11 due to the occurrence of multiple errors.

[0239] Furthermore, if a stop error occurs and another error occurs, specifically if the dedicated unit SU becomes disconnected from the loan device connection terminal board 40 while a stop error is occurring, the performance control means 200 will display a loan device connection error notification image, which takes precedence over the complete notification image, to notify the occurrence of the loan device connection error. As described above, the loan device connection error is an error that is resolved when the dedicated unit SU is connected to the loan device connection terminal board 40.

[0240] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment prioritizes notifying the player of a loan device connection error, which can be quickly resolved by the staff of the amusement arcade, over a player of a stop error, which cannot be resolved by the player and remains unresolved until the end of the amusement arcade's business hours. This prevents a state in which multiple errors occur simultaneously from continuing for a long period of time, and suppresses an excessive increase in the processing load of the main control CPU 11 due to the occurrence of multiple errors.

[0241] <Configuration of the main control board> Figure 10 is a front view showing the slot machine 1 with its front door open. As shown in Figure 10, in the slot machine 1, the main control board unit 10U is located on the upper side of the casing BX, facing the front upper door UD, while the power supply unit PU and the medal control board unit 30U are located on the lower side, facing the front lower door DD. In this embodiment, the sub-control board unit, including the sub-control board 20, is located on the back side of the front upper door UD.

[0242] In slot machine 1, power is turned on when the front lower door DD is opened and the power button on the power supply unit PU is operated to the ON position. In addition, slot machine 1 is configured so that a setting key can be inserted into the setting key cylinder KC on the main control board unit 10U by opening the front upper door UD.

[0243] Figure 11 is a front view showing the main control board unit 10U. In the examples shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cover member that covers the setting key cylinder KC and the setting change switch SS is not shown. However, in the slot machine 1, the setting key cylinder KC and the setting change button BS are covered by this cover member, so the setting key cannot be inserted into the setting key cylinder KC or the setting change switch SS cannot be operated unless the front upper door UD is opened and the cover member is opened.

[0244] As shown in Figure 11, the main control board unit 10U is partially covered by a transparent case cover 12, which includes the main control CPU 11 and is secured by screws 12a and 12b. The setting key cylinder KC and the setting change button BS are covered by an openable and closable cover member (not shown), and are configured to be operable without opening the case cover 12.

[0245] In the setting key cylinder KC, when the keyhole shown in Figure 11 extends vertically, the setting change switch SS located inside is in the OFF state. When the setting key is inserted and rotated approximately 90 degrees clockwise, the setting change switch SS turns ON.

[0246] The setting change switch SS is configured to switch between ON and OFF states by inserting the setting key into the setting key cylinder KC and operating it. In other words, even when the power to slot machine 1 is not turned on, the setting change switch SS can be switched between ON and OFF states by inserting the setting key into the setting key cylinder KC and operating it.

[0247] Furthermore, while the main control CPU 11 is configured to perform control related to the output of signals to other control units such as the sub-control CPU 21 and the hall computer, and control related to setting changes, when the setting change switch SS is in the ON state, it is configured not to perform processes that refer to various flag data set in the main memory means 190 until the setting change switch SS is in the OFF state.

[0248] Therefore, for example, if an error occurs while the setting change switch SS is in the ON state, the main control CPU 11 can set the flag data indicating the occurrence of the error to the ON state. However, since it does not refer to the ON / OFF state information of the flag data, it does not perform the display of error codes, etc., on the main control display device 10D, which displays error codes, etc., by referring to the flag data. Instead, if the error has not been resolved when the setting change switch SS is turned OFF, the main control CPU 11 displays the error code corresponding to the occurring error on the main control display device 10D.

[0249] <Confirmation screen for settings change> Next, we will explain the details of the setting confirmation screen 412 displayed on the display device 410. Note that the screens displayed on the display device 410 as illustrated in Figures 12 to 14 are all screens that are displayed when the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are closed and no door opening error has occurred. If at least one of the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD is open, a door opening error notification screen that notifies the door opening error will be displayed on the display device 410.

[0250] Figure 12(A) illustrates the state in which the normal screen 411 is displayed on the display device 410, and Figure 12(B) illustrates the setting confirmation screen 412 that is displayed on the display device 410 when the setting key is inserted into and rotated in the setting key cylinder KC from the state shown in Figure 12(A), thereby turning the setting change switch SS to the ON state.

[0251] In the state shown in Figure 12(A), the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 of slot machine 1 are stopped, and the electronic tokens are not inserted, so the game is not progressing. Also, in the state shown in Figure 12(A), no errors have occurred in slot machine 1, the game is playable, and the normal screen 411, which is one of the screens displayed when the presentation state is normal, is shown.

[0252] In slot machine 1, when the power is turned on as shown in Figure 12(A), and the game can proceed, and no errors have occurred, if the setting key is inserted into and rotated in the setting key cylinder KC, thereby turning the setting change switch SS ON, the display device 410 will display a setting confirmation screen 412 as an indication of the setting status of slot machine 1, as shown in Figure 12(B).

[0253] On the settings confirmation screen 412, "Checking settings" is displayed at the top of the display area 410a, and multiple boxes are displayed, including a settings value confirmation box 412a where the settings value is displayed on the display device 410 once the display is confirmed, and a time setting box 412b where the time setting screen for setting the time controlled by the sub-control CPU 21 is displayed once the display is confirmed. On the slot machine 1, by operating the performance button EB, it is possible to select and confirm each box that indicates that the pre-set settings state of the slot machine 1 displayed on the settings confirmation screen 412 can be displayed, and the settings state of the slot machine 1 corresponding to the selected and confirmed box is displayed. In other words, on the slot machine 1, various settings, including the settings value currently set on the slot machine 1 and the time setting controlled by the sub-control CPU 21, constitute the settings state.

[0254] In slot machine 1, when the front upper door UD is opened while the setting confirmation screen 412 is displayed, the display of the setting confirmation screen 412 is interrupted and a door open error screen is displayed to indicate that the front door is open. Then, in slot machine 1, when the setting key is turned and the setting change switch SS is switched to the OFF position, the display of the setting confirmation screen 412 ends and the front upper door UD is closed, and the normal screen 411 is displayed on the display device 410.

[0255] Figure 13(A) illustrates a state in which the setting confirmation screen 412 is displayed on the display device 410, and Figure 13(B) illustrates a state in which the loan device connection error notification screen 413, which notifies that a loan device connection error has occurred, is displayed from the state shown in Figure 13(A). As shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), in the slot machine 1, if the dedicated unit SU becomes unconnected to the loan device connection terminal board 40 while the setting confirmation screen 412 is displayed, the loan device connection error notification screen 413, which notifies that a loan device connection error has occurred, is displayed in priority over the setting confirmation screen 412.

[0256] As described above, in slot machine 1, when the settings confirmation screen 412 is displayed, the setting change switch SS is switched to the OFF state, allowing the game to be resumed. However, if a dispensing device connection error occurs, the game cannot be resumed until the dispensing device connection error is resolved. Therefore, in slot machine 1, when the dedicated unit SU is not connected to the dispensing device connection terminal board 40 while the settings confirmation screen 412 is displayed, the dispensing device connection error notification screen 413 is displayed to prompt the user to resolve the dispensing device connection error.

[0257] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13(B), in slot machine 1, if a loan device connection error occurs while the setting change switch SS is set to ON, the error code "E2" indicating the occurrence of a loan device connection error is not displayed on the main control display device 10D. As described above, although the main control CPU 11 sets the flag data indicating the occurrence of a loan device connection error to the ON state when the loan device connection error occurs, it does not perform the process of referring to the state of the flag data when the setting change switch SS is ON, and therefore the error code "E2" is not displayed on the main control display device 10D. In addition, the main control CPU 11 is configured to perform the process of outputting a signal from the main control board 10 to other control units even when the setting change switch SS is ON. The sub-control CPU 21 is configured to be able to perform various effects-related controls even when the setting change switch SS is ON.

[0258] With this configuration, even when the setting change switch SS is in the ON state and the error code "E2" is not displayed on the main control display device 10D by the main control CPU 11, the sub-control CPU 21 can execute control to display the loan device connection error notification screen 413 on the display device 410 based on the input of a signal indicating the occurrence of a loan device connection error output from the main control CPU 11.

[0259] As a result, when the setting change switch SS is ON and the main control CPU 11 does not refer to flag data, and an error occurs, the slot machine 1 can display a notification of the error on the display device 410 via the sub-control CPU 21, which receives a signal related to the occurrence of the error from the main control CPU 11, without requiring a program to notify the main control display device 10D of the error, thus preventing an increase in the data capacity of the main memory means 190.

[0260] Figure 14(A) illustrates a state in which a loan device connection error has occurred, Figure 14(B) illustrates a state in which the setting change switch SS has been switched to the ON state from the state shown in Figure 14(A), and Figure 14(C) illustrates a state in which the loan device connection error that occurred from the state shown in Figure 14(B) has been resolved.

[0261] As shown in Figure 14(A), in slot machine 1, a lending device connection error occurs and the setting change switch SS is in the OFF state, so the main control CPU 11 displays the error code "E2" on the main control display device 10D.

[0262] As shown in Figure 14(B), in slot machine 1, if a loan device connection error occurs, the front upper door UD is opened, the setting key is inserted into and turned in the setting key cylinder KC, and the setting change switch SS is switched to the ON state, the setting confirmation screen 412 is not displayed on the display device 410, and the loan device connection error notification screen 413 continues to be displayed.

[0263] In other words, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when the setting change switch SS is turned ON while the loan device connection error notification screen 413, which notifies the occurrence of a loan device connection error, is displayed on the display device 410, the loan device connection error notification screen 413 is continuously displayed on the display device 410. Therefore, the setting confirmation screen 412 is not displayed when a loan device connection error occurs.

[0264] With this configuration, even if an operation unintended by the game machine designer is performed, such as switching the setting change switch SS to the ON state to check the setting value while an error is occurring, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is controlled so that the setting value cannot be checked. Control that enables checking the setting value using the setting confirmation screen 412 is limited to when the setting change switch SS is switched to the ON state while the error has been cleared. This prevents the control related to the setting confirmation screen 412 from being executed while an error is occurring, and prevents a decrease in the stability of the control related to the setting confirmation screen 412.

[0265] As shown in Figure 14(C), in slot machine 1, if the setting change switch SS is turned ON after a lending device connection error occurs, and the lending device connection error is resolved while the setting change switch SS remains ON, the normal screen 411 is displayed on the display device 410. In addition, in slot machine 1, an indication image 411a is displayed in the upper right position of the display area 410a, indicating that the setting change switch SS is ON but the setting confirmation screen 412 is not displayed, with the words "Settings cannot be confirmed" indicating that the setting change switch SS is ON. At the same time, the LEDs inside stop buttons B1 to B3 light up in purple, a color that does not light up when normal gameplay is being performed.

[0266] In other words, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 displays a loan device connection error notification screen 413 on the display device 410 to notify the occurrence of a loan device connection error, and when the loan device connection error is cleared while the setting change switch SS is in the ON state, the display device 410 displays the normal screen 411 instead of the setting confirmation screen 412. Therefore, if the setting change switch SS is turned ON while a loan device connection error is occurring, the setting confirmation screen 412 will not be displayed even if the loan device connection error is cleared.

[0267] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is controlled so that, even if the error is cleared, the setting value cannot be checked when an operation unintended by the game machine designer is performed, such as switching the setting change switch SS to the ON state to check the setting value while an error is occurring. Control that enables checking the setting value using the setting confirmation screen 412 is limited to when the setting change switch SS is switched to the ON state while the error has been cleared. This prevents the control related to the setting confirmation screen 412 from being executed while an error is occurring, and prevents a decrease in the stability of the control related to the setting confirmation screen 412.

[0268] In addition, when the setting change switch SS is switched to the ON state during the occurrence of an error in the slot machine 1, and when the error is cleared while the setting change switch SS remains in the ON state, the suggestion image 411a and the light emission modes of the LEDs inside the stop buttons B1 to B3 suggest that the setting change switch SS is in the ON state, indicating that the setting change switch SS was accidentally turned on during the occurrence of an error, suggesting the reason why the game cannot proceed or the setting confirmation screen 412 is not displayed even though the error has been cleared, and enabling prompt recovery.

[0269] The OFF state of this setting change switch SS constitutes the first state in this embodiment, and the ON state of the setting change switch SS constitutes the second state in this embodiment. Also, the lending device connection error constitutes a predetermined event that causes a game stop where the game cannot proceed in this embodiment. Among the images displayed on the display device 410, the setting confirmation screen 412 constitutes the first display that suggests the set state of the slot machine 1 preset in this embodiment, the lending device connection error notification screen 413 constitutes the second display in this embodiment, and the normal screen 411 constitutes the third display in this embodiment.

[0270] <Summary of the relationship between errors occurring in the gaming machine and setting changes> Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the power is turned on and the game is not being played, if the setting change switch SS is turned to the ON state, the setting confirmation screen 412 is displayed on the display device 410, and when the setting change switch SS is turned to the ON state in a state where the lending device connection error notification screen 413 for notifying the occurrence of the lending device connection error is displayed on the display device 410, the lending device connection error notification screen 413 is continuously displayed on the display device 410.

[0271] With such a configuration, even if an operation unintended by the slot machine designer, such as switching the setting change switch SS to the ON state to check the set value during the occurrence of an error, is executed, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is controlled so that the set value cannot be checked, and the control that enables checking of the set value using the setting confirmation screen 412 is limited to the case where the setting change switch SS is switched to the ON state when the error has been cleared. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the control related to the setting confirmation screen 412 from being executed during the occurrence of an error and to prevent the stability of the control related to the setting confirmation screen 412 from decreasing.

[0272] 5. Details of the gaming performance using the transition from the non - advantageous section to the advantageous section Next, using FIGS. 4, 15 to 18, details of various controls executed when transitioning from the non - advantageous section to the advantageous section in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment and the gaming performance using the various controls will be described.

[0273] <Control related to the start of reel rotation freeze> As shown in FIG. 4(B), in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when transitioning from the non - advantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section to the advantageous section, it is configured to be able to start the CZ state through the second start state. Also, as described above, when the gaming state is the RBB internal middle state, the AT control means 170 executes an advantageous section lottery when winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 6" and the winning area "replay 1" in the internal lottery, and is configured to be able to transition from the non - advantageous section to the advantageous section by winning in the "start of advantageous section".

[0274] In other words, in slot machine 1, when the internal lottery is conducted during a non-advantageous period and the game state is in the internal RBB (Replay Big Bonus) state, if the winning area "Replay 2", the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win", or the winning area "RBB & rare win" is selected, or if the advantageous period lottery is determined to be "continuation of the non-advantageous period", the machine is configured to not transition from the non-advantageous period to the advantageous period, and the first game played in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, may not transition to the advantageous period.

[0275] Furthermore, as described above, the main performance control means 500 of this embodiment is configured to determine whether or not to perform a reel rotation start freeze in the next game after one game has been played in a non-advantageous section, which delays the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the start operation to the start lever SL. If it is determined that a reel rotation start freeze should be performed, the system is configured to delay the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 until a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the start operation to the start lever SL was performed.

[0276] In other words, the main performance control means 500 of this embodiment is configured to be able to perform a reel rotation start freeze in either the case where a game has been played in a non-advantageous section and the next game is started in an advantageous section or in a non-advantageous section, and is configured to determine whether or not to perform a reel rotation start freeze by performing a reel rotation start freeze execution determination control.

[0277] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control, which determines whether or not to execute the reel rotation start freeze executed by the main performance control means 500. The reel rotation start freeze execution determination control shown in Figure 15 is executed by the main performance control means 500 based on the fact that one game has been played in a non-advantageous section and a start operation has been performed on the start lever SL to start the next game after that game.

[0278] In the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control, the main performance control means 500 first determines whether the game state is in the RBB internal state or not (S11). If it is determined in this process that the game state is in the RBB internal state (YES), the main performance control means 500 determines whether the state controlled by the AT control means 170 is the first start state or not (S12). In these processes, the main performance control means 500 refers to the game state and the state controlled by the AT control means 170 to determine whether the non-advantageous section set in the previous game was a non-advantageous section set because the setting change control by the setting change means 100 was executed and initialized, or a non-advantageous section set because the end condition of the advantageous section was met while the game was controlled to an advantageous section by the AT control means 170.

[0279] In step S11, if it is determined that the game state is not in the RBB internal state (NO), or in step S12, if it is determined that the AT control means 170 is controlling the game to the first start state (YES), the main performance control means 500 determines that the non-advantageous section that was set in the previous game was set by the setting change control performed by the setting change means 100 and initialized. Even if a transition to an advantageous section was decided in the previous game, the game is set to the first start state based on the start of the advantageous section, and the AT control means 170 controls the game to transition from the first start state to the normal state. As a result, the game does not transition to the CZ state based on the start of the advantageous section, and the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control is terminated without executing a reel rotation start freeze.

[0280] On the other hand, in the process of step S12, if the AT control means 170 determines that the game is not controlled to the first start state (NO), the main performance control means 500 determines that the non-advantageous section set in the previous game was set when the end condition of the advantageous section was met while the game was controlled to the advantageous section by the AT control means 170, and proceeds to the process from step S13 onwards. In the process of step S13, the main performance control means 500 determines whether the reel rotation start freeze execution flag provided in the main performance control data storage means 510 is in the ON state (S13). In this process, the main performance control means 500 determines whether or not the reel rotation start freeze was executed in the previous game, and if it determines that the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is in the ON state (YES), the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control is terminated without executing the reel rotation start freeze in the current game.

[0281] On the other hand, if, in the process of step S13, it is determined that the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is in the OFF state (NO), the main performance control means 500 executes a reel rotation start freeze (S14). In this process, the main performance control means 500 delays the execution of reel rotation control by the reel control means 130 until a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed, thereby executing a reel rotation start freeze that delays the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 until a predetermined time has elapsed after the start lever SL is started.

[0282] Next, the main effect control means 500 determines whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is an unfavorable section (S15). In this process, the main effect control means 500 determines whether, as a result of the previous game, the AT control means 170 has shifted from an unfavorable section to a favorable section. If it is determined that it is a favorable section (NO), after the end of this game, it shifts from the second start state to the CZ state, and since this game is being played in a favorable section and the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control is not executed in the next game, there is no need to refer to the reel rotation start freeze execution flag, and the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control ends without executing the process of step S16.

[0283] On the other hand, in the process of step S15, if it is determined that it is an unfavorable section (YES), the main effect control means 500 sets the reel rotation start freeze execution flag to the ON state (S16) and ends the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control. In this process, the main effect control means 500 executes the reel rotation start freeze in this game and executes the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control in the next game. Therefore, in order to prevent the reel rotation start freeze from being executed again in the next game, the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is set to the ON state.

[0284] When the process of step S16 is executed by the main effect control means 500, slot machine 1 of the present embodiment can end the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control without performing the processes after step S14 by the process of step S13 in the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control in the next game when the game in which the reel rotation start freeze was executed is a game in an unfavorable section. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reel rotation start freeze from being executed again in a state where the reel rotation start freeze has been executed once, and prevent the player from discriminating that the unfavorable section continues.

[0285] <CZ Transition Suggestive Effect> Next, the details of the CZ transition suggestion effect will be described using FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an effect when transitioning from a favorable section to an unfavorable section, performing one game in the unfavorable section, and then transitioning from the unfavorable section to the favorable section. FIG. 16(A) illustrates a state where the game transitioning from the favorable section to the unfavorable section has ended. FIG. 16(B) illustrates a state where the first game in the unfavorable section transitioned from the favorable section is being executed and transitioning from the unfavorable section to the favorable section. FIG. 16(C) illustrates a state where the game has started in the favorable section transitioned from the unfavorable section.

[0286] In FIG. 16(A), an example is illustrated where the stored value of the favorable section counter 196a is the value "-99" when the AT state is started. The effect control means 200 obtains 2500 electronic medals in the AT state, and the stored value of the favorable section counter 196a becomes the value "2401", that is, since more than 2400 electronic medals have been obtained in a series of favorable sections, when the favorable section ends based on the establishment of a predetermined end condition of the favorable section, the AT state ends. Therefore, a result image 415 displaying the result of the game in the AT state is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410. The result image 415 is displayed at a position that is approximately in the center in the left-right direction and approximately in the center in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front in the display area 410a of the display device 410.

[0287] In the result image 415 of the present embodiment, as a result of the game in the AT state, the number of electronic medals obtained in the AT state is configured to be displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 16(A), since 2500 electronic medals have been obtained in the AT state, it is displayed as "TOTAL 2500 medals".

[0288] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16(A), in the slot machine 1, based on the termination of the AT state, a warning image 416 is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper part of the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front. This image serves to alert the player to the importance of continuing the game and to prevent excessive engrossment in the game, so-called addiction or dependence on the game.

[0289] Warning image 416 consists of an image with the text "Be careful not to get addicted. Pachinko and pachislot are games to be enjoyed in moderation" written in two lines. The upper line has a red background and white text, and the lower line has a white background and red text. Warning image 416 is designed to remain displayed for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) after it is displayed. Warning image 416 is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 16(A). It may also consist of the text "Be careful not to get addicted. Pachinko and pachislot are games to be enjoyed in moderation" in a single line, or it may consist of the text "Pachinko and pachislot are games to be enjoyed in moderation. Be careful not to get addicted." Furthermore, warning image 416 only needs to be composed of a size and color that is easily visible to players.

[0290] In the example shown in Figure 16(B), in slot machine 1, during the first game in the non-advantageous section after transitioning from the advantageous section, the winning area "Replay 1" is selected in the internal lottery, and the transition to the advantageous section is determined by the advantageous section lottery based on the selection of the winning area "Replay 1," so the section controlled by the AT control means 170 transitions from the non-advantageous section to the advantageous section. At this point, the performance control means 200 continues to display the result image 415. In the example shown in Figure 16(B), the display of the warning image 416 has ended because the game has finished, but if a game in the non-advantageous section is started before the time for the display of the warning image 416 to continue (for example, 3 seconds) has elapsed, the display of the warning image 416 will continue at the time the game is started.

[0291] In the example shown in FIG. 16(C), in the slot machine 1, since the game state is the RBB internal middle state and the advantageous section has started based on winning in the winning area "Replay 1", it is controlled by the AT control means 170 to the second start state. As shown in FIG. 4(B), in the slot machine 1, when one game is executed in the second start state, since the game state is the RBB internal middle state, it shifts from the second start state to the CZ state, so a CZ start suggestion effect that suggests that the CZ state is started by the effect control means 200 is executed. In the CZ start suggestion effect, the effect control means 200 displays a CZ start suggestion image 417 that displays "CZ!" at a position that is approximately the center in the left-right direction and approximately the center in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front in the display area 410a of the display device 410.

[0292] In the state shown in FIG. 16(C), the main effect control means 500 executes the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control shown in FIG. 15, executes the reel rotation start freeze, and ends the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control without executing the process of step S16 which is a process related to updating the reel rotation start freeze execution flag based on the fact that it is an advantageous section. As shown in FIG. 16(C), in the slot machine 1, since the reel rotation start freeze is executed by the main effect control means 500, in the state where the CZ start suggestion image 417 is displayed, the state where the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is not started and is stopped in FIG. 16(B) is maintained.

[0293] Thereby, when the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment shifts from the non-advantageous section to the advantageous section and the CZ state is started through the second start state, by delaying the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by the reel rotation start freeze, the CZ start suggestion image 417 displayed on the display device 410 can be made visible to the player, and the player's interest in the effect can be improved.

[0294] Figure 17 illustrates an example of the presentation when transitioning from a favorable section to a non-favorable section, one game is played in the non-favorable section, and the game does not transition from the non-favorable section to a favorable section. Figure 17(A) illustrates the state after the game transitioning from a favorable section to a non-favorable section has finished, Figure 17(B) illustrates the state after the first game in the non-favorable section has been played and the game did not transition from the non-favorable section to a favorable section, and Figure 17(C) illustrates the state after the game following the game shown in Figure 17(B) has started. Note that since Figure 17(A) illustrates a state that is substantially the same as Figure 16(A), the same reference numerals are used for components common to both Figure 16(A) and the explanation is omitted.

[0295] In the example shown in Figure 17(B), in slot machine 1, during the first game played in the non-advantageous section after transitioning from the advantageous section, the winning area "Replay 1" is selected in the internal lottery. Based on this selection of the winning area "Replay 1", the advantageous section lottery determines that the non-advantageous section will continue, and the section controlled by the AT control means 170 remains in the non-advantageous section. At this point, the performance control means 200 continues to display the result image 415.

[0296] In the example shown in Figure 17(C), the slot machine 1 is maintained in a state controlled by the AT control means 170 in a non-advantageous section. The performance control means 200, having performed one game in the non-advantageous section after transitioning from the advantageous section, and with the game state being in the RBB internal state, and being controlled in a non-advantageous section by the AT control means 170 and not controlled in the first start state, executes a CZ start suggestion performance displaying the CZ start suggestion image 417.

[0297] Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 17(C), the main performance control means 500 executes the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control shown in Figure 15, thereby executing the reel rotation start freeze, and based on the fact that it is a non-advantageous period, it executes the process of step S16 to set the reel rotation start freeze execution flag to the ON state. As shown in Figure 17(C), in the slot machine 1, since the reel rotation start freeze is executed by the main performance control means 500, the state in which the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped in Figure 17(B) without the rotation of the CZ start suggestion image 417 is displayed.

[0298] Thus, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when one game is played in a non-advantageous section after transitioning from an advantageous section, and the next game is in a non-advantageous section, the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is delayed by a reel rotation start freeze, and a CZ start suggestion image 417 is displayed on the display device 410. In other words, the machine is configured to perform an effect that is substantially the same as when one game is played in a non-advantageous section after transitioning from an advantageous section, the next game is in an advantageous section, and the CZ state is started after a second start state.

[0299] As a result, in this embodiment, even if one game is played in a non-advantageous section after transitioning from an advantageous section, and the next game is also in a non-advantageous section, the reel rotation start freeze and CZ start indication effects are executed, thereby preventing the player from determining that the non-advantageous section is continuing. This prevents the player from determining whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is a non-advantageous section or an advantageous section, and thus prevents a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine due to the player being able to determine the information of the gaming machine.

[0300] Figure 18(A) is an example diagram illustrating the state in the game shown in Figure 17(C) where the reel rotation start freeze has ended and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have started to rotate. As shown in Figure 18(A), in the slot machine 1, although the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is a non-advantageous section, the performance control means 200 executes the performance during the CZ state, which is a performance that is executed during the CZ state. In the performance during the CZ, the performance control means 200 displays a character image 418 in the display area 410a of the display device 410, at a position approximately in the center in the left-right direction and approximately in the center in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0301] Figure 18(B) illustrates a state in which the transition to the advantageous section is determined by an advantageous section lottery based on the winning area "Replay 1" in the internal lottery of the game shown in Figure 18(A). In the example shown in Figure 18(B), in slot machine 1, the transition to the advantageous section is determined by an advantageous section lottery based on the winning area "Replay 1", and the section controlled by the AT control means 170 transitions from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section. At this point, the performance control means 200 continues to display the character image 418 that is displayed in the performance during the CZ.

[0302] Figure 18(C) is an example of the state when the next game following the game shown in Figure 18(B) has started. In the example shown in Figure 18(C), in slot machine 1, the game state is in the RBB internal state and the advantageous period has started based on the winning area "Replay 1", so the AT control means 170 controls it to the second start state.

[0303] As described above, in the slot machine 1, at the time shown in FIG. 17(C), the main effect control means 500 executes the reel rotation start freeze and the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is set to the ON state. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, the process of step S13 in the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control shown in FIG. 15 is executed by the main effect control means 500, and the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control ends without proceeding to the processes after step S14. Thus, when the game shown in FIG. 18(C) starts, the reel rotation start freeze is not executed.

[0304] In this way, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that in a game after executing the reel rotation start freeze in the non-favorable section, when shifting from the non-favorable section to the favorable section, a process that refers to the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is executed, and the reel rotation start freeze is not executed again.

[0305] Thereby, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, even when the non-favorable section continues over a plurality of games in the non-favorable section shifted from the favorable section, the first game in the non-favorable section shifted from the favorable section is executed, and the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are executed only when the next game starts. Thus, it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating that the non-favorable section is continuing due to the execution of the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect a plurality of times, and it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is the non-favorable section or the favorable section, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the commercial value of the gaming machine due to the discrimination of the information of the gaming machine.

[0306] <Summary of the relationship between the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect> Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is played and a transition to the advantageous period is decided, the main performance control means 500 performs a reel rotation start freeze and the performance control means 200 performs a CZ start suggestion performance, while the main performance control means 500 does not perform the process related to updating the reel rotation start freeze execution flag.

[0307] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is played and it is determined that the non-advantageous period will continue, the main performance control means 500 will perform a reel rotation start freeze, the performance control means 200 will perform a CZ start indication performance, and the main performance control means 500 will perform a process related to updating the reel rotation start freeze execution flag.

[0308] In other words, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to perform a reel spin start freeze and a CZ start suggestion performance, which have the same performance characteristics, when the first game in the non-advantageous period set based on the end of the advantageous period is played and a transition to the advantageous period is decided, and when the first game in the non-advantageous period set based on the end of the advantageous period is played and a continuation of the non-advantageous period is decided. Furthermore, when the first game in the non-advantageous period set based on the end of the advantageous period is played and a transition to the advantageous period is decided, the reel spin start freeze execution flag remains in the OFF state without being updated. When the first game in the non-advantageous period set based on the end of the advantageous period is played and a continuation of the non-advantageous period is decided, a process related to updating the reel spin start freeze execution flag is executed and set to the ON state.

[0309] With such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment executes the first game in the non-favorable section that has shifted from the favorable section. Even when the next game of this game is in the non-favorable section, the first game is executed in the non-favorable section that has shifted from the favorable section, and when the next game of this game is in the favorable section, by executing the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect in the same effect mode, it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating that the non-favorable section continues, and it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is the non-favorable section or the favorable section, and to suppress the deterioration of the commerciality of the gaming machine due to the discrimination of the information of the gaming machine.

[0310] In other words, when the first game in the non-favorable section set based on the end of the favorable section is executed, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured to execute the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect in any of the cases where it shifts from the non-favorable section to the favorable section and where the non-favorable section continues.

[0311] With such a configuration, when the first game is executed in the non-favorable section that has shifted from the favorable section, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment executes the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect, which are the same effects, when the next game of this game is in the non-favorable section and when the next game of this game is in the favorable section, so that it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating that the non-favorable section continues, and it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is the non-favorable section or the favorable section, and to suppress the deterioration of the commerciality of the gaming machine due to the discrimination of the information of the gaming machine.

[0312] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, after the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are executed and the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is set to the ON state, when the game is started in the disadvantageous section due to the continuation of the disadvantageous section over a plurality of games, and when the transition from the disadvantageous section to the advantageous section is determined and the first game in the advantageous section is started, in either case, the reel rotation start freeze by the main effect control means 500 and the CZ start suggestion effect by the effect control means 200 are not executed.

[0313] With such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment executes the first game in the disadvantageous section shifted from the advantageous section, and the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are executed only when the next game is started. When the first game is executed in the disadvantageous section shifted from the advantageous section and the continuation of the disadvantageous section is determined, thereafter, even when the disadvantageous section continues over a plurality of games or when the game shifts to the advantageous section after a plurality of games are executed in the disadvantageous section, the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are not executed at the start of the game. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating that the disadvantageous section has continued due to the execution of the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start effect a plurality of times, and it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is the disadvantageous section or the advantageous section, and the commercial value of the gaming machine from decreasing due to the discrimination of the information of the gaming machine.

[0314] The reel rotation start freeze and CZ start suggestion effect that are executed when the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed constitute the specific effect in this embodiment. When the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed and the transition to the advantageous section is determined, the control related to the execution of the CZ start suggestion effect by the effect control means 200 and the processing of steps S14 and S15 executed in the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control by the main effect control means 500 constitute the first specific effect control in this embodiment. When the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed and the continuation of the disadvantageous section is determined, the control related to the execution of the CZ start suggestion effect by the effect control means 200 and the processing of steps S14 to S16 executed in the reel rotation start freeze execution determination control by the main effect control means 500 constitute the second specific effect control in this embodiment.

[0315] 6. Summary of this embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment executes the first game in the disadvantageous section shifted from the advantageous section, and even when the next game of this game is in the disadvantageous section, the same as when the next game of this game is in the advantageous section. By executing the reel rotation start freeze and CZ start suggestion effect in the same effect mode, it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating that the disadvantageous section continues, and it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is the disadvantageous section or the advantageous section, and the commercial value of the gaming machine from decreasing due to the discrimination of the information of the gaming machine.

[0316] In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are executed only when the first game in the non - advantageous section shifted from the advantageous section is executed and the next game is started. When the first game in the non - advantageous section shifted from the advantageous section is executed and the continuation of the non - advantageous section is determined, thereafter, even when the non - advantageous section continues over a plurality of games or when the game shifts to the advantageous section after a plurality of games are executed in the non - advantageous section, the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are not executed at the start of the game. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating that the non - advantageous section has continued due to the execution of the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start effect a plurality of times, and it is possible to suppress the player from discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is the non - advantageous section or the advantageous section, and to suppress the deterioration of the commercial value of the gaming machine due to the discrimination of the information of the gaming machine.

[0317] 7. Modified Example In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the predetermined event is composed of a lending device connection error, but it is not limited to this. The predetermined event may be composed of, for example, a medal overflow error, as long as it is an event for which a release condition other than initialization by setting change is set as the release condition of the event.

[0318] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to detect the lending device connection error, which is a predetermined event, as one of the abnormal events occurring in the slot machine 1. However, it is not limited to this. Regarding the lending device connection error, in a state where the dedicated unit SU, which is an external device connected to the slot machine 1, is not connected, and since no error has occurred in each component of the slot machine 1, the state of the slot machine 1 is a normal state in which it can detect that the dedicated unit SU is not connected. It may be configured to detect the lending device connection error as one of the normal events in the slot machine 1.

[0319] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to display a door open error notification screen on the display device 410 when the front upper door UD is open, the setting key is inserted into and rotated in the setting key cylinder KC, thereby turning the setting change switch SS ON, and the power is turned on and the game is in progress, and no errors have occurred. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the display device 410 may be configured to display a setting confirmation screen 412 when the setting key is inserted into and rotated in the setting key cylinder KC, thereby turning the setting change switch SS ON, regardless of whether the front upper door UD is open or closed.

[0320] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, after a loan device connection error occurs, the setting change switch SS is turned ON, and when the loan device connection error is resolved while the setting change switch SS remains ON, the normal screen 411 is displayed on the display device 410 as a third display, but the invention is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to display an error switching notification image on the display device 410 as a third display, indicating that the setting change switch SS was switched to the ON state while the error occurred.

[0321] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the setting confirmation screen 412 is displayed, the slot machine 1 is configured to allow various settings to be performed, such as time setting, in addition to confirming the setting value. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and for example, it may be configured so that the setting value is displayed without the operation of the performance button EB, and various settings other than confirming the setting value cannot be performed.

[0322] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to allow confirmation of the setting value when the setting confirmation screen 412 is displayed, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 only needs to be configured to indicate the preset setting state of the gaming machine on the setting confirmation screen 412, for example, by displaying information that indicates that preset time settings and volume settings can be displayed, and the setting value itself is not displayed on the display device 410. Alternatively, the slot machine 1 may be provided with a second display means, for example, which is located on the main control board 10 so that it cannot be seen unless the front upper door UD is opened, and is controlled by the main control CPU 11 to display the setting value, and the setting confirmation screen 412 as the first display may be configured to indicate that the current setting value can be displayed as the preset setting state of the gaming machine on the second display means by displaying only the words "Checking settings".

[0323] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to continue displaying the loan device connection error notification screen 413 that was displayed before the setting change switch SS was switched to the ON state when the setting change switch SS is turned ON after a loan device connection error occurs, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may also be configured to display an image that notifies, for example, that a loan device connection error has occurred and that the setting change switch SS is turned ON when the setting change switch SS is turned ON after a loan device connection error occurs.

[0324] In this configuration, the slot machine 1 may be configured to display an image on the loan device connection error notification screen 413 that overlays text indicating that the setting change switch SS is in the ON state (for example, the text "The setting change switch is ON") as an image to notify that a loan device connection error has occurred and that the setting change switch SS is in the ON state.

[0325] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a display device 410 as a display means, but is not limited to this, and may also be equipped with a main control display device 10D as a display means. In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is equipped with a second display means that is provided on the main control board 10 so as not to be visible unless the front upper door UD is opened, and is controlled by the main control CPU 11 so as to be able to display a set value. When the power is turned on and the game can proceed, and no predetermined event has occurred, the setting key is inserted into and rotated in the setting key cylinder KC, causing the setting change switch SS to be turned ON, and the main control display device 10D, which is the first display means, displays as a first display an indication that the current setting value can be displayed as the setting state of the game machine that has been set in advance in the second display means. When the setting change switch SS is turned ON after the occurrence of a predetermined event, the code indicating the occurrence of the predetermined event that was displayed on the main control display device 10D due to the occurrence of the predetermined event may be continued to be displayed as a second display.

[0326] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the setting change switch SS has an ON state which constitutes a first state and an OFF state which constitutes a second state, but is not limited to this, and may be configured such that the OFF state constitutes the first state and the ON state constitutes the second state. In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the setting value can be changed when the setting change switch SS is in the OFF state and the power is turned on, and the setting value cannot be changed when the setting change switch SS is in the ON state and the power is turned on. When the setting change switch SS is in the ON state, the game can be played, and when the setting change switch SS is in the OFF state, although control related to the output of signals to other control units such as the sub-control CPU 21 and the hall computer, and control related to setting changes can be executed, processing that refers to various flag data set in the main memory means 190 is not executed until the setting change switch SS is in the ON state.

[0327] That is, the slot machine 1 only needs to be configured such that when the setting change switch is in the first state and the power is turned on, the setting value regarding the degree of advantage of the game can be changed, and when the setting change switch is in the second state and the power is turned on, the setting value cannot be changed. The first state may be composed of one of the ON / OFF states, and the second state may be composed of the other one different from the one composed of the first state among the ON / OFF states.

[0328] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 executes a reel rotation start freeze and a CZ start suggestion effect that are in the same effect mode in each of the cases where the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed and the transition to the advantageous section is determined, and the case where the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed and the continuation of the disadvantageous section is determined, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to execute an effect in a mode imitating the effect in the first specific effect control executed when the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed and the transition to the advantageous section is determined, as the effect in the second specific effect control executed when the first game in the disadvantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed and the continuation of the disadvantageous section is determined.

[0329] Specifically, when the first game in a non-favorable section set based on the end of a favorable section is executed and the transition to the favorable section is determined, the slot machine 1 executes, as an effect in the first specific effect control, a CZ start suggestion effect and a reel rotation start freeze that continues until the first time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses. When the first game in a non-favorable section set based on the end of a favorable section is executed and the continuation of the non-favorable section is determined, the slot machine 1 executes, as an effect in the second specific effect control, a CZ start suggestion effect and a reel rotation start freeze that continues until the second time (for example, 9.9 seconds), which is slightly shorter than the first time, elapses. The slot machine 1 may be configured to execute the effects in the second specific effect control in the same manner or a mimicked manner as the effects in the first specific effect control. Any effect mode may be used as long as it is composed of the same mode or a mimicked mode as the effect mode of the effects executed in the first specific effect control.

[0330] Also, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a reel rotation start freeze and a CZ start suggestion effect when the first game in a non-favorable section set based on the end of a favorable section is executed, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the first game in a non-favorable section set based on the end of a favorable section is executed, the slot machine 1 determines whether to execute a reel rotation start freeze and a CZ start suggestion effect by lottery. If it is determined in the lottery not to execute the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute the second game in the non-favorable section set based on the end of the favorable section without executing the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect.

[0331] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 is configured to determine whether to transition from the second start state to the CZ state by lottery, so that the first game in the non - advantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed. Even when it is determined not to execute the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect, it is possible to suppress giving the player a sense of discomfort about the fact that the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect are not executed. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the commercial value of the gaming machine due to the player discriminating whether the section controlled by the AT control means 170 is a non - advantageous section or an advantageous section and discriminating the information of the gaming machine.

[0332] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute the reel rotation start freeze and the CZ start suggestion effect when the first game in the non - advantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed, but it is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute an effect using an effect device such as a lamp controlled by the main effect control means 500 when the first game in the non - advantageous section set based on the end of the advantageous section is executed, or may be configured not to execute an effect using the effect device 400 connected to the sub - control board 20.

[0333] That is, the slot machine 1 may be composed of an effect using an effect device such as a lamp controlled by the main effect control means 500 for the specific effect, the effect in the first specific effect control, and the effect in the second specific effect control. The specific content of the effect and the control means for executing the effect are not limited to the present embodiment.

[0334] The slot machine 1 is able to perform effects that suggest a transition to a state advantageous to the player without delaying the progress of the game by various freezes, including a reel rotation start freeze, in the specific effects, the effects in the first specific effects control, and the effects in the second specific effects control, thereby improving the player's interest in the effects.

[0335] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a result animation from the time the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop in the last game in which the AT state ends until the start and end of the next game. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a result animation when the last game in which the AT state ends begins, and then, in the first game played in the non-advantageous section after the AT state and advantageous section have ended, to execute a CZ start preparation suggestion animation by displaying a message such as "Preparing" on the display device 410, indicating that preparations for a CZ start suggestion animation are underway.

[0336] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main performance control means 500 is configured to initialize the reel rotation start freeze execution flag and set it to OFF based on the fact that when the reel rotation start freeze execution flag is set to ON, the game transitions to an advantageous section and transitions from the second starting state to the CZ state after one game is played. However, the timing for initializing the reel rotation start freeze execution flag that has been set to ON may be any timing after the game that transitions from the second starting state to the CZ state has been played. For example, it may be at the timing when the advantageous section that started after the reel rotation start freeze execution flag was set to ON ends.

[0337] If the slot machine 1 is configured to initialize the reel rotation start freeze execution flag, which is set to the ON state, at the timing when the advantageous period that started after the reel rotation start freeze execution flag was set to the ON state ends, then the slot machine 1 can also initialize the reel rotation start freeze execution flag in a predetermined initialization process based on the end of the advantageous period, and the process related to the initialization of the reel rotation start freeze execution flag can be executed with a simple control program, thereby reducing the program size.

[0338] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a setting value that can change the probability of winning in the internal lottery as a measure of the degree of advantage in the game, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery does not change regardless of whether it is set to setting 1 to setting 6, and the degree of advantage in the game can be changed by the setting value by making it possible to change the probability of winning in the various lotteries by the AT control means 170 (various lotteries related to instruction functions such as CZ lottery, normal AT lottery, CZ AT lottery, etc., and lotteries related to instruction functions such as bonus lottery, etc.) according to the setting value.

[0339] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a game with a two-coin bet is played, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the upper limit of the number of payouts to one, so that regardless of the number of coins that are paid out for the winning combination, one coin is paid out. However, the machine is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, so that when a game with a two-coin bet is played, the payout for all of the winning combinations from combination 1 to combination 10 is set to one coin, so that one electronic token is paid out when a game with a two-coin bet is played.

[0340] With this configuration, slot machine 1 does not need to perform a process to set an upper limit on the number of payouts (upper limit setting process) in order to pay out 1 coin when a small win occurs in the RBB state where the prescribed number is set to 2 coins. Therefore, the amount of data required for the program to perform the upper limit setting process for the number of payouts can be reduced.

[0341] In this configuration, the slot machine 1 must be configured such that, in the RBB state, the payout for a small win that differs between a 3-coin bet and a 2-coin bet, can be won by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in a predetermined manner when a win occurs in a predetermined winning area.

[0342] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have a medal count control means 300 of a medal count control CPU 31 as a management control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU, and a main control CPU 11 as a game control means that controls games played using electronic medals, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured without a medal count control board 30, and the various functions mounted on the medal count control board 30 may be realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 functions as a management control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU.

[0343] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period when, for example, the expected value of acquiring electronic medals becomes 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles.

[0344] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and multiple stop buttons, from stop buttons B1 to stop buttons B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. However, it is not limited to this, and may also have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0345] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of electronic tokens, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one electronic token in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0346] In this configuration, slot machine 1 may be configured to start playing regardless of whether the number of electronic tokens inserted is set to a first predetermined number or a second predetermined number, for a predetermined number of tokens in the non-RT state or RBB internal state. In this configuration, slot machine 1 may be configured to set the first predetermined number of electronic tokens inserted when the max bet button MB is operated, and to set the second predetermined number of electronic tokens inserted when the single bet button is operated twice, when the game state is the non-RT state or RBB internal state.

[0347] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured as a so-called medalless gaming machine that records game value by an electromagnetic method, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to accept medals, which serve as a physical medium for game value, and to be configured to dispense the medals using a hopper unit when paying out. In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to credit up to 50 medals for each inserted medal. Also in this configuration, the AT control means 170 terminates the advantageous period when 4000 games have been played since the start of the advantageous period.

[0348] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set initial values ​​for the stored values ​​of each counter and storage means, and to perform decrement updates that subtract 1 each time a game is played, or increment updates that add 1 each time a game is played. However, the method for updating each counter and storage means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0349] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 120 Internal drawing method 170 AT control means (control means) B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 Middle Reel R3 Right reel

Claims

1. Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, It includes control means for controlling non-advantageous periods and advantageous periods, When the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is played and a transition to the advantageous period is determined, the first specific performance control can be executed. When the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is executed, and it is determined that the non-advantageous period will continue, the second specific performance control can be executed. In the second specific performance control, a performance is executed that is identical in nature to the performance in the first specific performance control, or a performance that mimics the performance in the first specific performance control. If, after the execution of the second specific performance control, a transition to the advantageous section is determined during gameplay in the non-advantageous section, the first specific performance control is not executed. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

2. Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, It includes control means for controlling non-advantageous periods and advantageous periods, When the first game in the non-advantageous period, which is set based on the end of the advantageous period, is played, a specific performance can be executed. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

Images