Gaming machine

Abstract

We provide gaming machines with improved gameplay. [Solution] In the BB1 ​​state, until the conditions for ending the BB1 ​​state are met, it is possible to repeatedly transition between a state in which the mechanism is not activated and a state in which the mechanism is activated when the shift role is won. The shift role is awarded regardless of the timing of the stop operation if the stop operation is performed in a manner in which the first reel is stopped first, and there are cases where the shift role is awarded and cases where it is not awarded depending on the timing of the stop operation if the stop operation is performed in a manner in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first. Multiple types of symbol combinations, including symbol combination group A and symbol combination group B, are set as symbol combinations that indicate the winning form of the shift role.

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 are 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. Further, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the start rotation operation of a player, and performs control to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the stop operation of the player. Then, the result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the effective lines 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] Regarding this type of gaming machine, a bonus state in which the winning rate of a minor winning combination, which is a winning combination to which a gaming value is assigned upon winning, can be increased from the normal state is provided as a main gaming value acquisition function, and a gaming specification in which the winning probability of a minor winning combination is increased by winning a shift winning combination in the bonus state is known (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 recent years, gaming machines that have an instruction function that changes the probability of winning small wins by providing instruction information to assist in winning small wins, and that makes it easier to acquire game value in AT (Automatic Trigger) states where instruction information can be provided, have been well-received. As a result, the number of gaming machines that use bonus states as the main way to acquire game value is decreasing in the market. For this reason, there is a need for new technologies that can improve gameplay and attract the interest of players in gaming specifications where bonus states are the main way to acquire game value.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine with improved gameplay. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels on which multiple types of symbols are arranged on their outer surfaces; an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved; a reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels for each game and controlling the rotation of the reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stopping operation is triggered; and a game state control means that can set a first game state in which an internal lottery is performed with special combinations as the target of the lottery, and a second game state to which the player transitions when a special combination is achieved, wherein a combination is achieved when a combination of symbols indicating a predetermined winning form for each combination is displayed on the active line, and in the second game state, until the termination condition of the second game state is met, the player can repeatedly transition between a non-activating combination state in which a shift combination can be achieved and an activated combination state to which the player transitions when a shift combination is achieved, and the shift combination is achieved by a first operation in which a specific reel among the plurality of reels is stopped first The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which, when a stop operation is performed in one mode, a prize is awarded regardless of the timing of the stop operation, and when a stop operation is performed in a second mode in which a different reel is stopped first from the first mode, there are cases where a prize is awarded and cases where a prize is not awarded depending on the timing of the stop operation, and the reel control means controls the display of the symbols constituting the first symbol combination on the active line in priority to the symbols constituting the second symbol combination when the stop operation is performed in the first mode when the prize is not activated, and when the stop operation is performed in the second mode when the stop operation is performed, the symbols constituting the second symbol combination on the active line in priority to the symbols constituting the first symbol combination.

[0008] In this invention, multiple symbol combinations, including a first symbol combination and a second symbol combination, are set as symbol combinations that indicate the winning form of the shift role. When the shift role is won in a state where the special feature is not activated, the priority of the symbol combinations displayed on the active line differs depending on the manner of the stopping operation. As a result, when the stopping operation is performed in the first manner in which a specific reel is stopped first, a win occurs regardless of the timing of the stopping operation. When the stopping operation is performed in the second manner in which a different reel is stopped first than in the first manner, there are cases where a win occurs and cases where a win does not occur depending on the timing of the stopping operation. Therefore, in this invention, when the special feature is not activated, a game specification is realized in which the winning rate of the shift role changes depending on the order of the stopping operations, thereby improving the gameplay. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to the first 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 the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the internal lottery table in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the internal lottery table in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the manner in which minor prizes are awarded in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the game state and the winning combination in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a transition diagram of the game state in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the winning combination in the situation where the shift combination and Bell A are winning in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining the method of stop control in the situation where the shift combination and Bell A are winning in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a diagram for explaining the method of stop control in the situation where the shift combination and Bell A are winning in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a diagram for explaining the method of stop control in the situation where the shift combination and Bell A are winning in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of assignment of random values for each winning mode and the payout rate of balls in each game state in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing the winning mode of minor winning combinations in the gaming machine according to the modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] It is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] It is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the housing of the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a diagram for explaining the functional blocks of the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] It is a diagram for explaining the internal lottery table in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] It is a diagram for explaining the winning mode of minor winning combinations in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] It is a diagram for explaining the winning mode of minor winning combinations in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] It is a diagram for explaining the symbol arrangement of the reels in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the pressing order of stop buttons and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the pressing order of stop buttons and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the pressing order of stop buttons and winning combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] It is a transition diagram of the gaming state in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] It is a transition diagram of the effect state in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] [[ID=3l]]It is a transition diagram of the gaming section in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the batting order special combination in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] It is a diagram for explaining the method of stop control regarding the batting order special combination in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. <o000119>It is a diagram for explaining the method of stop control regarding the batting order special combination in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 39] It is a diagram for explaining a specific example of stop control regarding the batting order special combination in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 40] This figure illustrates the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 41] This figure illustrates the relationship between winning combinations and symbol combinations in a gaming machine according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] This figure illustrates the configuration of special winning combinations in the order of hitting the buttons and the relationship between the order in which the stop buttons are pressed and the winning combinations in a gaming machine according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all configurations described in each embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] (First Embodiment) 1-1. Composition 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 casing 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 SB, 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.

[0014] The first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in Figure 1 are each divided into 21 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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 lines are set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of medals to insert, is set to 1 or 3, and when the prescribed number of medals is inserted, the active line L1, which is composed of the upper part of the first reel R1, the middle part of the second reel R2, and the lower part of the third reel R3, the active line L2, which is composed of the middle parts of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and the active line L3, which is composed of the lower parts of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, are activated.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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).

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to this embodiment.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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, 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, and the game state control means 170 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, when the setting change button SB 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs initialization processing to initialize the information stored in predetermined storage areas 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 and the game state storage area 1916 is initialized by the initialization processing in the setting change mode. More specifically, storage areas other than the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game state storage area 1916 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in storage areas other than the information retention areas 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 processing in the setting change mode.

[0033] The coin insertion receiving means 105 accepts the insertion of coins for each game and, based on the insertion of a predetermined number of coins (2 or 3), 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 predetermined number of coins, is accepted as the game start operation, triggering the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and also triggering the execution of an internal lottery.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 the player's game start operation on the start lever SL (the first press operation on the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like.

[0037] 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, seven types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 7) as shown in Figures 4 and 5 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, eight types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of the six setting values, 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.

[0038] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, there are nine types of small wins, from small win 1 to small win 9. As shown in Figure 6, the winning patterns for these small wins are set as Bell a, Bell b, Bell c, Cherry, JAC1, JAC2, JAC3, and JAC4. In this embodiment, the winning patterns for Bell a, Bell b, and Bell c may be collectively referred to as "Bell" as needed, and the winning patterns for JAC1, JAC2, JAC3, and JAC4 may be collectively referred to as "JAC".

[0039] In this embodiment, the winning patterns for the minor roles to be drawn are the same in internal lottery tables 1 to 4, and the winning probabilities for the minor roles are also the same. However, in internal lottery tables 5 to 7, the winning patterns for the minor roles to be drawn are different from those in internal lottery tables 1 to 4, and the winning probabilities for the minor roles are set higher than those in internal lottery tables 1 to 4.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, only one type of replay is provided, and replays are not included in the internal lottery tables 5 to 7. In internal lottery tables 3 and 4, the probability of winning a replay is set higher than in internal lottery tables 1 and 2. Also, the probability of winning a replay is the same in internal lottery tables 1 and 2, and the probability of winning a replay is the same in internal lottery tables 3 and 4.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the gaming machine, the following bonuses are provided: the first big bonus (BB1: an example of a special role), the second big bonus (BB2), and the shift role. The first big bonus (BB1) and the second big bonus (BB2) are subject to drawing in internal drawing table 1, while the shift role is subject to drawing in internal drawing table 3 and internal drawing table 5. In this embodiment, the probability of winning the shift role is the same in internal drawing table 3 and internal drawing table 5. In this embodiment, although the first big bonus (BB1), the second big bonus (BB2), and the shift role are provided as bonuses, the probability of winning a replay does not change as a result of winning any of these bonuses. In particular, in the BB1 ​​state, the probability of winning a replay changes when the shift role is won, but the probability of winning a replay does not change when the shift role is won.

[0042] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the following game states can be set: normal state, BB1 established state, BB2 established state, BB1 state (bonus feature not activated, bonus feature activated state), and BB2 state. In the lottery table selection process, one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 7 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used for the internal lottery, depending on the game state.

[0043] In this embodiment, the probability of winning the first big bonus (BB1) varies depending on the setting value. For example, the probability of winning the first big bonus (BB1) can be set to increase as the setting value increases. In this embodiment, the probability of winning for minor roles, replays, the second big bonus (BB2), and shift roles is the same regardless of the setting value. However, there may be roles other than the first big bonus (BB1) whose probability of winning varies depending on the setting value.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, there are two types of lottery flags: a lottery flag that allows the winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flag), and a lottery flag that resets to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games, regardless of whether a win is achieved or not (carry-over non-flag). The roles to which the former carry-over flag is associated are the first big bonus (BB1), the second big bonus (BB2), and the shift role, while the minor roles and replays are associated with the latter carry-over non-flag. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, for example, if the first big bonus (BB1) is won in the internal lottery, the winning state of the lottery flag for the first big bonus (BB1) is carried over until the first big bonus (BB1) is achieved. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine whether the minor roles and replays are successful or not, even in games where the winning state of the lottery flag for the first big bonus (BB1) has been carried over. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, when a winning state for a bonus lottery flag is carried over during gameplay, if a small win or replay occurs, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of wins, consisting of the already won bonus lottery flag and the small win or replay lottery flag won through internal lottery, are set to a winning state.

[0047] 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).

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed changes, the stopping order of the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 changes. In this embodiment, if necessary, the first reel to stop among the first reels R1 to the third reels R3 may be referred to as the first stop reel, the second stop reel as the second stop reel, and the last stop reel as the third stop reel. In this embodiment, if necessary, the stop operation corresponding to the first stop reel may be referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the second stop reel as the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the third stop reel as the third stop operation.

[0050] 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.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the red 7 symbol A "Red 7A", red 7 symbol B "Red 7B", bar symbol "BAR", special symbol A "SPA", special symbol B "SPB", bell symbol A "BLA", bell symbol B "BLB", watermelon symbol "WM", replay symbol "RP", and cherry symbol "CH" are arranged on the outer circumferential surfaces of the first to 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, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time when the stop button is pressed).

[0052] 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.

[0053] The reel control means 130 then 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] In particular, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the priority order is set as "Replay > Bonus" and "Bonus > Small Win". In the stop control table, which is referenced when the lottery flags for two or more types of winning combinations are set to a winning state, the relationship between the press detection position and the stop position is set according to the priority order associated with each winning combination, so that winning combinations with higher priority are awarded preferentially over winning combinations with lower priority.

[0056] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when bell a is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set such that if the game state is normal, BB1 established, or BB2 established, a 1-coin win (a win with a payout of 1 coin) is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation, and if the game state is BB1, a 4-coin win (a win with a payout of 4 coins) is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation.

[0057] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when bell b is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set such that if the game state is the normal state, a 1-coin small win is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation, and if the game state is BB1 established, BB2 established, or BB1 state, a 4-coin small win is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation.

[0058] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when bell c is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 4-coin small win is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation, whether in the normal state, BB1 established state, BB2 established state, or BB1 state.

[0059] In this embodiment, the correspondence between the game state and the winning combination when a bell is won is shown in Figure 8. Bell a, bell b, and bell c are all winning combinations that include the winning combination 3 as a 4-coin combination, and when a 4-coin combination is won, a combination of symbols indicating the winning combination of the winning combination 3 is displayed on the active line. In addition, each of the bell winning combinations is a winning combination that includes a 4-coin combination and a 1-coin combination, but when a 4-coin combination is won, the stopping position of the target reel is determined in such a way that payout priority control is realized, prioritizing the stopping position that results in a larger number of medals being paid out as a result of the win, and when a 1-coin combination is won, the stopping position of the target reel is determined in such a way that number priority control is realized, prioritizing the stopping position that results in a larger number of combinations of symbols indicating the winning combination that can be displayed on the active line.

[0060] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when a cherry is won in the internal lottery, the stopping position for each press detection position is set such that depending on the press detection position when stopping the first reel R1, there are cases where a 4-coin small win occurs and cases where no win occurs (a missed win). Specifically, when stopping the first reel R1, if the press detection position includes the cherry symbol "CH" in the pull-in range, a small win of 4 coins occurs, and if the press detection position does not include the cherry symbol "CH" in the pull-in range, a missed win occurs.

[0061] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when JAC1 or JAC2 is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is determined so that a 13-coin payout (a payout of 13 coins) is awarded, regardless of the manner of the stop operation for stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0062] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when JAC3 or JAC4 is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is determined so that a 15-coin prize (a prize with a payout of 15 coins) is awarded, regardless of the manner of the stop operation for stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0063] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when a replay is won through internal lottery, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is set so that a replay is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation for stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0064] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when a bonus (First Big Bonus (BB1), Second Big Bonus (BB2), Shift Role) is won, if only a bonus is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the won bonus is awarded when the stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed at a press detection position that includes the symbols constituting the winning form of the won bonus within the pull-in range. Also, in the stop control table referenced when a bonus is won, if a replay is won in addition to the bonus, the awarding of the replay takes priority, and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the replay is awarded regardless of the manner of the stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3. Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when a bonus is won, if a minor role is won in addition to a bonus, the winning bonus is given priority. If the stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed at a press detection position that includes the symbols constituting the winning bonus's winning pattern within the pull-in range, the winning bonus is awarded. If the stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed in a manner that prevents the bonus from being awarded, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set to allow the winning of a minor role. However, if the game state is the BB1 ​​state with the mechanism activated, even if a minor role is won in addition to a shift role, the stop control table referenced in this situation avoids awarding the shift role regardless of the manner of the stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3, based on the fact that the mechanism is activated, and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set to allow the winning of a minor role. Furthermore, when the game state is BB1 and the special features are not activated, if a shift symbol is won, the probability of winning the shift symbol differs depending on the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. If the stopping operation is performed in the order in which the first reel R1 is stopped first, the shift symbol will always be won. However, if the stopping operation is performed in the order in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, there is a possibility that the shift symbol will be won and a possibility that it will not be won.

[0065] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether or not 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 or not 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 9 and 10, it can determine whether or not the first big bonus (BB1), second big bonus (BB2), shift combination, replay, and minor combinations 1 to 9 have been achieved based on the combination of symbols displayed on the active line when each reel has stopped.

[0066] 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 control 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The game state control means 170 performs game state transition control processing to transition the game state between the normal state, the BB1 ​​established state, the BB2 established state, the BB1 ​​state (bonus item not activated state, bonus item activated state), and the BB2 state, as shown in Figures 11(A) and 11(B). 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.

[0072] The normal state (an example of the first game state) is the initial state among several types of game states, with a set minimum number of coins to be inserted. From the normal state, it is possible to transition to the BB1 ​​established state, the BB2 established state, the BB1 ​​state, and the BB2 state. Specifically, in the normal state, if the first big bonus (BB1) is won but the first big bonus (BB1) is not awarded, the game transitions to the BB1 ​​established state. Also, in the normal state, if the second big bonus (BB2) is won but the second big bonus (BB2) is not awarded, the game transitions to the BB2 established state. Also, in the normal state, if the first big bonus (BB1) is won and the first big bonus (BB1) is awarded, the game transitions to the BB1 ​​state. Also, in the normal state, if the second big bonus (BB2) is won and the second big bonus (BB2) is awarded, the game transitions to the BB2 state. In the normal state, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 1, one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 and the first big bonus (BB1) and the second big bonus (BB2) are set as the targets for the lottery.

[0073] The BB1 ​​state is a game state that is entered when the first big bonus (BB1) is not awarded in a game in which the first big bonus (BB1) was won in the internal lottery, and the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is set to 3. In the BB1 ​​state, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 2, which is one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 and both the first big bonus (BB1) and the second big bonus (BB2) are excluded from the lottery.

[0074] Furthermore, in the BB1 ​​established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the first big bonus (BB1) is maintained in a winning state until the first big bonus (BB1) is won. When a combination of symbols indicating the winning form of the first big bonus (BB1) is displayed on an active line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB1 ​​established state to the BB1 ​​state.

[0075] The BB1 ​​state (an example of the second game state) is a game state that is entered when a combination of symbols indicating the winning form of the first Big Bonus (BB1) is displayed on an active line. As shown in Figure 11(B), the game state transitions between the non-activating mechanism state and the activated mechanism state until the termination condition of the BB1 ​​state is met. In the BB1 ​​state, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to one of the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 from the internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, in both the non-activating mechanism state and the activated mechanism state, there is a non-internal shift state in which an internal lottery is conducted with the shift role as the target of the lottery, and an internal shift state in which the win of the shift role is carried over. For the sake of explanation, the non-internal shift state in the non-activating mechanism state will be referred to as non-activating mechanism state A, the internal shift state in the non-activating mechanism state as non-activating mechanism state B, the non-internal shift state in the activated mechanism state as activated mechanism state A, and the internal shift state in the activated mechanism state as activated mechanism state B.

[0076] State A, where the special feature is not activated, is a game state that is set when the BB1 ​​state is started by winning the first Big Bonus (BB1). In State A, the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is set to 3, and an internal lottery is conducted referring to internal lottery table 3, one of the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB1 ​​state. In this embodiment, the shift role is the target of the lottery in internal lottery table 3, and the lottery method and winning probability of the minor role are the same as in internal lottery table 2. In addition, in internal lottery table 3, the shift role is always won in conjunction with a replay, and the winning probability of a replay is higher than that of internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, set to approximately 1 / 2.0.

[0077] In this embodiment, in the non-activating mechanism state A, an internal lottery is conducted with the shift role as the target of the lottery, as described above. If the shift role is selected but does not result in a prize, the system transitions to the non-activating mechanism state B. In this embodiment, in the non-activating mechanism state A, the shift role is always selected in conjunction with a replay, and in games in which the shift role is selected, the replay, which has higher priority, is always awarded, thus preventing the shift role from being awarded.

[0078] State B, where the special feature is not activated, is a game state in which the special feature is not activated and the win of the shift role is carried over. In State B, the prescribed number of coins to insert is set to 3, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 4, one of the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB1 ​​state. In this embodiment, in internal lottery table 4, the shift role is excluded from the lottery target, and the winning probabilities for small roles and replays are the same as in internal lottery table 3.

[0079] In this embodiment, in the non-activating state B, if a minor prize is won in a game, or if the result of the internal lottery is a loss, a shift prize can be awarded. If a shift prize is awarded, the system transitions to the activated state A.

[0080] Furthermore, if the conditions for ending the BB1 ​​state (explained below) are met while the machine is in a state where the special feature is not activated, the state where the special feature is not activated will end along with the end of the BB1 ​​state.

[0081] State A is a game state that is entered when a Shift role is won. The prescribed number of coins to be inserted is set to 1, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 5 among the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB state. In this embodiment, the Shift role is included in the lottery in internal lottery table 5, and the lottery method for small roles differs from internal lottery tables 3 and 4, with the probability of winning small roles being higher than in internal lottery tables 3 and 4. In addition, in internal lottery table 5, either JAC3 or JAC4 is always won, the Shift role is always won in conjunction with JAC4, and replays are not included in the lottery.

[0082] In this embodiment, in the mechanism activation state A, an internal lottery is conducted with the shift role as the target of the lottery, as described above. If the shift role is selected but does not result in a prize, the system transitions to mechanism activation state B. In this embodiment, even if the shift role is selected in mechanism activation state A, stop control is performed to prevent the shift role from resulting in a prize based on the mechanism activation state. Therefore, in games in which the shift role is selected, the shift role will not result in a prize.

[0083] The special feature activation state B is a game state in which the special feature is activated and the winning of the shift role is carried over. In special feature activation state B, the prescribed number of coins to insert is set to 1, and an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 6, which is one of the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB state. In this embodiment, the shift role is excluded from the lottery target in internal lottery table 6, and the probability of winning a small role is the same as in internal lottery table 5.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the winning of the shift role is carried over to the mechanism activation state B, stop control is performed in such a way as to avoid winning the shift role based on the mechanism activation state, so the shift role will not be won.

[0085] As described above, in BB1 state, when a minor role and a shift role are won simultaneously in the non-activating mechanism state, bonus priority control is performed to determine the stopping position prioritizing the entry of the shift role, making it possible for the shift role to be won. However, even when the mechanism is activated, the shift role can be won, and there are situations where a minor role and a shift role are won simultaneously. However, when the mechanism is activated, based on the fact that the game state is the activated mechanism state, the shift role will not be won regardless of the manner in which the stopping operation is performed.

[0086] Furthermore, when the special feature is activated, a new small win, "Small Win 1," which pays 15 coins—even higher than the 4-coin small win that is the highest payout in the normal state—is introduced, and an internal lottery is conducted that includes Small Win 1 as a target, so the expected value of winning medals increases dramatically compared to when the special feature is not activated.

[0087] Furthermore, the activation state of the special feature is determined by whether the termination condition has been met based on the number of times a small win is achieved and the number of times the game has been played. In this embodiment, the termination condition for the special feature activation state is met when the number of times a small win is achieved reaches 8 or when the number of times the game has been played reaches 8. This number of times a small win is achieved and the number of times the game has been played are determined by totaling the number of times the special feature is activated in state A and state B. The game state control means 170 controls the game to terminate the special feature activation state and return to the non-activating special feature state if the termination condition for the special feature activation state has been met and the termination condition for the BB1 ​​state (explained later) has not been met. In this embodiment, the setting state of the shift role lottery flag (winning state / non-winning state) is also carried over when returning to the non-activating special feature state. If the termination condition for the special feature activation state is met in state A, the game returns to non-activating special feature state A, and if the termination condition for the special feature activation state is met in state B, the game returns to non-activating special feature state B. Furthermore, if the conditions for ending the BB1 ​​state are met while the special feature is in operation, the special feature will end along with the end of the BB1 ​​state, even if the conditions for ending the special feature operation state have not been met.

[0088] In BB1 mode, replays are not included in the lottery while the special feature is activated. However, when the special feature is deactivated and returns to a non-activated state, the probability of winning a replay changes in accordance with the end of the special feature activation, and an internal lottery is held in which replays are included in the lottery again. In this case, the probability of winning a replay is higher in the non-activated state than in the normal state.

[0089] In the BB1 ​​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 BB1 ​​state. If the number of medals dispensed exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 285 medals), the game state control means 170 terminates the BB1 ​​state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information regarding the number of medals dispensed in the BB1 ​​state, as well as count information regarding the number of times small wins were achieved and the number of games played in the mechanism activation state, are stored in the game state storage area 1916. In this embodiment, if the shift role lottery flag is set to a winning state at the end of the BB1 ​​state, the shift role lottery flag is reset to a non-winning state upon termination of the BB1 ​​state.

[0090] The BB2 state is a game state that is entered when the second big bonus (BB2) is not awarded in a game in which the second big bonus (BB2) was won in the internal lottery, and the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is set to 3. In the BB2 state, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 2, which is one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 and both the first big bonus (BB1) and the second big bonus (BB2) are excluded from the lottery.

[0091] Furthermore, in the BB2 established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the second big bonus (BB2) is maintained in a winning state until the second big bonus (BB2) is awarded. When a combination of symbols indicating the winning form of the second big bonus (BB2) is displayed on an active line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB2 established state to the BB2 state.

[0092] The BB2 state is a game state that is entered when a combination of symbols indicating the winning form of the second Big Bonus (BB2) is displayed on an active line, and the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is set to 3. In the BB2 state, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 7, one of the internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the lottery method for small wins in internal lottery table 7 differs from that of internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2, and the probability of winning small wins is higher than that of internal lottery table 1 and internal lottery table 2. In addition, in internal lottery table 7, either JAC1 or JAC2 is always won, and replays are not included in the lottery. Note that since the shift symbol is not used in the BB2 state, there is no state where the mechanism is not activated like in the BB1 ​​state, and the game corresponding to the mechanism activation state continues until the termination condition is met.

[0093] In the BB2 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 BB2 state. If the number of medals dispensed exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 117 medals), the game state control means 170 terminates the BB2 state and returns the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the count information regarding the number of medals dispensed in the BB2 state is stored in the game state storage area 1916.

[0094] 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 1925 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, such as lighting or flashing lamps or 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 1926 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 performance data storage area 1925 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1927 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1927 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD. Sound data corresponding to the progress of the game is read from the performance data storage area 1925 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and a sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1928 is output from the speaker SP.

[0095] 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).

[0096] 1-2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​state which is entered upon winning the first big bonus (BB1), the mechanism repeatedly switches between a state in which the shift role can be won and a state in which the mechanism is activated upon winning the shift role, until the conditions for ending the BB1 ​​state are met. In the state in which the shift role is won while the mechanism is inactive, the method is employed to make the rate of winning the shift role different depending on the order of the stopping operations.

[0097] Figure 12 shows the winning combination when the Shift combination is won while the special feature is not activated, and the winning combination for Bell a is obtained.

[0098] In this embodiment, when a shift role is won and the winning pattern for bell a is obtained, the shift role, minor role 3, minor role 5, minor role 6, minor role 7, and minor role 8 are won, and control is performed to stop the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 in accordance with a control rule that prioritizes awarding bonuses over minor roles (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as bonus priority control), so that the shift role is awarded in priority to each of the minor roles included in bell a.

[0099] In particular, in this embodiment, as symbol combinations indicating the winning patterns of the shift role, there are two groups of symbol combinations: Group A, which is preferentially displayed when the stopping operation is performed according to the stopping orders 1 and 2, in which the first reel R1 is stopped first; and Group B, which is preferentially displayed when the stopping operation is performed according to the stopping orders 3 to 6, in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first (it may also be displayed in the stopping orders 1 and 2). Depending on the order of the stopping operation, the system switches whether to preferentially display the symbols constituting either Group A or Group B on the active line.

[0100] First, let's explain the case where the first stop reel is the first reel R1. When the stop button B1 is pressed while each of the first reels R1 to the third reel R3 is rotating, and the detection position for the first stop operation on the first reel R1 is the 3rd position as shown in Figure 13(A), the first reel R1 is stopped first, and the stopping position of the first reel R1 is determined so that the symbols that make up the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group A, which indicate the winning form of the shift role, are displayed on the active line. For example, as shown in Figure 13(B), the first reel R1 is stopped at a stopping position where the bell symbol B "BLB" with symbol number 0 is displayed in the middle. When the first reel R1 is stopped in the manner shown in Figure 13(B), as shown in Figure 13(C), the winning combinations that can be awarded for the shift combination and bell a are the shift combination, minor combination 3, and minor combination 7. In particular, for the shift combination, the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group A can be displayed, but the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group B cannot be displayed.

[0101] For the second and third stop reels, the symbols that constitute the winning pattern for the shift role are preferentially displayed on the active line by bonus priority control. In the example shown in Figure 13, the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group A are displayable, and the cherry symbol "CH" assigned to the second reel R2 and the replay symbol "RP" assigned to the third reel R3 are both arranged in a positional relationship that allows them to be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position. Therefore, regardless of the manner of the second and third stop operations, the stop positions of the second reel R2 and the third reel R3 are determined in a manner that results in the winning pattern for the shift role as shown in Figure 13(D).

[0102] Next, we will explain the case where the first stop reel is the second reel R2. In this embodiment, when the first stop reel is the second reel R2, there are cases where the shift symbol is awarded and cases where the shift symbol is not awarded.

[0103] When the stop button B2 is pressed while each of the first reels R1 to the third reel R3 is rotating, and the detection position for the first stop operation on the second reel R2 is the 3rd position as shown in Figure 14(A), the second reel R2 is stopped first, and the stopping position of the second reel R2 is determined so that the symbols that make up the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group B, which indicate the winning form of the shift role, are displayed on the active line. For example, as shown in Figure 14(B), the second reel R2 is stopped at the stopping position where the bell symbol A "BLA" at position 3 is displayed in the middle. When the second reel R2 is stopped in the manner shown in Figure 14(B), as shown in Figure 14(C), the winning roles that can be won with respect to the shift role and bell a are the shift role, minor role 3, and minor role 8. In particular, for the shift role, the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group B can be displayed, but the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group A cannot be displayed.

[0104] For the second and third stop reels, the symbols that constitute the winning pattern for the shift role are preferentially displayed on the active line due to bonus priority control. However, for the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group B, the red 7 symbol A "red 7" and red 7 symbol B "red 7B" assigned to the first reel R1 are arranged in such a position that they cannot be displayed on the active line unless the stop operation is performed at a predetermined press detection position. Therefore, the success or failure of winning the shift role is determined according to the timing of the stop operation to stop the first reel R1.

[0105] For example, if the press detection position for the first reel R1 includes either the red 7 symbol A "Red 7A" or the red 7 symbol B "Red 7B" within its pull-in range (i.e., the press detection position is any of numbers 0, 1, 7-11, or 18-20), a shift bonus can be awarded, and the stopping positions of the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 are determined in a manner that awards a shift bonus as shown in Figure 14(D).

[0106] For example, if the press detection position for the first reel R1 does not include the red 7 symbol A "Red 7A" or the red 7 symbol B "Red 7B" within its pull-in range (i.e., if the press detection position is any of positions 2-6 or 12-17), the shift role cannot be awarded. Consequently, the system controls the display of the symbols that constitute the winning form of the small role 3, which is among the small roles included in bell a, that has a chance of being awarded and has the highest payout, on the active line, and the stopping positions of the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 are determined in a manner that awards the small role 3 as shown in Figure 14(E).

[0107] Finally, let's explain the case where the first stop reel is the third reel, R3. In this embodiment, even when the first stop reel is the third reel, R3, there are cases where the shift symbol is awarded and cases where the shift symbol is not awarded.

[0108] When the stop button B2 is pressed while each of the first reels R1 to the third reel R3 is rotating, and the detection position for the first stop operation on the third reel R3 is the 3rd position as shown in Figure 15(A), the third reel R3 is stopped first, and the stopping position of the third reel R3 is determined so that the symbols that make up the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group B, which indicate the winning form of the shift role, are displayed on the active line. For example, as shown in Figure 15(B), the third reel R3 is stopped at the stopping position where the bell symbol A "BLA" number 1 is displayed in the middle. When the third reel R3 is stopped in the manner shown in Figure 15(B), as shown in Figure 15(C), the winning roles that can be won with respect to the shift role and bell a are the shift role, minor role 3, and minor role 7, and in particular for the shift role, the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group B can be displayed, but the symbol combinations belonging to symbol combination group A cannot be displayed.

[0109] For the second and third stop reels, the symbols that constitute the winning combination for the shift role are preferentially displayed on the active lines due to bonus priority control. However, as previously mentioned, the success or failure of winning the shift role is determined by the timing of the stopping operation that stops the first reel R1.

[0110] For example, if the pressed position for the first reel R1 includes either the red 7 symbol A "Red 7A" or the red 7 symbol B "Red 7B" within its pull-in range, a shift bonus can be awarded, and the stopping positions of the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 are determined in a manner that awards a shift bonus as shown in Figure 15(D).

[0111] For example, if the pressed position on the first reel R1 does not include the red 7 symbol A "Red 7A" or the red 7 symbol B "Red 7B" within the pull-in range, the shift symbol cannot be awarded. Consequently, the system controls the display of the symbols that constitute the winning form of the small win 3, which is among the small wins included in bell a, and which has the possibility of being awarded and has the highest payout, on the active line, and the stopping positions of the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 are determined in a manner in which the small win 3 is awarded as shown in Figure 15(E).

[0112] The above describes the case where a minor role is won when a shift role is won. However, when only the shift role is won, if the stopping operation is performed in the order that the first reel R1 is stopped first, the shift role will always be awarded. If the stopping operation is performed in the order that the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, the control is such that the shift role may be awarded or neither role may be awarded depending on the pressed detection position of the first reel R1. In other words, when only the shift role is won and it is not possible to award the shift role, there are no other possible winning roles, so neither role will be awarded. Also, although the example explained in Figures 12 to 15 was the control when bell a was won, the same method of control is used when bell b or bell c is won, and minor role 3 will be awarded if the shift role cannot be awarded.

[0113] In this embodiment, two sets of symbol combinations, Group A and Group B, are set as symbol combinations that indicate the winning pattern of the shift role. In the BB1 ​​state (when the bonus mechanism is not activated), the priority of the symbol combinations displayed on the active line differs depending on the order of the stopping operation when the shift role is won. As a result, if the stopping operation is performed in a manner in which the first reel R1 is stopped first, the shift role will always be won. If the stopping operation is performed in a manner in which the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, there are cases where the shift role is won and cases where it is not won, depending on the timing of the stopping operation for the first reel R1. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​state (when the bonus mechanism is not activated), a game specification is realized in which the winning rate of the shift role changes depending on the order of the stopping operation, thereby improving the gameplay.

[0114] For example, by changing the probability of winning the shift role according to the order of stopping operations, it is possible to adjust the number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state. In this embodiment, the BB1 ​​state repeatedly transitions between a state where the mechanism is not activated and a state where the mechanism is activated, which makes it easier to acquire medals than the state where the mechanism is not activated, until the termination condition is met. Since the termination condition is set by the total number of medals paid out, winning a small role in the state where the mechanism is not activated may affect the final number of medals acquired.

[0115] Specifically, the BB1 ​​state ends when more than 285 medals are paid out. When the bonus mechanism is not activated, the maximum payout for a winning combination is 4 medals, whereas when the bonus mechanism is activated, the maximum payout for a winning combination is 15 medals. Therefore, the most efficient way to acquire medals is to avoid winning combinations when the bonus mechanism is not activated, and to win a 15-coin combination when the bonus mechanism is activated. However, at the beginning of the BB1 ​​state, it is possible to obtain a winning combination before winning a shift combination. For example, if bell a is won, a 4-coin combination will be awarded regardless of the stopping operation. In this case, the number of medals acquired will be less than when the BB1 ​​state is ended by winning a 15-coin combination 20 times. Therefore, even if a shift combination is won when the bonus mechanism is not activated, it is possible to adjust the total number of medals paid out by avoiding winning the shift combination and instead winning a 4-coin combination, thereby increasing the number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state. For example, if a 4-coin payout occurs once while the special feature is not activated, the final number of medals won will increase if the 4-coin payout occurs two more times. Thus, according to this embodiment, compared to a game specification that uses bonus priority control to guarantee a shift payout regardless of the stopping operation, it is possible to add a gameplay feature that adjusts the number of medals won by considering the medal payout situation in BB1 state.

[0116] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the BB1 ​​state is inactive, the only winning combination is winning combination 3, and winning combination 3 is awarded when the bell symbol combination consisting of bell symbol A "BLA" and bell symbol B "BLB" is displayed on the active line L2. Regarding the symbol combinations that indicate the winning form of the shift role, for symbol combination group B, the symbols assigned to the second reel R2 and the third reel R3 are the same as the symbols that constitute the winning form of winning combination 3. Therefore, when the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first in the BB1 ​​state when the BB1 ​​state is inactive, even if the bonus priority control prioritizes winning the shift role, it is possible to produce a stopping pattern that leaves the possibility of winning a small role.

[0117] Furthermore, in a situation where a shift role has been won, there may be cases where the shift role is awarded by a symbol combination belonging to symbol combination group B when the first reel R1 is stopped first. For example, when the first reel R1 is stopped first, if the symbols that make up symbol combination group A and the symbols that make up symbol combination group B are both displayed on the active line, the stopping positions of the second reel R2 and the third reel R3 may be determined so that, depending on the manner of the second and third stopping operations, there may be cases where the shift role is awarded by symbol combination group A and cases where the shift role is awarded by symbol combination group B. In this way, in a situation where a shift role has been won, if the stopping operation is performed in a manner where the first reel R1 is stopped first, the shift role will always be awarded, and if the stopping operation is performed in a manner where the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first, it is possible to realize a control in which there may be cases where the shift role is awarded and cases where the shift role is not awarded.

[0118] Furthermore, in a situation where a shift role has been won, when the first reel R1 is stopped for the first time, if both the symbols constituting symbol combination group A and the symbols constituting symbol combination group B are within the pull-in range relative to the press detection position, both the symbols constituting symbol combination group A and the symbols constituting symbol combination group B may be displayed on the active line, or the first reel R1 may be stopped in a manner in which the symbols constituting symbol combination group A are displayed on the active line while the symbols constituting symbol combination group B are not displayed on the active line. The former allows for a rich variety of display variations in the manner in which the shift role is won, while the latter allows for narrowing down the symbol combination groups that are displayed when the shift role is won at the time the first reel R1 is stopped.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, two bonus states, BB1 and BB2, are provided as bonus states where it is easier to acquire medals than in the normal state, and the game is designed so that these bonus states are the primary functions for acquiring medals.

[0120] In a game specification like this embodiment, where the main medal acquisition function depends on the bonus state, the design of the medal acquisition function requires that performance indicators such as the payout ratio and the consecutive payout ratio (hereinafter abbreviated as payout ratio, etc.) be below the standards predetermined by the regulations, and that the payout rate stays within the range predetermined by the regulations. In particular, it is important to ensure that the payout rate does not exceed the upper limit of the range.

[0121] Therefore, in this embodiment, with respect to the BB1 ​​state, the mechanism is designed so that when a shift symbol is awarded in the non-activating state, which has the same probability of winning small wins as the normal state, the player transitions to an activated state where the probability of winning small wins is higher than in the normal state. In a bonus state where the probability of winning small wins is increased by using such a shift symbol, the amount of medals paid out during gameplay in the activated state is calculated as the amount of medals paid out by the mechanism in the mechanism ratio, etc., and the amount of medals paid out during gameplay in the non-activating state is not included. For this reason, by making the BB1 ​​state a bonus state that can be repeatedly transitioned between the non-activating state and the activated state until the termination condition is met, the mechanism ratio, etc. can be kept lower compared to when the shift symbol is not used.

[0122] In this embodiment, the probability of winning a replay increases upon winning the first Big Bonus (BB), and in the BB1 ​​state where the mechanism is not activated, an internal lottery is conducted with a higher probability of winning a replay than in the normal state. In the BB1 ​​state where the mechanism is not activated, the Shift role is newly added to the lottery targets, and the Shift role can be won in conjunction with a replay. Therefore, if the Shift role is won in the BB1 ​​state where the mechanism is not activated, the Shift role will not be awarded in that game because a replay has also been won in conjunction.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the BB1 ​​state is inactive and a winning pattern for a minor role is obtained through internal lottery, any winning pattern for a minor role will always include a 4-coin minor role that pays out more than the specified number of coins. Also, when the BB1 ​​state is inactive and the BB1 ​​state is inactive, there is a possibility that the result of the internal lottery will be a loss, but the probability of obtaining a loss is set to be extremely low.

[0124] In other words, in the BB1 ​​state of this embodiment, when the special feature is not activated, either a replay or a small win is awarded in almost every game, and when a small win is awarded, a small win of 4 coins, exceeding the prescribed number of coins, is always awarded. In the game specifications of this embodiment, creating a situation where a replay or a 4-coin small win is awarded in almost every game when the special feature is not activated is effective in keeping performance indicators such as the payout rate in so-called simulation tests low.

[0125] The above simulation test is a test in which various performance indicators such as the payout rate are determined by payout simulation, and whether the performance indicators obtained from the payout simulation meet the standards set by the regulations. In the simulation test, if a replay is won, a replay is always awarded, and if a small win is won, the game result that is expected to yield the greatest increase in medals in that game is simulated. For this reason, in the payout simulation for the game specifications of this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​state where the mechanism is not activated, if a replay is won, a replay is awarded even if a shift role is also won, and if a small win is won, a 4-coin small win that is expected to yield an increase in medals is awarded even if a shift role is also won. In the state where the mechanism is not activated, the internal lottery result is a loss and only the shift role is won, at which point the game transitions to the mechanism activation state.

[0126] In this embodiment, by setting the probability of obtaining a losing result in the internal lottery when the BB1 ​​state is inactive to an extremely low level, the above simulation test simulates a behavior in which the duration of the BB1 ​​state inactive state is extremely high.

[0127] In this embodiment, when a minor role and a bonus are won simultaneously, a control system that prioritizes the bonus win when determining the stopping position is employed, known as bonus-priority control. Therefore, when a player experiences playing in the BB1 ​​state according to the game specifications of this embodiment in the market, in the non-activating state of the mechanism, after a shift role is won, the stopping control prioritizes the win of the shift role in the game where a minor role has been won, allowing the shift role to be won. As a result, in actual market behavior, it is possible to frequently transition from the BB1 ​​state to the activated state of the mechanism.

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an internal lottery is conducted to select the Shift role not only when the special feature is not activated, but also when the special feature is activated. Unlike when the special feature is not activated, in the activated state, control is performed to avoid awarding the Shift role based on the fact that the game state is the activated state, and the Shift role will not be awarded in the activated state. Also, when the activated state ends and the game transitions to the non-activated state in BB1 state, the Shift role lottery state is carried over. For this reason, in BB1 state, if the Shift role is won in the activated state, the state of having won the Shift role is carried over until the activated state ends and the game transitions to the non-activated state, and since the state of having already won the Shift role is reached when the game transitions to the non-activated state, the transition to the activated state becomes faster. In other words, in this embodiment, an internal lottery is conducted in the activated state in BB1 state to select the Shift role, and the state of having won the Shift role is carried over to the non-activated state, thereby improving the rate of staying in the activated state.

[0129] Thus, in this embodiment, with respect to the BB1 ​​state, the behavior in simulation tests shows a high rate of time spent in the non-activating state, while actual gameplay by players in the market shows a high rate of time spent in the activated state. As a result, the number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state differs between simulation tests and the market, making it possible to realize a game specification in the market where a large number of medals can be acquired in the BB1 ​​state.

[0130] For example, Figure 16(A) shows a specific example of the assignment of random values ​​to each winning pattern in the game specifications of this embodiment. According to the example shown in Figure 16(A), the relationship between the payout rate (expected value) for each game state in actual gameplay in the market and the payout rate for each game state in the payout simulation in the simulation test (SIM) is as shown in Figure 16(B). Note that in the calculation of the payout rate in the market, the treatment when a replay is won is set to pay out 3 coins and insert 3 coins in the next game, while in the calculation of the payout rate in the simulation test, the treatment when a replay is won is set to pay out 0 coins and insert 0 coins in the next game.

[0131] As shown in Figure 16(B), there are differences between the payout rate in the market and the payout rate in the simulation test in the normal state, the BB1 ​​state, the BB2 state, and the BB1 ​​state when the bonus features are not activated.

[0132] First, in the normal state (state 1 in the diagram), while only one small win occurs for bells a and b in the market, the simulation test treats them as if four small wins, which result in the maximum payout, have occurred. Therefore, the payout rate in the market is lower than the payout rate in the simulation test.

[0133] Furthermore, in the BB1 ​​state (state 2 in the diagram), while only one small win occurs for bell a in the market, the simulation test treats it as if four small wins, which result in the maximum payout, have occurred. As a result, the payout rate in the market is lower than the payout rate in the simulation test.

[0134] Furthermore, in BB1 state A (state 3 in the diagram), where the mechanism is not activated, the behavior when a small win is obtained is the same in the market and in the simulation test. However, as mentioned earlier, the handling of replay wins in the simulation test differs from the market, and for this reason, the payout rate in the simulation test is higher than the payout rate in the market.

[0135] Furthermore, in state B (state 4 in the diagram) where the BB1 ​​mechanism is not activated, there is a significant difference between the market payout rate and the payout rate in the simulation test. This is because the simulation test simulates the behavior in which a 4-coin small win occurs when a small win pattern is obtained, which is expected to increase the number of medals in that game, whereas in the market, it is assumed that a shift win occurs due to bonus priority control when a small win occurs, resulting in the market payout rate being extremely low compared to the simulation test payout rate.

[0136] Furthermore, for the BB1 ​​state, mechanism activation state A (state 5 in the figure), mechanism activation state B (state 6 in the figure), and BB2 state (state 7 in the figure), the payout rate in the market and the payout rate in the simulation test are equal. This is because, in both the market and the simulation test, when a winning pattern for a small role is obtained, the behavior is such that a 15-coin small role or a 13-coin small role is awarded. In this embodiment, an internal lottery is conducted with the shift role as the target of the lottery in the BB1 ​​state mechanism activation state, but even if a shift role is won, that shift role will not be awarded in the mechanism activation state, so whether or not a shift role is won does not directly affect the payout rate in the mechanism activation state.

[0137] In the game specifications of this embodiment, regarding the BB1 ​​state, the proportion of time spent in the state where the special feature is activated is high in the market, while the proportion of time spent in the state where the special feature is not activated is high in the simulation test. As a result, in the example shown in Figure 16, the average number of medals obtained in the BB1 ​​state is approximately 263 in the market because most of the payouts exceeding the approximately 285 medals required to terminate the game are obtained while the special feature is activated, whereas in the simulation test, most of the payouts exceeding the approximately 285 medals required to terminate the game are obtained while the special feature is not activated, resulting in an average of approximately 83 medals.

[0138] In the embodiment described above, it is possible to achieve a game specification with a high level of medal acquisition performance while keeping various design indicators related to medal acquisition performance within the standards set by the regulations, thereby improving the design freedom of the game machine. Specifically, in simulation tests, the behavior of the BB1 ​​state results in a high rate of time spent in the non-activating state of the bonus features, which allows performance indicators such as the bonus feature ratio and the consecutive bonus feature ratio to be kept low. Also, since the average number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state is low in simulation tests, it becomes easier to design the machine so as not to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate set by the regulations. On the other hand, in the market, the behavior of the BB1 ​​state results in a high rate of time spent in the activated state of the bonus features, so the average number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state is high. Furthermore, in the game specification of this embodiment, it is also possible to design the payout rate in the normal state to be low, which makes it possible to create large fluctuations in the medal acquisition trend, thereby improving the enjoyment of the game.

[0139] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​state where the bonus feature is not activated, there is an extremely low probability that the result of the internal lottery will be a loss. However, since the transition to the bonus feature activation state due to the winning of the shift role increases the payout rate in the simulation test, it is also possible to eliminate the possibility of a loss in the internal lottery when the bonus feature is not activated. In other words, in the BB1 ​​state where the bonus feature is not activated, the configuration may be such that either a small role or a replay is always won. In this way, a situation in which only the shift role is won in the bonus feature is not activated will not occur, and therefore the transition to the bonus feature activation state will not occur in the simulation test, thus dramatically reducing the bonus feature ratio in the design.

[0140] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16(B), the expected value of the payout rate in the normal state in the market is low, so the ratio of winning combinations in so-called test firing tests (tests to confirm various performance indicators based on the actual behavior of the gaming machine) is unlikely to meet the standards set by the regulations. For this reason, the expected value of the payout rate is increased in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states, and the ratio of winning combinations is kept low. In particular, in this embodiment, the priority between bonuses and small wins is "bonus > small wins," so prioritizing the winning of bonuses in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states makes it difficult to win small wins. As a result, there is the disadvantage that the expected value of the payout rate in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states tends to decrease, but the disadvantage regarding the ratio of winning combinations can be resolved by making it possible to win 4-coin small wins when bell b is won in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states by changing the stop control method from the normal state. Similarly, in the BB1 ​​state when the winning combination is not activated, it is possible to win 4-coin small wins for bell a and bell b, unlike in the normal state, for the same reason.

[0141] Furthermore, in BB2 mode, the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is 3, but there are winning patterns (JAC1 and JAC2) that include the small win 2, which is only drawn in BB2 mode. Since the maximum payout for small wins in the normal mode, BB1 mode, and BB2 mode, where the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is also 3, adding the small win 2, which pays 13 coins, to the draw in BB2 mode improves the medal acquisition performance in BB2 mode.

[0142] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the non-activating state B of the BB1 ​​state, the shift role can be avoided depending on the manner of the stopping operation. Specifically, in a situation where a minor role and a shift role are won simultaneously in the non-activating state B of the jackpot, if the stopping operation is performed in the order of stopping the first reel R1 first, the shift role will always be won. However, if the stopping operation is performed in the order of stopping the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, the first stopped reel will be stopped to display the bell symbol A "BLA" on the active line, and depending on the timing of the stopping operation to stop the first reel R1, either the shift role will be won or minor role 3 will be won. In this embodiment, when a minor role and a bonus are won simultaneously, the bonus is given priority, and if the shift role were to always be won in the non-activating state B of the jackpot, the drawing for minor roles would effectively become meaningless. However, in state B where the special feature is not activated, the combination of symbols indicating the winning pattern for the shift feature may be set so that the shift feature can be awarded regardless of the manner of the stopping operation.

[0143] Furthermore, although the BB2 state in this embodiment does not use the shift role, it is also possible to use the shift role in the BB2 state as well, so that when the shift role is won while the mechanism is not activated, the mechanism transitions to the activated state.

[0144] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it is possible to perform an internal lottery targeting the shift role not only in the BB1 ​​state where the special feature is not activated, but also in the state where the special feature is activated, it is possible to achieve a high probability of winning the shift role before the termination condition of the special feature activation state is met, and even after the special feature activation state ends and transitions to the special feature non-activated state, it is easy to return to the special feature activation state quickly. However, it is also possible to perform an internal lottery targeting the shift role only in the BB1 ​​state where the special feature is not activated, and to perform an internal lottery that does not target the shift role in the special feature activation state.

[0145] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a shift role is won in the BB1 ​​state (device activation state A) and in the device activation state B, even if the priority between small roles and bonuses is "bonus > small role", stop control is performed to avoid awarding a shift role based on the fact that the game state is the device activation state. As a result, a shift role will not be awarded in the device activation state, and the condition for ending the device activation state is met in most cases when the player is in the device activation state B. Therefore, after returning to the non-device activation state, it is possible to create a situation where it is easy to quickly transition back to the device activation state.

[0146] Furthermore, this embodiment is designed so that when the BB1 ​​state is inactive, the internal lottery may result in a loss. However, regarding the behavior of the BB1 ​​state in simulation tests, the rate of staying in the non-operating state is greatly influenced by the probability of getting a loss in the internal lottery while the BB1 ​​state is inactive. Therefore, if a case is provided where the internal lottery results in a loss while the BB1 ​​state is inactive, it is preferable to make that probability extremely low.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a shift role and a minor role are won simultaneously in the BB1 ​​state, the control prioritizes the winning of the shift role when determining the stopping position, so-called bonus priority control is performed. Therefore, even in a configuration where the internal lottery result is a loss only occurs at an extremely low probability when the mechanism is not activated in the BB1 ​​state, the winning of the shift role can be achieved quickly. As a result, in actual gameplay in the market, the rate of time spent in the activated state in the BB1 ​​state can be increased, and the average number of medals won in the BB1 ​​state can be improved. Alternatively, instead of bonus priority control in the BB1 ​​state, the control prioritizes the winning of the minor role when a shift role and a minor role are won simultaneously, so-called minor role priority control is performed when determining the stopping position. In this case, even if a shift role and a minor role are won simultaneously, the configuration allows for the minor role to be missed, and the stopping operation is performed in a manner that avoids the winning of the minor role, thereby ensuring that the shift role is won.

[0148] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maximum payout among the small wins that can be won in the normal state, the BB1 ​​established state, the BB2 established state, and the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is not activated was 4 coins. However, there may be winning patterns in which small wins with payouts of 5 coins or more are won. That is, in the normal state, as winning patterns for small wins that are subject to lottery, if the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is N, it is possible to provide winning patterns for small wins that include small wins with payouts of N+1 or more. For example, if the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is 3, there may be winning patterns that include small wins with payouts of 4 coins, winning patterns that include small wins with payouts of 5 coins, and winning patterns that include small wins with payouts of 6 coins. However, including small wins with high payouts in the lottery will increase the medal acquisition performance in the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is not activated, resulting in an increase in the payout rate in simulation tests. For this reason, it is preferable that the probability of obtaining a winning pattern that includes small wins with payouts of 5 coins or more is set lower than the winning patterns for other small wins (e.g., bell a, bell b, bell c, etc.).

[0149] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​and BB2 established states, the stopping control of bell b, which is normally controlled to award one coin, is changed to award four coins. This improves the medal acquisition performance of the game in the BB1 ​​and BB2 established states during so-called test play, and allows for a suitable adjustment so as not to fall below the lower limit of the payout rate stipulated by the regulations. Moreover, since the medal acquisition performance of the game in the BB1 ​​and BB2 established states is improved, a reduction in the ratio of winning combinations can also be obtained. In other words, the stopping control may be changed so that some or all of the winning combinations of small wins that normally only award one coin can award four coins in the BB1 ​​and BB2 established states.

[0150] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​state where the special feature is not activated, the stopping control method differs from the normal state, as all of bells a to c are set to award 4-coin small wins. However, there may be winning patterns in the BB1 ​​state where some or all of bells a to c are set to award 4-coin small wins in the same manner as the normal state. By adopting a stopping control method different from the normal state, as in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance in the BB1 ​​state where the special feature is not activated is improved, thereby increasing the expected value of medal acquisition in the BB1 ​​state. In addition, by improving the medal acquisition performance in the BB1 ​​state where the special feature is not activated, it is possible to obtain the effect of reducing the ratio of consecutive special features.

[0151] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the prescribed number of tokens to be inserted in the normal state and the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is not activated is set to 3, and the prescribed number of tokens to be inserted in the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is activated is set to 1, but the prescribed number of tokens to be inserted in the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is activated may be set to 2. By setting the prescribed number of tokens to be inserted in the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is activated to be different from that in the normal state and the BB1 ​​state when the special feature is not activated, it is possible to increase the average number of tokens obtained in the BB1 ​​state by reducing the number of tokens to be inserted in the special feature activated state, and it is also possible to improve the token acquisition performance in the special feature activated state by changing the payout for small wins by changing the prescribed number of tokens to be inserted.

[0152] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even with bonus priority control in the non-activating mechanism state B of BB1 state, the shift mechanism can be stopped in a specific manner to avoid winning the shift mechanism. In this way, the duration of the non-activating mechanism state is extended, which increases the number of medals obtained from winning small roles, thus reducing the ratio of consecutive mechanism wins.

[0153] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a BB2 state is provided as a bonus state that does not use the shift role, but it is not necessary to provide a BB2 state. If a bonus state that does not use the shift role, such as the BB2 state, is provided, the payout rate in the simulation test will increase, so it is preferable that the expected value of medals to be acquired in a bonus state that does not use the shift role is set lower than that of a bonus state that uses the shift role, such as the BB1 ​​state.

[0154] Furthermore, in this embodiment, bonus-priority control was employed to determine the stopping position by prioritizing the winning of a bonus when both a bonus and a minor role are won. However, minor role-priority control may also be employed to determine the stopping position by prioritizing the winning of a minor role when both a bonus and a minor role are won. When minor role-priority control is adopted, the duration of the BB1 ​​established state, BB2 established state, and BB1 state non-activating state B is extended, which prevents situations where the payout rate falls below the lower limit of the so-called test firing test. In addition, by increasing the acquisition of medals through winning minor roles in the BB1 ​​established state, BB2 established state, and BB1 state non-activating state, the effect of reducing the ratio of minor roles in the so-called test firing test can be obtained. When minor role-priority control is adopted, if a minor role is won in BB1 state non-activating state B, it is preferable to prioritize displaying symbols common to the winning form of the shift role and the winning form of the minor role on the active line and perform stopping control that makes it possible to win the shift role.

[0155] Furthermore, as a winning pattern for small wins in the BB1 ​​state where the special feature is activated, JAC5 and JAC6 may be provided, as shown in Figure 17(A).

[0156] In this example, if JAC5 is won, a 15-coin payout is awarded if the stopping operation is performed according to the sequence of operations where the first reel R1 is stopped first (order 1, 2), and a 1-coin payout is awarded if the stopping operation is performed according to the sequence of operations where the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 is stopped first (orders 3 to 6). Also, if JAC6 is won, a 15-coin payout is awarded regardless of the stopping operation.

[0157] In the above embodiment, due to the adoption of bonus priority control, the first big bonus (BB1) is more likely to be awarded when BB1 is established. This is a point of concern regarding compliance with the standards set by regulations regarding the upper limit of the payout rate.

[0158] Therefore, in this example, JAC5 is provided that allows a 15-coin payout only when the player uses the most likely operating sequence, which is batting order 1 or 2. When the operating sequence is random, it has the function of reducing the expected value of medal acquisition when the BB1 ​​state mechanism is activated, making it easier to meet the upper limit standard for payout rate. Furthermore, JAC6 has the function of preventing the payout rate from being extremely low even when the player plays using only irregular button presses (batting order 3 to 6) when the BB1 ​​state mechanism is activated.

[0159] Furthermore, in the specifications of the above embodiment, the condition for ending the BB1 ​​state is that more than 285 coins have been paid out, so the maximum number of medals obtained in the BB1 ​​state is when the 15-coin small win is achieved 20 times. However, between the start of the BB1 ​​state and the time when the shift win occurs while the mechanism is not activated, the 4-coin small win may occur. Therefore, if the 4-coin small win occurs even once in the BB1 ​​state, the number of times the 15-coin small win can be achieved decreases, and as a result, the number of medals obtained is less than when the 4-coin small win is not achieved.

[0160] Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 17(B), JAC5a is provided as a winning pattern for a small win that allows for the payout of 11 medals in an irregular pressing order (batting order 3 to 6). By winning the 11-medal prize the same number of times as the number of times the 4-medal prize was won when the mechanism was not activated, the total number of medals paid out in BB1 state can be adjusted to a multiple of 15, thus suppressing the decrease in the number of medals acquired even when the 4-medal prize is won.

[0161] Furthermore, it is preferable that the 11-coin payout, which is possible when JAC5a is won, is achieved by stopping the machine at a specific button press detection position, and that a 1-coin payout is achieved if the machine does not stop at the specific button press detection position. This improves the degree of skill required for gameplay when the bonus features are activated and has the effect of reducing the average number of medals obtained when stopping the machine randomly. However, it is also possible to configure the machine so that an 11-coin payout is guaranteed if an irregular button press is made when JAC5a is won. In addition, the winning method for JAC6 can be omitted, in which case an opportunity to adjust the number of medals obtained can be provided in each game when the bonus features are activated.

[0162] Furthermore, assuming that when a replay is awarded, it results in 0 coins being paid out and 0 coins being inserted (Condition 1), that when a shift role is won alone, or when a small role is won in conjunction with a shift role, the maximum payout is less than or equal to the prescribed number of coins inserted (Condition 2), that when a small role is won in conjunction with a shift role, the small role is awarded (Condition 3), that when a shift role is won in conjunction with a replay (including when a replay is won in non-operating mechanism state B), a replay is awarded (Condition 4), that when only a small role is won, the small role is awarded in a manner that maximizes the number of coins paid out (Condition 5), and that even if a shift role is won in the operating mechanism state, the shift role will not be awarded in that operating mechanism state (Condition 6), the result of calculating the payout rate in BB1 state is that the payout rate in non-operating mechanism state B (while the shift is inside the operating mechanism state) may be less than 220%. In this embodiment, since the shift role is included in the lottery when the mechanism is activated, the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is calculated taking condition 6 into consideration. However, if the shift role is not included in the lottery when the mechanism is activated, condition 6 is unnecessary. This is because if the number of medals is increased during the shift when the mechanism is not activated, the number of games played until the payout amount set as the termination condition for the BB1 ​​state is reached will increase. If the payout rate during the shift when the mechanism is activated exceeds the upper limit of the payout rate for so-called short-term tests (220% at 400G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed that upper limit if the BB1 ​​state is repeated. The condition that the payout rate during the shift when the mechanism is not activated is less than 220% can also be applied to game specifications where the situation corresponding to at least one of the above conditions 1 to 6 does not occur (for example, game specifications where the shift role does not win on its own in the mechanism non-activated state A).

[0163] Furthermore, if the payout rate in the BB1 ​​state is calculated based on the assumptions of conditions 1 to 6 above, the payout rate in the non-activating mechanism state B (while the mechanism is activated) may be less than 150%. In this case as well, condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not included in the lottery while the mechanism is activated. This is because if the number of medals is increased while the mechanism is activated and the payout rate is increased, the number of games played until the payout amount set as the termination condition for the BB1 ​​state is reached will increase, and if the design is such that the payout rate while the mechanism is activated and the payout rate inside the shift exceeds the upper limit of the so-called new mid-term test (150% at 1600G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed that upper limit if the BB1 ​​state is repeated. Note that the condition that the payout rate while the mechanism is activated and the payout rate inside the shift is less than 150% can also be applied to game specifications where the situation corresponding to at least one of the above conditions 1 to 6 does not occur (for example, game specifications where the shift role does not win on its own in the non-activating mechanism state A).

[0164] Furthermore, if the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is calculated based on the assumptions of conditions 1 to 6 above, the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state may be less than 220%. In this case as well, condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not included in the lottery when the mechanism is activated. This is because if the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is designed to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate for so-called short-term tests (220% at 400G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed that upper limit if the BB1 ​​state is repeated. Note that the requirement that the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state be less than 220% can also be applied to game specifications where at least one of the above conditions 1 to 6 does not occur (for example, game specifications where the shift role does not win on its own in non-activated mechanism state A).

[0165] Furthermore, if the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is calculated based on the assumptions of conditions 1 to 6 above, the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state may be less than 150%. In this case as well, condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not included in the lottery when the mechanism is activated. This is because if the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is designed to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate in the so-called new mid-term test (150% at 1600G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed that upper limit if the BB1 ​​state is repeated. Note that the condition that the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is less than 150% can also be applied to game specifications where the situation corresponding to at least one of the above conditions 1 to 6 does not occur (for example, game specifications where the shift role does not win on its own in mechanism non-activated state A).

[0166] Furthermore, in this 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.

[0167] (Second Embodiment) 2-1. Composition Figure 18 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0168] 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.

[0169] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of the first reel R1 to the 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.

[0170] As shown in Figure 18, the first to third reels R1 to R3 each have their outer surfaces divided into 20 regions (each region referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, 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 stoppable 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.

[0171] 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.

[0172] 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 upper position of the first reel R1, the middle position of the second reel R2, and the lower position of the third reel R3, is activated.

[0173] 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.

[0174] 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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] 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.

[0177] 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).

[0178] 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.

[0179] 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.

[0180] 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.

[0181] 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.

[0182] Figure 20 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine according to this embodiment.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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 transition 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. 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.

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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.

[0187] Furthermore, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process 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 1917, the AT stock count counter 1918, the AT game count counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, the game information storage means 190a's main RAM has memory areas other than the lottery flag memory area 1915, game state memory area 1916, performance state memory area 1917, AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these memory areas of the main RAM is initialized. For this reason, in the main RAM, the setting value memory area 1913 and the credit information memory area 1914 are designated as information retention areas, and the information stored in these memory areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in setting change mode.

[0188] 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.

[0189] 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.

[0190] 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.

[0191] 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 the player's game start operation on the start lever SL (the first press operation on the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, and the like.

[0192] 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 21 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various roles such as replays, minor roles, 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.

[0193] In this embodiment of the gaming machine, there are four types of small wins: small win 1 to small win 48. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, the following are set as winning patterns for the small wins: batting order bell group a (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d6), batting order bell group e (batting order bell e1 to batting order bell e6), batting order special win group (batting order special win 1 to batting order special win 16: an example of a specific winning pattern), weak cherry, JAC1, and JAC2.

[0194] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, replays 1 to 7 are provided as replays, and as shown in Figure 23, the winning patterns for replays are set as normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance symbol a, chance symbol b, and strong cherry.

[0195] 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.

[0196] 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.

[0197] 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.

[0198] In this embodiment, the probability of winning bonuses and replays does not change depending on the setting value, but the probability of winning some minor roles changes depending on the setting value, with the probability of winning JAC1 and JAC2 increasing as the setting value increases.

[0199] 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.

[0200] 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.

[0201] 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.

[0202] 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).

[0203] 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.

[0204] In other words, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stopping position of the reel corresponding to the pressed button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stopping position. In this 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 gaming machine, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed changes, the stopping order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 changes.

[0205] 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.

[0206] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 24, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the bar symbol "BAR", special symbol 1 "SP1", special symbol 2 "SP2", special symbol 3 "SP3", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol 1 "BL1", bell symbol 2 "BL2", watermelon symbol "WM", and cherry symbol "CH" 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.

[0207] 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.

[0208] 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.

[0209] 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.

[0210] 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.

[0211] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, in the stop control table that is referenced when multiple types of winning combinations are set to a winning state in the internal lottery, there are cases in which the stop position is set according to the number of combinations of symbols that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line (number priority control: an example of the second control rule), and cases in which the stop position is set according to the number of medals paid out based on predetermined payouts for the winning patterns (payout number priority control: an example of the first control rule). When the stop position is set according to the number of combinations of symbols that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the stop position that allows for a larger number of combinations of symbols that indicate winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line 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 of the winning pattern corresponding to the symbol displayed at the display position on the active line 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.

[0212] Then, in the stop control table that is referenced when the internal lottery selects the batting order bell group a (batting order bell a1 to batting order bell a6), batting order bell group b (batting order bell b1 to batting order bell b6), batting order bell group c (batting order bell c1 to batting order bell c6), batting order bell group d (batting order bell d1 to batting order bell d6), and batting order bell group e (batting order bell e1 to batting order bell e8), a correct batting order is set for each batting order bell, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, and a pressing order different from the correct batting order is treated as an incorrect batting order.

[0213] First, as shown in Figure 25, in the stop control table that is referenced when a batting order bell belonging to any of the batting order bell groups a to d is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, a 15-coin small prize or a 1-coin small prize is awarded (there may be a missed prize if batting order 3 to 6 are the correct batting order). The stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order, a 1-coin small prize is awarded (there may be a missed prize if batting order 3 to 6 are the incorrect batting order).

[0214] In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to any of the batting order bell groups a to d is won and the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order, whether or not a 15-coin prize is awarded is determined by the detection position of the stop operation (hereinafter referred to as the first stop operation) corresponding to the first reel that stops in the correct batting order. Whether or not a 15-coin prize is awarded is determined by whether the detection position of the first stop operation is the first press position or the second press position shown in Figure 24. Specifically, as shown in Figure 25, for the batting order bell group a and batting order bell group c, a 15-coin prize is awarded when the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is the second press position, but a 15-coin prize is not awarded when the batting order is correct but the first stop operation is the first press position. For the batting order bell group b and batting order bell group d, a 15-coin prize is awarded when the batting order is correct and the first stop operation is the first press position, but a 15-coin prize is not awarded when the batting order is correct but the first stop operation is the second press position.

[0215] Next, as shown in Figure 26, in the stop control table referenced when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell group e is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 15-coin prize is awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order, and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin prize is awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the incorrect batting order (there may be a missed prize if batting orders 3 to 6 are incorrect batting orders). Note that, unlike batting order bell groups a to d, the batting order bell group e is designed so that a 15-coin prize can be awarded regardless of the press detection position for the first stop operation in the correct batting order.

[0216] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 25 and 26, for all bell sequences, under normal circumstances, all stopping sequences are treated as incorrect sequences. Only when a Big Bonus (BB) is established are there sequences of stopping sequences that are treated as correct and sequences that are treated as incorrect. For this reason, under normal circumstances, even if the stopping sequence is performed in a way that would allow for a 15-coin payout when a BB is established, only a 1-coin payout will be awarded.

[0217] Furthermore, when a bell is won in each batting order, the stopping position relative to the press detection position is set in each stop control table so that, in the case of a correct batting order, the symbols that constitute the winning combination of 15 coins are preferentially displayed on the active line due to payout priority control, and in the case of an incorrect batting order, the symbols that constitute the winning combination of 1 coin are preferentially displayed on the active line due to quantity priority control.

[0218] Furthermore, in the stop control table that is referenced when a special batting order role belonging to the special batting order role group (special batting order role 1 to special batting order role 16) is won in the internal lottery, as shown in Figure 27, if a specific batting order (a predetermined sequence of operations for each special batting order role) is selected and the stop detection position of the first stop operation (the stop operation for the reel that is stopped first in the specific batting order) is a specific press position (a predetermined press detection position for each special batting order role: an example of a specific operation position), then when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, a 15-coin small win (one of the specific small wins) is selected. For example, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a prize is awarded. If it is a specific batting order and the press detection position of the first stop operation is a non-specific press position (a press detection position different from the specific press position), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 1-coin prize is awarded. If it is a non-specific batting order (an operation order different from the specific batting order), the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 14-coin prize is awarded. In addition, the specific press positions shown in Figure 27 indicate the numbers of the symbols located in the upper row when the stop buttons are pressed. For example, the specific press positions 0 and 16 for the special batting order prize 1 shown in Figure 27 indicate the case where either the cherry symbol "CH" (number 0) or the watermelon symbol "WM" (number 16) is located in the upper row at the press detection position of the first reel R1, which is stopped first in a specific batting order. In the following, the method of stopping the reels to award 15 small prizes when a special batting order combination is won may be referred to as the "specific operation method" as necessary.

[0219] Furthermore, when a special batting order win occurs, if it is a specific batting order, payout priority control is applied to the specific button press position, and symbols constituting the 15-coin winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line. If the button press detection position is different from the specific button press position, quantity priority control is applied, and symbols constituting the 1-coin winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line. If it is not a specific batting order, quantity priority control is applied, and symbols constituting the 14-coin winning combination are preferentially displayed on the active line. In other words, when a special batting order win occurs, payout priority control is applied only if it is a specific operation, and quantity priority control is applied if it is not a specific operation.

[0220] Furthermore, in the stop control table referenced when weak cherry 1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that small win 48 takes priority over small wins 29, 32, and 43. In the stop control table referenced when JAC1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that any of the 15-coin small wins will always be awarded. In the stop control table referenced when JAC1 is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that any of the 1-coin small wins will always be awarded.

[0221] Furthermore, for various replay winning patterns such as normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, and strong cherry, the stop position relative to the button press detection position is set so that one of the replays included in the winning pattern will always be awarded, regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0222] 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.

[0223] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether or not 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 or not 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 28 to 32, it can determine whether or not a Big Bonus (BB), Replay 1 to Replay 7, and Small Win 1 to Small Win 48 have been achieved based on the combination of symbols displayed on the active line when each reel has stopped.

[0224] 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.

[0225] 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.

[0226] 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.

[0227] 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.

[0228] 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.

[0229] As shown in Figure 33, 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.

[0230] 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 21, 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.

[0231] 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 21, where the probability of winning a replay is higher than that of Internal Lottery Table 1, resulting in no misses (failures) and excluding the Big Bonus (BB) from the lottery.

[0232] Furthermore, in the Big Bonus (BB) established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the Big Bonus (BB) is maintained in a winning state until a Big Bonus (BB) is awarded. When a combination of symbols indicating the winning form of the Big Bonus (BB) is displayed on an active line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB established state to the BB state.

[0233] 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 21, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 3, which has a different method of drawing small wins than internal lottery tables 1 and 2.

[0234] 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 a predetermined number of medals (for example, 200 medals) has 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.

[0235] As shown in Figure 34, the AT control means 175 changes the performance state between multiple types of performance states, including non-AT state, low AT probability state, AT state, and CZ state. Under predetermined conditions, it sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state), determines whether the termination condition of the AT state is met based on the value of the AT game counter 1919, and controls the termination of the AT state when the termination condition of the AT state is met. In this embodiment, information indicating the current performance state is stored in the performance state storage area 1917 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the player is in AT state, the AT control means 175 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order (at least one of the correct batting order and the pressing position) 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 (an example of operation instruction information), thereby assisting in winning 15-coin small wins (small wins 1 to 20). Additionally, the performance control means 180 displays an image corresponding to the correct batting order (at least one of the correct batting order and the pressing position) on the liquid crystal display LCD when a batting order bell is won (a prize-winning assistance performance), which assists in winning 15-coin small wins (small wins 1 to 20). 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 a non-AT state.

[0236] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 35, the AT control means 175 allows setting a normal section (non-advantageous section) and an advantageous section. In the normal section, the performance state is fixed to the initial non-AT state, and a lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section is performed. If the advantageous section transition lottery is won, the advantageous section is started, and the performance state can be set to the AT state, provided that the player is in the advantageous section. In the game played in the normal section, if the game state is the normal state or the BB established state, the AT control means 175 performs a lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section based on whether the internal lottery has resulted in a winning pattern of one of the following: batting order bell 1 to batting order bell 24, batting order special role group a to batting order special role group d, weak cherry, normal replay a, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry. In this embodiment, if the winning pattern includes JAC1, normal replay b, or big bonus (BB) in the normal state or BB established state, the lottery for transitioning to the advantageous section is not performed.

[0237] 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 player has won the advantageous section transition lottery (won the advantageous section) based on the comparison result. In the advantageous section transition lottery table, the random number for the internal lottery, which is associated with each winning type that triggers the execution of the advantageous section transition lottery, is assigned either an advantageous section win or a loss. If the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with a winning type 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 player has won the advantageous section transition lottery.

[0238] 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 a win, the performance state is transitioned to the AT low probability state in the advantageous section transition process. Alternatively, there may be two or more winning patterns for the advantageous section transition lottery, and the system may decide whether to transition the performance state to the AT low probability state or the AT state in the advantageous section transition process.

[0239] The AT control means 175 then performs an AT lottery for each game when the performance state in the advantageous section is in the AT low probability state or CZ state. In the normal state, the AT lottery is performed based on the fact that the internal lottery has obtained one of the following winning patterns: batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group e, batting order special role belonging to batting order special role group, weak cherry, normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, strong cherry, JAC1 + Big Bonus (BB), or Big Bonus (BB). In the BB established state, the AT lottery is performed based on the fact that the internal lottery has obtained one of the following winning patterns: batting order bells belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group e, batting order special role belonging to batting order special role group, weak cherry, normal replay a, normal replay b, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, strong cherry, or JAC1. In BB state, the AT lottery is conducted based on whether either JAC1 or JAC2 is won, or whether the result of the internal lottery is a loss (not won).

[0240] 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 obtained for the internal lottery is assigned to either an AT win or a loss, and if the random number obtained for the internal lottery is associated with an AT win in the AT lottery table, it is determined that the AT lottery has been won. In this embodiment, the probability of winning an AT differs between the low AT probability state and the CZ state, with the probability of winning an AT being higher in the CZ state than in the low AT probability state. Also in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 35, the execution of the AT lottery is prohibited when in the normal section, and the AT lottery is executed only when in the advantageous section.

[0241] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 performs an AT lottery before the stop operation for the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 is activated. In the case of an AT lottery when a special batting order role is won, an AT lottery is performed if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detection position of the first stop operation is not a specific press position. If the first stop operation is a specific batting order and the detection position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, an invalidation process is performed to invalidate the result of the AT lottery as a penalty for the current game. The AT control means 170 also performs an invalidation process when a special batting order role is won and the first stop operation is not a specific batting order. In the invalidation process, for example, it may be treated as if no AT lottery was performed, or the result of the AT lottery may be rewritten to a loss regardless of the actual result, or the processing based on the result of the AT lottery after the first stop operation may be canceled. Alternatively, the trigger for the AT lottery may be set to occur after the first stop operation only when a special winning combination is won. The AT lottery may be performed if the first stop operation is in a specific order and the detected press position of the first stop operation is not a specific press position, while the AT lottery may not be performed if the first stop operation is in a specific order and the detected press position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, or if the first stop operation is not in a specific order. Alternatively, the trigger for the AT lottery may be set to occur after the first stop operation not only when a special winning combination is won, and the decision on whether or not to perform the AT lottery may be made based on the result of the first stop operation only when a special winning combination is won.

[0242] Furthermore, the processing related to the AT lottery according to the manner of stopping when a special batting order role is won is not limited to invalidation processing, and the degree of advantage in the AT lottery may differ. For example, if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 1-coin role, a more advantageous AT lottery may be conducted than if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 14-coin or 15-coin role. Conversely, if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 1-coin role, a less advantageous AT lottery may be conducted than if the manner of stopping allows for the winning of a 14-coin or 15-coin role. In addition, even when a special batting order role is won, an AT lottery with the same degree of advantage may be conducted regardless of the manner of stopping.

[0243] If the AT lottery in the low AT probability state results in an AT win, the AT control means 175 controls the transition of the performance state from the low AT probability state to the AT state. Also, based on the fact that the AT win lottery result has been obtained, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value of "1" to the AT stock counter 1918, and when the performance state transitions to the AT state upon the end of the game, it subtracts a fixed value of "1" from the AT stock counter 1920 and sets a value of "50" corresponding to the 50 games played that constitute the end condition of the AT state to the AT game counter 1919.

[0244] The AT control means 175 then causes an assist time game to be played based on the performance state being the AT state, and each time an assist time game is played, a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game is subtracted from the value of the AT game counter 1919. In this embodiment, when a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group d is won, a correct batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance are performed, which notify the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation. When a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group e is won, a correct batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance are performed, which notify the correct batting order.

[0245] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 notifies the correct batting order for batting order bell groups a to d, the main display 300 displays information corresponding to the correct batting order and the pressing position for the first stop operation. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each combination of the correct batting order and the pressing position for the first stop operation, and the main display 300 displays "01" (batting order 1 and second pressing position), "02" (batting order 2 and second pressing position), "03" using a 7-segment display. One of the following operation instruction numbers will be displayed: (batting order 3 and second press position), "04" (batting order 4 and second press position), "05" (batting order 5 and second press position), "06" (batting order 6 and second press position), "07" (batting order 1 and first press position), "08" (batting order 2 and first press position), "09" (batting order 3 and first press position), "10" (batting order 4 and first press position), "11" (batting order 5 and first press position), or "12" (batting order 6 and first press position).

[0246] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 provides notification of the correct batting order for the batting order bell group e, 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 "13" (batting order 3), "14" (batting order 4), "15" (batting order 5), or "16" (batting order 6) using a 7-segment display.

[0247] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it is an advantageous period and the performance state is not AT state, if a special batting order role belonging to the special batting order role group is won, a specific batting order notification and a prize-winning assistance performance are performed to notify the player of the specific batting order. However, in this embodiment, when it is an advantageous period and the performance state is AT state, the specific batting order notification and prize-winning assistance performance related to special batting order roles are not performed. In AT state, even if the stop operation is performed with a non-specific batting order, no penalty processing unfavorable to the player is performed, so even if no notification is given when a special batting order role is won in AT state, if the stop operation is performed with a non-specific batting order, the player can be sure to win a 14-coin prize and increase their number of medals.

[0248] In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 provides notification of a specific batting order, information corresponding to the specific batting order is displayed on the main display 300. Specifically, an operation instruction number is set for each specific batting order, and the main display 300 displays one of the operation instruction numbers "13" (batting order 3), "14" (batting order 4), "15" (batting order 5), or "16" (batting order 6) using a 7-segment display. In this embodiment, batting orders 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the specific batting orders for any of the special batting order roles, so an arbitrary operation instruction number determined by lottery in the game in which the special batting order role is won is displayed on the main display 300.

[0249] Furthermore, when the performance state is in the AT state during the advantageous section, the AT control means 175 performs an additional win lottery based on whether a weak cherry, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry has been won in the internal lottery. In the additional win lottery, the random value obtained for the internal lottery is compared with the additional win lottery table stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910, and it is determined whether or not the additional win lottery has been won according to the comparison result. In the additional win lottery table, an additional win or a loss is assigned to the random value for the internal lottery that corresponds to the winning pattern that triggers the additional win lottery, and it is determined that the additional win lottery has been won if the random value obtained for the internal lottery is associated with one of the weak cherry, watermelon, chance eye a, chance eye b, or strong cherry, and is associated with an additional win in the additional win lottery table. In this embodiment, the AT control means 175 adds a fixed value "1" to the AT stock counter 1918 based on the fact that it has obtained an additional win lottery result in the additional win lottery.

[0250] The AT control means 175 determines that the conditions for ending the AT state have been met when the value of the AT game counter 1919, which is deducted by a fixed amount each time an assist time game is played, reaches its initial value of "0", and sets the performance state to the CZ state. In this embodiment, when the AT control means 175 transitions the performance state to the CZ state, it sets the number of games required to end the CZ state to 50, and sets the value "50", which corresponds to the set number of games, to the CZ game counter 1921.

[0251] Furthermore, in the CZ state of this embodiment, even if a batting order bell belonging to batting order bell group a to batting order bell group e is won, no correct batting order notification or prize-winning assistance animation is performed, resulting in a medal acquisition performance where the player's medals decrease only gradually (expected payout rate is less than 100%). In addition, in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance in the AT state is significantly higher than in the CZ state, with a net increase of approximately 8 medals per game (expected payout rate of approximately 367%).

[0252] The AT control means 175 then subtracts a fixed value "1" equivalent to one game from the CZ game counter 1921 each time a game is played in the CZ state. When the value of the CZ game counter 1921 reaches the initial value "0", it determines that the conditions for ending the CZ state have been met and determines the destination state of the performance based on the value of the AT stock counter 1918. Specifically, if the value of the AT stock counter 1918 is greater than the initial value "0", the destination performance state is set to the AT state. If the value of the AT stock counter 1918 is the initial value "0", the destination performance state is set to the AT low probability state.

[0253] In the CZ state, as described above, an AT lottery is held. However, even if an AT win is obtained in this lottery, only the value of the AT stock counter 1918 increases. As long as the player remains in the advantageous section, the player will not transition to any other performance state until at least the conditions for ending the CZ state (the value of the CZ game counter 1921 reaches its initial value of "0") are met. However, if an AT lottery is won in the CZ state, the CZ state may be terminated based on the fact that the AT lottery was won.

[0254] 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.

[0255] 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, "13" if 13 medals were paid out, and "0" if no winning combinations were achieved and no payouts were made) is subtracted by the number of medals inserted into the game (3 medals) to obtain the calculation result for 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.

[0256] 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.

[0257] 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 1917, the AT stock count counter 1918, the AT game count counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 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 1917, the AT stock count counter 1918, the AT game count counter 1919, the CZ game count counter 1921, the first clear counter 1922, and the second clear counter 1923 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 non-AT state, and the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0), and the game returns to the normal period.

[0258] 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 initialization process upon the end of the advantageous period forces the AT state to terminate and the performance state is initialized to the non-AT state. At the same time, the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 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 a non-AT state. At the same time, the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 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 a non-AT state, and the values ​​of the AT stock counter 1918, AT game counter 1919, CZ game counter 1921, first clear counter 1922, and second clear counter 1923 are initialized to their initial values ​​(for example, 0).

[0259] In this embodiment, the advantageous section is started when the advantageous section transition lottery is won in the normal section, and within the advantageous section, the performance state is set to the AT state under predetermined conditions and the assist time game is played. However, even if the AT state ends, the advantageous section is maintained as long as the conditions for ending the advantageous section are not met. In other words, in this embodiment, since the advantageous section continues even after the AT state ends, there are cases where the player remains in the advantageous section even if the performance state transitions from the AT state to a performance state different from the AT state.

[0260] 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.

[0261] 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".

[0262] 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.

[0263] The effect control means 180 controls display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and sound effects performed using the audio device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on the effect data stored in the effect data storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as medal insertion, operations on the bet buttons B0, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and fluctuations in the game state, lamps or LEDs are lit or blinked, the display content of the liquid crystal display LCD is changed, or sound is output from the speaker SP, thereby performing execution control of effects for livening up the game or assisting the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed in the game is determined by referring to the effect lottery table stored in the sub-lottery table storage area 1927 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 19ob according to the game state, effect state, results of internal lotteries, and the like. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game and the like is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into the 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 and the like is read from the effect data storage area 1926 of the sub-ROM into the 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.

[0264] When the effect state is the AT state, the effect control means 180 controls the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute a winning assist effect that notifies the correct batting order and the pressing position related to the first stop operation when the batting order bells belonging to the batting order bell groups a to d are won, thereby assisting the winning of the 15-card minor winning combinations (minor winning combinations 1 to 20).

[0265] In addition, when the production state is the AT state, the production control means 180 performs control to cause the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute a winning assistance production that notifies the correct batting order when a batting order bell belonging to the batting order bell e group is won and assists the winning of 15 small winning combinations (small winning combination 3 to small winning combination 6, small winning combination 9, small winning combination 10, small winning combination 15, small winning combination 16).

[0266] In addition, when it is an advantageous section and the production state is not the AT state (when staying in the AT low probability state or the CZ state), the production control means 180 notifies the target of the first stop operation in a specific batting order when a batting order special combination belonging to the batting order special combination group is won, and performs control to cause the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute a winning assistance production that assists the winning of 15 small winning combinations (small winning combination 21).

[0267] In addition, when the production control means 180 is playing a game in the AT state or in the CZ state, it performs control to execute a remaining number display production that causes the display device 330 such as a liquid crystal display LCD to display the remaining number of game times until the AT state or the CZ state ends. In the remaining number display production, when the values of the AT game number counter 1919 and the CZ game number counter 1921 are subtracted by playing the game, the display content is changed so that the remaining number of game times also decreases to reflect the subtracted amount.

[0268] In addition, when the production control means 180 obtains the lottery result of winning the AT in the AT lottery executed in the CZ state, it withholds the notification regarding having the right to transition to the AT state until the final game in the CZ state (the game in which the value of the CZ game number counter 1921 becomes the initial value "0"), and when the value of the AT stock number counter 1918 is greater than the initial value "0" in the final game in the CZ state, it performs control to cause the display device 330 and the audio device 340 to execute an AT confirmation production that notifies having the right to transition to the AT state.

[0269] 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).

[0270] 2-2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, there is a group of special batting order winning combinations (special batting order combination 1 to special batting order combination 16) as ways to win minor roles. When a special batting order combination is won, the method of stopping the machine is changed so that the possibility of winning the 15-coin minor role included in the special batting order combination changes depending on whether the button press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific button press position predetermined according to the type of special batting order combination. Below, we will explain in detail using the case where special batting order combination 5 is won as an example, with reference to Figures 36 to 39.

[0271] First, let's explain the composition of the special batting order role 5. Figure 36 shows the types of minor roles that make up the special batting order role 5.

[0272] As shown in Figure 36, the special batting order combination 5 consists of a 15-coin combination (combination 21), a 14-coin combination (combination 22), and four types of 1-coin combinations (combination 23, combination 29, combination 46, and combination 47). The specific batting order is set to batting order 3 through 6, and the specific button press position is set to 4.

[0273] Figure 37 illustrates the case where, in a game in which special batting order combination 5 is won, the stopping operation is performed with the first reel R1 as the first stop.

[0274] First, as shown in Figure 37(A), if the stop button B1 is pressed at the point where the third replay symbol "RP" is positioned in the upper position for the rotating first reel R1, then in the special batting order role 5, the order of stopping operations that makes the first reel R1 the first stop corresponds to a non-specific batting order.

[0275] In this embodiment, if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order when a special batting order win occurs, the stopping position is determined by number priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. Among the symbols within the pull-in range for the press detection position of number 3, the number of symbol combinations is maximized at 7 when the bell symbol 1 "BL1" is displayed, and as shown in Figure 37(B), the first reel R1 is stopped at the position where the bell symbol 1 "BL1" of number 2 is displayed on the upper row. At the moment the first reel R1 stops, the minor roles included in the special batting order win 5 that have the potential to be won are minor roles 22, 23, and 46.

[0276] Next, when stopping the second reel R2 and the third reel R3, the stopping position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals dispensed. For this reason, the winning of the highest-paying minor role 22 among minor role 22, minor role 23, and minor role 46 is prioritized, and the symbols that make up the winning pattern for minor role 22 are arranged so that they can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position on the second reel R2 and the third reel R3. As shown in Figure 37(C), the second reel R2 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that results in the winning of minor role 22.

[0277] Figure 38 illustrates the case where, in a game in which special batting order combination 5 is won, the stopping operation is performed with the second reel R2 as the first stop.

[0278] First, as shown in Figure 38(A), if the stop button B2 is pressed at the point where the fourth bar symbol "BAR" is positioned in the upper position on the rotating second reel R2, then in the special batting order combination 5, the order of stopping operations that makes the second reel R2 the first stop corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0279] In this embodiment, when a special batting order win occurs and the first stop operation is a specific batting order, the control method differs depending on whether the button press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific button press position. The specific button press position for special batting order win 5 is position 4, and in the example shown in Figure 38(A), the button press detection position of the first stop operation is position 4, which corresponds to a specific button press position, and the stop position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals paid out. Here, among the small wins included in special batting order win 5, the small win with the highest payout is small win 21, which gives 15 medals, and as shown in Figure 38(B), the second reel R2 stops at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 3 is displayed in the middle. At the moment the second reel R2 stops, the small wins included in special batting order win 5 that have the potential to be won are small win 21 and small win 46.

[0280] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the stopping position is determined by payout priority control to maximize the number of medals dispensed. For this reason, the display of the watermelon symbol "WM", which constitutes the winning pattern for the highest-paying small win 21 among the small wins 21 and 46, is prioritized. Since the watermelon symbol "WM", which constitutes the winning pattern for small win 21, is arranged so that it can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position on the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that results in the winning pattern for small win 21, as shown in Figure 38(C).

[0281] Next, as shown in Figure 38(D), if the stop button B2 is pressed at the point where the watermelon symbol "WM" (number 3) is positioned in the upper position on the rotating second reel R2, then in this case the second reel R2 is also considered the first stop, and thus it corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0282] In the example shown in Figure 38(D), the press detection position for the first stop operation is number 3, which does not correspond to a specific press position. Therefore, the stop position is determined by number-priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. Among the symbols within the pull-in range for the press detection position of number 3, displaying the watermelon symbol "WM" results in the maximum number of symbol combinations, which is 5. As shown in Figure 38(E), the second reel R2 is stopped at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 3 is displayed in the middle. At the moment the second reel R2 stops, the minor roles included in the special role 5 of the batting order that have the potential to result in a win are minor role 21 and minor role 46.

[0283] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the third reel R3, the stopping position is determined by a number-priority control system to maximize the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line, indicating a winning pattern. For this reason, when stopping the first reel R1 second, priority is given to displaying either the bell symbol 1 "BL1" or the bell symbol 2 "BL2", which have a symbol combination of 2. When stopping the third reel R3 second, priority is given to displaying either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2", which also have a symbol combination of 2. Furthermore, the first reel R1 is arranged so that either bell symbol 1 "BL1" or bell symbol 2 "BL2" can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position, and the third reel R3 is arranged so that either cherry symbol "CH" or special symbol 2 "SP2" can be displayed on the active line regardless of the press detection position. As a result, when either the first reel R1 or the third reel R3 stops second, only the small win 46 can be awarded, and as shown in Figure 38(F), the first reel R1 and the third reel R3 stop in a manner that awards the small win 46.

[0284] Figure 39 illustrates the case where, in a game in which special batting order combination 5 is won, the stopping operation is performed with the third reel R3 as the first stop.

[0285] First, as shown in Fig. 39(A), regarding the rotating third reel R3, assume that the stop button B3 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the fourth bar symbol "BAR" is located in the upper stage. Then, the order of the stop operation to set the third reel R3 to the first stop in the batting order special combination 5 corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0286] And the specific pressing position of the batting order special combination 5 is the fourth. In the example shown in Fig. 39(A), since the pressing detection position of the first stop operation is the fourth, it corresponds to the specific pressing position, and the stop position is determined so that the payout number of medals becomes the largest by the payout number priority control. Here, among the minor combinations included in the batting order special combination 5, the highest payout is the minor combination 21 of the 15 - medal minor combination. As shown in Fig. 39(B), the third reel R3 stops at the position where the second watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed in the lower stage. When this third reel R3 stops, the possible winning minor combinations among the minor combinations included in the batting order special combination 5 are the minor combination 21, the minor combination 22, and the minor combination 47.

[0287] Subsequently, when stopping the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the stop position is determined so that the payout number of medals becomes the largest by the payout number priority control. For this reason, the display of the watermelon symbol "WM" that constitutes the winning form of the minor combination 21, which has the highest payout among the minor combinations 21, 22, and 47, is prioritized. Regarding the watermelon symbol "WM" that constitutes the winning form of the minor combination 21, since it can be displayed on the effective line regardless of the pressing detection position on the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, as shown in Fig. 39(C), the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 stop in a manner that the minor combination 21 wins.

[0288] Next, as shown in Fig. 39(D), regarding the rotating third reel R3, assume that the stop button B3 is pressed at the pressing detection position where the second watermelon symbol "WM" is located in the upper stage. In this case as well, since the third reel R3 is set to the first stop, it corresponds to a specific batting order.

[0289] In the example shown in Figure 39(D), the press detection position for the first stop operation is number 2, which does not correspond to a specific press position. Therefore, the stop position is determined by number-priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. Among the symbols within the pull-in range for the press detection position of number 2, the number of symbol combinations is greatest when the watermelon symbol "WM" is displayed, resulting in 7 symbols. As shown in Figure 39(E), the third reel R3 is stopped at the position where the watermelon symbol "WM" at position 2 is displayed on the lower row. At the moment the third reel R3 stops, the small wins included in the special win 5 of the batting order that have the potential to result in a win are small win 21, small win 22, and small win 47.

[0290] Next, when stopping the first reel R1 and the second reel R2, the stopping position is determined by number-priority control so that the number of symbol combinations indicating winning patterns that can be displayed on the active line is maximized. For this reason, when the first reel R1 is stopped second, the display of the cherry symbol "CH" or special symbol 2 "SP2", which have a number of symbol combinations of 2, is prioritized, and when the second reel R2 is stopped second, the display of the cherry symbol "CH", special symbol 2 "SP2", or replay symbol "RP", which have a number of symbol combinations of 2, is prioritized. In this embodiment, although the replay symbol "RP" on the third reel R3 is a symbol that constitutes the winning pattern of the 14-coin winning pattern 22, priority is given to the winning pattern of the 1-coin winning pattern 47, which has the same number of symbols. Furthermore, the arrangement of the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 allows either the cherry symbol "CH" or the special symbol 2 "SP2" to be displayed on the active line regardless of the pressed position. Therefore, when either the first reel R1 or the second reel R2 stops second, only the small win 47 can be awarded, and as shown in Figure 39(F), the first reel R1 and the second reel R2 stop in a manner that awards the small win 47.

[0291] According to the embodiment described above, in a game in which a special batting order win occurs, if the press detection position of the first stop operation is a specific press position, the reel stop position is determined by payout priority control to allow the 15-coin small win to occur. If the press detection position of the first stop operation is different from the specific press position, the reel stop position is determined by quantity priority control to avoid the 15-coin small win. In this way, the possibility of winning the 15-coin small win in a game in which a special batting order win occurs is influenced by the press detection position. Therefore, the rate of winning the 15-coin small win can be controlled simply by changing the setting of the specific press position, thereby improving the design flexibility of the gaming machine.

[0292] Specifically, in this embodiment, a unique specific button press position is assigned to each of the 16 types of special batting order roles, resulting in 16 different ways of setting the specific button press position. In this embodiment, when a special batting order role is won during the advantageous period when the AT state is not active, the specific batting order is notified, but the specific button press position is unknown to the player. Therefore, in this embodiment, the expected value of the probability of winning the 15-coin prize at a specific batting order when a special batting order role is won can be set to 1 / 16. Furthermore, it is possible to have fewer configurations for setting the specific button press position than in this embodiment. For example, if 10 types of special batting order roles are provided and two unique specific button press positions are assigned to each special batting order role, then 10 different configurations for setting the specific button press position can be provided, and in this way the expected value of the probability of winning the 15-coin prize can be set to 1 / 10. Furthermore, the number of ways to set specific pressing positions can be increased beyond that of this embodiment. For example, by providing 20 types of special batting order roles and assigning one specific pressing position to each of these roles, 20 different ways to set specific pressing positions can be provided. In this way, the expected value of the winning rate for the 15-coin role can be set to 1 / 20. Thus, according to the method of this embodiment, the expected value of the winning rate can be controlled by the setting of specific pressing positions, thereby increasing the design freedom of the gaming machine. In addition, in this embodiment, the control rule is switched using the pressing detection position, which also leads to increased design freedom for the outcome (stopping patterns).

[0293] The method of this embodiment is optimal when the target role whose winning rate is controlled is set to a combination of symbols that can be drawn in regardless of the pressing detection position on any reel. It is preferable that if the stopping operation is not performed at a specific pressing position, the winning combination will be such that a role with a lower payout than the target role can be drawn in by prioritizing the number of roles. Furthermore, when determining the configuration of special roles in the batting order, the target role whose winning rate is controlled and the role that is awarded when the pressing position is not specific can be fixed, so it is possible to implement this without unnecessarily increasing the number of roles, and it also leads to saving memory usage.

[0294] In this embodiment, we have explained the case where the stopping control is changed by determining whether the first reel to stop at a specific pressing position is reached when a special batting order win occurs. However, the stopping control may also be changed by determining whether the second reel to stop at a specific pressing position is reached at the second reel to stop at a specific position or at the third reel to stop at a specific position.

[0295] In this embodiment, the determination of whether a specific press position is reached is made for the first reel to stop among the three reels. However, the stopping control method may be changed by determining whether a specific press position is reached for two or more reels.

[0296] In this embodiment, we have described an example in which payout priority control is applied when it is determined that a specific press position has been reached, and quantity priority control is applied when it is determined that it is not a specific press position. However, it is also possible to apply quantity priority control when it is determined that it is a specific press position, and payout priority control is applied when it is determined that it is not a specific press position.

[0297] Furthermore, in the example described in this embodiment, when a special batting order win occurs, a determination is also made as to whether the first stop operation is a specific batting order or not. Specifically, if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order, payout priority control is performed, and if the first stop operation is a specific batting order, payout priority control is performed if it is a specific pressing position, and quantity priority control is performed if it is not a specific pressing position. However, as in this embodiment, when the first stop operation is performed with a specific batting order, since symbols common to both the 15-coin small win and the 1-coin small win are displayed on the active line whether it is a specific pressing position or not, the stopping result for the reels that stop due to the first stop operation in a specific batting order will be the same regardless of which control rule is used. Therefore, if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order, quantity priority control may be performed for the reel corresponding to the first stop operation; if the first stop operation is a specific batting order, payout quantity priority control may be performed for the reel corresponding to the first stop operation; for reels that stop after the second stop operation, if the first stop operation is a specific batting order and a specific press position, payout quantity priority control may be continued; and if the first stop operation is not a specific batting order and a specific press position, it may be switched to quantity priority control.

[0298] In this embodiment, the specific batting order is notified when a special batting order role is won, but the specific button press position is not notified. However, it is also possible to adopt a method that notifies the specific button press position. Furthermore, while the notification of the specific batting order for special batting order roles in the advantageous section is performed when not in AT state, it is also possible to notify the specific batting order for special batting order roles even in AT state.

[0299] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a case where there are three reels, a configuration with four reels is also possible. Also, although this embodiment describes a case where there are 20 frames per reel, a configuration with 21 frames per reel or fewer than 20 frames per reel is also possible.

[0300] Furthermore, in this 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.

[0301] Furthermore, regarding the AT lottery process, the configuration of special roles in the batting order that differs from other winning patterns may be implemented in the manner described below. The following explanation will be given with reference to Figures 40 to 42.

[0302] First, Figure 40 shows the symbol arrangement of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 used in this example, and based on this symbol arrangement, minor roles A to F are constructed as shown in Figure 41. In Figure 41, "ANY" indicates that any of the symbols arranged on the reels are acceptable.

[0303] As shown in Figure 42(A), there are special batting order roles a to d, and these special batting order roles consist of one of four types of 13-coin roles (role A to role D) and two types of 1-coin roles (role E and role F).

[0304] The winning combinations for each special batting order are shown in Figure 42(B). A specific batting order (batting order 3 to batting order 6) is assigned to each special batting order. If the stopping operation is performed according to the specific batting order, a 13-coin winning combination is awarded. If the stopping operation is performed according to a non-specific batting order (a different sequence of stopping operations than the specific batting order), two types of 1-coin winning combinations are awarded. In the case of multiple 1-coin winning combinations, two medals will be paid out.

[0305] In this example, when the performance state is different from the AT state during the advantageous section, a non-specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 1-coin prize, and when the performance state is the AT state, a specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 13-coin prize. By doing this, the rate of winning a 13-coin prize when the performance state is different from the AT state is reduced, making it possible to create a game specification that relatively increases the rate of medal acquisition in the AT state. Furthermore, when the performance state is different from the AT state during the advantageous section (when the performance state is the AT low probability state or the CZ state), a specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 13-coin prize, and when the performance state is the AT state, a non-specific batting order is announced to assist in winning a 1-coin prize.

[0306] Regarding the AT lottery process when a special batting order role is won in a low AT state or CZ state, an AT lottery will be held if the stop operation is performed in a specific batting order, and not if the stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order. In other words, when a special batting order role is won, an AT lottery will be held if a 1-coin small win is achieved, and an AT lottery will not be held if a 13-coin small win is achieved. By giving an advantage to performing a stop operation in a specific batting order when the performance state is different from the AT state, it is possible to provide an incentive to perform a stop operation in accordance with the specific batting order. Alternatively, an AT lottery may be held if the stop operation is performed in a specific batting order (when a 1-coin small win is achieved), and an AT lottery may be held if the stop operation is performed in a non-specific batting order (when a 13-coin small win is achieved). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0307] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1~L3 active lines, DS game information display unit, LCD liquid crystal display, SB setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, 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 Payout control means, 160 Replay processing means, 170 Game state 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, 190b Performance information storage means, 1925 Performance data storage area, 1926 Sub-lottery table memory area, 1927 Image buffer, 1928 Sound buffer, 210 Coin insertion switch, 220 Bet switch, 230 Start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 Setting change switch, 310 Reel unit, 315 Reel index, 325 Dispensing medal detection switch, 330 Display device, 340 Sound device

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 minor and special winning combinations, are achieved. A reel control means that rotates the aforementioned plurality of reels for each game, and controls the rotation of the reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery when a stop operation is triggered, The system includes a game state control means that allows setting a first game state in which an internal lottery is conducted with special roles as the target of the lottery, and a second game state to which the system transitions when a special role is won, A game machine in which a winning combination is awarded when a predetermined winning pattern for each winning combination is displayed on an active line, and when a minor winning combination is awarded, a game value corresponding to the payout for that minor winning combination is paid out, As for the winning patterns of the aforementioned minor roles, there are multiple specific winning patterns in which both correct minor roles, which are awarded a payout higher than the number of game value invested, and unsuccessful minor roles, which are awarded a payout lower than the number of game value invested, are awarded simultaneously. The aforementioned plurality of reels are the first reel, the second reel, and the third reel. A correct operation sequence is set for each of the multiple types of the aforementioned specific winning patterns, and the operation sequence for stopping the first reel first is not set as the correct operation sequence in any of the aforementioned specific winning patterns. The reel control means, In a game in which the specific winning pattern is obtained through the internal lottery, if the stop operation is performed in the correct operation sequence corresponding to the specific winning pattern, the correct small win is awarded. If the stop operation is performed in a first failure operation sequence, which is different from the correct operation sequence corresponding to the specific winning pattern, and which stops the first reel first, the failure small win is always awarded. If the stop operation is performed in a second failure operation sequence, which stops the second or third reel first, control is performed to stop the spinning reels so that, depending on the timing of the stop operation, there are cases where the failure small win is awarded and cases where no wins are awarded. The multiple types of specified winning patterns are classified into a first specified winning pattern in which the correct operation sequence is set in relation to the operation sequence in which the second reel is stopped first, and the first small win is the correct small win; and a second specified winning pattern in which the correct operation sequence is set in relation to the operation sequence in which the third reel is stopped first, and the second small win is the correct small win. A gaming machine characterized in that the symbol to be displayed on the active line with respect to the second reel when the first minor role is won is the same as the symbol to be displayed on the active line with respect to the third reel when the second minor role is won, and that this symbol is different from both the symbol to be displayed on the active line with respect to the second reel when the special role is won and the symbol to be displayed on the active line with respect to the third reel when the special role is won.

Images