Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that can perform effective presentations. [Solution] The system enables the execution of a prize-winning assistance effect that notifies the order of operations for stopping the reels by displaying multiple navigation number indicators on the display device, and a CZ special symbol effect that displays multiple special symbols on the display device. When both navigation number indicators and special symbols are displayed, in the left and right areas of the display area of ​​the display device, the navigation number indicators and special symbols are displayed so that they fit within the area, and in the middle area, the navigation number indicators and special symbols are displayed at different positions on the center line of the width of the middle reel, and are displayed so that they fit within the area.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (rotary gaming machines, slot machines) having a plurality of reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheral surfaces have been known. This type of gaming machine assigns a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and conducts a game to obtain such a gaming value. In addition, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the start operation of the game by the player, and controls the stopping of the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the stop operation of the player. The result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the effective 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 recent years, by executing a winning assistance effect that notifies the operation order of the stop operation and assists in winning a role under predetermined conditions, the winning probability of the role is varied, and an assist time game that makes it easier to obtain gaming media such as medals in a gaming section where the winning assistance effect can be executed has been well received (see 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 a gaming machine capable of executing an assist time game, it is desired to perform an effective effect without giving the player a misunderstanding in the winning assistance effect.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can perform effective presentations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels including a left reel, a middle reel, and a right reel; reel control means that rotates the plurality of reels for each game and controls the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop operation when a stop operation is triggered; and performance control means that controls the execution of a game assistance performance that notifies the order of stop operations by displaying a plurality of operation order indicators on a display device, and a specific performance that displays a plurality of specific indicators on the display device, wherein the operation order indicators and the specific indicators are indicators that display numbers, a display area of ​​the display device is provided above the plurality of reels, the middle area is defined as the width of the middle reel within the display area, the left area is defined as the display area to the left of the middle area within the display area, and the middle area is defined as the width of the middle reel within the display area The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which the display area to the right of the reel is designated as the right area, and the performance control means causes the operation sequence indicator to be displayed in the left area, the middle area, and the right area in the game assistance performance, and the specific indicator to be displayed in the left area, the middle area, and the right area in the specific performance, and when both the operation sequence indicator and the specific indicator are displayed, one operation sequence indicator and the specific indicator are displayed so as to fit within the left area, and another operation sequence indicator and the specific indicator are displayed so as to fit within the right area, and in the middle area, the operation sequence indicator and the specific indicator are displayed at different positions on the center line of the width of the middle reel and so as to fit within the middle area.

[0008] In this invention, a game assistance feature is implemented that notifies the sequence of operations for stopping by displaying multiple operation sequence indicators on the display device, and a specific feature is implemented that displays multiple specific indicators on the display device, with the operation sequence indicators and specific indicators being displays that show numbers. Furthermore, in the game assistance feature of this invention, the operation sequence indicators are displayed so as to fit within the left area, middle area, and right area of ​​the display area of ​​the display device, making the correspondence between the reels and the operation sequence indicators easy to understand.

[0009] Furthermore, in this invention, when both the operation sequence indicator and the specific indicator are displayed, they are displayed so that they fit within their respective areas. This makes it possible to perform specific effects while minimizing the risk of the player misinterpreting the order of operations based on the numbers displayed by the specific indicator, thus enabling effective effects.

[0010] (2) In the gaming machine of the present invention, when the performance control means displays both the operation sequence display and the specific display, in the left area, the centers of the operation sequence display and the specific display may be located at a position different from the center line of the width of the left reel and displayed at different positions from each other, and in the right area, the centers of the operation sequence display and the specific display may be located at a position different from the center line of the width of the right reel and displayed at different positions from each other.

[0011] In this way, the operation sequence indicators and specific indicators can be displayed in the left and right areas without overlapping, making the operation sequence indicators easier to recognize and enabling more effective presentation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [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 perspective view showing the internal configuration of the housing of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]It is a diagram for explaining the functional blocks of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the winning modes of minor winning combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the winning modes of replay in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol arrangements on the reels in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the order of pressing the stop button and the winning combination in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the order of pressing the stop button and the winning combination in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the winning combination and the symbol combination in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the winning combination and the symbol combination in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the winning combination and the symbol combination in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the winning combination and the symbol combination in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a transition diagram of the game states in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] [[ID=3...]]It is a transition diagram of the production states in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a transition diagram of the game sections in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the continuous scenario and the AT mode in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] It is a diagram for explaining various lotteries according to the AT mode in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19]It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] It is a flowchart showing an example of game progress processing in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] It is a flowchart showing an example of special symbol production processing in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] It is a figure showing an example of a production image in a gaming machine according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] 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.

[0014] 1. Configuration Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a type of gaming machine that uses tokens as the game medium, and is commonly known as a slot machine or reel-type gaming machine.

[0016] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 to a third reel R3 (multiple reels) within a box-shaped enclosure consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. Below the reel unit storage space PS inside the storage box BX is a power supply unit EU, which incorporates a power supply and is equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button BS, as well as a hopper unit HP, which serves as a medal dispensing device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals used in the game, a dispensing motor consisting of a stepping motor (not shown), and a rotating disc (not shown) pivotally supported by the dispensing motor. The rotating disc is driven to rotate by the dispensing motor, allowing medals to be dispensed one at a time. Furthermore, when the amount of medals stored in the medal storage tank MT reaches a certain level, the hopper unit HP sends the excess medals to the cash box CB. Furthermore, within the casing of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main board MAIN is mounted above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-board SUB is mounted to the side of the reel unit storage space PS. These control boards (main board MAIN, sub-board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of calculation means), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., to control the operation of the gaming machine. In this embodiment, a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS are provided on the power supply unit EU, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main board MAIN.

[0017] The first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in Figure 1 are each divided into 20 regions (each region referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals on their outer surface, and one of several types of patterns is arranged in each frame. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are pivotally supported by a stepping motor (reel driving means: not shown) and are rotationally driven around the axis of the stepping motor. By controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of the stepping motor's drive pulses, they are designed to be stopped in frame units (units of predetermined rotation angle and predetermined rotation amount). In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor rotates the first to third reels R1 to R3 in response to drive pulses supplied from the control board, and when a drive pulse for full-phase excitation is supplied from the control board, the rotation of the stepping motor stops, and the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as a result.

[0018] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are designed to open and close independently. The upper front door UD is equipped with a display window DW that allows observation of the rotation and stopped states of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. When the first reel R1 to the third 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 first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be observed from the front of the gaming machine through the display window DW.

[0019] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display position for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and the active line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of tokens required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of tokens, is set to 3, and when tokens equivalent to the prescribed number of tokens are inserted, the active line L1, which consists of the middle position of the first reel R1 (an example of the left reel), the middle position of the second reel R2 (an example of the middle reel), and the lower position of the third reel R3 (an example of the right reel), is activated.

[0020] The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop on the active lines in the display window DW. If the combination of symbols on the active lines corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the winning combination is considered to have been achieved, and medals are dispensed from the hopper unit HP.

[0021] The upper front door UD is equipped with a game information display unit DS and a section indicator SEC. The game information display unit DS consists of LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or acquired in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or acquired in BB state. The section indicator SEC indicates whether or not the player is in a favorable section by turning its built-in LEDs on and off.

[0022] Furthermore, the upper front door UD is equipped with a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying game effects. This LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist or enhance the gameplay. In addition, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, multiple speakers SP are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD for displaying game effects. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0023] Furthermore, the lower front door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a bet button (insertion means) B0 for inserting credited (stored) tokens, a start lever (game start means) SL for initiating the game by rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and stop buttons (stopping means) B1 to B3 for initiating the game by stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors.

[0024] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state where rotation control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 can be started. When the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving the stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using random values. Once the rotation speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, the operation of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (activated).

[0025] Subsequently, when the player presses stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a continuity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are activated, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0026] Furthermore, when the player releases stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the ON state to the OFF state.

[0027] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stopping position corresponding to the result of an internal lottery, based on the change in the reel stop signal state from the off state to the on state, which changes in response to the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0028] Furthermore, a medal payout slot MO and a medal receiving tray MP are provided at the bottom of the lower front door DD, and the number of medals corresponding to the game result are dispensed from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout slot MO to the medal receiving tray MP. When medals are dispensed according to the game result, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, some or all of the dispensed medals are credited up to the credit limit (50 medals in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator, which consists of a 7-segment display on the game information display unit DS, is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

[0029] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to this embodiment.

[0030] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a gaming control means (main board MAIN and sub-board SUB) 100. The gaming control means 100 is powered by the operation of the power switch ES, which supplies power from the power supply unit EU, and receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260. It performs various calculations to execute the game and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and an audio device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the gaming control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, and software consisting of a given program pre-stored in ROM, etc.

[0031] The game control means 100 includes a setting change means 103, an input reception 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 replay processing means 160, a game state control means 170, an AT control means 175, a performance control means 180, a game information storage means 190a, and a performance information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, the input reception means 105, the random number generation means 110, the internal lottery means 120, the reel control means 130, the prize determination means 140, the payout control means 150, the replay processing means 160, the game state control means 170, and the AT control means 175 are implemented by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the performance control means 180 is implemented by the CPU of the sub-board SUB executing various programs. Furthermore, the game information storage means 190a is composed of the main ROM and main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the performance information storage means 190b is composed of the sub ROM and sub RAM mounted on the sub board SUB. In addition, various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub board SUB are stored in the sub ROM of the performance information storage means 190b.

[0032] The setting change means 103 controls the change of setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on, it is possible to switch between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting key is turned clockwise from the initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. When the power switch ES is activated in this state and power is supplied from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the game machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, it is possible to select a setting value from six setting values ​​from setting 1 to setting 6, and the probability of winning the internal lottery changes so that the expected value of the payout rate increases from setting 1 to setting 6. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of setting 1 < setting 2 < setting 3 < setting 4 < setting 5 < setting 6.

[0033] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, when the setting change button BS is pressed, the setting change switch 260 is activated. The setting change means 103 receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260 and changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... setting 6 → setting 1 → ... and confirms the setting value based on the game start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the start lever SL is pressed. The confirmed setting value is then stored in the setting value storage area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 is changed to the off state by returning the setting key inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS to its initial position, thereby transitioning from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0034] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in its initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the fact that the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 is off. In this embodiment, in game mode, the game can be played, but the setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in setting change mode, the setting values ​​can be changed, but the game cannot be played.

[0035] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs initialization processing to initialize the information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, the information stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915, the game state storage area 1916, the performance state storage area 1918, the common bell counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1920, the AT game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the win judgment counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization processing in the setting change mode. More specifically, the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, excluding the lottery flag storage area 1915, game state storage area 1916, performance state storage area 1918, common bell counter 1919, CZ game count counter 1920, AT game count counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and win judgment counter 1924, is designated as an information retention area, and the information stored in the storage areas other than the information retention area of ​​the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914 are designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0036] The coin insertion receiving means 105 accepts the insertion of coins for each game and, based on the insertion of a prescribed number of coins (3 coins), performs a process to activate the game start operation on the start lever SL (game start operation means). In this embodiment of the game machine, the first press of the start lever SL, which has been activated based on the insertion of a prescribed number of coins, is accepted as the game start operation, which triggers the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also triggers the execution of an internal lottery.

[0037] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, when a medal is inserted into the medal slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is activated, and the insertion reception means 105 sets the inserted medals to the inserted state, up to a predetermined number. In this embodiment of the gaming machine, the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a can store (store) up to 50 medals as credits. When the bet button B0 is pressed while medals are stored as credits in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is activated, and the insertion reception means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to the inserted state, up to a predetermined number.

[0038] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for drawing lots. The random numbers can be generated, for example, by a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535 without repetition within one cycle. In this embodiment, "random numbers" include 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.

[0039] 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 from a start switch 230 which is activated by a game start operation on the start lever SL (the first pressing operation on the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like.

[0040] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a will be used to perform the internal lottery. In the game machine of this embodiment, three types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 3) as shown in Figure 4 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replays, small wins, and bonuses, as well as misses (failures), are associated with each of the multiple random values ​​(for example, 65,536 random values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, for each of the six setting values, three types of internal lottery tables are prepared, and the probability of obtaining some winning patterns in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between roles and random values ​​is set so that the expected value of the payout rate increases as the setting value increases.

[0041] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, there are 27 minor roles, and as shown in Figure 5, the following are set as winning patterns for the minor roles: batting order bell group a (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6), common bell, strong cherry, batting order 1-coin role a to batting order 1-coin role d, common 1-coin role, JAC1, and JAC2.

[0042] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays 1 to 5 are provided, and as shown in Figure 6, the winning patterns for replays are set as weak cherry, watermelon, chance symbols a to c, normal replay a, and normal replay b.

[0043] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the probability of winning a minor role is the same in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, the probability of winning a replay is higher in internal lottery table 2 than in internal lottery table 1, replays are not included in the lottery in internal lottery table 3, and the lottery method for minor roles in internal lottery table 3 is different from that of internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning a minor role is higher in internal lottery table 3 than in internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0044] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a Big Bonus (BB) is provided as a bonus, and the Big Bonus (BB) is subject to drawing in the internal drawing table 1.

[0045] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game state can be set to normal state, BB established state, and BB state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 3 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used for internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0046] In this embodiment, the probability of winning a replay does not change depending on the setting value, but the probability of winning some types of bonuses and small wins changes depending on the setting value. As the setting value increases, the probability of winning the common single-coin win (common single-coin win + BB in the normal state) decreases, while the probability of winning the common bell increases. However, in this embodiment, the total amount of random values ​​assigned to the common single-coin win (common single-coin win + BB in the normal state) and the common bell remains the same regardless of the setting value.

[0047] In the random number determination process, based on the start signal from the start switch 230, a random number value (random number for drawing) is obtained from the random number generation means 110 for each game, and the internal drawing table stored in the main drawing table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a is referenced to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the obtained random number value.

[0048] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning role is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to a winning state (second flag state, on state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, if two or more roles are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more roles that were won simultaneously is set to a winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0049] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, there are two types of lottery flags: one that allows the winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flag), and another that resets to a non-winning state regardless of whether a win is achieved, without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games (carry-over non-flag). The former carry-over flag is associated with the Big Bonus (BB), while the latter carry-over non-flag is associated with the Small Win and Replay. In the lottery flag setting process, for example, if a Big Bonus (BB) is won in the internal lottery, the winning state of the Big Bonus (BB) lottery flag is carried over until a Big Bonus (BB) is achieved. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine the win or loss of Small Wins and Replays, even in games where the winning state of the Big Bonus (BB) lottery flag has been carried over. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the winning state of the bonus lottery flag associated with the carryover flag has been carried over, if a small win or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of wins, consisting of the bonus lottery flag that has already been won and the small win or replay lottery flag that was won in the internal lottery, are set to the winning state.

[0050] The reel control means 130, based on a start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start playing, starts the rotation drive of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 with a stepping motor, and controls the operation to enable the stopping operation by pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reels that are rotating steadily at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute), and also controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, which are being rotated by the stepping motor, in a manner corresponding to the setting state of the lottery flag (result of the internal lottery).

[0051] Then, when the stop operation for stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130, upon activation of the stop switch 240 by the player pressing stop buttons B1 to B3, supplies a drive pulse for full-phase excitation to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240, thereby controlling the stopping of each reel from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3.

[0052] In other words, the reel control means 130 determines the stopping position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 each time a stop button B1 to B3 is pressed, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stopping position. In this embodiment of the gaming machine, pressing stop button B1 corresponds to the operation to stop the first reel R1, pressing stop button B2 corresponds to the operation to stop the second reel R2, and pressing stop button B3 corresponds to the operation to stop the third reel R3. In other words, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, if the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed changes, the stopping order of the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 changes. Also, in this embodiment, if necessary, the stopping operation that stops the first reel among the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 may be referred to as the first stop operation, the stopping operation that stops the second reel as the second stop operation, and the stopping operation that stops the last reel as the third stop operation.

[0053] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button stops within 190ms from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. When stopping the rotating reels within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each rotating reel is determined within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range) from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. The reel control means 130 controls the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button so that, on the outer surface of the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button, if the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames relative to the display position on the active line at the time the stop button is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the active line.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", bar symbol 1 "BAR1", bar symbol 2 "BAR2", special symbol "SP", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol 1 "BL1", bell symbol 2 "BL2", cherry symbol "CH", and watermelon symbol "WM" are arranged on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 that constitute the reel unit 310. When drawing symbols that are within 4 frames from the press detection position onto the active line, symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less on the outer circumferential surface of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position (an example of an operation detection position), which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time when the stop button is pressed). In this embodiment, the press detection position is the upper display position of each reel.

[0055] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 which is a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 can monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (number of rotation steps of the rotation axis of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the number of frames detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 each time the reel rotates once. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle of the reel from the reference position.

[0056] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0057] In the stop control table, the correspondence between the pressed position (the position of the reels at the time the stop switch 240 is activated, or the time the stop button is pressed) and the actual stop position is set according to the setting of the lottery flag. In addition, the stop control table may also set a correspondence between the pressed position and the number of sliding frames, which indicates the amount of rotation from the pressed position to the actual stop position, according to the setting of the lottery flag.

[0058] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, priority is set for small wins, replays, and bonuses in the order of "replay > bonus" and "small win > bonus," and the stop control table is set so that a stop position including the symbols that constitute the winning pattern of the highest priority win is selected according to the priority assigned to each win.

[0059] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when multiple types of small wins are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are two cases in which the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line to indicate a winning form (number priority control), and the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on the predetermined payout for the small win (payout priority control). When the stop position is set according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line to indicate a winning form, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position that allows for a larger number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line to indicate a winning form is given priority. When the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position that allows for a larger number of medals paid out based on the payout for the small win corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the active line (a stop position that allows for the winning of a small win with a high payout) is given priority. However, when the stopping position is set according to the number of medals dispensed, if there are multiple stopping positions with the same number of medals dispensed, the priority of each stopping position is treated as the same and the stopping position is set relative to the press detection position. Similarly, when the stopping position is set according to the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line, if there are multiple stopping positions with the same number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line, the priority of each stopping position is treated as the same and the stopping position is set relative to the press detection position.

[0060] Then, in the stop control table that is referenced when a batting order bell belonging to either group a (batting order bell a3 to batting order bell a6) or group b (batting order bell b3 to batting order bell b6) is selected in the internal lottery, the correct batting order is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figure 8.

[0061] In the stop control table, which is referenced when any of the batting order bells are won, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 9-coin prize is awarded. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a different order than the correct batting order, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that there are cases where a 1-coin prize is awarded and cases where no prize is awarded (missed prize). In Figure 8, "1-coin prize (1 / 2)" means that there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning a 1-coin prize in that press order, and a 1 / 2 probability of missing a prize.

[0062] Furthermore, when a bell is won in each batting order, if the batting order is correct, the symbols that make up the winning combination of 9 coins are preferentially displayed on the active line due to payout priority control, and if the batting order is different from the correct batting order, the symbols that make up the winning combination of 1 coin are preferentially displayed on the active line due to quantity priority control, with the stop position set in each stop control table relative to the press detection position.

[0063] In this embodiment, for any batting order bell, the 9-coin prize can only be awarded when a Big Bonus (BB) is established. In the normal state, even if the stopping operation is performed according to the correct batting order corresponding to the winning batting order bell, the 1-coin prize will be awarded. In other words, when a Big Bonus (BB) is established, the stopping position can be determined by payout priority control or by quantity priority control depending on the order of the stopping operation. However, in the normal state, the stopping position is determined by quantity priority control regardless of the order of the stopping operation.

[0064] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when a common bell is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 6-coin small win is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation. In this embodiment, when a common bell is won, the type of 6-coin small win awarded differs depending on the order of the stop operation. In the press order that stops the first reel R1 first (press order 1, 2), small win 1 is awarded, and in the press order that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first (press order 3 to 6), small win 2 is awarded.

[0065] Furthermore, in the stop control table, which is referenced when one of the single-coin batting order combinations a to d is won in the internal lottery, as shown in Figure 9, for each single-coin batting order combination, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set such that in the press order where the first reel R1 is stopped first (batting order 1, 2), a single-coin combination is always awarded, and in the press order where the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first (batting order 3 to 6), there is a chance that a single-coin combination will be awarded, or that no combination will be awarded (a missed combination). Note that "single-coin combination (1 / 4)" in Figure 9 means that there is a 1 / 4 probability of winning a single-coin combination in that press order, and a 3 / 4 probability of a missed combination.

[0066] Furthermore, in the stop control table that is referenced when a common single-coin win occurs in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is set so that one of the single-coin wins will always be awarded.

[0067] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when a strong cherry is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the 3-coin small win, small win 11, is given priority over the 1-coin small win, small win 14. If the stop operation is performed in a manner that prevents the small win 11 from being won, small win 14 becomes possible to win, and if the stop operation is performed in a manner that prevents the winning of both small win 11 and small win 14, a loss of a winning combination occurs.

[0068] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when JAC1 is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is set so that at least one of the 9-coin small wins is guaranteed to occur. In the stop control table referenced when JAC2 is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is set so that at least one of the 1-coin small wins is guaranteed to occur.

[0069] Furthermore, for various replay winning patterns such as weak cherry, watermelon, chance pattern a to chance pattern c, normal replay a, and normal replay b, the stop control table referenced when each winning pattern is obtained has the stop position relative to the press detection position set such that one of the replays included in the winning pattern will always be awarded regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0070] Furthermore, regarding the Big Bonus (BB), it can only be awarded if it is won alone in the normal state. When a BB is established, there are no misses, and a minor role or replay with a higher priority than the Big Bonus (BB) is always awarded at the same time. Therefore, the stop control table is set to prevent the Big Bonus (BB) from being awarded by setting the stop position relative to the button press detection position.

[0071] 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 first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, it determines whether the combination of symbols displayed on the active line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is a predetermined winning combination. The prize determination table is prepared so that, as shown in Figures 10 to 13, it can determine whether a Big Bonus (BB), Replay 1 to Replay 5, and Small Win 1 to Small Win 27 have been achieved based on the combination of symbols displayed on the active line when each reel has stopped.

[0072] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, if a winning combination is achieved based on the result of the winning determination means 140, a winning process is executed. For example, if a minor winning combination is achieved, the payout control means 150 performs a medal payout process; if a replay is achieved, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process; and if a bonus is achieved, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process to change the game state.

[0073] The payout control means 150 performs payout control processing related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and controls the hopper unit HP (payout device) to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the determined payout.

[0074] The hopper unit HP dispenses the number of medals specified by the dispensing control means 150. The hopper unit HP is equipped with a dispensing medal detection switch 325 that operates each time a medal is dispensed, and the dispensing control means 150 is configured to manage the number of medals actually dispensed from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the dispensing medal detection switch 325.

[0075] If medal credit storage (storage storage) is permitted, instead of actually dispensing medals by the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed to virtually dispense medals by adding the number of payouts to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 of the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0076] The replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (re-play process) when a replay is awarded, which sets the machine to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any tokens they possess for the next game. In other words, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay is awarded, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a number of tokens equivalent to the prescribed number required to play the next game is automatically inserted without using the player's tokens (including credit tokens), and the machine waits for the next game start operation by pressing the start lever SL with the number of active lines corresponding to the prescribed number of tokens inserted set.

[0077] As shown in Figure 14, the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition process to transition the game state between the normal state, the BB (Big Bonus) established state, and the BB state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in the game state storage area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The conditions for transitioning game states may be 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 one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0078] The normal state is the initial state among several types of game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to the BB established state or the BB state. Specifically, if a Big Bonus (BB) is won in the normal state but the Big Bonus (BB) is not awarded, the game transitions to the BB established state, and if a Big Bonus (BB) is won in the normal state and the Big Bonus (BB) is awarded, the game transitions to the BB state. In the normal state, the internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 1, one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 or higher and the Big Bonus (BB) is set as the target of the lottery.

[0079] The BB (Big Bonus) state is a game state that is entered when, in the normal state, a Big Bonus (BB) is selected in the internal lottery but is not awarded. In this state, an internal lottery is conducted referring to Internal Lottery Table 2, one of the Internal Lottery Tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, where the probability of winning a replay is higher than that of Internal Lottery Table 1, so no misses (failures) occur, and the Big Bonus (BB) is excluded from the lottery.

[0080] Furthermore, in the Big Bonus (BB) state, the lottery flag corresponding to the Big Bonus (BB) remains in a winning state until the Big Bonus (BB) is awarded. In this embodiment, since the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the Big Bonus (BB) is not displayed on the active lines in the Big Bonus (BB) state, once the game state transitions to the Big Bonus (BB) state, it will not transition to the Big Bonus (BB) state again.

[0081] The BB state is a game state that is entered when a combination of symbols indicating a Big Bonus (BB) win is displayed on an active payline. Of the internal lottery tables 1 to 3 shown in Figure 4, internal lottery is performed by referring to internal lottery table 3, which has a different method of drawing small wins than internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2.

[0082] Furthermore, in the BB state, the game state control means 170 determines whether the termination condition has been met based on the total number of medals dispensed during gameplay in the BB state. If it is determined that more than a predetermined number of medals (for example, 22 medals) have been dispensed, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the count information regarding the number of medals dispensed in the BB state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0083] As shown in Figure 15, the AT control means 175 controls the change in the performance state among multiple types of performance states, including the initial performance state, the normal performance state, the CZ state (chance zone state), the first AT state (an example of a specific game section), and the second AT state. In this embodiment, when simply referred to as "AT state," it means that at least one of the "first AT state" and the "second AT state" is included.

[0084] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions, determines whether the conditions for ending the AT state are met based on the value of the AT game counter 1921, and controls the AT state to end when the conditions for ending the AT state are met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current performance state is stored in the performance state storage area 1918 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the player is in the CZ state or AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order (an example of operation instruction information) on the main display 300, which consists of a 7-segment display provided on the game information display unit DS, when a batting order bell is won, thereby providing correct batting order notification to assist in winning 9-coin small wins (small wins 3 to 10). Additionally, the performance control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order on the liquid crystal display LCD when a batting order bell is won, thereby providing a prize-winning assistance performance (an example of a game assistance performance) to assist in winning 9-coin small wins (small wins 3 to 10). This enables the player to play an assist time game (an example of an assistance game) in which it is easier to win medals than when playing in the initial performance state or normal performance state.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, the AT control means 175 allows setting a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantage section. In the normal section, the performance state is fixed to the initial performance state, and a lottery is held to determine transition to the advantage section. If the lottery for transitioning to the advantage section is won, the advantage section is started, and the performance state can be set to the AT state, provided that the player is in the advantage section. In this embodiment, of the multiple types of performance states, the initial performance state can only be set when the player is in the normal section, while the normal performance state, CZ state, first AT state, and second AT state can only be set when the player is in the advantage section.

[0086] The AT control means 175 then performs a lottery for transitioning to an advantageous section based on whether, during gameplay in the normal section, the game state is the normal state or the BB established state, the winning pattern obtained through internal lottery is one of the following: a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group a or batting order bell group b, a common bell, a batting order 1-coin combination a (batting order 1-coin combination a + BB in the normal state), a batting order 1-coin combination b (batting order 1-coin combination b + BB in the normal state), a batting order 1-coin combination c (batting order 1-coin combination c + BB in the normal state), a batting order 1-coin combination d (batting order 1-coin combination d + BB in the normal state), a common 1-coin combination (common 1-coin combination + BB in the normal state), a strong cherry, a weak cherry, a watermelon, a chance combination a to a chance combination c, or a normal replay a. In this embodiment, however, the lottery for transitioning to an advantageous section is not performed when a winning pattern is obtained in the normal state in which a Big Bonus (BB) is won alone, or when a winning pattern of normal replay b is obtained in the normal state or the BB established state.

[0087] In the advantageous section transition lottery, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the advantageous section transition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the advantageous section transition lottery has been won (advantageous section win) according to the comparison result. In the advantageous section transition lottery table, an advantageous section win is always assigned to the random number for the internal lottery that is associated with each winning pattern that triggers the execution of the advantageous section transition lottery. If the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the advantageous section transition lottery, and is also associated with an advantageous section win in the advantageous section transition lottery table, it is determined that the advantageous section transition lottery has been won. In this embodiment, when the advantageous section transition lottery is performed, an advantageous section win lottery result is always obtained, and if a winning pattern that triggers the execution of the advantageous section transition lottery is obtained, the system will always transition to the advantageous section. However, in the advantageous section transition lottery table, either an advantageous section win or a loss may be assigned to the random values ​​for internal lottery associated with each winning pattern that triggers the advantageous section transition lottery. If the lottery result is an advantageous section win, the system transitions to the advantageous section, and if the lottery result is a loss, the system does not transition to the advantageous section.

[0088] The AT control means 175, upon winning the advantageous section transition lottery in the normal section, performs the advantageous section transition process based on the fact that it has won the advantageous section transition lottery, and starts the advantageous section from the next game after the game in which the advantageous section transition lottery was won. In this embodiment, if the result of the advantageous section transition lottery is an advantageous section win, the performance state is transitioned to the normal performance state in the advantageous section transition process. Alternatively, there may be two or more types of winning patterns for the advantageous section transition lottery, and the advantageous section transition process may determine whether to transition the performance state to the normal performance state, the CZ state, the first AT state, or the second AT state.

[0089] The AT control means 175 then performs an AT lottery when the performance state is the normal performance state and the game state is the BB established state during the advantageous section. Specifically, when the game state is the BB established state, an AT lottery is performed based on whether one of the winning patterns of strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, or chance symbols a to c is obtained in the internal lottery. In this embodiment, the AT lottery is not performed when the game state is the normal state or the BB state, but the configuration may be such that the AT lottery can be performed in the normal state or the BB state.

[0090] In the AT lottery, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the AT lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the AT lottery has been won based on the comparison result. In the AT lottery table, the random number for the internal lottery, which is associated with the role that triggers the execution of the AT lottery, is assigned either an AT win or a loss. If the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with the role that triggers the execution of the AT lottery, and is also associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won.

[0091] Furthermore, the AT control means 175, when the performance state is either the normal performance state or the CZ state during the advantageous section, performs control to update the value of the common bell counter 1919 according to the manner of the stop operation in a game in which a common bell is won. Specifically, if the first stop operation in a game in which a common bell is won is to stop the first reel R1 first, the AT control means 175 performs an increment update by adding a fixed value to the value of the common bell counter 1919. On the other hand, if the first stop operation in a game in which a common bell is won is to stop the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, the value of the common bell counter 1919 is not updated. The update of the common bell counter 1919 may be performed triggered by the first stop operation, or by the second stop operation, the third stop operation, or when all reels have stopped.

[0092] The AT control means 175 also performs an AT lottery when it updates the value of the common bell counter 1919, if the updated value satisfies the lottery conditions. In this embodiment, it is determined that the lottery conditions are met when the value of the common bell counter 1919 is a multiple of 5. For the AT lottery performed based on the value of the common bell counter 1919, for example, a random value is obtained triggered by a first stop operation, and it is determined that the AT lottery has been won if the obtained random value is associated with an AT win. Alternatively, the success or failure of the AT lottery performed based on the value of the common bell counter 1919 may be determined using an internal lottery random value associated with a common bell win.

[0093] In this embodiment, since an opportunity to receive an AT lottery is also given by updating the value of the common bell counter 1919 in the normal performance state or the CZ state, it can be said that performing the stop operation in a manner that stops the first reel R1 first in the normal performance state is more advantageous than performing the stop operation in a manner that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first.

[0094] In this embodiment, if the result of the AT lottery in the normal performance state is an AT win, the AT control means 175 performs a process to transition the performance state from the normal performance state to the first AT state. Also, when the AT control means 175 transitions the performance state to the first AT state upon the end of the game based on the result of the AT win lottery, it sets a value of "50" corresponding to 50 game rounds in the AT game counter 1921.

[0095] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 performs a CZ lottery when the performance state is the normal performance state and the game state is the BB established state during the advantageous section. Specifically, the CZ lottery is performed based on the fact that the AT lottery, which is performed when one of the strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, or chance symbols a to c is won, is a miss. In this embodiment, the CZ lottery is not performed when the game state is the normal state or the BB state, but the configuration may be such that the CZ lottery can be performed in the normal state or the BB state.

[0096] In the CZ lottery, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the CZ lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the player has won the CZ lottery based on the comparison result. In the CZ lottery table, the random number obtained for the internal lottery is assigned either a CZ win or a loss, and if the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with a role that triggers the execution of the CZ lottery, and is also associated with a CZ win in the CZ lottery table, it is determined that the player has won the CZ lottery.

[0097] The AT control means 175 then performs a process to transition the performance state from the normal performance state to the CZ state if the result of the CZ lottery in the normal performance state is a CZ win. Also, when transitioning the performance state to the CZ state in a game in which a CZ win lottery result is obtained, it sets the CZ game counter 1920 to a value "7" which corresponds to 7 game rounds.

[0098] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 performs an AT lottery when the performance state is in the CZ state and the game state is in the BB established state during the advantageous section. Specifically, in the CZ state, an AT lottery is performed for all roles, including misses. In this embodiment, when a rare role (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, chance eye a to chance eye c) is won, the probability of winning is higher than when other roles, including misses, are won, and among the rare roles, the probability of winning is increased in the order of "weak cherry < watermelon < chance eye a to chance eye c < strong cherry".

[0099] In this embodiment, if the result of the AT lottery in the CZ state is an AT win, the AT control means 175 performs a process to transition the performance state from the CZ state to the first AT state. When transitioning the performance state to the first AT state in a game in which an AT win lottery result is obtained, the AT game counter 1921 is set to a value "50" which corresponds to 50 game rounds.

[0100] Furthermore, during the CZ state, a fixed value of "1," equivalent to one game, is subtracted from the CZ game counter value of 1920 each time a game is played. If the value of the CZ game counter 1920 reaches a threshold (for example, 0) without winning the AT lottery in the CZ state, it is determined that the conditions for ending the CZ state have been met, and the game state is returned from the CZ state to the normal game state.

[0101] In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to either batting order bell group a or batting order bell group b is selected during the CZ state, a correct batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance are performed to announce the correct batting order.

[0102] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 causes the assist time game to be played based on whether the performance state is the first AT state or the second AT state. In the first AT state, each time the assist time game is played, a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game is subtracted from the value of the AT game counter 1921. As will be described later, the number of games is not managed in the second AT state, so the AT game counter 1921 is not updated. In this embodiment, in the first AT state and the second AT state, when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a or batting order bell group b is won, a correct batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance are performed to notify the player of the correct batting order. In this embodiment, instructing the player on the operation method by notifying the player of the correct batting order corresponds to the instruction function.

[0103] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order for batting order bell group a, batting order bell group b, or common bell, the main display 300 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each correct batting order, and the main display 300 displays one of the operation instruction numbers "03" (batting order 3), "04" (batting order 4), "05" (batting order 5), or "06" (batting order 6) using a 7-segment display. If it is necessary to notify batting order 1 or batting order 2 during the advantageous section, "01" (batting order 1) and "02" (batting order 2) can be used as the 7-segment display modes on the main display 300.

[0104] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 performs a continuation scenario lottery at the start of the first AT state of the first set to determine the reference destination for control information related to the continuation of the first AT state, etc. In this embodiment, a total of 11 types of continuation scenario tables (examples of control scenarios) from scenario A to scenario K are prepared in the continuation scenario table storage area 1925 of the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and one continuation scenario table is determined by the continuation scenario lottery, and various controls related to the continuation of the first AT state are performed by referring to that continuation scenario table.

[0105] In the continuation scenario lottery, one of 256 random values ​​in the range of 0 to 255 is obtained when the game start operation is performed during the first game in the 1st AT state. The obtained random value is compared with the continuation scenario lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and one continuation scenario table is determined according to the comparison result. In the continuation scenario lottery table, the lottery probabilities for scenarios A to K are set in the manner shown in Figure 17(A). In this embodiment, the lottery probabilities are set such that the relationship is Scenario A > Scenario B > Scenario C > Scenario D, E > Scenario F, G, H > Scenario I > Scenario J, K.

[0106] In this embodiment, a total of five AT modes, from Mode A to Mode E, are provided as AT modes (an example of control information). In the continuation scenario table, as shown in Figure 17(B), the AT modes for the first AT state from the first set to the third set are set for each scenario.

[0107] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 refers to the continuation scenario table determined by the continuation scenario lottery and performs a judgment value lottery (an example of a specific lottery) to determine the judgment value of the victory judgment counter 1924 with a lottery probability corresponding to the AT mode of the current first AT state.

[0108] In the judgment value lottery, one of 256 random values ​​in the range of 0 to 255 is obtained when the game start operation is performed for the first game of each set of the first AT state. The obtained random value is compared with the judgment value lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and the judgment value for the win judgment counter 1924 is determined according to the comparison result. For the judgment value lottery table, data corresponding to each mode from Mode A to Mode E is prepared, and in the judgment value lottery table corresponding to each mode, the lottery probability of the judgment value is set in the manner shown in Figure 18(A). In this embodiment, "0", "15", "20", "25", and "29" are prepared as lottery targets for judgment values, and the lottery targets and the lottery probability for each lottery target are set according to the AT mode. The AT control means 175 then refers to the continuation scenario table determined in the continuation scenario lottery and performs a judgment value lottery using the judgment value lottery table corresponding to the AT mode in the current first AT state, and sets the judgment value selected by the lottery result in the win judgment counter 1924.

[0109] In this embodiment, a counter update interval is provided in the first AT state in which the value of the win determination counter 1924 is updated. The counter update interval begins after a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) have been played since the start of the first AT state. The AT control means 175 determines whether or not it is a counter update interval based on the value of the AT game count counter 1921. If the current game is in a counter update interval, a subtraction value corresponding to the result of an internal lottery is subtracted from the value of the win determination counter 1924. The subtraction value is predetermined in the range of 0 to 3 and corresponds to the winning pattern. In games where a winning pattern with a subtraction value of 0 is obtained, the value of the win determination counter 1924 does not change. In this embodiment, a subtraction value is associated with each winning pattern, but the subtraction value may be determined by lottery for each game.

[0110] In this embodiment, the counter update interval can continue until a predetermined number of games (for example, 30 times) have been played, and the counter update interval ends if the value of the victory judgment counter 1924 reaches the initial value "0" even if the predetermined number of games have not been played. The AT control means 175 determines whether the value of the victory judgment counter 1924 has reached the initial value "0" in a game belonging to the counter update interval of the first AT state, and if the value of the victory judgment counter 1924 has reached the initial value "0", it sets the victory flag (not shown) in the performance state memory area 1918 to the ON state. In this embodiment, if the victory flag is set to the ON state, it is determined that it is not a counter update interval. Note that if the AT mode is mode E, "0" is always selected in the judgment value lottery, so in this case the victory flag will be set in the game in which the counter update interval started. Also, in this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the setting of the victory flag to the ON state may be referred to as the establishment of the victory flag.

[0111] Furthermore, if the victory flag is not set to the ON state during the counter update interval (i.e., the victory flag is set to the OFF state), the AT control means 175 determines the end of the counter update interval based on the value of the AT game count counter 1921. If the value of the AT game count counter 1921 updated in each game of the first AT state is less than a predetermined value (for example, less than "10"), it determines that it is not a counter update interval.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the victory flag is not set to the ON state after the end of the counter update interval of the first AT state, an opportunity to set the victory flag to the ON state is given by lottery. The AT control means 175 executes a victory flag acquisition lottery (an example of a specific lottery) on the condition that the victory flag is not set to the ON state in a game in which the value of the AT game counter 1921 reaches a predetermined value (for example, "8").

[0113] In the victory flag acquisition lottery, when the value of the AT game counter 1921 reaches a predetermined value (for example, "8") in the first AT state, the third stop operation triggers the acquisition of one of 256 random values ​​in the range of 0 to 255. The acquired random value is compared with the victory flag acquisition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the victory flag acquisition lottery has been won based on the comparison result. For the victory flag acquisition lottery table, data corresponding to each mode from Mode A to Mode D is prepared, and the winning probability is set in the manner shown in Figure 18(B) for the victory flag acquisition lottery table corresponding to each mode. In this embodiment, the victory flag is always set to the ON state in Mode E, so the victory flag acquisition lottery is not executed. The AT control means 175 then refers to the continuation scenario table determined in the continuation scenario lottery and executes the victory flag acquisition lottery using the victory flag acquisition lottery table corresponding to the AT mode in the current first AT state. If successful, the victory flag in the performance state storage area 1918 is set to the ON state.

[0114] In this embodiment, when the value of the AT game counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0", it is determined that one set of the first AT state has met the termination conditions. When the AT control means 175 determines that one set of the first AT state has met the termination conditions, at the end of the first set and the end of the second set, if the victory flag is set to ON in the performance state memory area 1918, it controls the start of the next set of the first AT state. If the victory flag is set to OFF in the performance state memory area 1918, it controls the termination of the advantageous section along with the end of the current first AT state. Furthermore, at the end of the third set, even if the victory flag is set to ON in the performance state memory area 1918, if the completion flag, described later, is not set to ON in the performance state memory area 1918, the AT control means 175 controls the termination of the advantageous section along with the end of the current first AT state. In this embodiment, the first AT state can continue for a maximum of 3 sets in a series of advantageous sections, and the number of sets of the first AT state that have been performed in a series of advantageous sections is managed in the performance state memory area 1918. In particular, in this embodiment, if the victory flag is set to the ON state in the performance state memory area 1918 during the third set of the first AT state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery to acquire the completion flag during the last game of the third set of the first AT state. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, setting the completion flag to the ON state may be referred to as the establishment of the completion flag.

[0115] In the completion flag acquisition lottery, when the game start operation is performed during the last game in the first AT state of the third set, with the victory flag set to ON, one of 256 random values ​​in the range of 0 to 255 is obtained. The obtained random value is compared with the completion flag acquisition lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the completion flag acquisition lottery has been won according to the comparison result. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the completion flag acquisition lottery is constant (for example, 32 / 256) regardless of the setting value or the AT mode of the first AT state of the third set. However, the probability of winning the completion flag acquisition lottery does not have to be constant, such as when the probability of winning the completion flag acquisition lottery differs depending on the setting value or when the probability of winning the completion flag acquisition lottery differs depending on the AT mode of the first AT state of the third set.

[0116] The AT control means 175 then sets the completion flag (not shown) in the performance state memory area 1918 to the ON state based on the fact that the completion flag acquisition lottery has been won. In this embodiment, at the end of the third set of the first AT state (the end of the game when the value of the AT game counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0"), if the completion flag is set to the ON state in the performance state memory area 1918, the AT control means 175 controls the transition of the performance state to the second AT state. In this embodiment, the completion flag is set to the ON state by the completion flag acquisition lottery and the transition to the second AT state is made, but it may also be configured to transition to the second AT state after the end of the first AT state based on the establishment of the victory flag in the third set of the first AT state.

[0117] In this embodiment, the number of games played was managed in the first AT state, but in the second AT state, the number of games played was not managed, and the performance state was maintained in the second AT state until the termination condition of the advantageous section based on the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923, which will be described later, was met.

[0118] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the first clear counter 1922 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to a predetermined value "1" during the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, an increment update is performed by adding a fixed value (for example, 1) corresponding to one game to the value of the first clear counter 1922 each time a game is played. When the value of the first clear counter 1922 exceeds a threshold (for example, 1500) (when the value of the first clear counter 1922 reaches "1501"), it is determined that the conditions for ending the advantageous section have been met. In this embodiment, the update of the first clear counter 1922 is performed after all the spinning reels in each game have stopped. However, the update of the first clear counter 1922 may be performed at any trigger, as long as it is predetermined for each game. For example, the game start operation on the start lever SL may be used as the trigger for the update.

[0119] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 sets the value of the second clear counter 1923 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a to the initial value "0" during the advantageous section transition process. In the advantageous section, the value of the second clear counter 1923 is updated by the difference in the number of medals in each game. The value corresponding to the number of medals paid out (for example, "9" if 9 medals were paid out, and "0" if no winning combinations were achieved) is subtracted by the value "3" corresponding to the number of medals inserted into the game (3 medals) to obtain the calculation result of the difference in the number of medals in that game. This calculation result is then added to the value of the second clear counter 1923 in an update process. The AT control means 175 also determines that the conditions for ending the advantageous section have been met if the value of the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold (for example, 2400). Furthermore, the value of the second clear counter 1923 is controlled so that it does not fall below the initial value "0". For example, if the value of the second clear counter 1923 at the start of the game is "2", and as a result of playing the game, no winning combinations are achieved and no medals are paid out, the calculation result of the difference in medals for that game will be "-3". Adding this calculation result to the value of the second clear counter 1923 would result in a value below the initial value "0". However, the updated value of the second clear counter 1923 is set to the initial value "0" as the lower limit for counting. In addition, if a replay is achieved during the game, the game in which the replay was achieved is treated as if a medal equivalent to the prescribed number of medals for that game was paid out, and the difference in medals is calculated accordingly. For the next game, which is provided free of charge due to the replay, even if no actual medals are inserted, it is treated as if a medal equivalent to the prescribed number of medals for that game was inserted, and the difference in medals is calculated accordingly.

[0120] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 also determines that the conditions for the termination of the advantageous section have been met if the conditions for the termination of the advantageous section have been met at the end of the first AT state, in other words, at the end of the game when the value of the AT game counter 1921 returns to its initial value of "0". In this embodiment, for the first and second sets of the first AT state, the conditions for the termination of the advantageous section are determined to be met if the victory flag in the performance state memory area 1918 is not set to the ON state (i.e., the victory flag is in the OFF state), and for the third set of the first AT state, the conditions for the termination of the advantageous section are determined to be met if the completion flag in the performance state memory area 1918 is not set to the ON state (i.e., the completion flag is in the OFF state).

[0121] In this embodiment, the advantageous section ends when the first AT state ends and the arbitrary termination condition for the advantageous section is met. However, even if the first AT state ends and the victory flag (1st and 2nd sets) or completion flag (3rd set) is not met, the advantageous section may be maintained as long as the termination conditions for the advantageous section associated with the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 are not met. In this case, since the advantageous section continues even after the end of the first AT state, there may be cases where the player remains in the advantageous section even when the performance state transitions from the first AT state to a different performance state (for example, the normal performance state).

[0122] Furthermore, during the advantageous period, unless the conditions for ending the advantageous period are met, the first clear counter 1922 and the second clear counter 1923 will be updated even if a transition occurs in the game state or performance state.

[0123] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 performs initialization processing to initialize the information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a based on the end of the advantageous period. In particular, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190, the information stored in the performance state storage area 1918, the common bell counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1920, the AT game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the victory judgment counter 1924 is initialized by the initialization processing that accompanies the end of the advantageous period. More specifically, storage areas other than the performance state storage area 1918, the common bell counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1920, the AT game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, the second clear counter 1923, and the victory judgment counter 1924 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information holding areas, and the information stored in storage areas other than the information holding areas of the main RAM is initialized. Therefore, when initialization processing is performed due to the end of the advantageous period, unlike when initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, in addition to the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914, the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game state storage area 1916 are also designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization processing due to the end of the advantageous period. When initialization processing is performed due to the end of the advantageous period, the performance state is initialized to the initial performance state, and the values ​​of the common bell counter 1919, CZ game count counter 1920, AT game count counter 1921, 1st clear counter 1922, 2nd clear counter 1923, and victory judgment counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0), and the game returns to the normal period. If the performance state storage area 1918 is initialized, the victory flag and completion flag mentioned above are reset to the off state.

[0124] In this embodiment, an initialization process is performed upon the end of the advantageous period to return to the normal period. Therefore, if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold while in the AT state, the AT state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process upon the end of the advantageous period, the performance state is initialized to the initial performance state, and the values ​​of the common bell counter 1919, CZ game counter 1920, AT game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and victory judgment counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). Furthermore, if the value of the first clear counter 1922 or the second clear counter 1923 exceeds a threshold while in any other performance state, the current performance state is forcibly terminated by the initialization process accompanying the end of the advantageous section, and the performance state is initialized to the initial performance state. At the same time, the values ​​of the common bell counter 1919, CZ game counter 1920, AT game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and victory judgment counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). In this embodiment, the performance state is not initialized by turning the power on / off, but if the system is started in setting change mode and initialization processing is performed in setting change mode, the performance state is initialized to the initial performance state, and the values ​​of the common bell counter 1919, CZ game counter 1920, AT game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, second clear counter 1923, and victory judgment counter 1924 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0). Furthermore, if the performance state memory area 1918 is initialized, the victory flag and completion flag mentioned earlier will be reset to the off state.

[0125] Furthermore, the AT control means 175 lights up an LED built into the section indicator SEC to indicate that the user is in the advantageous section when the advantageous section has started, and controls the LED built into the section indicator SEC to turn off when the advantageous section has ended. In this embodiment, the LED built into the section indicator SEC is turned off during the normal section, so it is possible to determine whether or not the user is in the advantageous section by checking the lighting status of the section indicator SEC.

[0126] In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 starts or ends an advantageous section notification, which is a notification that the player is staying in an advantageous section, based on the value of the first clear counter 1922. For example, when a predetermined value "1" is set in the first clear counter 1922 as the player transitions to an advantageous section, the advantageous section notification is started based on the fact that the value of the first clear counter 1922 has become greater than the initial value "0" (the value of the first clear counter 1922 is not the initial value "0"). When the advantageous section ends and the player transitions to a normal section, the value of the first clear counter 1922 is initialized to the initial value "0", the advantageous section notification is ended based on the fact that the value of the first clear counter 1922 has become the initial value "0".

[0127] The section indicator SEC does not need to be provided exclusively as in this embodiment, and may be used in conjunction with the main indicator 300. For example, the presence or absence of a player in a favorable section may be indicated by switching the illumination of the dot display section that displays decimal points on a 7-segment display, with the dot display section being off during normal sections and illuminated during favorable sections to indicate that the player is in a favorable section. In addition, when a favorable section begins, an LED built into the section indicator SEC lights up to immediately indicate that the player is in a favorable section. However, the period from the start of the favorable section until a predetermined number of games have been played may be designated as a non-notification period where the player is not notified that they are in a favorable section, or until the first correct play order notification in the favorable section is performed.

[0128] The performance control means 180 controls display performances performed using the display device 330 (an example of a performance device) and sound performances performed using the sound device 340 (an example of a performance device) based on performance data stored in the performance data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as inserting medals, operations on the bet button B0, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and changes in the game state, it controls the execution of performances to enhance or assist the game according to the progress of the game by lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, changing the display content of the liquid crystal display LCD, or outputting sound from the speaker SP. The content of the performances to be performed in the game is determined by referring to the performance lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the performance information storage means 190b, according to the game state, performance state, results of internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game is read from the sub-ROM's performance data storage area 1926 into an image buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1928 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD. Sound data corresponding to the progress of the game is read from the sub-ROM's performance data storage area 1926 into a sound buffer 1929 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1929 is output from the speaker SP.

[0129] The performance control means 170 then controls the display device 330 to execute a special symbol performance, which involves displaying a special symbol (an example of a specific display object) in a variable state and then stopping it, when the performance state is the normal performance state. In this embodiment, when a special symbol performance is performed, as shown in Figure 19(A), a liquid crystal display LCD, which is one type of display device 330, displays a special symbol (left) 401, a special symbol (center) 402, and a special symbol (right) 403. Each special symbol consists of the numbers "1" to "7" and the character corresponding to each number. Note that the special symbol may consist only of the number portion.

[0130] Furthermore, in the normal game state, the performance control means 180 causes the special symbols (left) 401, (center) 402, and (right) 403 to change and display as shown in Figure 19(B) while the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are rotating. In this embodiment, the special symbols (left) 401, (center) 402, and (right) each cycle in the order of "1" - "2" - "3" ... "7" - "1" ... and are displayed in a manner that scrolls from the top to the bottom of the display screen. In this embodiment, when the changing display is being performed, each special symbol is made semi-transparent to reduce its visibility.

[0131] The performance control means 180 controls the display to stop and display one of the special symbols (left) 401, special symbol (center) 402, and special symbol (right) 403 each time a reel (1st reel R1 to 3rd reel R3) stops, and when all reels have stopped, all special symbols are stopped and displayed as shown in Figure 19(A). In this embodiment, the special symbol (left) 401 is stopped and displayed in response to the first stop, the special symbol (center) 402 is stopped and displayed in response to the second stop, and the special symbol (right) 403 is stopped and displayed in response to the third stop. Alternatively, the special symbol (left) 401 may be stopped and displayed in response to the first stop, the special symbol (right) 403 in response to the second stop, and the special symbol (center) 402 in response to the third stop.

[0132] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the display device 330 to execute a special symbol performance called a CZ special symbol performance (an example of a specific performance), which displays special symbols in a predetermined manner, when the performance state is a CZ state. In the CZ special symbol performance, as shown in Figure 20(A), while the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are rotating, the special symbol (left) 401 and the special symbol (right) 403 are displayed in a stopped state, while the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed in a variable state. When the final stop operation is performed, the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed in a stopped state, as shown in Figures 20(B) and (C).

[0133] Specifically, when the game is started by pressing the start lever SL in the CZ state, the special symbols (left) 401 and (right) 403 will appear (stop), and the special symbol (center) 402 will begin to change.

[0134] Special symbols (left) 401 and (right) 403 are displayed in a sequence of identical special symbols (numbers) as shown in Figure 20(A). In addition, during the first to seventh rounds of the CZ state, the numbers of the special symbols that form a winning combination are incremented with each round in the order of "1" - "2" - "3" ... "7". For example, in the first round, "1" forms a winning combination, in the second round, "2" forms a winning combination, and in the seventh round, "7" forms a winning combination.

[0135] The special symbol (middle) 402 cycles through the sequence "1" - "2" - "3" ... "7" - "1" ... and is displayed in a variable manner, scrolling from the top to the bottom of the display screen. In this embodiment, when the variable display is in operation, the special symbol (middle) is made semi-transparent to reduce its visibility.

[0136] Then, when the special symbols (left) 401 and (right) 403 are in a ready position and the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed in a variable position, the performance control means 180 stops and displays the special symbol (center) 402 with the same special symbol (number) as the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403, as shown in Figure 20(B), if the result of the AT lottery for the game is an AT win, as shown in Figure 20(C), as the result of the AT lottery for the game is a loss, as the performance control means 180 stops and displays the special symbol (center) 402 with a special symbol (number) different from the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403.

[0137] Furthermore, when special symbols are displayed in a stopped state, the performance control means 180 manages the elapsed time since all reels stopped and all special symbols were displayed in a stopped state. When the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), it controls the display to an animation display of the character portion of each special symbol (an example of a specific display state), as shown in Figure 19(C). The animation display of the character portion of the special symbol is configured so that the displayed content loops at regular intervals. Note that the animation display of the special symbol may include not only the character portion but also the number portion, and the character portion may not be animated while only the number portion is animated. In this embodiment, the display state in which the special symbols are displayed in a stopped state is called "Stopped," the display state in which the special symbols are displayed in a variable state is called "Variable," and the display state in which the character portion of the special symbol is displayed in an animation is called "Loop Animation."

[0138] Furthermore, the performance control means 180, when the special symbol (left) 401, special symbol (center) 402, and special symbol (right) 403 are all stopped, allows a change in the display mode during the loop animation until the insertion of a specified number of medals is completed. After the insertion of a specified number of medals is completed, it maintains the display mode until the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 begins. In other words, in this embodiment, when the special symbol (left), special symbol (center), and special symbol (right) are all stopped, and when the special symbol (left), special symbol (center), and special symbol (right) are all in the loop animation, the display mode of each special symbol does not change depending on the insertion of medals (including insertion into the medal slot MI and insertion operation on the bet button B0) and the game start operation on the start lever SL. When the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 begins, the changing display of each special symbol begins. The start timing of the special symbol variation display (the timing at which the display mode is terminated when the special symbol variation display is performed) may be synchronized with the start of rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, or it may be during the acceleration sequence until the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 reach steady rotation. Furthermore, the sub-board SUB can receive a rotation start signal and the output signal of the first excitation pulse in the acceleration sequence from the reel unit, and start the special symbol variation display based on these signals.

[0139] In this embodiment, when all special symbols are stopped, the display mode is allowed to change to the loop animation until the insertion of a specified number of medals is completed. After the insertion of the specified number of medals is completed, the display mode of each special symbol is maintained until the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 begins. However, after all special symbols are stopped, the display mode may be allowed to change to the loop animation until the start lever SL is operated to start the game. Also, when all special symbols are in the loop animation, if any operation is performed (for example, an operation to settle credit medals, an operation on a performance button, etc.), the display mode of each special symbol may be changed back to stopped.

[0140] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 performs a performance determination process based on at least one of the results of the internal lottery and the AT lottery, and determines the control content for the special symbol performance and the CZ special symbol performance. As control content for the special symbol performance and the CZ special symbol performance, for example, in the special symbol performance, it determines whether or not to display the special symbols in a variable state, and if a variable state is displayed, it determines the target of the stop display, and in the CZ special symbol performance, it determines the special symbols to appear as special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403, and the special symbols to be stopped and displayed as special symbol (center) 402, etc. In this embodiment, the results of the internal lottery and the AT lottery can be suggested by the combination of numbers of special symbol (left) 401, special symbol (center) 402, and special symbol (right) 403 that were stopped and displayed after the variable state in the special symbol performance. For example, when a rare role (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, chance symbol a to chance symbol c) is won, the special symbol combination will stop and display as an even number (e.g., "2", "2", "2"), and when an AT is won, the special symbol combination will stop and display as an odd number (e.g., "1", "1", "1"). Also, if the game does not immediately transition to the AT state after an AT is won, but rather goes through a premonition state before announcing the AT win, the special symbol combination may stop and display as a special combination (for example, "3", "3", "7") during the gameplay from after the AT is won until the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner that confirms the AT win.

[0141] In the CZ special symbol display, the combination of numbers formed by the stopped special symbols (left) 401, (center) 402, and (right) 403 can suggest (or announce) the result of the AT lottery. For example, if the AT is won, the special symbols will stop and display a combination of identical numbers (such as "1", "1", "1" or "2", "2", "2"). If the AT lottery is unsuccessful, the special symbols will stop and display a combination different from the combination of identical numbers (a combination that is a near miss: such as "1", "2", "1" or "2", "3", "2").

[0142] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the sound device 340 to execute an award assistance performance that assists in winning 9-coin small wins (small wins 3 to small wins 10) by displaying multiple navigation number displays (an example of multiple operation order displays) when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a or batting order bell group b is won, in the performance state when the performance state is CZ state, the performance state is 1 AT state, and the performance state is 2 AT state.

[0143] In the prize-winning assistance presentation, as shown in Figure 20(A), the correct order of play is announced by displaying the following navigation number displays on the liquid crystal display (LCD): a first navigation number display (first navigation number image, operation order display showing the order of the stop operations) 501 indicating the first stop operation, a second navigation number display (second navigation number image, operation order display showing the order of the stop operations) 502 indicating the second stop operation, and a third navigation number display (third navigation number image, operation order display showing the order of the stop operations) 503 indicating the third stop operation. In this embodiment, the first navigation number display 501 to the third navigation number display 503 are composed of the numbers "1" to "3". The first navigation number display 501 displays the number "1", the second navigation number display 502 displays the number "2", and the third navigation number display 503 displays the number "3". These three types of navigation number displays are displayed in the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display LCD located above the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, at positions corresponding to the stop buttons B1 to B3, thereby indicating the correct order of operation for each stop button (correct hitting order). For example, in the example shown in Figure 20(A), the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) shows "1" as the first navigation digit display IMG1 at the position corresponding to stop button B2 (the lower center position in Figure 20(A)), "2" as the second navigation digit display IMG2 at the position corresponding to stop button B1 (the position to the left of the position corresponding to stop button B2 in Figure 20(A)), and "3" as the third navigation digit display IMG3 at the position corresponding to stop button B3 (the position to the right of the position corresponding to stop button B2 in Figure 20(A)). This indicates that the operation sequence for stop button B2 is 1st, the order in which stop button B1 is pressed is 2nd, and the operation sequence for stop button B3 is 3rd (i.e., the correct batting order is batting order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3)).

[0144] In this embodiment, when the performance state is the CZ state, both the special symbols and the navigation number display can be displayed, as shown in Figure 20(A).

[0145] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining count display performance, which displays the remaining number of games until the end of the first AT state on the display device 330, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), when the game is being played in the first AT state. In the remaining count display performance, when the value of the AT game counter 1921 is decreased by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games decreases to reflect that decrease.

[0146] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of an enemy count display performance, which displays the number of enemies corresponding to the judgment value determined by the judgment value lottery on the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The enemy count display performance is executed before the counter update section of the first AT state begins, and after the counter update section begins, the display content is changed so that the number of enemies decreases each time the value of the victory judgment counter 1924 is deducted, reflecting that deduction.

[0147] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 may execute a scenario suggestion performance according to the continuation scenario table in the first AT state, and may also execute a mode suggestion performance according to the current AT mode in each set of the first AT state. The scenario suggestion performance can be performed, for example, at the start of the first set of the first AT state, and the mode suggestion performance can be performed at the start of each set of the first AT state.

[0148] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of a common bell count display performance, which displays common bell count information corresponding to the value of the common bell counter 1919 on a display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) when the game is being played in the first AT state. In the common bell count display performance, if the display content of the common bell count information is updated due to a change in the value of the common bell counter 1919, the display content is updated with a predetermined effect. When initialization processing is performed due to the end of the advantageous section, the common bell count information can be hidden from the display device 330. Also, when initialization processing is performed due to the end of the advantageous section, the display area for displaying the common bell count information may be obscured (for example, by a shutter) so that it cannot be seen by the player. In addition, when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section, the common bell count display performance may display "0" as the common bell count information to indicate that it is the initial value.

[0149] Furthermore, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of a remaining count display performance, which displays the remaining number of games until the CZ state ends on the display device 330, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), when the game is being played in the CZ state. In the remaining count display performance, when the value of the CZ game counter 1920 is decreased by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of games decreases to reflect that decrease.

[0150] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the function of the computer can be realized by downloading a program that enables the computer to function as the game control means 100 of this embodiment from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD, or from a web server on the internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc., can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, etc.), touch panel, or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc., are not essential configuration requirements, and the functions of these device units can be virtually realized by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

[0151] 2. The method of this embodiment In the following sections, various control methods employed in the gaming machine of this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 21 and 22.

[0152] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the game progression process that takes place for each game, primarily on the main board (MAIN).

[0153] First, a token insertion acceptance process is performed to accept the tokens necessary to play the game (step S100). In the token insertion acceptance process, when the player inserts tokens into the token slot MI, the inserted tokens are set to the inserted state, and when the player presses the bet button B0, the bet switch 220 is activated, setting the tokens that have been pre-credited in the game machine to the inserted state. Also, if a replay was won in the previous game, the number of tokens required to play the current game is set to the inserted state without requiring any tokens from the player's hand. Once the prescribed number of tokens (for example, 3 tokens) set as the start condition for playing the game has been inserted (Y in step S101), the machine waits for the start lever SL to be pressed (step S102).

[0154] Then, when the player presses the start lever SL and the start switch 230 is activated (Y in step S102), an internal lottery is performed (step S103), and the supply of drive pulses to the step motors that drive the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is started, and the rotation drive of each reel begins (step S104). In the internal lottery, the random value obtained when the start switch 230 is activated is compared with an internal lottery table selected according to the game state to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved, and the flag of the winning combination is set to the winning state.

[0155] Then, when the rotation speed of each reel reaches a predetermined speed (Y in step S105), the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 is activated (step S106), and reel stop control is performed to stop the rotating reels in response to the pressing of the stop buttons (steps S107 to S109).

[0156] Specifically, when a player presses a stop button (Y in step S107), the operation on the pressed stop button is disabled, the stopping position of the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is determined, and the reel is stopped by stopping the supply of drive pulses to the stepper motor that is rotating the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button (step 108).

[0157] Then, when all the reels have stopped (Y in step S109), a prize determination process is performed based on the stopping state of each reel (step S110). In this embodiment, whether or not a prize has been won is determined based on whether or not a combination of symbols indicating a winning combination is displayed on the active line L1. If the prize determination process determines that a prize has been won (Y in step S110), the prize determination process corresponding to the won prize is performed and the series of processes is terminated (step S111).

[0158] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the special symbol effect (special symbol effect processing), which is mainly performed by the sub-board SUB and involves displaying special symbols in a variable manner and then stopping them during normal performance.

[0159] First, it is checked whether the insertion of the specified number of medals has been completed (step S200). Whether the insertion of the specified number of medals has been completed is determined, for example, based on an insertion completion command sent from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB.

[0160] Then, once it is determined that the required number of medals have been inserted (Y in step S200), the performance determination process is performed (step S202) based on the acquisition of the results of the internal lottery and AT lottery (Y in step S201). The acquisition of the lottery results is determined, for example, based on the lottery result command sent from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB. In the performance determination process, whether or not the special symbols are displayed in a variable state, and if the special symbols are displayed in a variable state, the target of the stop display (combination of special symbols) are determined by lottery.

[0161] Once the performance determination process is performed, the system waits for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start rotating (step S203). When each reel starts rotating (Y in step S203), it is checked whether or not the performance determination process has decided to display the special symbols in a variable manner (whether or not it is a special symbol variable game) (step S204). The fact that the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have started rotating is determined, for example, based on a rotation start command sent from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB.

[0162] If the game being played is a special symbol variation game (Y in step S204), the variation display of each special symbol is started (step S205). In this embodiment, after the insertion of the prescribed number of medals is completed, the display of the special symbols does not change until the processing in step S205, regardless of whether the display of the special symbols is stopped or in a loop animation.

[0163] When a stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3 while the special symbols are being displayed in a variable manner, control is performed to change the display mode so that the special symbols are stopped one by one in response to the first stop operation, second stop operation, and third stop operation, respectively. In this embodiment, each time a stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, for example, a stop command (first stop command, second stop command, third stop command) is sent from the main board MAIN to the sub-board SUB, and the detection of the first stop operation, the detection of the second stop operation, and the detection of the third stop operation are determined based on these stop commands.

[0164] Specifically, if a first stop operation is detected (Y in step S206), the special symbol (left) 401 is displayed as stopped (step S207); if a second stop operation is detected (Y in step S208), the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed as stopped (step S209); and if a third stop operation is detected (Y in step S210), the special symbol (right) 403 is displayed as stopped (step S211).

[0165] Then, when all of the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 are stopped and all special symbols are displayed in a stopped state, a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed (Y in step S212), and the animation display of the character portion for each special symbol begins (step S213).

[0166] Furthermore, if it is decided in the performance determination process of step S202 that the special symbols will not be displayed in a variable state (i.e., it is determined that it is not a special symbol variable game) (N in step S204), the display mode of each special symbol will be maintained until all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped. In other words, if the display mode of each special symbol was stopped, it will remain stopped until all reels have stopped, and if the display mode of each special symbol was in a loop animation, it will remain in the loop animation until all reels have stopped.

[0167] Then, when all reels have stopped (Y in step S214) and the display mode of each special symbol is not in a loop animation (N in step S215), the animation display of the character portion of each special symbol starts based on the elapsed time as described above (Y in step S212, step S213).

[0168] In the embodiment described above, since the display pattern changes during the loop animation after all special symbols have stopped displaying, it is possible to prevent players from getting bored when they are not playing. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the game start operation is performed while all special symbols are in the loop animation state, the display pattern is maintained at least until the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 begins, so it is less likely to interfere with the player's concentration on the game and it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the game.

[0169] In this embodiment, the CZ special symbol animation and the prize-winning assistance animation may be executed during the same game in the CZ state, in which case the special symbol and the navigation number display are displayed during the same game. In this embodiment, since both the special symbol and the navigation number display are displays that show numbers, there is a risk that the player may misinterpret the correct playing order announced by the navigation number display due to the presence of the special symbol. Therefore, in this embodiment, the display positions of the special symbol and the navigation number display are adjusted so that the player does not misinterpret the correct playing order.

[0170] First, in the prize-winning assistance presentation of this embodiment, navigation numbers are displayed at positions corresponding to each stop button (first navigation display position, second navigation display position, and third navigation display position corresponding to each stop button). Specifically, as shown in Figure 23, the navigation display positions (positions corresponding to each stop button) for displaying navigation numbers are set on a straight line that passes through the center of the width of each stop button and is perpendicular (vertical direction, orthogonal direction) to the bottom (or top) surface of the slot machine (casing) (on the center line of the width of each stop button), and each navigation number display is displayed so that the center (or anchor point) of the navigation number display is located at the said navigation display position. In this embodiment, an anchor point is set at the center of the image of each navigation number display, and the image is enlarged or reduced around the anchor point.

[0171] In detail, as shown in Figure 23, a first navigation display position (a position different from the center line of the width of the first reel R1) is set on a first left virtual line LL1, which is a straight line passing through the center of the width of the stop button B1 and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the slot machine (casing) (center line of the width of the stop button B1), and a first navigation display position (a position different from the center line of the width of the first reel R1) is set on a first left virtual line LL1, which is a straight line passing through the center of the width of the stop button B2 and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the slot machine (casing) (center line of the width of the stop button B2). A second navigation display position (a different position on the center line of the width of the second reel R2) is set on the central virtual line CL1, where navigation number displays corresponding to stop button B2 (and the second reel R2) are displayed. A third navigation display position (a different position from the center line of the width of the third reel R3) is set on the first right virtual line RL1, which is a straight line passing through the center of the width of stop button B3 and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the slot machine (casing) (the center line of the width of stop button B3) where navigation number displays corresponding to stop button B3 (and the third reel R3) are displayed.

[0172] Therefore, for example, in the prize-winning assistance animation, if the button press order 3 (B2 → B1 → B3) is the correct order, the display will be set so that, as shown in Figure 23, the center of the second navigation number display 502 is located on the first left virtual line LL1, the center of the first navigation number display 501 is located on the first middle virtual line CL1, and the center of the third navigation number display 503 is located on the first right virtual line RL1.

[0173] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, the area of ​​the liquid crystal display LCD that corresponds to the width of the second reel R2 (or the width of the reel tape of the second reel R2) is defined as the middle area E2, the area of ​​the display that is closer to the first reel R1 than the middle area E2 is defined as the left area E1, and the area of ​​the display that is closer to the third reel R3 than the middle area E2 is defined as the right area E3. In the prize-winning assistance animation, the navigation number display is shown so that it fits within each area. For example, in the example shown in Figure 23, the second navigation number display 502 is displayed so that it fits within the left area E1, the first navigation number display 501 is displayed so that it fits within the middle area E2, and the third navigation number display 503 is displayed so that it fits within the right area E3.

[0174] In this embodiment, the navigation numeral display elements are displayed at a predetermined magnification so that they fit within each area. The magnification of each navigation numeral display element may be the same or different, as long as they fit within each area.

[0175] Furthermore, in the CZ special symbol display of this embodiment, special symbols are displayed in the left area E1, middle area E2, and right area E3 at positions different from the navigation display positions (a first symbol display position different from the first navigation display position, a second symbol display position different from the second navigation display position, and a third symbol display position different from the third navigation display position).

[0176] Specifically, as shown in Figure 23, a first symbol display position (a position different from the center line of the width of the first reel R1) is set to display the special symbol (left) 401 at a position to the left of the second left virtual line LL2, which is a straight line passing through the center of the width of the first reel R1 and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the slot machine (casing) (the center line of the width of the first reel R1) (a position to the left of the second left virtual line LL2 in Figure 23). The special symbol (left) 401 is displayed so that its center (or anchor point) is located at this first symbol display position. A second symbol display position displays the special symbol (center) 402 at a position on the first middle virtual line CL1 (which is also the center line of the width of the second reel R2) and above the second navigation display position. A different position on the center line of the width of the second reel R2 is set, and the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed so that its center (or anchor point) is located at the second symbol display position. The special symbol (right) 403 is displayed at a position to the right of the second right virtual line RL2, which is a straight line passing through the center of the width of the third reel R3 and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the slot machine (casing) (the center line of the width of the third reel R3) (a position to the right of the second right virtual line RL2 in Figure 23). The special symbol (right) 403 is displayed at the third symbol display position (a position different from the center line of the width of the third reel R3), so that its center (or anchor point) is located at the third symbol display position. In this embodiment, an anchor point is set at the center of the image for each special symbol, and the image is enlarged or reduced around the anchor point.

[0177] Furthermore, in the CZ special symbol display of this embodiment, the special symbols are displayed so that they fit within each area. Specifically, as shown in Figure 23, the special symbol (left) 401 is displayed so that it fits within the left area E1, the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed so that it fits within the center area E2, and the special symbol (right) 403 is displayed so that it fits within the right area E3. The special symbol (center) 203 is also displayed so that it fits within the center area E2 even during the variation display.

[0178] In this embodiment, special symbols are displayed at a predetermined display magnification so that they fit within each area. The display magnification of each special symbol may be the same or different, as long as they fit within each area. The display magnification of the navigation numeral display and the special symbols may also be the same or different, as long as they fit within each area.

[0179] In this embodiment, when displaying both special symbols and navigation digit displays, the navigation digit displays are displayed at the first navigation display position, the second navigation display position, and the third navigation display position, and the special symbols are displayed at the first symbol display position, the second symbol display position, and the third symbol display position. By displaying the navigation digit displays and special symbols at a predetermined display magnification, the navigation digit displays and special symbols are displayed so that they fit within the left area E1, the middle area E2, and the right area E3. For example, in the example shown in Figure 23, the second navigation digit display 502 and the special symbol (left) 401 are displayed so that they fit within the left area E1, the first navigation digit display 501 and the special symbol (middle) 402 are displayed so that they fit within the middle area E2, and the third navigation digit display 503 and the special symbol (right) 403 are displayed so that they fit within the right area E3.

[0180] In the CZ state, when the game is started by pressing the start lever SL, the navigation numbers "1", "2", and "3" related to the prize-winning assistance effect appear, and the special symbols (left) 401 and (right) 402 related to the CZ special symbol effect appear (stop display) and the special symbol (center) 403 is displayed in a variable state, as shown in Figure 23, in the left area E1, the second navigation number display 502 and the special symbol (left) 401 are displayed so as not to overlap, and in the right area E3, the third navigation number display 503 and the special symbol (right) 403 are displayed so as not to overlap. Also, in the center area E2, since the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed in a variable state above the first navigation number display 501, the first navigation number display 501 including the navigation effect 504 described later and the special symbol (center) 402 are displayed so as not to overlap. In this situation, the first navigation numeral display 501 is brighter than the second navigation numeral display 502 and the third navigation numeral display 503.

[0181] Furthermore, in the situation shown in Figure 23, in the left area E1, the second navigation number display 502 is present on the first left virtual line LL1 but the special symbol (left) 501 is not present, and the special symbol (left) 501 is present on the second left virtual line LL2 but the second navigation number display 502 is not present. In the middle area E2, both the first navigation number display 501 and the special symbol (middle) 502 are present on the first middle virtual line CL1. In the right area E3, the third navigation number display 503 is present on the first right virtual line RL1 but the special symbol (right) 503 is not present, and the special symbol (right) 503 is present on the second right virtual line RL2 but the third navigation number display 503 is not present.

[0182] In this embodiment, in the situation shown in Figure 23, a navigation effect 504 indicating the next stop operation is generated for the first navigation digital display 501, and as shown in Figure 23, the navigation effect 504 is also displayed so that it fits within the second area E2.

[0183] Then, in the situation shown in Figure 23, when the first stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct sequence (B2→B1→B3), the performance control means 180, as shown in Figure 24, gradually reduces and erases the first navigation number display 501, which is "1", and the navigation effect 504, while simultaneously enlarging the second navigation number display 502, which is "2", and further increasing the brightness of the second navigation number display 502 and generating the navigation effect 504 for the second navigation number display 502. When erasing the first navigation number display 501, a disappearance effect (not shown) is generated for the first navigation number display 501 to simulate its erasure. In this situation, the special symbol (center) 402 is still being displayed in a variable state.

[0184] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 24, the enlarged second navigation numeral display 502 and the navigation effect 504 of the second navigation numeral display 502 are also displayed so as to fit within the left area E1.

[0185] Furthermore, in the situation shown in Figure 24, the second navigation digit display 502 does not overlap with the special symbol (left) 401, but the navigation effect 504 of the second navigation digit display 502 is displayed so as to overlap with the character portion of the special symbol (left) 401. In this embodiment, the navigation digit display, the special symbol, and the navigation effect 504 are drawn on different layers, and the navigation effect 504 is drawn on a higher layer than the special symbol, so a part of the character portion of the special symbol (left) 401 is hidden by the navigation effect 504.

[0186] Next, in the situation shown in Figure 24, when the second stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct sequence (B2→B1→B3), the performance control means 180, as shown in Figure 25, gradually reduces and erases the second navigation number display 502, which is "2", and the navigation effect 504, while simultaneously enlarging the third navigation number display 503, which is "3", and further increases the brightness of the third navigation number display 503, and generates the navigation effect 504 for the third navigation number display 503. When erasing the second navigation number display 502, a disappearance effect (not shown) is generated for the second navigation number display 502 to simulate its erasure. In this situation, the special symbol (center) 402 is still being displayed in a variable state.

[0187] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 25, the enlarged third navigation numeral display 503 and the navigation effect 504 of the third navigation numeral display 503 are also displayed so as to fit within the right area E3.

[0188] Furthermore, in the situation shown in Figure 25, the third navigation digit display 503 does not overlap with the special symbol (right) 403, but the navigation effect 504 of the third navigation digit display 503 is displayed so as to overlap with the character portion of the special symbol (right) 403, and a part of the character portion of the special symbol (right) 403 is hidden by the navigation effect 504.

[0189] Next, in the situation shown in Figure 25, when the third (last) stop operation is performed in accordance with the correct sequence (B2→B1→B3), the performance control means 180, as shown in Figure 26, gradually reduces and erases the third navigation number display 503, which is "3", and the navigation effect 504, and stops and displays the special symbol (center) 402 in a manner corresponding to the result of the AT lottery for the game. If the result of the AT lottery for the game is an AT win, the special symbol (center) 402 is stopped and displayed with the same special symbol (number) as the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403, as shown in Figure 26. If the result of the AT lottery for the game is a loss, the special symbol (center) 402 is stopped and displayed with a special symbol (number) different from the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403, as shown in Figure 20(C). Furthermore, when erasing the third navigation number display 503, a disappearance effect (not shown) is generated for the third navigation number display 503 to simulate its erasure.

[0190] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 26, the special symbol (middle) 402 for indicating stop is also displayed so as to fit within the middle area E2.

[0191] As described above, in the prize-winning assistance presentation of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, navigation number displays are shown at positions corresponding to each stop button, making the correspondence between the stop buttons and navigation number displays easy to understand. Furthermore, since the navigation number displays are shown so as to fit within the respective areas of the left area E1, middle area E2, and right area E3, the correspondence between the reels and the navigation number displays is also easy to understand. This makes it easier to recognize the order of operation (correct button presses) and enables effective presentation.

[0192] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, when displaying both navigation numbers and special symbols in the CZ state, the navigation numbers and special symbols are displayed so that they fit within their respective areas. This makes it possible to perform the CZ special symbol effect while minimizing the chance that the player will misinterpret the order of operations (correct sequence of stops) based on the numbers displayed by the special symbols, thus enabling an effective effect. For example, as shown in Figure 27, if in the left area E1 the special symbol (left) 401 is displayed at the first navigation display position so as to extend into the middle area E2, and the second navigation number display 502 is displayed at the first symbol display position, and in the right area E3 the special symbol (right) 403 is displayed at the third navigation display position so as to extend into the middle area E2, and the third navigation number display 503 is displayed at the third symbol display position, then the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403 are located closer to the first navigation number display 501 than to the second navigation number display 502 and the third navigation number display 503, which may cause the player to misinterpret the order of operations (correct spinning order) for stopping the reels. Furthermore, if each navigation number display is displayed so as to extend into an adjacent area, the player may not be able to intuitively recognize the correspondence between the reels and the navigation number displays. However, according to this embodiment, since the navigation numbers and special symbols are displayed so that they fit within each area, the order of operations (correct sequence of plays) can be easily recognized, and the chances of the player misinterpreting the order of operations (correct sequence of plays) for stopping the reels can be prevented as much as possible.

[0193] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the navigation numbers and special symbols are displayed in different positions in each area, the navigation numbers and special symbols can be displayed so that they do not overlap, making it easier to recognize the operation sequence indicators. When the navigation numbers overlap with special symbols, they become difficult to see, and there is a risk that the player may misinterpret the order of operations (correct spinning order) for stopping the reels. However, in this embodiment, the navigation numbers are not hidden by the special symbols, making it easier to recognize the order of operations (correct spinning order) and enabling effective presentation.

[0194] 3. Variant The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. These modifications are introduced below. The embodiments described above, as well as the various methods described below as modifications, can be appropriately combined and adopted as control methods to realize the present invention.

[0195] In the above embodiment, the example given was that the entire display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) on the side of the first reel R1 to the middle area E2 is designated as the left area E1, and the entire display area on the side of the third reel R3 to the middle area E2 is designated as the right area E3. However, the left area E1 may be a portion of the display area on the side of the first reel R1 to the middle area E2, the right area E3 may be a portion of the display area on the side of the third reel R3 to the middle area E2, or the middle area E2 may be a portion of the display area within the width of the second reel R2.

[0196] Specifically, the width of the left area E1 can be any range from the left edge of the middle area E2 to the left edge of the display area, the width of the right area E3 can be any range from the right edge of the middle area E2 to the right edge of the display area, and the width of the middle area E2 can be larger or smaller than the width of the second reel R2 (or the width of the reel tape of the second reel R2), and can be any range.

[0197] For example, as shown in Figure 28, the width of the left area E1 may be set to the width of the first reel R1 (or the range from the left end of the middle area E2 to the left end of the display window DW), and the width of the right area E3 may be set to the width of the third reel R3 (or the range from the right end of the middle area E2 to the right end of the display window DW). In this case, the center of the special symbol (left) 401 may be positioned on the second left virtual line LL2 in the left area E1, and the center of the special symbol (right) 403 may be positioned on the second right virtual line RL2 in the right area E3. In this way, the navigation digit display and special symbols can be displayed so that they fit within the left area E1 and the right area E3.

[0198] For example, the width of the left area E1 may be larger or smaller than the width of the first reel R1 (or the range from the left edge of the middle area E2 to the left edge of the display window DW), and the width of the right area E3 may be larger or smaller than the width of the third reel R3 (or the range from the right edge of the middle area E2 to the right edge of the display window DW). Also, the left area E1 and the middle area E1 do not have to be adjacent, and the middle area E2 and the right area E3 do not have to be adjacent, and there may be another display area in between.

[0199] Furthermore, the height dimensions of the left area E1, middle area E2, and right area E3 can be any range within the range from the top edge to the bottom edge of the display area. For example, a display area near the top or bottom edge of the display area may be designated as a separate display area.

[0200] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example described was the case in which the navigation digit display and special symbols are displayed so that they fit within each area. However, some of the three navigation digit display items may extend beyond the area while others remain within the area, or some of the three special symbols may extend beyond the area while others remain within the area. For example, the navigation digit display items may extend beyond the area in the left area E1 and the right area E3, but remain within the area in the middle area E2, or the navigation digit display items may extend beyond the area in the middle area E2, but remain within the area in the left area E1 and the right area E3. Similarly, in the left area E1 and right area E3, the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) 403 may extend beyond the area, but in the middle area E2, the special symbol (center) 402 may be displayed within the area. Alternatively, in the middle area E2, the special symbol (center) 402 may extend beyond the area, but in the left area E1 and right area E3, the special symbol (left) 401 and special symbol (right) may be displayed within the area.

[0201] Furthermore, the character portion of the special design may extend beyond the designated area, as may the navigation effect 504 and the disappearance effect of each navigation number display. Additionally, if an effect is applied to the special design, that effect may also extend beyond the designated area. However, in these examples, it is desirable that the number portion of the special design be displayed within the designated area.

[0202] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example of displaying a special symbol outside the navigation digit display in the left area E1 and the right area E3 was used for explanation. However, the navigation digit display and the special symbol may be displayed so that their centers (or anchor points) are on the same straight line in the vertical direction in the left area E1 and the right area E3, or the navigation digit display may be displayed so that its center (or anchor point) is located outside the center (or anchor point) of the special symbol in the left area E1 and the right area E3.

[0203] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example given was that in the CZ special symbol performance, the special symbol (left) 401 and the special symbol (right) 403 are displayed as stopped symbols, and the special symbol (center) 402 is displayed as a moving symbol. However, it is sufficient for any one type of special symbol to be displayed as a moving symbol. For example, the special symbol (left) 401 may be displayed as a moving symbol while the remaining special symbols are displayed as stopped symbols in a ready state, or the special symbol (right) 403 may be displayed as a moving symbol while the remaining special symbols are displayed as stopped symbols in a ready state.

[0204] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example given was that in the CZ special symbol performance, the special symbol (left) 401 and the special symbol (right) 403 are displayed as stopped without being displayed as fluctuating symbols. However, they may also be displayed as fluctuating symbols before being displayed as stopped symbols. For example, when the start operation is performed on the start lever, the special symbol (left) 401 and the special symbol (right) 403 may be displayed as fluctuating symbols, and when the first or second stop operation is performed, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start operation, the first or second stop operation, or when a predetermined fluctuating display has ended, the special symbol (left) 401 and the special symbol (right) 403 may be displayed as stopped symbols. In the above embodiment, various performances such as super reach performances, which have a higher expectation of winning the AT than normal reach performances and normal reach performances, can be performed between the start of the fluctuating display of the special symbol (center) 402 and the display of the stopped symbol. For these performances, display objects such as characters and effects related to the performance may be displayed in multiple areas of the three areas, such as the left area E1. In other words, the display elements related to the said performance do not need to be contained within one of the three areas, such as the left area E1. Furthermore, the display elements related to the said performance may be displayed so as to overlap with navigation number displays or special symbols, and it is acceptable if parts of the navigation number displays or special symbols are obscured.

[0205] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example given was the case in which the special symbol (middle) 402 is displayed in a variable position above the navigation digit display in the middle area E2. However, the special symbol (middle) 402 may be displayed in a variable position using the entire range from the top to the bottom edge of the middle area E2, so that the navigation digit display and the variable special symbol (middle) 402 are displayed overlapping. In this case, the navigation digit display is drawn on a higher layer than the variable special symbol (middle) 402, so the special symbol (middle) 402 is displayed in a variable position behind the navigation digit display. Even in this case, the variable special symbol (middle) 402 is made semi-transparent, so the visibility of the navigation digit display can be kept from being reduced as much as possible.

[0206] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example given was that the special symbol (center) 402 in the CZ special symbol performance is displayed in a manner that scrolls from top to bottom on the display screen (display area). However, it is also possible to display it in a manner that scrolls from left to right (or right to left) on the center area E2.

[0207] In the above embodiment, when a 9-coin small win occurs during a game in which the prize-winning assistance animation and the CZ special symbol animation are performed, the word "GET!" may be displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) when 9 coins are paid out. In this example, the word "GET!" may be displayed so that it does not overlap with the special symbol, or part or all of the word "GET!" may be displayed so that it overlaps with the special symbol.

[0208] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example described was that the navigation digit display and the special pattern are displayed so that they do not overlap in the situation shown in Figure 23. However, the navigation digit display may also be displayed so that it overlaps the special pattern. For example, as shown in Figure 29, the first navigation digit display 501, the second navigation digit display 502, and the third navigation digit display 503 may be displayed so that they overlap the special pattern (center) 402.

[0209] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, although the second navigation number display 502 does not overlap with the special symbol (left) 401 in the situation shown in Figure 24, the navigation effect 504 of the second navigation number display 502 is displayed so as to overlap with the character portion of the special symbol (left) 401. However, the enlarged second navigation number display 502 may also be displayed so as to overlap with the character portion of the special symbol (left) 401. In this case, the second navigation number display 502 becomes difficult to see, but since the player is likely to recognize the notified operation sequence (correct sequence of plays) by displaying the navigation number display from the start of the game, even if the visibility of the navigation number display decreases somewhat when the first stop operation is performed, the impact on the player is small, and a decrease in gameplay can be prevented as much as possible.

[0210] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, although the third navigation number display 503 does not overlap with the special symbol (right) 403 in the situation shown in Figure 25, the navigation effect 504 of the third navigation number display 503 is displayed so as to overlap with the character portion of the special symbol (right) 403. However, the enlarged third navigation number display 503 may also be displayed so as to overlap with the character portion of the special symbol (right) 403. In this case, the third navigation number display 503 becomes difficult to see, but since there is only one type of stop button to be operated when the second stop operation is performed, even if the visibility of the navigation number display is slightly reduced, the impact on the player is small, and a decrease in gameplay can be prevented as much as possible.

[0211] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example where the navigation number display and special symbols' numbers are displayed using Arabic numerals, the navigation number display and special symbols' numbers may be displayed using different types of numerals, such as Chinese numerals, Arabic numerals, and Roman numerals. For example, the navigation number display may use Arabic numerals, while the special symbols may use Chinese numerals. This method also helps to prevent the player from misinterpreting the order of operations (the correct sequence of moves) for stopping the reels.

[0212] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, we have explained the case in which the result of the AT lottery is suggested (or announced) by the combination of numbers of special symbols in the CZ state, but the benefits related to the Assist Time game that are granted may be changed according to the numbers that are matched. For example, the expected value of the benefits granted may be increased in the order of "7 > odd > even", and the initial number of games in the first set of Assist Time game may be increased.

[0213] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case in which the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided above the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 was described as an example, but the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) may also be provided below the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, or the entire front surface of the front upper door UD may be used as the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0214] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example where the width of the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) is greater than the width of the display window DW, the width of the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) may also be smaller than the width of the display window DW. Also, the vertical size of the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) may be greater than or smaller than the vertical size of the display window DW.

[0215] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the upper part of the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display (LCD) is designated as a pattern display area for displaying special patterns, and the lower part is designated as a navigation display area for displaying navigation numbers. As shown in Figure 30, the upper middle area UE2 is defined as the area within the pattern display area that corresponds to the width of the second reel R2 (or the width of the reel tape of the second reel R2), the upper left area UE1 is defined as the display area within the pattern display area that corresponds to the width of the second reel R2 (or the width of the reel tape of the second reel R2) The width of the area may be defined as the lower middle area DE2, the area of ​​the navigation display area closer to the first reel R1 than the lower middle area DE2 shall be defined as the lower left area DE1, the area of ​​the navigation display area closer to the third reel R3 than the lower middle area DE2 shall be defined as the lower right area DE3, the special symbol (left) 401 may be displayed so as to fit within the upper left area UE1, the special symbol (middle) 402 may be displayed so as to fit within the upper middle area UE2, the special symbol (right) 403 may be displayed so as to fit within the upper right area UE3, and the navigation number display items may be displayed so as to fit within each of the areas of the lower left area DE1, lower middle area DE2, and lower right area DE3. In this example, the center (or anchor point) of the special symbol (left) 401 is positioned on the center line of the width of the upper left area UE1, the center (or anchor point) of the special symbol (center) 402 is positioned on the center line of the width of the upper middle area UE2, the center (or anchor point) of the special symbol (right) 403 is positioned on the center line of the width of the upper right area UE3, and navigation number displays are also displayed on the second left virtual line LL2, the second middle virtual line CL2, and the second right virtual line RL2.

[0216] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the anchor point is set at the center of the navigation numeral display and special pattern, the anchor point is not limited to the center of the image, but may be set at the edge of the image, for example.

[0217] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the special symbol is composed of a character portion and a number portion, and when the display mode of the special symbol is stopped, both the character portion and the number portion are still, and when the display mode of the special symbol is in loop animation, the number portion remains still while the character portion is animated. However, even when the display mode of the special symbol is stopped, the character portion may be animated, and when the display mode is in loop animation, the animation display mode of the character portion may be different from when it is stopped. In other words, the display mode should change after a predetermined time has elapsed since the special symbol was displayed in a variable state and then stopped. Also, the information referenced as a condition for the change in the display mode to occur after the special symbol has stopped is not limited to elapsed time. For example, information related to various lottery results such as the results of internal lotteries and AT lotteries may be referenced, information related to various states such as game state and performance state may be referenced, and information related to game results such as the results of winning combinations and the stopping mode of the reels may be referenced.

[0218] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the game machine was designed so that when a game is played, a game medium such as a medal is inserted, and the game medium is dispensed when a winning combination is achieved. However, the game may also be played by consuming or assigning game value as electronic information without using game medium. For example, the game machine or an external unit connected to the game machine may be capable of storing information about the game value owned by the player, and the consumption of game value by subtracting the number of game value points may be replaced with the insertion of game mediums, and the assignment of game value by adding the number of game value points may be replaced with the dispensing of game mediums. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0219] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1 Active line, DS game information display unit, LCD liquid crystal display, BS setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, SEC section indicator, EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS: Reel unit storage space, MAIN: Main board, SUB: Sub-board, HP hopper unit, MT medal storage tank, CB cash box, R1 is the first reel, R2 is the second reel, R3 is the third reel, B0 Bet button, SL Start lever, B1~B3 Stop buttons, MI: Medal slot, MO: Medal dispenser, MP: Medal tray, 100 Game control means, 103 Setting change means, 105 Input acceptance means, 110 Random number generation means, 120 Internal lottery means, 130 Reel control means, 140 Prize determination means, 150 Dispensing control means, 160 Replay processing means, 170 Game state control means, 175 AT control means, 180 Performance control means, 190a Game information storage means, 1910 Main lottery table storage area, 1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Prize determination table storage area, 1913 Setting value storage area, 1914 Credit information storage area, 1915 Lottery flag memory area, 1916 Game state memory area, 1918 Performance state memory area, 1919 Common bell counter, 1920 CZ game counter, 1921 AT game counter, 1922 First clear counter, 1923 Second clear counter, 1924 Victory Determination Counter, 1925 Continuation Scenario Table Storage Area, 190b Means for storing performance information, 1926 Performance data storage area, 1927 Sub-lottery table memory area, 1928 Image buffer, 1929 Sound buffer, 210 Coin insertion switch, 220 Bet switch, 230 Start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 Setting change switch, 300 Main display unit, 310 reel units, 315 reel indexes, 325 Dispensing medal detection switch, 330 Display device, 340 Sound device, 401 Special design (left), 402 Special design (center), 403 Special design (right), 501 First navigation digital display, 502 Second navigation digital display, 503 Third navigation number display, 504 Navigation effect, LL1 First left virtual line, CL1 First middle virtual line, RL1 First right virtual line, LL2 is the second left virtual line, CL2 is the second middle virtual line, RL2 is the second right virtual line, E1 Left area, E2 Middle area, E3 Right area

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels with multiple types of patterns arranged on their outer surface, An internal lottery means that performs an internal lottery to determine whether multiple types of winning combinations, including bonuses and minor wins, are achieved, A gaming machine comprising: a reel control means that rotates the plurality of reels for each game, determines the stopping position of the reels within a predetermined pull-in range from the operation detection position which is the position of the reels at the time a stop operation is detected, and controls the stopping of the reels in a manner corresponding to the result of an internal lottery, The aforementioned minor roles include multiple types of correct minor roles and multiple types of incorrect minor roles, including multiple types of specific minor roles. As for the winning patterns of the aforementioned minor role, there are multiple types of first winning patterns in which multiple types of the aforementioned incorrect minor role, including the correct minor role and the specified minor role, are won in overlapping manner, and there are multiple types of the aforementioned incorrect minor role, including the specified minor role, that are won in overlapping manner, and in some of the multiple types of first winning patterns, and in some of the first winning patterns and second winning patterns, one of the aforementioned specified minor role is won in common, The second winning pattern may occur in conjunction with the bonus mentioned above. On the outer surface of a specific reel among the plurality of reels, a specific symbol is arranged such that it is included within the predetermined retraction range regardless of the operation detection position. The symbol combinations representing the winning patterns for each of the aforementioned multiple types of specific minor roles are assigned to the aforementioned specific reels, A correct operation mode is set for each of the multiple types of first winning modes, and the operation mode that stops the specific reel among the multiple reels first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the first winning modes. There exists a first winning mode in which the correct operation mode is to stop a reel different from the specified reel among the plurality of reels first, but there does not exist a first winning mode in which the correct operation mode is to stop the specified reel first. Any operation that differs from the correct operation is defined as an incorrect operation. The reel control means, When the first winning configuration is obtained through internal lottery, in the correct operation configuration, the correct small win is awarded and the specific reel is stopped first. In the incorrect operation configuration, the incorrect small win is awarded and a reel other than the specific reel is stopped first. In the incorrect operation configuration, the stopping control is performed such that there are cases where the incorrect small win is awarded and cases where no wins are awarded. A gaming machine that, when the second winning pattern is obtained through internal lottery, performs stop control in the operation pattern in which the specific reel is stopped first, so that the incorrect small win is awarded.

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