Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that can enhance the player's interest in the game's presentation. [Solution] The AT control means can grant an additional number of games, which is a value added to the first AT game counter as a bonus in the second AT state. The performance control means can execute an additional game notification performance as a performance related to the bonus. When the additional game number is less than 1000 games, the additional game notification performance is a first performance mode in which the additional game number is announced, and when the additional game number is 1000 games or more, the additional game notification performance is a second performance mode that differs from the first performance mode in that it only suggests that the additional game number is 1000 games or more.

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 gives a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and conducts a game to obtain such gaming media. Also, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the player's rotation start operation, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the player's stop operation. Then, the result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in the state where the plurality of reels have stopped, and payouts such as medals are made according to the result of the game.

[0003] In the above-described gaming machine, as an effect related to the granting of a privilege, a configuration is known that enables the execution of a so-called reversal effect that notifies that a privilege has been granted after displaying that it is a non-winning result once (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in recent years, in gaming machines, it has been required to improve the player's interest in the effects by using various effects. In such gaming machines, it has been required to improve the diversity of the effects for notifying the granted privileges and improve the player's interest in the effects.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the player's interest in the game's presentation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to a plurality of reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, Control means for performing control related to the instruction function, It comprises a performance control means for performing control related to the performance, The control means can control a favorable state for the player (for example, the second AT state, paragraph

[0131] , Figure 4), The control means can grant a specific value as a benefit in the advantageous state (for example, adding (adding) to the number of games played while the first AT state continues, paragraphs

[0133] ,

[0134] ), The aforementioned performance control means is capable of executing specific performances related to the aforementioned bonus (for example, bonus notification performance, paragraphs

[0233] -

[0257] , Figures 12 and 13), When the specified value is less than the threshold, the specified performance is the first performance mode. The specific performance when the specified value is equal to or greater than the threshold is characterized in that it is a second performance mode that is different from the first performance mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the player's interest in the game's presentation. [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 diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the non-advantageous period and the advantageous period controlled by the AT control means, and the performance state during the advantageous period. [Figure 5] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a minor role is won in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a minor role is hit during the internal RBB (Real Big Bonus) state in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a small win is hit in the RBB state in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a table summarizing the winning combinations for each game state in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] (A) is a diagram illustrating the state in which gameplay in the second AT state has started in the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the normal bonus notification performance has started in the second AT state, (C) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the normal bonus notification performance has changed based on the second stop operation of the stop button in the second AT state, (D) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the normal bonus notification performance has changed based on the third stop operation of the stop button in the second AT state, and (E) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the normal bonus notification performance has changed based on the performance display button being operated after the third stop operation of the stop button in the second AT state. [Figure 10](A) is a diagram illustrating the state in which gameplay in the second AT state has started in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram illustrating the state in which a specific bonus notification performance has started in the second AT state, (C) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the specific bonus notification performance has changed based on the second stop operation of the stop button in the second AT state, (D) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the specific bonus notification performance has changed based on the third stop operation of the stop button in the second AT state, and (E) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the specific bonus notification performance has changed based on the performance display button being operated after the third stop operation of the stop button in the second AT state. [Figure 11] (A) is a diagram illustrating the panel unit in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the panel flashing effect is not performed, and (B) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the panel unit is turned off due to the panel flashing effect. [Figure 12] (A) is a diagram illustrating the state in which gameplay in the second AT state has started in a gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention; (B) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the bonus notification performance has started in the second AT state; (C) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification performance has changed based on the fact that the performance display button has been pressed and held down after the stop button has been stopped to the third position in the second AT state; (D) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the performance display button has been held down continuously from the state shown in (C); and (E) is a diagram illustrating the state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification performance has changed based on the fact that the performance display button has been held down after the stop button has been stopped to the third position in the second AT state. [Figure 13](A) is a diagram illustrating a state in which a game in the second AT state has started in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram illustrating a state in which a bonus notification effect has started in the second AT state, (C) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification effect has changed based on the fact that after the stop button has been operated for the third time in the second AT state, the effect display button has been pressed and a long press has started, (D) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the long press of the effect display button has continued from the state shown in (C), (E) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the long press of the effect display button has continued from the state shown in (D), (F) is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification effect has changed based on the fact that the long press of the effect display button has continued from the state shown in (E).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the first embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the first embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the side (front) of the player is described as "front", and the opposite side is described as "rear".

[0011] 1. Outline of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called rotary drum type gaming machine, and regarding the gaming value that a player can use for gaming, it is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration for lending and settling electronic medals that become gaming values by an electromagnetic method. It is composed of an external device and a so-called medal-less gaming machine that records gaming values by an electromagnetic method based on a lending signal output from a dedicated unit SU (see FIG. 2) as a specific unit. The slot machine 1 stores information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals and is configured to be able to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU settles the electronic medals by recording the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and discharging it.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has a reel unit RU composed of left reels R1 to right reels R3 as a plurality of reels housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. Further, a control board that mounts a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

[0013] The left reels R1 to right reels R3 shown in FIG. 1 each have an outer peripheral surface partitioned into 20 regions at regular intervals (hereinafter, each region is referred to as a "frame"), and one of a plurality of types of symbols is arranged in each frame.

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

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

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

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

[0018] The performance display button PU is a roughly rectangular button with the word "PUSH" written inside. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the performance display button PU is operated and the performance signal output to the performance control means 200 (see Figure 2) is activated, a performance is executed on the display device 410 to inform the player that the performance display button PU has been operated, and a performance corresponding to the operation of the performance display button PU is displayed.

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

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

[0021] Furthermore, a panel unit 430 for decorating the appearance of the slot machine 1 is provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD. On the back side of the panel unit 430, a light source (LED) for illumination, controlled by the performance control means 200 of the sub-control CPU 21 (see Figure 2), is provided, and the panel unit 430 is configured to emit light when it is illuminated from behind by the light emitted from the light source.

[0022] Furthermore, multiple sound devices 420 for sound-based effects are provided behind the panel unit 430. The sound devices 420 output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

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

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

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

[0026] The setting change means 100, in the setting change permission state, receives an input signal output when the setting change button BS on the power supply is operated, and cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ..., and confirms the setting value based on the reception of a start signal output when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0027] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 170 are initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was executing before the setting change is also initialized and the non-advantageous section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control CPU 11 is cut off (power out) and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 170 are restarted from the state before the power outage, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was executing before the power outage is also maintained in the state before the power outage.

[0028] The input receiving means 105, during the input receiving period for accepting the insertion of electronic tokens, receives an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 (described later) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Based on this, it sets the electronic tokens stored in the token counter 311 to the insertion state, up to a predetermined number set for each game state, and activates the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that the electronic tokens corresponding to the predetermined number have been set to the insertion state.

[0029] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the initial press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a predetermined number of electronic tokens, is accepted as the player's operation to start playing, triggering the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and also triggering the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to perform an internal lottery. Details of the predetermined numbers set for each game state will be described later.

[0030] Furthermore, the input receiving means 105, during the period between when the electronic tokens are set to the input state and when the start lever SL is started, receives an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated, thereby releasing the input state and adding the same number of electronic tokens that were set to the input state to the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311, thereby settling the electronic tokens that were set to the input state.

[0031] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In the first embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that occur 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.

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

[0033] In the lottery table selection process, the system selects which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main memory means 190 will be used to perform the internal lottery, based on the current game state. In each internal lottery table, each of the multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535) is associated with various roles such as replays, minor roles, and bonuses, as well as losses (misses).

[0034] In the following description, "bonus" refers to a feature that activates a special mechanism or a continuous special mechanism activation device upon winning; "bonus activated" means that a bonus is won and the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated; and "bonus state" means the state in which the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated.

[0035] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for drawing) is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is started. The obtained random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and a determination is made based on the comparison result as to whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0036] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously is set to an established state. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state without being carried over to subsequent games regardless of whether a win is achieved (carry-over non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main memory means 190.

[0037] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL and outputting a start signal. Furthermore, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reaches a state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. Then, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stopped stop buttons B1 to B3.

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

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 will also be referred to as the operation. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, but also, for example, when the operation of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 and then releasing the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0040] Here, if the spinning reels are to be stopped within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each spinning reel is configured such that, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, it can rotate up to 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reels stop. For this reason, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be pulled onto the active line L1 (pulling range) is a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until it rotates 4 frames.

[0041] When reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, which includes a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to the "established" state can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to the "not established" state cannot be awarded, and a table reference process that determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main memory means 190, thereby stopping the rotating reel and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0042] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine the priority according to the number of electronic medals dispensed based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each of these small wins is treated as the same.

[0043] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage means 195 of the main memory means 190, it determines whether the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped correspond to predetermined winning combinations. The prize determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or minor win can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "prize determination") based on the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 in the state in which each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combinations that indicate the winning combination will also be referred to as "prize symbol combinations".

[0044] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. As for each process executed based on the result of the prize determination, for example, if a small prize is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of game tokens to be paid out as electronic tokens; if a replay is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to execute a process that will allow the next game to be played without consuming electronic tokens; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is won, the game state transition control means 160 is instructed to transition to a game state.

[0045] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of electronic tokens according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and virtually controls the payout by adding the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0046] Furthermore, the payout control means 150, when the winning determination means 140 determines that a combination of symbols indicating the winning of one of the multiple types of replay symbols described later has stopped and is displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay process (re-play process) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of electronic tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted without using the electronic tokens held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

[0047] In slot machine 1, the system is configured so that even if the settlement buttons A and B are operated during the period from when a replay is awarded until the start of the next game, that is, during the period when a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted due to the replay process and the game has not yet started, the same number of game tokens as the predetermined number will not be added to the token counter 311.

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

[0049] The AT control means 170 is an auxiliary game control means (control means that performs control related to the instruction function) that performs control related to the transition between an advantageous section (advantageous period), which is a section (period) in which control related to an instruction function, including an auxiliary game that displays a notification assisting in winning a specific role on the main control display device 10D, can be executed, and an unadvantageous section (unadvantageous period, normal section), which is a section (period) in which control related to an auxiliary game (control related to the instruction function) based on the results of an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 196, thereby constituting an auxiliary game control means (control means that performs control related to the instruction function) that performs control related to the unadvantageous section, the advantageous section and the auxiliary game.

[0050] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including the normal state and the AT state, which are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to the ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process).

[0051] The AT control means 170 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and provides operation notification to assist in winning specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 10D, which consists of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the performance control means 200, described later, executes a navigation performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct sequence of hits on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 are notified through operation notification and navigation performance assistance, thereby executing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0052] The AT control means 170, when a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period, as will be described in more detail later, is met, executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous period and starts the non-advantageous period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes information related to the advantageous period, such as various flags and numerical values ​​set within the advantageous period.

[0053] The AT control means 170 performs an update process (advantageous section difference in tokens update process) that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens, number of tokens acquired) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed from the game in which the advantageous section started by the number of electronic tokens inserted into the advantageous section counter 196a. When the AT control means 170 is in an advantageous section, it performs an advantageous section difference in tokens update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous section counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in electronic tokens, regardless of the game state.

[0054] Furthermore, in the process of updating the difference in the number of tokens in the advantageous section, the AT control means 170 subtracts the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a when the number of electronic tokens dispensed in the game is less than a specified number, and if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes less than "0", the AT control means 170 also sets the result of the subtraction to the advantageous section counter 196a. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the advantageous section counter 196a.

[0055] The AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period when more than 2400 electronic medals are acquired during the advantageous period, that is, when the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous period and start the non-advantageous period from the next game. For example, in slot machine 1, if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a was a negative value of "-900" before transitioning to a performance state in which electronic medals can be acquired, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be acquired: 900 medals until the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a becomes "0", and 2401 medals until the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0056] The AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values ​​set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 170 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 170 in the first embodiment will be described later.

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

[0058] The complete control means 180 activates the complete function when none of the following are activated: the regular bonus (RB) as a first-class special feature, the regular big bonus (RBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the first-class special feature, and the challenge big bonus (CBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the second-class special feature. Based on the fulfillment of the conditions for activating the complete function, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped during the game in which the conditions are met. On the other hand, if any of RB, RBB, or CBB is activated, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped during the game in which the activated RB, RBB, or CBB has finished.

[0059] The complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state when activating the complete function. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag, which is set to the ON state, is reset to the OFF state when the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 is opened and the setting change button BS located inside is operated to initialize it. Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the complete function is activated, the complete function cannot be deactivated by the player's operation.

[0060] The sub-control CPU 21 functions as a performance control means 200. Each means constituting the sub-control CPU 21 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the sub-storage means 210 when executing each control process.

[0061] The performance control means 200 controls game-related effects based on performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 211 of the sub-storage means 210. These effects include, for example, image and video effects using the display device 410, sound effects using the sound device 420, and light effects using the panel unit 430. Specifically, when a player operates various components of the slot machine 1, such as the max bet button MB, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and counting button KB, or when a game event occurs, such as a change in the game state, the performance control means 200 controls the execution of effects that enhance the game, assist the game, or notify the player that an operation has been performed. These effects include lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, and outputting sound from the sound device 420. The performance control means 200 also causes each component of the performance device 400 to execute effects based on each performance state.

[0062] Furthermore, when the performance control means 200 performs control related to images and video, it draws to the corresponding layer among the multiple layers provided in the sub-storage means 210. The performance control means 200 superimposes the images drawn on the multiple layers onto the frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210 to create a single image, and displays the superimposed image in the display area 410a of the display device 410. When the performance control means 200 draws images to the frame buffer 213, it draws the images drawn on the lower layers first, so that the images drawn on the higher layers are displayed in the display area 410a with priority over the images drawn on the lower layers.

[0063] The medal count control CPU 31 functions as a medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 31 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0064] The medal count control means 300 is configured to transmit signals to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and to receive signals transmitted from the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40. The medal count control CPU 31 stores the total number of electronic medals that can be used for playing games in the slot machine 1, which is the number of game medals, using the medal count counter 311, and displays the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 on the game medal count display device MD.

[0065] The medal count control means 300 primarily updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operations on the counting button KB which has a built-in counting switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the updated number of game medals on the game medal count display device MD.

[0066] Specifically, the medal count control means 300, when the counting button KB is operated while the game is playable, transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while the game is playable" means that the game machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, power is supplied to both the game machine and the dedicated unit SU, neither the game machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no error has occurred that would prevent the game from being played. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is controlled so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not subtracted by operation of the counting button KB when it is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, thereby preventing a situation in which the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted but no signal is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU.

[0067] If the counting button KB is pressed for less than 500ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "1" equivalent to one medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "1". If the counting button KB is pressed for 500ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the counting timing after 500ms have elapsed, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "50". Thereafter, every 300ms that elapse while the counting button KB is pressed, a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted by the value of "50". Furthermore, when 500ms or more have elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, if the stored value of the medal counter 311 is less than "50", the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal counter 311 by the value corresponding to that stored value, thereby setting the stored value of the medal counter 311 to "0".

[0068] The medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred when the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds the value "16369", which is set as the limit of 16368 medals to be stored in the slot machine 1. Based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, the slot machine 1 issues a medal overflow error, and when the counting button KB is operated and the stored number of medals in the medal count counter 311 is counted, the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes "16368" or less, the medal overflow error is cleared.

[0069] When the coin count control means 300 is powered on while the coin count clear button CL, which is located inside the gaming machine, is pressed, it initializes the coin count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the coin count, setting the stored value of the coin count counter 311 to "0". As a result, the slot machine 1 can initialize the information on the number of coins that remained in the coin count counter 311 before the power was turned off when the power is turned on.

[0070] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the first embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 11, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0071] <Control related to the specified number via input acceptance means> In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, during the insertion acceptance period in which the insertion acceptance means 105 accepts the insertion of electronic tokens, when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the same number of input signals as the predetermined number set for each game state are output. Each time an input signal is received, the insertion acceptance means 105 adds a value of "1" corresponding to one electronic token to the insertion count storage means 198 of the main storage means 190, and continues to add values ​​to the insertion count storage means 198 up to the predetermined number set for each game state.

[0072] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of specified coins for the non-RT state and the RBB internal state is set to 3 (first specified number), and the number of specified coins for the RBB state is set to 2 (second specified number).

[0073] In other words, when the game state is not RT state or RBB internal state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "3" in the coin insertion count storage means 198 based on the fact that the input signal is received three times when the Max Bet button MB is operated with three or more game tokens stored in the medal count counter 311. Also, when the game state is RBB state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "2" in the coin insertion count storage means 198 based on the fact that the input signal is received twice when the Max Bet button MB is operated with two or more game tokens stored in the medal count counter 311.

[0074] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 shows the winning areas subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area. In addition, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has an RBB as a bonus, which is a continuous activation device for a special first-class bonus.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery include the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1", the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2", the winning area "Rare Win", the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", the winning area "Replay 1", the winning area "Replay 2", the winning area "Rare Replay", the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Win", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 12 are associated with each of them. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery when the result is not won (a miss).

[0076] Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which operations are performed on stop buttons B1 through B3. Furthermore, in the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 through B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

[0077] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the sequence of operations for the three stop buttons B1 to B3 consists of six types of sequences, from sequence 1 to sequence 6. Sequence 1 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3, which is known as a "sequential pressing" sequence. Sequence 2 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2, which is known as a "scissors pressing" sequence. Sequence 3 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Sequence 4 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Sequence 5 is a sequence where the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Furthermore, batting order 6 is a so-called reverse batting order, where the stopping operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0078] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner or loser in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 12 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0079] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, there are small wins 1 to 8 that can be won when selected by internal lottery, and there are replays 1 to 3 that can be won by internal lottery. Each small win and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the slot machine 1, there is a winning area "RBB&1-coin win" which includes both bonuses and small wins, and a winning area "RBB" which includes only bonuses.

[0080] In slot machine 1, the winning area "Replay 2" has a lower winning probability than the winning area "Replay 1". Also in slot machine 1, the winning area "Rare Role" has a lower winning probability than the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", and the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", which include the small roles. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the winning area "Rare Replay" has a lower winning probability than the winning area "Replay 1", and also a lower winning probability than the winning area "Rare Role".

[0081] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the carry-over flag is associated with the RBB, while the minor role and replay are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, if the internal lottery hits a winning area including the RBB, the state in which the RBB lottery flag is established is carried over until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine whether the minor role and replay are won, even in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over, if a minor role or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles, consisting of the already won RBB lottery flag and the minor role or replay lottery flag won in the internal lottery, are set to the established state.

[0082] <Internal Lottery Table> In the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 an internal lottery table used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, which includes an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal mode (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value is associated with each winning area that is the target of the lottery.

[0083] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the internal lottery table A has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following: winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Replay 2", winning area "Rare Replay", winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", and winning area "RBB", and is configured so that in the internal lottery, the player wins either a small role, a replay, or a bonus.

[0084] Furthermore, the internal lottery table B has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following winning areas: "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", "Rare Role", "Replay 1", "Replay 2", "Rare Replay", or "RBB & 1-Coin Role". The internal lottery is configured to result in winning either a small role, a replay, or a bonus.

[0085] Internal draw table A and internal draw table B are such that the number of draw values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" in internal draw table A is associated with the winning area "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. The probability of winning for each winning area other than "Replay 2" and "RBB" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning for each winning area other than "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. Specifically, for example, the probability of winning for winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning for winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" in internal draw table B.

[0086] Internal lottery table C has 65,536 lottery values ​​that correspond to either the winning area "Bonus Medium Small Win 1" or the winning area "Bonus Medium Small Win 2," and is configured to result in winning a small win in the internal lottery. Furthermore, in the internal lottery using internal lottery table C, the probability of winning each of the small wins 1 to 8 is higher than the probability of winning each of the small wins 1 to 8 in the internal lottery using internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B.

[0087] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that it will not result in a loss (failure) in the internal lottery in any of the game states: non-RT state, RBB internal state, or RBB state.

[0088] <Random number generation process> In the first embodiment, the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192. If the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it is determined that the player has won in the winning area corresponding to the number of lottery values ​​that was subtracted. Furthermore, if the result of the subtraction is a positive value after subtracting by all the number of lottery values ​​stored in the internal lottery table, it is determined that the player has not won any role and is therefore unsuccessful.

[0089] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order for the winning combinations to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is set to "replay > small win > bonus". In other words, when a bonus and a small win or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 performs a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

[0090] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to rotate up to 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. Therefore, it is configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 for symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0091] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is configured to receive a start signal output from the start switch built into the start lever SL when the start lever SL detects a start operation, and to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to start one game, and then set a waiting time (approximately 4.1 seconds), generally called a wait (or wait time), in the wait timer (not shown) of the main memory means 190 based on the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Then, if the reel control means 130 receives a start signal from the start switch within the period from the setting of the waiting time until the waiting time has elapsed, it is configured to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 after the waiting time has elapsed. With this configuration, the reel control means 130 can start a game after a minimum game time (approximately 4.1 seconds) has elapsed between the start of one game and the start of the next game.

[0092] <Payouts for minor roles> In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the same payout is set for each of the following cases for small wins 1 to 8: when the game is started with 3 electronic tokens as the first predetermined number (3-token bet) and when the game is started with 2 electronic tokens as the first predetermined number (2-token bet). This configuration eliminates the need to set a predetermined number of parameters for the payout data, and also eliminates the need to set the payout data separately for each predetermined number. This configuration reduces the data capacity of the data related to small wins in the area of ​​the main memory means 190 that stores various data.

[0093] Specifically, for minor role 1, the payout is the same whether a 3-coin bet is played or a 2-coin bet is played, and it is set to 14 coins, which is more than the first specified number. For minor role 2, the payout is the same whether a 3-coin bet is played or a 2-coin bet is played, and it is set to 3 coins, which is the same as the first specified number. For minor roles 3 through 8, the payout is the same whether a 3-coin bet is played or a 2-coin bet is played, and it is set to 1 coin, which is less than the first specified number.

[0094] <Setting the number of payouts> In the payout process for dispensing electronic tokens according to the game result, the payout control means 150, when a minor win is achieved, stores a value corresponding to a predetermined payout for each win in the payout number storage means 199 (see Figure 2) of the main storage means 190.

[0095] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when a game with two bets is played, the payout control means 150 compares the upper limit of the number of payouts that can be paid out with the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 during the payout process. If the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 is greater than the upper limit, the payout for that game is set to the upper limit to determine the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in that game, and the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout is added to the token counter 311 to virtually control the payout. Details of the process that references the upper limit of the number of payouts that can be paid out when a game with two bets is played will be described later.

[0096] <Game state transition control means> Figure 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of game states performed by the game state transition control means 160 of the first embodiment.

[0097] As shown in Figure 4(A), the non-RT state is the initial state among several types of game states (initial game state, normal game state), and is a non-bonus state in which no bonus is activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). In slot machine 1, when the game state is the non-RT state, the game can be started by setting a first predetermined number (3) of electronic tokens to the insertion state.

[0098] The RBB internal state is a game state that is entered when, in an internal lottery during a non-RT state, either the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" or the winning area "RBB" is selected, and the RBB is set to the established state. In the RBB internal state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table B, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). In slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB internal state, the game can be started when the first specified number (3 coins) of electronic tokens are set to the insertion state.

[0099] The RBB state is a game state that is entered when an RBB is won and the RBB is activated. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 determines that the RBB termination condition has been met when more than a predetermined number of electronic tokens (for example, 12 tokens) have been dispensed, terminates the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to the non-RT state. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. In slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB state, the game can be started when a second predetermined number (2 tokens) of electronic tokens are set to the insertion state. Details of the gameplay in the RBB state will be described later.

[0100] <AT Control Means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of a non-favorable section and a favorable section controlled by the AT control means 170 of the first embodiment, and a production state controlled during the favorable section.

[0101] As described above, the non-favorable section is a period during which control related to the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. The AT control means 170 executes a favorable section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the non-favorable section and start the favorable section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 in the game within the non-favorable section.

[0102] In the favorable section lottery, the AT control means 170 first acquires a favorable section transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of favorable section" and "loss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 196. Then, the AT control means 170 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the favorable section transition lottery table, and determines whether to start the favorable section based on the comparison result.

[0103] The AT control means 170 executes the favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area won in the internal lottery by the winning probability of "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0104] The AT control means 170 of the first embodiment executes the favorable section lottery when winning the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4", the winning area "rare combination", the winning area "replay 1", and the winning area "rare replay" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the RBB internal middle state, and when winning the winning areas "RBB & single combination" and "RBB" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and is configured not to execute the favorable section lottery when winning other winning areas. In addition, the AT control means 170 executes a favorable section lottery in which the probability of winning "start of favorable section" is extremely high, about 1 / 1.0.

[0105] In the advantageous period, the AT control means 170 has states (performance states) related to the instruction function, namely a first start state, a second start state, a normal state, a normal CZ state, a specific CZ state, and an AT state having a first AT state and a second AT state. In the normal state, normal CZ state, and specific CZ state, the system is configured not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4". In the AT state, the system is configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

[0106] The first starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is in a non-RT state and in a non-advantageous section, and the player is selected as a target for the advantageous section lottery and is selected as a winning area including RBB, specifically the winning area "RBB&1-coin win" or the winning area "RBB" through an internal lottery, resulting in a transition from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section. In the first starting state, the AT control means 170 terminates the first starting state and transitions the performance state to the normal state after one game has been played.

[0107] The second starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is a non-RT state or RBB internal state and is in a non-advantageous section, and the player transitions from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section through an advantageous section lottery based on winning in an internal lottery in one of the winning areas that are set as targets for the advantageous section lottery and do not include RBB, namely winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 1", and winning area "Rare Replay".

[0108] In the second start state, the AT control means 170 refers to the game state at the time the second start state is initiated. If the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is a non-RT state, the AT control means 170 terminates the second start state after one game is played and transitions the performance state to the normal state. Also, if the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is an RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 decides to execute a specific CZ state after the second start state ends, terminates the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the performance state to the specific CZ state.

[0109] As described above, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the game state is in the RBB internal state, the internal lottery is configured to result in winning either a small win or a replay. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, symbols that constitute the winning symbol combinations for small wins or replays are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, prioritizing bonuses. In addition, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated at a timing when it is not possible to win a small win that has been won in the internal lottery, a symbol combination different from any of the winning symbol combinations for any of the roles is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning). Thus, the winning symbol combinations for RBB are never stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and the RBB internal state is maintained.

[0110] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, once the game state is set to the RBB internal state, gameplay continues in the RBB internal state thereafter. Therefore, when the advantageous section ends and the non-advantageous section begins based on the fulfillment of the normal termination condition or specific termination condition in the advantageous section, the game state becomes the RBB internal state and is controlled to the non-advantageous section. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, after transitioning from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section while the game state is the RBB internal state, if the advantageous section lottery results in a "transition to the advantageous section" and the player transitions to the advantageous section, the performance state is set to the second start state. Since the game state at the start of the second start state is the RBB internal state, the performance state is configured to transition to the specific CZ state after one game is played in the second start state.

[0111] In slot machine 1 having such gameplay, as described above, when setting change control is performed by setting change means 100, the control related to the game state and the control related to the advantageous period are initialized, so that the game state is set to a non-RT state and the period is set to a non-advantageous period. In other words, in slot machine 1, gameplay is performed in a non-RT state or RBB state for a limited period from when setting change control is performed by setting change means 100 until the transition to the RBB internal state.

[0112] The AT control means 170 is configured such that, when the advantageous section is started based on winning in the winning area "RBB" or the winning area "RBB&1-coin win", the performance state at the start of the advantageous section is set to the first start state, even if the game state at the start of the advantageous section is in the RBB internal state.

[0113] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that when a player wins in one of the winning areas, which are winning areas that can be won even in a non-RT state and an RBB internal state, such as winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 1", or winning area "Rare Replay", the AT control means 170 starts an advantageous section based on the win. If the game state at the time of playing in the second start state is a non-RT state, the AT control means 170 determines that the performance state to be transitioned to after one game is played in the second start state is the normal state. If the game state at the time of playing in the second start state is an RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 determines that the performance state to be transitioned to after one game is played in the second start state is a specific CZ state.

[0114] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the game transitions from the non-advantageous section to the advantageous section during gameplay in the non-advantageous section (first game), the performance state is set to the first start state or the second start state by a control process that sets the performance state by the AT control means 170 during the first game. Next, in the game following the first game (second game), the game is played with the performance state set to the first start state or the second start state. If the performance state is the first start state, the game transitions to the normal state. If the performance state is the second start state, the performance state transitions to the normal state or the specific CZ state depending on the game state in the second game.

[0115] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the game state is set to a non-RT state and set to a non-advantageous section, yet when transitioning from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section immediately after setting change control, it is set to a normal state based on the start of the advantageous section, and when transitioning from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section when the game state is in the RBB internal state, it is set to a specific CZ state based on the start of the advantageous section, thereby achieving a gameplay experience that prevents a decrease in the marketability of the game machine by creating a strategy where the probability of transitioning to a specific CZ state immediately after setting change control becomes extremely high, while still having an advantageous section and improving the marketability.

[0116] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can prevent the emergence of a strategy that makes the immediate period after the setting change control is initiated excessively advantageous, and when the transition to the advantageous period immediately after the setting change control is executed, data and programs for executing different effects from the set effect state become unnecessary, thus preventing an increase in the program capacity related to the effects.

[0117] The normal state is the performance state that corresponds to the normal state among several types of performance states (normal performance state), which is set when the player has not transitioned to any other performance state. When the AT control means 170 transitions from the first start state, second start state, specific CZ state, or first AT state to the normal state, it sets the value "700" as an initial value to the AT transition game counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played until the player transitions to the AT state.

[0118] The AT control means 170 performs a decrement update, subtracting the stored value of the AT transition game counter by a value of "1" equivalent to one game, each time a game is played in either the normal state or the normal CZ state. The AT control means 170 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the AT state (AT transition conditions) have been met when the stored value of the AT transition game counter becomes "0". If the game state in which the stored value of the AT transition game counter became "0" is the normal state, the AT control means 170 transitions the game state from the normal state to the first AT state. On the other hand, if the game state in which the stored value of the AT transition game counter became "0" is the normal CZ state, the AT control means 170 transitions the game state from the normal CZ state to the first AT state after 10 games have been played in the normal CZ state and the conditions for ending the normal CZ state have been met.

[0119] The normal CZ state is configured such that, as a control related to the instruction function, when a control is executed to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, it is possible to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state, making it a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 sets a value (for example, 10 games) corresponding to the number of games that can continue in the normal CZ state in the CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the normal CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the CZ game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0120] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a normal CZ AT lottery in each game played in the normal CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the "transition to AT state" is selected in the normal CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the normal CZ state to the first AT state after 10 games have been played from the start of the normal CZ state.

[0121] The AT control means 170, when the player wins the "transition to AT state" lottery during the normal CZ and during the game until the normal CZ state ends, executes a normal CZ game count increase lottery to determine whether or not to increase (add) the number of games played in the first AT state to which the player transitions from the normal CZ state. If the AT control means 170 decides in the normal CZ game count increase lottery to increase the number of games played in the first AT state, it adds the value decided to be added to the first AT game count counter 196b (see Figure 2) of the AT control data storage means 196.

[0122] On the other hand, if the AT control means 170 does not win the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the normal CZ and 10 games are played in the normal CZ state, the normal CZ state is terminated and the performance state is returned to the normal state.

[0123] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute lotteries related to instruction functions executed in the normal CZ state (AT lottery during normal CZ, lottery for adding sets during normal CZ) regardless of the results of the internal lottery. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, with respect to lotteries related to auxiliary games executed in the normal CZ state, if the winning area "rare role" or the winning area "rare replay" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (miss)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, resulting in a more favorable outcome for the player (in the case of AT lottery during normal CZ, the probability of "transitioning to AT state" becomes higher). In the first embodiment, specifically, during the AT lottery in the normal CZ, if the winning area "Rare Role" is selected, there is approximately a 50% chance of selecting "Transition to AT State", if the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected, there is approximately a 60% chance of selecting "Transition to AT State", and if a winning area different from the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected, there is approximately a 30% chance of selecting "Transition to AT State".

[0124] The specific CZ state is configured such that, as a control related to the instruction function, when a control is executed to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, it is possible to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state and the normal CZ state, and is a performance state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state and the normal CZ state. The AT control means 170 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 30 games) in the specific CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the specific CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the specific CZ game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0125] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a specific CZ (Challenge Zone) AT lottery, which determines whether or not to transition to the AT state when the memory value of the specific CZ game count counter becomes "0". If the specific CZ AT lottery results in "transition to AT state", the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the specific CZ state to the first AT state. On the other hand, if the specific CZ AT lottery results in "transition to normal state", the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the specific CZ state to the normal state.

[0126] The AT state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because it enables assistance in winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4". The AT control means 170 of the first embodiment is configured to set the performance state to the first AT state when the AT state is started.

[0127] The AT control means 170 determines that the AT termination condition has been met when the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, terminates the AT state, and also determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the non-advantageous section from the next game.

[0128] The first AT state is a performance state in which the duration of continuation is managed by the number of games played. At the start of the first AT state, the AT control means 170 adds a value (for example, 50 games) corresponding to the number of games in which the first AT state can be continued to the first AT game counter 196b of the AT control data storage means 196, and each time a game is played, it performs a decrement update by subtracting the stored value of the first AT game counter 196b by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0129] The AT control means 170 executes a second AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition the performance state from the first AT state to the second AT state when it wins the winning area "rare role" or the winning area "rare replay" in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. The AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the first AT state to the second AT state when it wins "transition to second AT state" in the second AT lottery.

[0130] The AT control means 170 terminates the first AT state and transitions the performance state from the first AT state to the normal state when a game is played in the first AT state and the stored value of the first AT game counter 196b becomes "0".

[0131] The second AT state is a performance state in which the duration of continuation is managed by the number of games played. The AT control means 170 sets an initial value (for example, 1 game) corresponding to the number of games in which the second AT state can be continued in the second AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the second AT state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the second AT game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0132] The AT control means 170 is configured to transition the performance state to the first AT state when the stored value of the second AT game counter becomes "0". When the second AT state is terminated based on the stored value of the second AT game counter becoming "0", the AT state is not terminated and the system does not transition to the normal state.

[0133] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 170 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of games played in the first AT state, which is transitioned from the second AT state, during gameplay in the second AT state. The AT control means 170 performs the lottery to add the number of games played in the second AT state based on the fact that the start lever SL is started and gameplay has begun in the second AT state.

[0134] The AT control means 170, when it decides to increase the number of games played while the first AT state continues during the second AT game count increase lottery, adds the value decided to be increased to the first AT game count counter 196b of the AT control data storage means 196. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a lottery during the second AT game count increase lottery that has a higher probability of winning a larger number of games than the lottery during the normal CZ game count increase lottery. In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a lottery during the second AT game count increase lottery that wins an increase of at least 100 games.

[0135] The performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to determine the content of the bonus game notification performance that notifies the number of games to be added, by referring to the result of the second AT game count addition lottery by the AT control means 170. The performance control means 200 is configured to be able to execute a normal bonus game notification performance and a specific bonus game notification performance using the display device 410 in the bonus game notification performance, and is configured to be able to execute a panel flashing performance as a performance using the panel unit 430. Details of the bonus game notification performance will be described later.

[0136] As described above, slot machine 1 is configured to terminate the AT state when the advantageous period ends and when the stored value of the first AT game counter becomes "0". As shown in Figure 4(B), when the advantageous period ends, slot machine 1 is configured to transition to a specific CZ state via a second start state that is initiated based on the transition from a non-advantageous period to an advantageous period.

[0137] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute the AT lottery during a specific CZ state regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, when the internal lottery for the AT lottery during a specific CZ results in a win in the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay", the probability of "not winning (miss)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, and the probability of "transitioning to AT state" is higher. Specifically in the first embodiment, when the AT lottery during a specific CZ results in a win in the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay", there is approximately a 100% chance of "transitioning to AT state", and when a winning area different from the winning area "Rare Role" is won, there is approximately a 70% chance of "transitioning to AT state".

[0138] In other words, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that the probability of winning the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during a specific CZ state, which is performed in a specific CZ state, is approximately 70% or higher, regardless of the result of the internal lottery. The probability of transitioning from a specific CZ state to an AT state is higher than the probability of transitioning from a normal CZ state to an AT state (approximately 60% even if the winning area "Rare Replay" is won in the internal lottery).

[0139] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the probability of transitioning to the AT state is higher when the AT state ends with the end of the advantageous period and the advantageous period starts again, leading to a transition to the specific CZ state, compared to when the advantageous period continues after the end of the AT state and the machine transitions to the normal state. This increases the likelihood of starting the AT state again after the end of the AT state and winning electronic medals, thereby enhancing the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0140] 3. Gameplay in each game state Next, the gameplay characteristics of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment in each game state will be described.

[0141] <Game results in each game state> Figure 5 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the non-RT state, Figure 6 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the RBB internal state, and Figure 7 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the RBB state.

[0142] As shown in Figure 5, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected during a non-RT state, it is possible to win one of the small wins 3 to 8, which are set to pay out 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game, regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated.

[0143] In other words, in slot machine 1, when not in RT mode, even if you win in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", which are winning areas that include small win 1 with a payout of 14 coins in a 3-coin bet game, small win 1 cannot be won.

[0144] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, in slot machine 1, when the player wins in the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1" to "Beat Order Bell 4" during the RBB internal state, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are set in a batting order (correct batting order) that allows the player to win small prize 1, which has a payout of 14 coins in a 3-coin bet game, with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0145] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" during a non-RT state or RBB internal state, minor prizes 3 and 4 are awarded with a probability of 1 / 1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for winning, and minor prizes 5 to 8 are awarded with a probability of 1 / 2 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for winning.

[0146] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the winning area "Rare Role" is selected in a non-RT state or RBB internal state, the stop button B3 is stopped at the timing when small role 2 can be awarded, and small role 2, which is set to pay 3 coins in a 3-coin bet game, is awarded, with an award probability of approximately 1 / 1.3. In slot machine 1, if the winning area "Rare Role" is selected but small role 2 is not awarded, it is considered a missed win (non-award).

[0147] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the winning area "Replay 1" or "Replay 2" is selected in a non-RT state or RBB internal state, Replay 1 is awarded with a probability of 1 / 1 regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated. Also, when the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected in a non-RT state or RBB internal state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and 2 where stop button B1 is the first stop, Replay 1 is awarded with a probability of 1 / 1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to 6 where stop buttons B2 and B3 are the first stop, Replay 3 is awarded with a probability of 1 / 1. Furthermore, if the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" is selected while in a non-RT state or RBB internal state, regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, there is a 1 / 1 probability of winning a small win 3, which is set to pay 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game.

[0148] Furthermore, if the winning area "RBB" is selected in a non-RT state, the machine is configured to award the RBB when stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped at the timing when the RBB can be awarded, with an award probability of 1 / 64. In slot machine 1, if the winning area "RBB" is selected but the RBB is not awarded, it is considered a missed win (non-award).

[0149] As shown in Figure 7, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" is hit in RBB state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 and turn 2, if the timing of stop button B3 operation is such that small win 2 can be won, small win 2, which has a payout of 3 coins in a 2-coin bet game, will be won. If the timing of stop button B3 operation is such that small win 2 cannot be won, small win 3, which has a payout of 1 coin in a 2-coin bet game, will be won. Thus, either small win 2 or small win 3 will be won with a probability of 1 / 1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 3 to turn 6, small win 1, which has a payout of 14 coins in a 2-coin bet game, will be won with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0150] In slot machine 1, if you win the "Bonus Small Win 2" area while in RBB state, regardless of the order in which you press stop buttons B1 to B3, there is a 1 / 1 probability that you will win Small Win 3, which is set to pay 1 coin in a 2-coin bet game.

[0151] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means 199 (see Figure 2) and the number of inserts stored in the insert number storage means 198 (see Figure 2) are acquired, and when a game with a 2-coin bet is played and the number of payouts is 2 or more, the machine is configured to perform an upper limit setting process to set the number of payouts to the upper limit of the number of electronic tokens that can be dispensed (1 token in the first embodiment) and dispense the electronic tokens.

[0152] <Dispensing of electronic tokens in each game state> As shown in Figure 5, slot machine 1 is configured so that, in the non-RT state, no payout is awarded based on the winning of small role 1, which is set to have a payout greater than the first specified number. For this reason, the payout rate in the non-RT state is configured to be less than 50% regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated.

[0153] The payout rate is the ratio of the total number of electronic tokens paid out during a predetermined number of games (e.g., 17,500 games) to the total number of electronic tokens inserted during that predetermined number of games, assuming that the effects of temporary probability biases are sufficiently ignored.

[0154] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, in slot machine 1, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 or turn 2 during the RBB internal state, small win 1, which is set to pay more than the first specified number, will not be awarded. However, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 3 to turn 6, small win 1 becomes possible to win. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB internal state is configured to be less than 50% when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 or turn 2, and to exceed 50% when they are operated in any of turn 3 to turn 6.

[0155] On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, in the RBB state, which is set to a predetermined number of 2 coins, if the winning area "Bonus Small Role 1" is won in the internal lottery, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 and turn 2, small role 2, which is set to pay 3 coins in a 2-coin bet game, can be won, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 3 to turn 6, small role 1, which is set to pay 14 coins in a 2-coin bet game, can be won. However, the payout control means 150 performs a process to set an upper limit on the number of payouts, so that the number of electronic medals paid out in a game in which small role 1 or small role 2 is won is less than the set payout and less than the predetermined number (2 coins) in the RBB state, which is 1 coin. Furthermore, as described above, the payout for small role 3 to small role 8 when a 2-coin bet game is played is set to 1 coin.

[0156] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the internal lottery in the RBB state, where the internal lottery table C is used, is configured to result in winning either the winning area "Bonus Medium Small Win 1" or the winning area "Bonus Medium Small Win 2". Therefore, the probability of winning each small win in the RBB state is higher than the probability of winning each small win in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0157] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the game transitions to an RBB state with a predetermined number of 2 coins, and a winning area including a small win is hit, a payout of 1 coin is executed regardless of which of the small wins is hit. Furthermore, in each game played in the RBB state, when the internal lottery hits either the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1" or the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2", and any of Small Wins 1 to 3 is hit, a payout of 1 coin is executed.

[0158] Thus, in the first embodiment, when a game is started with a first predetermined number of game values ​​inserted, the slot machine 1 is capable of paying out game values ​​exceeding the first predetermined number. When a game is started with a second predetermined number of game values, which is less than the first predetermined number, the upper limit of the number of game values ​​that can be paid out is set to a specific number less than the second predetermined number.

[0159] As a result, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1, in the RBB state, is set to insert two electronic tokens and dispenses one electronic token. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB state is set to less than 100% and higher than the payout rate in the non-RT state where the RBB is not active, at 50%. With this in mind, the performance of acquiring game value in the state where the RBB is not active can be designed, thereby preventing an excessive decrease in performance in the RBB state and ensuring sufficient performance of the gaming machine while dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0160] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when reducing the payout rate in the RBB state, the payout rate in the RBB state can be set to 50% by using only one type of small role 1, which has a payout set to be greater than the first specified number. This eliminates the need to provide multiple types of small roles with payouts greater than the first specified number, thus preventing an increase in the data capacity related to small roles when designing the performance of acquiring electronic medals when the RBB is not activated. This reduces the data capacity related to small roles and improves the design freedom related to the arrangement of symbols. In addition, by reducing the data capacity related to small roles, data capacity can be allocated to various data used in other control processes executed by the main control CPU 11, thereby improving the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0161] <Winning combinations available in each game state> Figure 8 is a table summarizing the small wins awarded in each game state of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, based on winning in the non-RT state, RBB internal state, and RBB state. As shown in Figure 8, the small win 1, for which the payout is set to 14 coins for both the 3-coin bet game and the 2-coin bet game, does not award when won in the non-RT state, but is configured to award based on winning in the RBB internal state and the RBB state.

[0162] Furthermore, the small win 2, which is set to pay out 3 coins for both 3-coin bets and 2-coin bets, is configured to award based on whether it is won in a non-RT state, an RBB internal state, or an RBB state.

[0163] Furthermore, regarding the payouts for both the 3-coin bet and the 2-coin bet, among the 8 minor roles, minor role 3 is awarded based on winning in the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state, while minor roles 4 to 8 are not awarded if won in the RBB state, but are awarded based on winning in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0164] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each of the minor role 1 and minor role 2 is configured such that when they are won in the RBB state, which is set to insert two electronic tokens and the game starts, the payout is different from when three electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts. Furthermore, minor role 1 and minor role 2 are configured to be awarded when the game state is the RBB state, based on whether they have been won.

[0165] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved, and these multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations that belong to a predetermined group. The predetermined group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out differs depending on whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value, which is less than the first predetermined number. Each minor winning combination in the predetermined group is awarded based on being won in the internal lottery, regardless of whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value.

[0166] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the minor roles included in a predetermined group include a first minor role (minor role 1) and a second minor role (minor role 2). The first minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a first operation pattern (batting order 3 to batting order 6) when it is won in an internal lottery during a game started with a second predetermined number of game values ​​inserted. The second minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a second operation pattern (batting order 1, batting order 2) different from the first operation pattern when it is won in an internal lottery during a game started with a second predetermined number of game values ​​inserted.

[0167] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, although the number of electronic tokens paid out when small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, which is set to a second predetermined number (different from the first predetermined number in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state), is less than the number of electronic tokens paid out when they are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the performance of small win 1 and small win 2 is prevented from being excessively reduced by winning based on the fact that both small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, and the performance of the gaming machine can be sufficiently guaranteed.

[0168] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in slot machine 1, the payout when three electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts is set to 1 token, and the payout when two electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts is also set to 1 token. For small wins 3 to 8, which pay out the same amount when a win occurs in the RBB state when two electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts when three electronic tokens are inserted, the machine is configured to award a win based on whether it is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, in the RBB state, while small win 3 is awarded based on whether it is won, small wins 4 to 8 are configured not to award a win regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated when they are won.

[0169] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved, and these multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations included in the first group and minor winning combinations included in the second group. The first group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is the same whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value (which is less than the first predetermined number) inserted. The second group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is different whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value inserted. The minor winning combinations included in the first group include minor winning combinations that will not result in a win regardless of the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons when the game is started with a second predetermined number of game value inserted.

[0170] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, in the RBB state, where the number of electronic medals paid out does not change when a win occurs in the RBB state compared to when a win occurs in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of wins for minor roles 4 to 8 does not occur in the RBB state. This eliminates the need to pre-store stop control data related to reel stop control that enables wins for minor roles 4 to 8 in the reel control data storage means 194, thereby reducing the data capacity related to stop control data in the RBB state.

[0171] These minor roles 1 and 2 constitute a second group of minor roles and a predetermined group of minor roles, each having a different payout amount based on winning when the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value invested and when the game is started with a second predetermined amount of game value invested. Minor roles 3 to 8 constitute a first group of minor roles, each having the same payout when the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value invested and when the game is started with a second predetermined amount of game value, which is less than the first predetermined amount.

[0172] <Control for setting the recommended batting order in a gaming machine> As described above, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the game state is in the RBB internal state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 1 and turn 2, small win 1, which is set to pay more than the first specified number, will not be awarded, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 3 to turn 6, small win 1 will be awarded. Thus, the payout rate when the game is played by stopping stop buttons B1 to B3 in turn 1 and turn 2 is less than 50%, and the payout rate when the game is played by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in turn 3 to turn 6 is more than 50%.

[0173] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the game is in a normal state where no prize assistance is performed, a normal CZ state, or a specific CZ state, the configuration is such that there is a higher probability of winning electronic medals in the game when stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 3 to turn 6 than when stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped in turn 1 to turn 2.

[0174] With this configuration, the AT control means 170 of the first embodiment is configured such that, when no prize assistance is being performed, and when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 3 to batting order 6 when winning in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 4", it does not perform control related to the instruction function after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stops, and ends the game with the stored value of the AT high probability counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 initialized to the value "0". When prize assistance is performed, or when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 when winning in the winning area "batting order bell 1" to the winning area "batting order bell 4", it ends the game with the stored value of the AT high probability counter set to the value "1". When performing control related to the instruction function based on the start operation to the start lever SL, it refers to the stored value of the AT high probability counter and is configured to perform control that is more advantageous to the player when the value is "1" than when the value is "0".

[0175] Therefore, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when no prize-winning assistance is performed, it is recommended to play the game in the order of batting sequence 1 and batting sequence 2, in which the stop button B1 is first stopped (batting sequence 1 and batting sequence 2 are the recommended batting sequences).

[0176] Furthermore, control related to the instruction function after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop includes, for example, the increment update of the AT transition game count counter. Also, control related to the instruction function based on the start operation to the start lever SL includes, for example, the normal CZ lottery. Specifically, in the AT lottery during the normal CZ when the memory value of the AT high probability counter is "1", if the winning area "Rare Role" is won, there is a probability of winning "Transition to AT state" of approximately 50%, if the winning area "Rare Replay" is won, there is a probability of winning "Transition to AT state" of approximately 60%, and if a winning area other than the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" is won, there is a probability of winning "Transition to AT state" of approximately 30%. In the AT lottery during the normal CZ when the memory value of the AT high probability counter is "0", it may be configured so that regardless of the result of the internal lottery, there is a probability of winning "Transition to AT state" of approximately 0.4% (256 / 65536).

[0177] 4. Details of the bonus notification effect Next, we will describe the details of the additional notification effect performed by the effect control means 200 of the first embodiment.

[0178] <Overview of the bonus notification effect> As described above, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to determine the content of the bonus notification performance that notifies the number of games to be added as the number of games played while the first AT state continues, by referring to the result of the lottery for adding games during the second AT by the AT control means 170. If the lottery for adding games during the second AT determines that the number of games played while the first AT state continues will be less than 500 (less than the second bonus), the performance control means 200 executes the normal bonus notification performance.

[0179] As described above, the AT control means 170 of the first embodiment is configured to determine, in the lottery for adding game counts during the second AT, to add at least 100 games as the number of games played to continue the first AT state. In other words, the normal addition notification effect is configured as an effect that suggests that an addition of 100 games or more will be granted as the number of games played to continue the first AT state.

[0180] Furthermore, in the lottery for increasing the number of games played during the second AT, if it is determined that an increase of 500 games or more will be granted to the number of games played while the first AT state continues, the performance control means 200 performs a lottery for determining whether to perform a normal increase notification performance or a specific increase notification performance. In other words, the specific increase notification performance is configured as a performance that suggests that an increase of 500 games or more will be granted to the number of games played while the first AT state continues.

[0181] Then, in the lottery for adding game time during the second AT, if it is determined that an additional 1,000 games or more will be added to the number of games played while the first AT state continues, the performance control means 200 performs a panel flashing performance lottery to determine whether or not to perform the panel flashing performance. In other words, the panel flashing performance is configured as a performance that suggests that an additional 1,000 games or more will be added to the number of games played while the first AT state continues.

[0182] In the first embodiment, the performance control means 200, in the bonus notification performance lottery, executes a bonus notification performance lottery with a probability of approximately 10% as the first probability, which is to win the "execution of a specific bonus notification performance" and a probability of approximately 90% as the "execution of a normal bonus notification performance" if the number of games played that continues the first AT state is 500 games or more but less than 1000 games (2nd bonus or higher, but less than 3rd bonus).

[0183] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 executes a panel flashing performance lottery in which, as a third probability, there is a probability of approximately 7% that the "panel unit flashes" and a probability of approximately 93% that the "panel unit remains lit" is selected.

[0184] In other words, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured such that, in the lottery for increasing the number of games played during the second AT by the AT control means 170, if the number of games played to continue the first AT state is determined to be 1000 games or more, it will perform a panel flashing performance that makes the panel unit 430 flash, and will also perform a normal increase notification performance or a specific increase notification performance.

[0185] <Details of the normal bonus notification effect> Figure 9 illustrates the normal bonus notification animation performed by the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 9, the state in which the AT control means 170 has determined that 300 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state.

[0186] Figure 9(A) is an example of the state when gameplay has started in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 9(A), the performance control means 200 displays the second AT start screen 500 in the display area 410a of the display device 410 based on the fact that the start lever SL has been started and gameplay has started in the second AT state. In the second AT start screen 500, a second AT start image 511 is displayed in the display area 410a, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper part of the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, to indicate that the second AT state has started. In addition, in the second AT start screen 500, a character image 512a is displayed in the display area 410a, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper part of the specific area 410b when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0187] Figure 9(B) is an example of a state in which the normal bonus notification performance has started in the second AT state. The performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to start the normal bonus notification performance based on the progress of the game in the second AT state and the execution of the first stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3. In other words, the normal bonus notification performance is executed when the game starts in the second AT state and the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0188] As shown in Figure 9(B), the performance control means 200 displays the normal bonus notification screen 501 in the display area 410a during the normal bonus notification performance. When the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, the normal bonus notification screen 501 displays a character image 512b, which has changed from a character image 512a, which was displayed with both arms down in the second AT start screen 500, to a character image 512b, which is displayed with one arm raised.

[0189] Furthermore, on the normal bonus notification screen 501 when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, an image indicating the number of games to be added, which is determined by the game count bonus lottery during the second AT, is displayed near the arm of the character image 512b, which has changed from a lowered display to an raised display. In the example shown in Figure 9(B), since the game count bonus lottery during the second AT determines that 300 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state, an image indicating the number of games to be added, which is 50 games out of the 300, is displayed as "+50".

[0190] Figure 9(C) illustrates a state in which the image displayed in the normal bonus notification animation changes based on the second stop operation performed by stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 9(C), the animation control means 200 changes the display mode of the image that was normally displayed on the bonus notification screen 501 based on the progress of the game and the execution of the second stop operation in the second AT state. At the time the second stop operation is performed by stop buttons B1 to B3, the normal bonus notification screen 501 displays a character image 512c that has changed from a display mode in which one arm is raised to a display mode in which both arms are raised, changing from a character image 512b that had one arm raised.

[0191] Furthermore, on the normal bonus notification screen 501 when the second stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, an image indicating the number of games to be added, which is determined by the second AT game count bonus lottery, is displayed near the arm of the character image 512c, which has changed from a lowered arm display to an raised arm display. In the example shown in Figure 9(C), since the second AT game count bonus lottery determined that 300 games would be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state, an image indicating the number of games to be added, which is 60 games out of the 300, is displayed as "+60".

[0192] Figure 9(D) is an example of a state in which the image displayed in the normal bonus notification effect changes based on the third stop operation performed by stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 9(D), the effect control means 200 changes the display mode of the image that was normally displayed on the bonus notification screen 501 based on the fact that the game has progressed and the third stop operation has been performed in the second AT state. On the normal bonus notification screen 501 at the time the third stop operation is performed by stop buttons B1 to B3, an effect display button suggestion image 514 is displayed in the display area 410a at a position that overlaps with the character image 512c, which is approximately in the center in the left-right direction and approximately in the center in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0193] Figure 9(E) illustrates a state in which the image displayed in the normal bonus notification animation changes based on the operation of the performance display button PU after the third stop operation is performed by stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 9(E), the performance control means 200 changes the display mode of the image that was normally displayed on the bonus notification screen 501 based on the operation of the performance display button PU after the game progresses and the third stop operation is performed in the second AT state. In the normal bonus notification screen 501 at the time when the performance display button PU is operated after the third stop operation is performed by stop buttons B1 to B3, a bonus game count notification image 515 that displays "Total +300G!" is displayed in the display area 410a, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper position in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, as a display that notifies the number of games to be added determined in the game count bonus lottery during the second AT.

[0194] Furthermore, in the normal bonus notification screen 501 when the performance display button PU is operated after the third stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, the character image 512d is displayed, which is a character image 512d whose display position has been moved downward in the vertical direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, instead of the position of the character image 512c.

[0195] Because the display position of the character image 512d is located in the lower vertical direction, the position where the bonus game count notification image 515 is displayed and the position where the character image 512d is displayed do not overlap in the normal bonus notification screen 501. This maintains the visibility of the bonus game count notification image 515, allows the player to be notified of the results of the game count bonus lottery during the second AT, and enhances the player's enjoyment of the game and its effects.

[0196] <Details of the special bonus notification effect> Figure 10 illustrates a specific bonus notification effect performed by the effect control means 200 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 10, the AT control means 170 has determined that 500 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state. In the following description, components that are common to the normal bonus notification effect are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0197] Figure 10(A) is an example of the state when gameplay has started in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 10(A), when the start lever SL is started in the second AT state and gameplay begins, the performance control means 200 displays the second AT start screen 500 in the display area 410a of the display device 410, thereby controlling the game so that the player cannot determine whether the normal bonus notification performance or the specific bonus notification performance will be performed.

[0198] Figure 10(B) is an example of a state in which a specific bonus notification performance has been started in the second AT state. The performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to start the specific bonus notification performance based on the progress of the game in the second AT state and the execution of the first stop operation on stop buttons B1 to B3. In other words, the specific bonus notification performance is executed at the timing when the game is started in the second AT state and the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0199] As shown in Figure 10(B), the performance control means 200 displays the specific bonus notification screen 502 in the display area 410a during the specific bonus notification performance. When the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, the specific bonus notification screen 502 displays the character image 512c with both arms raised, which is displayed when the second stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3 during the normal bonus notification performance. Furthermore, when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, the specific bonus notification screen 502 displays an additional game count suggestion image 516a, which indicates a portion of the additional game count determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT, near the left arm of the raised arms of the character image 512c when the display device 410 is viewed from the front. In the example shown in Figure 10(B), during the second AT game count increase lottery, it is determined that 500 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state. Therefore, an image 516a indicating the number of added games is displayed, showing "+100" for 100 games out of the 500 games.

[0200] Figure 10(C) is an example of the specific bonus notification screen 502 that is displayed on the display device 410 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed for a second stop operation in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 10(C), the performance control means 200 is configured to maintain the display mode of the character image 512c that was displayed when the first stop operation was performed, when the game progresses in the second AT state and a second stop operation is performed. Furthermore, in the specific bonus notification screen 502, when the second stop operation is performed on the stop buttons B1 to B3, an image 516b indicating the number of games to be added, which is determined by the game count bonus lottery during the second AT, is displayed near the right arm of the character image 512c when the display device 410 is viewed from the front. In the example shown in Figure 10(C), during the second AT game count increase lottery, it is determined that 500 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state. Therefore, an image 516b indicating the number of added games is displayed, showing "+100" for 100 games out of the 500 games.

[0201] As shown in Figures 9(C) to (E) and 10(C) to (E), the normal bonus notification screen 501 and the specific bonus notification screen 502 are configured such that the display patterns of the character images 512c and 512d, the display patterns of the performance display button suggestion image 514, and the position where the bonus game count notification image 515 is displayed are substantially the same after the second stop operation to stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0202] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the game is started in the second AT state and the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, if the character image 512b is displayed on the display device 410, the player will determine that the performance to be performed is a normal bonus notification performance. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, in the normal bonus notification performance, if the character image 512c that is displayed when the second stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3 is displayed on the display device 410 when the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, the player will determine that the performance to be performed is a specific bonus notification performance.

[0203] As a result, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when a specific bonus notification performance is executed, the character image 512c that is displayed on the display device 410 when the second stop operation to stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed in the normal bonus notification performance is displayed when the first stop operation to stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed. Therefore, the player can expect that a bonus of 500 games or more has been determined as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state through the game count increase lottery during the second AT. Thus, the normal bonus notification screen 501 and the specific bonus notification screen 502, which have common display modes but differ in the timing of displaying images, can enhance the player's interest in the game and performance.

[0204] The number of games displayed in the additional game count suggestion images 513a, 513b, 516a, and 516b may be a fixed number of games. Alternatively, the number of games displayed in the additional game count suggestion images 513a and 513b may be calculated using a ratio corresponding to the result of the game count increase lottery during the second AT (for example, in the example shown in Figure 9, since an increase of 300 games was determined as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state, the additional game count suggestion image 513a suggests an increase of 50 games, which is equivalent to 1 / 6 of 300 games, and the additional game count suggestion image 513b suggests an increase of 60 games, which is equivalent to 1 / 5 of 300 games). Furthermore, the normal increase notification effect and the specific increase notification effect may be configured to display one of several types of character images, and to display the number of games corresponding to the displayed character image.

[0205] <Details of the panel flashing effect> Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the panel flashing effect performed by the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment. Figure 11(A) illustrates the panel unit 430 when the panel flashing effect is not performed, and Figure 11(B) illustrates the state in which the panel unit 430 is turned off due to the panel flashing effect.

[0206] As shown in Figure 11(A), the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment controls the light source located behind the panel unit 430 to light up when the game starts in the second AT state, if the panel flashing performance is not performed.

[0207] In the first embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to keep the light source located behind the panel unit 430 lit, except when it is determined to perform a performance that causes the panel unit 430 to blink or turn off.

[0208] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 11(A), when the game is started with the panel unit 430 lit up, no special effects using the panel unit 430 are performed, and the player is not given any indication or notification of the result of the lottery to add game time during the second AT based on the lighting pattern of the panel unit 430.

[0209] As shown in Figure 11(B), the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment controls the light source located behind the panel unit 430 to be turned off when the panel flashing effect is executed, at the time when the game starts in the second AT state. In other words, the panel flashing effect is executed when the start lever SL is started and the game starts in the second AT state.

[0210] The performance control means 200 first turns off a light source located behind the panel unit 430, and then repeatedly turns the light source on and off to perform a panel flashing effect that causes the panel unit 430 to flash.

[0211] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can, at the time gameplay in the second AT state begins, indicate that a panel flashing effect has been triggered by flashing the panel unit 430, suggesting that an increase of 1000 games or more has been determined in the lottery for increasing the number of games played during the second AT state, thereby continuing the first AT state.

[0212] As described above, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to determine, by lottery, which of the performances using the display device 410, a normal bonus notification performance or a specific bonus notification performance, will be executed when a bonus of 500 games or more is determined as a bonus for continuing the first AT state in the second AT game count bonus lottery. In other words, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute the bonus notification performance lottery in a single bonus notification performance lottery using a lottery table in which the number of lottery values ​​are associated with "execution of normal bonus notification performance" and "execution of specific bonus notification performance".

[0213] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to determine whether or not to execute a panel lighting performance, which is a performance using the panel unit 430, when it is determined in the second AT game count increase lottery that an increase of 1000 games or more is determined as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state, by a panel lighting performance lottery. In other words, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute a panel flashing performance lottery in a single panel flashing performance lottery using a lottery table in which the number of lottery values ​​are associated with "execution of panel flashing performance" and "miss (failure)".

[0214] In slot machine 1, for example, if a single draw determines whether to perform a "normal bonus notification," a "specific bonus notification," a "panel flashing," and "maintain the panel unit lit up," then the draw table used in the draw would need to associate the number of draw values ​​with "perform a normal bonus notification and maintain the panel unit lit up," "perform a normal bonus notification and perform a panel flashing," "perform a specific bonus notification and maintain the panel unit lit up," and "perform a specific bonus notification and perform a panel flashing." This increases the data capacity required for a single draw table.

[0215] Furthermore, in this configuration, when setting the winning probability for each target in slot machine 1, if there is a slight difference in the winning probability for each target, or if there is a low probability, it becomes necessary to prepare many random numbers. In order to accommodate many random numbers, the data capacity of the lottery table that associates each random number increases, and the cost of designing the presentation also increases.

[0216] In contrast, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured to perform two draws: a bonus notification draw and a panel flashing draw. Even if 256 random numbers are used in each draw, it can produce 256 x 256 = 65,536 possible draw results. This reduces the data capacity required for the draw table and the cost associated with designing the effects compared to using 65,536 random numbers in a single draw.

[0217] <Summary of bonus notification effects> With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, if the start lever SL is operated to start the game in the second AT state and the game is started, and if an increase of 1000 games or more is determined in the game count increase lottery during the second AT, the panel flashing effect can be executed. Therefore, when the panel unit 430 flashes, it is indicated that an increase of 1000 games or more has been determined in the second AT state.

[0218] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, even if the panel unit 430 remains lit when gameplay begins in the second AT state and no panel flashing effect is executed, if the lottery for adding game counts during the second AT determines that 500 or more games will be added as the number of games played to continue the first AT state, the machine is configured to execute a specific game count increase notification effect in which the character image 512c is displayed on the display device 410 when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3. Therefore, when the character image 512c is displayed when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, it is indicated that 500 or more games will be added as the number of games played to continue the first AT state in the second AT state.

[0219] As described above, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to execute a bonus notification performance lottery with a probability of approximately 10% when the number of games added as the number of games to continue the first AT state is 500 games or more but less than 1000 games, and to execute a bonus notification performance lottery with a probability of approximately 30% when the number of games added as the number of games to continue the first AT state is 1000 games or more.

[0220] With this configuration, even if the panel flashing effect is not executed when the game starts in the second AT state, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment will execute a specific bonus notification effect when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, thereby guaranteeing a bonus of 500 games or more of gameplay continuing in the first AT state, and the probability of determining a bonus of 1000 games or more of gameplay continuing in the first AT state is higher than the probability of determining a bonus of less than 1000 games, thus giving the player a sense of anticipation. By setting different probabilities for executing the specific bonus notification effect depending on the bonus granted, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the effects.

[0221] Furthermore, as described above, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to display the character image 512c when the second stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3 in the normal bonus notification screen 501 displayed in the normal bonus notification performance, and to display the character image 512c when the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3 in the specific bonus notification screen 502 displayed in the specific bonus notification performance.

[0222] In other words, in the second performance, a specific image (character image 512c) is displayed at a specific timing (the timing when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3), while in the first performance, the specific image is displayed at a timing later than the specific timing (the timing when the second stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3).

[0223] With this configuration, when a specific bonus notification effect is performed, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment displays the character image 512c that is normally displayed when the second stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3 in the normal bonus notification effect, when the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3. This clearly makes the player aware that an effect different from the normal bonus notification effect has started, increasing the player's anticipation for the specific bonus notification effect and improving the player's interest in the effect.

[0224] Furthermore, as described above, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured such that, when performing the panel flashing performance and the specific bonus notification performance, the panel flashing performance is performed when the start lever SL is started in the second AT state and the game is started, and the specific bonus notification performance is performed when the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0225] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment performs the panel flashing effect, which, when executed, raises the player's expectations for the awarded bonus, earlier than the normal bonus notification effect and the specific bonus notification effect, among the normal bonus notification effect, a special bonus notification effect, and a panel flashing effect, which are effects that suggest an increase in the number of games played while the first AT state continues, which are bonuses awarded in the second AT state. This makes it possible to enhance the player's interest in the panel flashing effect.

[0226] Furthermore, as described above, the performance control means 200 of the first embodiment is configured to perform a bonus notification performance lottery with a probability of approximately 30% as the second probability, in which the number of games played that continue the first AT state is 1000 games or more, in which case the bonus notification performance lottery will be executed in which the "execution of a specific bonus notification performance" will be won, and a panel flashing performance lottery with a probability of approximately 7% as the third probability, in which the "flashing of the panel unit" will be won.

[0227] In other words, the third effect (panel flashing effect) is executed with a third probability (approximately 7%) when a third benefit (an additional 1000 games added to the number of games played while the first AT state continues) or higher is granted, and the third probability is lower than the second probability (approximately 30%), which is the probability that a specific bonus notification effect will be executed when an additional 1000 games or more are determined to continue while the first AT state continues.

[0228] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment can increase the player's anticipation of the benefits granted when the panel flashing effect is performed, because the probability of the panel flashing effect being performed is lower than that of the specific bonus notification effect. Furthermore, if the panel flashing effect is not performed, the specific bonus notification effect is performed with a higher probability than the panel flashing effect, thereby creating anticipation among the player for the specific bonus notification effect to be performed when the panel flashing effect is not performed, and thus improving the player's interest in the effects.

[0229] In the first embodiment, the control means 170, which executes a lottery to increase the number of games played during the second AT, allowing for an additional period of time to continue in the advantageous first AT state for the player as a control related to the granting of this benefit, and increases the period of time to continue in the first AT state according to the result of the lottery to increase the number of games played during the second AT, constitutes the control means. In addition, the performance control means 200 and the display device 410, sound device 420, and panel unit 430 included in the performance device 400 constitute the performance means in the first embodiment. Furthermore, of the additional number of games played to continue in the first AT state, which is determined by the lottery to increase the number of games played during the second AT state, an increase of 100 games constitutes the first benefit in the first embodiment, an increase of 500 games constitutes the second benefit in the first embodiment, and an increase of 1000 games constitutes the third benefit in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the normal bonus notification effect constitutes the first effect in the first embodiment, the specific bonus notification effect constitutes the second effect in the first embodiment, and the panel flashing effect constitutes the third effect in the first embodiment. In addition, when the game starts in the second AT state and the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, the first timing in which the specific bonus notification effect in the first embodiment is executed constitutes the first timing, and when the start lever SL is started and the game starts in the second AT state constitutes the second timing, which is earlier than the first timing in which the panel flashing effect in the first embodiment is executed.

[0230] 5. Summary of the First Embodiment As described above, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, even if the panel flashing effect is not executed when the game starts in the second AT state, when the first stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, a specific bonus notification effect is executed, guaranteeing a bonus of 500 games or more of gameplay continuing in the first AT state, and the probability of determining a bonus of 1000 games or more of gameplay continuing in the first AT state is higher than the probability of determining a bonus of less than 1000 games, thus giving the player a sense of anticipation. By setting different probabilities for executing the specific bonus notification effect depending on the bonus granted, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the effects.

[0231] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the slot machine 1, which is a modified version of the first embodiment, will be described. The second embodiment of the slot machine 1 has a different configuration from the first embodiment of the slot machine 1 in terms of the presentation that notifies the bonuses granted in the second AT state. In addition, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning probability of each winning area in the internal lottery is set so that the net increase in tokens, which is the average difference (number of tokens obtained) between the number of digitized tokens that can be obtained and the number of digitized tokens inserted when the game is played in accordance with the prize-winning assistance in the AT state, is approximately 3.0 tokens. The configuration of the presentation that notifies the granting of bonuses performed by the second embodiment of the gaming machine in the second AT state will be described below. Components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0232] 1. Details of the bonus notification effect Figures 12 and 13 will be used to describe the details of the bonus notification effect performed by the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment.

[0233] <Overview of the bonus notification effect> The performance control means 200 of the second embodiment is configured to determine the performance mode for the bonus game notification performance that notifies the number of games to be added as the number of games played while the first AT state continues, by referring to the result of the lottery for adding games during the second AT by the AT control means 170. If the lottery for adding games during the second AT determines that the number of games played while the first AT state continues will be less than 1000, the performance control means 200 executes the bonus game notification performance of the first performance mode. If the lottery for adding games during the second AT determines that the number of games played while the first AT state continues will be 1000 or more, the performance control means 200 executes the bonus game notification performance of the second performance mode.

[0234] <Details of the additional notification effect for the first performance mode> Figure 12 illustrates the bonus notification effect of the first effect mode executed by the effect control means 200 of the second embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 12, the AT control means 170 has determined that 500 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state.

[0235] Figure 12(A) is an example of the state when gameplay has started in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 12(A), the performance control means 200 displays the second AT start screen 500 in the display area 410a of the display device 410 based on the fact that the start lever SL has been started and gameplay has started in the second AT state. In the second AT start screen 500, a second AT start image 511 is displayed in the display area 410a, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper part of the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, to indicate that the second AT state has started. In addition, in the second AT start screen 500, a character image 512a is displayed in the display area 410a, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper part of the specific area 410b when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0236] Figure 12(B) illustrates a state in which the bonus notification effect is started based on the third stop operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state. The effect control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to start the bonus notification effect based on the progress of the game in the second AT state and the execution of the third stop operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. In other words, the bonus notification effect is executed at the timing when the game starts in the second AT state and the third stop operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0237] As shown in Figure 12(B), the performance control means 200 displays the bonus notification screen 503 in the display area 410a during the bonus notification performance. When the third stop operation is performed using stop buttons B1 to B3, the bonus notification screen 503 displays a performance display button long-press suggestion image 517 in the display area 410a, which is approximately in the center in the left-right direction and approximately in the center in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and which overlaps with the character image 512c. This suggests that the performance display button PU should be pressed and held down for a long-press operation.

[0238] Figure 12(C) illustrates a state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification animation changes based on the fact that the performance display button PU is pressed and held down after the third stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 12(C), the performance control means 200 starts displaying a bonus game count suggestion image 521 that indicates the number of games to be added, based on the fact that the game progresses in the second AT state, the third stop operation is performed and the performance display button PU is pressed, at a position approximately in the center in the left-right direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and above the character image 512c in the up-down direction. In the example shown in Figure 12(C), in the game count bonus lottery during the second AT, a bonus of 500 games is determined as a bonus for the number of games played to continue the first AT state, so a bonus game count suggestion image 521 that displays "+1G" for a bonus of 1 game out of 500 games is displayed.

[0239] Figure 12(D) is an example of a state in which the long press of the performance display button PU continues from the state shown in Figure 12(C). Based on the continued long press of the performance display button PU, the performance control means 200 changes the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521, which displayed "+1G" in the state shown in Figure 12(C), to display "+2G". When the long press of the performance display button PU continues, the performance control means 200 changes the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521 until the value becomes one less than the number of games to be added determined in the game count addition lottery during the second AT. In the state in which an additional 500 games have been determined as the additional game count exemplified in Figure 12, as long as the long press of the performance display button PU continues, the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521 changes increment by "1" each time, from "+1G", "+2G", ... "+498G", "+499G", and so on.

[0240] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 is configured to output a sound effect from the sound device 420 each time the display mode of the performance display button PU is changed after the long press of the performance display button PU is initiated and the display of the additional game count suggestion image 521 is started.

[0241] Figure 12(E) is an example of a state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification effect changes based on the continued long-pressing of the effect display button PU from the state shown in Figure 12(D). As shown in Figure 12(E), the effect control means 200 changes the display mode of the image displayed on the bonus notification screen 503 when the long-pressing of the effect display button PU continues and the number of bonus games displayed in the bonus game number suggestion image 521 reaches the value determined in the game number bonus lottery during the second AT. The effect control means 200 displays a bonus game number notification image 522 that displays "Total +500G!" as a display that notifies the number of bonus games determined in the game number bonus lottery during the second AT, at a position approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper part of the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front within the display area 410a.

[0242] Furthermore, if the long press of the performance display button PU continues, and the number of additional games displayed in the additional game count suggestion image 521 reaches the value determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT, the additional game count notification screen 503 will display character image 512d, in which the display position of character image 512c has been moved to a position lower in the vertical direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0243] Because the display position of the character image 512d is located in the lower vertical direction, the display position of the added game count notification image 522 and the display position of the character image 512d do not overlap on the added game count notification screen 503. This maintains the visibility of the added game count notification image 522, allows the player to be notified of the results of the game count addition lottery during the second AT, and enhances the player's enjoyment of the game and its effects.

[0244] As described above, the performance control means 200 of the second embodiment is configured such that, if the number of additional games determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT is less than the value "1000", the number of additional games indicated by the game count increase suggestion image 521 is increased by "1" each time the performance display button PU is held down, and when the number of additional games displayed by the game count increase suggestion image 521 reaches the number of additional games determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT, the game count increase notification image 522 notifies the number of additional games determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT.

[0245] As long as the performance display button PU is held down, the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521 is changed to suggest the additional game count, and the additional game count notification image 522 notifies the additional game count determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT. This performance mode constitutes the additional game count notification performance of the first performance mode in the second embodiment.

[0246] <Details of the additional notification effect for the second performance mode> Figure 13 illustrates the bonus notification effect of the second performance mode executed by the performance control means 200 of the second embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 13, the AT control means 170 has determined that 1050 games will be added as an increase in the number of games played to continue the first AT state.

[0247] Figure 13(A) is an example of the state when gameplay has started in the second AT state, and is substantially the same as the example in Figure 12(A). Figure 13(B) is an example of the state when the bonus notification performance has started based on the third stop operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 13(B), the bonus notification screen 504 displayed in the bonus notification performance in the second performance mode is substantially the same as the bonus notification screen 503 example in Figure 12(B) in terms of the display mode of the image displayed at the start.

[0248] Figure 13(C) illustrates a state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification animation changes based on the fact that the performance display button PU is pressed and held down after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the third stop operation in the second AT state. As shown in Figure 13(C), the performance control means 200 starts displaying a bonus game count suggestion image 521 that indicates the number of games to be added, based on the fact that the game progresses in the second AT state, the third stop operation is performed, and the performance display button PU is pressed, at a position approximately in the center in the left-right direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and above the character image 512c in the up-down direction. In the example shown in Figure 13(C), in the game count bonus lottery during the second AT, a bonus of 1050 games is determined as a bonus for the number of games played to continue the first AT state, so a bonus game count suggestion image 521 that displays "+1G" for a bonus of 1 game out of 1050 games is displayed.

[0249] Figure 13(D) is an example of a state where the long press of the performance display button PU continues from the state shown in Figure 13(C). Based on the continued long press of the performance display button PU, the performance control means 200 is configured to change the display mode of the additional game count indication image 521, which displayed "+1G" in the state shown in Figure 13(C), to add "1" to the value each time, and at the point shown in Figure 13(D), the display mode has changed to "+999G".

[0250] Figure 13(E) is an example of a state in which the long press of the performance display button PU continues from the state shown in Figure 13(D). As shown in Figure 13(E), the performance control means 200 changes the display mode of the image displayed on the bonus notification screen 504 when the long press of the performance display button PU continues and the number of bonus games displayed on the bonus game number suggestion image 521 changes to "+1000G", which suggests that 1000 games will be added. The performance control means 200 changes the display of the bonus game number suggestion image 521 to the bonus game number achievement image 523, which consists of the words "Congratulations!" and has a display mode that congratulates the player and gives them a sense of accomplishment, so that "+1000G" is not displayed.

[0251] The performance control means 200 is configured to start and stop displaying the added game count achievement image 523 if the performance display button PU is held down continuously after the display of the added game count achievement image 523 has started, until the number of times the added game count achievement image 523 has been displayed is equal to the number of added games determined in the second AT game count addition lottery minus the value "1000". In the example shown in Figure 13, since the added game count is determined to be 1050 games in the second AT game count addition lottery, if the performance display button PU is held down continuously, the display of the added game count achievement image 523 will be started and stopped 50 times.

[0252] As described above, the performance control means 200 is configured to output a sound effect from the sound device 420 each time the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521 is changed after the long press of the performance display button PU is initiated and the display of the additional game count suggestion image 521 begins. The performance control means 200 is configured to output a sound effect from the sound device 420 each time the display mode of the additional game count achievement image 523 begins, even after the additional game count determined in the second AT game count increase lottery is 1000 games or more and the additional game count suggestion image 521 displayed on the increase notification screen 504 is changed to the additional game count achievement image 523.

[0253] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, even after the display of the additional game count indication image 521 changes to the display of the additional game count achievement image 523 in the additional game count notification performance, and the specific additional game count is no longer announced, the number of times the sound effect output is generated each time the additional game count achievement image 523 is displayed can be counted, allowing the player to infer the number of additional games determined in the second AT game count additional lottery, thereby giving the player a sense of satisfaction and improving the player's interest in the performance.

[0254] Figure 13(F) is an example of a state in which the image displayed in the bonus notification animation changes based on the continued long-pressing of the animation display button PU from the state shown in Figure 13(E). As shown in Figure 13(F), the animation control means 200 changes the display mode of the image displayed on the bonus notification screen 504 when the long-pressing of the animation display button PU continues and the number of times the bonus game count achievement image 523 is started and stopped reaches a number equivalent to the value obtained by subtracting the value "1000" from the value determined in the game count bonus lottery during the second AT. The animation control means 200 displays the bonus game count achievement image 524, which displays "Total Congratulations!", in the display area 410a, approximately in the center in the left-right direction and in the upper position in the up-down direction, because the number of games to be added determined in the game count bonus lottery during the second AT is 1000 games or more, as a display that congratulates the player and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

[0255] Furthermore, if the long press of the performance display button PU continues, and the number of added games displayed in the added game count achievement image 524 reaches the value determined by the game count increase lottery during the second AT, the added game count notification screen 504 will display character image 512d, in which the display position of character image 512c has been moved to a position lower in the vertical direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0256] Because the display position of character image 512d is located in the lower vertical direction, the display position of the added game count achievement image 524 and the display position of character image 512d do not overlap on the added game count notification screen 504. Therefore, the visibility of the added game count achievement image 524, which congratulates the player and gives them a sense of accomplishment when the result of the game count increase lottery during the second AT is 1000 games or more, can be maintained, and the player's interest in the game and its effects can be improved.

[0257] This performance mode, which, while the performance display button PU is held down, changes the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521 to suggest the additional game count, and at the timing when the display mode changes to suggest that the additional game count suggested by the additional game count suggestion image 521 will be increased from 999 games to 1000 games, changes the display mode of the image displayed on the additional game count notification screen 504 to the additional game count achievement image 523, and then displays the additional game count achievement image 524 to end, does not provide specific notification of the additional game count, but merely suggests that the additional game count has reached 1000 games or more, while providing a performance that congratulates the player and gives them a sense of accomplishment, constitutes the additional game count notification performance of the second performance mode in the second embodiment.

[0258] <Summary of bonus notification effects> As described above, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning probabilities for each winning area in the internal lottery are set such that the net increase in tokens, which is the average difference (number of tokens acquired) between the number of tokens that can be acquired and the number of tokens that are inserted when the game is played in accordance with the prize-winning assistance in the AT state, is approximately 3.0 tokens.

[0259] Therefore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, for example, if an increase of 1000 games or more is determined as the number of games to be added in the second AT game count increase lottery, the configuration allows the player to infer that, based on the number of games that can be played continuously and the net increase in tokens during the AT state, a large number of electronic tokens can be obtained as a result of the bonus granted during one set of the second AT state.

[0260] Given this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, if the bonus game notification is made in the bonus game notification performance regardless of the number of bonus games determined in the second AT game game bonus lottery, if a bonus of 1000 games or more is determined in the second AT game game bonus lottery, the player may infer that one set of second AT states has been executed and that it has become possible to acquire electronic medals far exceeding the number of electronic medals that can be acquired in a series of advantageous periods, which may lead to an excessive increase in gambling potential and a decrease in the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0261] Based on the above, in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, if the number of games added determined in the second AT game count increase lottery is 1000 games or more, the increase notification performance displays the additional game count suggestion image 521 to inform the player that 999 games or more will be added. At the timing when the display mode of the additional game count suggestion image 521 switches from "+999G" to the next value, the display of the additional game count suggestion image 521 ends and changes to the display of the additional game count achievement image 523 which displays "Congratulations!". Thereafter, the display of the additional game count achievement image 523 is repeatedly started and stopped until a number equivalent to the number of games added determined in the second AT game count increase lottery minus the value "1000" is reached, and then the additional game count achievement image 524 which displays "Total Congratulations!" is displayed.

[0262] With this configuration, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, if the number of games to be added is less than 1000 in the second AT game number addition lottery, the number of games to be added is indicated by the number of games to be added suggestion image 521 and the number of games to be added notification image 522, thereby increasing the player's interest in the addition notification performance that notifies the result of one set of second AT states. Furthermore, even if the number of games to be added is 1000 or more in the second AT game number addition lottery, it becomes impossible to infer the number of electronic medals that can be obtained from the content of the benefits granted in one set of second AT states, thereby preventing the gambling aspect from becoming excessively high and reducing the marketability of the gaming machine. In addition, by executing an addition notification performance with a different presentation style than when an addition of less than 1000 games is performed, the player's interest in the performance can be increased.

[0263] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when an additional game count of 1,000 or more is determined to be added in the second AT game count increase lottery, the second performance mode of the increase notification performance displays an additional game count achievement image 523 that includes content to congratulate the player and give them a sense of accomplishment, instead of the additional game count suggestion image 521 displayed in the first performance mode of the increase notification performance. This suggests that sufficient rewards will be given, giving the player a sense of satisfaction and improving the player's interest in the performance.

[0264] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the performance control means 200, in the process of displaying the number of additional games determined in the second AT game number increase lottery in the additional game notification performance, updates the additional game number suggestion image 521 which displays the number of additional games to be granted increasing by 1 game each time, from "+1G" to "+999G", if the number of additional games is less than 1000 games, and updates the additional game number suggestion image 521 which displays the number of additional games to be granted increasing by 1 game each time, from "+1G" to "+999G". After the process is completed, at the timing when the display of the additional game count suggestion image 521 switches from "+999G" to the next value, the additional game count achievement image 523 displaying "Congratulations!" is displayed in place of the additional game count suggestion image 521, and thereafter, until the number of times is reached that corresponds to the number of additional games determined in the second AT game count increase lottery minus the value "1000", the display of the additional game count achievement image 523 is repeatedly started and stopped by performing a process that is almost the same as the process that updated the display of the additional game count suggestion image 521.

[0265] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can display images corresponding to the number of added games simply by switching the displayed image between displaying the added game number suggestion image 521 and displaying the added game number achievement image 523, without changing the process for updating the displayed image in the process of displaying the number of added games determined in the second AT game number addition lottery in the added game number notification performance, thereby preventing an increase in the program capacity related to the added game number notification performance.

[0266] The AT control means 170, which controls the instruction function and can control the second AT state, constitutes the control means in the second embodiment. A lottery is performed to add (add) the number of games played while the first AT state continues. The second AT state, which is advantageous to the player, constitutes the advantageous state in the second embodiment. The added game count, which is determined by the lottery to add (add) the number of games played and added to the first AT game count counter 196b, constitutes a specific value that can be given as a bonus in the second embodiment. The added game count notification effect, which is an effect related to the added game count given by the lottery to add (add) the number of games played, constitutes a specific effect in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the value "1000," which corresponds to 1000 games, constitutes the threshold in the second embodiment as the number of additional games awarded by the second AT game count increase lottery. Values ​​less than 1000 games (such as "999") constitute a benefit below the threshold, and values ​​of 1000 games or more (such as "1000") constitute a benefit above the threshold.

[0267] 2. Summary of the second embodiment As described above, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, if the number of games to be added is less than 1000 in the second AT game number addition lottery, the number of games to be added is indicated by the number of games to be added suggestion image 521 and the number of games to be added notification image 522, thereby increasing the player's interest in the addition notification performance that notifies the result of one set of second AT states. Furthermore, even if the number of games to be added is 1000 or more in the second AT game number addition lottery, it becomes impossible to infer the number of electronic medals that can be obtained from the content of the benefits granted in one set of second AT states, thereby preventing the gambling aspect from becoming excessively high and reducing the marketability of the gaming machine. In addition, by executing an addition notification performance with a different presentation style than when an addition of less than 1000 games is performed, the player's interest in the performance can be increased.

[0268] [Other embodiments] In the first embodiment, when the additional number of gaming times to continue the first AT state is 1,000 games or more, the effect control means 200 executes a bonus notification effect lottery to win the "execution of specific bonus notification effect" with a probability of about 30% as the second probability, and also executes a panel blinking effect lottery to win the "blinking of the panel unit" with a probability of about 7% as the third probability. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the additional number of gaming times to continue the first AT state is 1,000 games or more, the effect control means 200 may be configured to execute a bonus notification effect lottery to win the "execution of specific bonus notification effect" with a probability of about 20%, and also execute a panel blinking effect lottery to win the "blinking of the panel unit" with a probability of about 20%. Further, for example, when the additional number of gaming times to continue the first AT state is 1,000 games or more, the effect control means 200 may be configured to execute a bonus notification effect lottery to win the "execution of specific bonus notification effect" with a probability of about 10%, and also execute a panel blinking effect lottery to win the "blinking of the panel unit" with a probability of about 15%.

[0269] That is, when the additional number of gaming times to continue the first AT state is 1, the second probability which is the probability of winning the "execution of specific bonus notification effect" in the bonus notification effect lottery, and the third probability which is the probability of winning the "blinking of the panel unit" in the panel blinking effect lottery, the third probability and the second probability may be the same probability, or the third probability may be higher than the second probability.

[0270] When the third probability and the second probability are composed of the same probability, when a bonus of the third bonus or more is given as a privilege in the slot machine 1, it is possible to prevent an excessive difference from occurring between the frequency of execution of the third effect and the frequency of execution of the second effect, and it is possible to prevent giving the player a sense of discomfort with respect to the effect.

[0271] When the third probability is composed of a probability higher than the second probability, when a privilege of the third privilege or more is given as a privilege, the slot machine 1 can prevent the performance from becoming complicated by executing the second performance after the third performance, and can prevent the player's interest in the performance from decreasing.

[0272] Also, in the first embodiment, when the effect control means 200 executes the panel blinking effect and the specific bonus notification effect, it is configured to execute the panel blinking effect at a timing earlier than the specific bonus notification effect, but is not limited thereto. The effect control means 200 may be configured to execute, for example, at the same timing as the specific bonus notification effect. Further, the effect control means 200 may be configured to execute, for example, at a timing later than the specific bonus notification effect.

[0273] When configured to execute the specific bonus notification effect and the panel blinking effect at the same timing, the slot machine 1 can greatly enhance the player's sense of expectation for the privilege given by the simultaneous execution of the specific bonus notification effect and the panel blinking effect, and can improve the player's interest in the game.

[0274] When configured to execute the panel blinking effect at a timing later than the specific bonus notification effect, the slot machine 1 executes the panel blinking effect in a state where the specific bonus notification effect is executed and the granting of a privilege of the second privilege or more is determined, and thus the granting of a privilege of the third privilege or more is determined. It can execute an effect that can enhance the player's sense of expectation for the privilege granted step by step, and can improve the player's interest in the game.

[0275] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to display a character image 512c in both the normal bonus notification performance and the specific bonus notification performance, thereby ensuring commonality in the displayed images, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to execute performances that display different images in the normal bonus notification performance and the specific bonus notification performance.

[0276] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to advance the content of the performance displayed in the bonus notification performance as a game progresses, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured, for example, to start the bonus notification performance while a freeze that delays the progress of the game is being performed, and to finish the bonus notification performance before the freeze ends.

[0277] In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to perform a simulated game that allows the player to experience the game by rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by operating the start lever SL, and temporarily stopping the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3, and the content of the performance to be performed in the bonus notification performance progresses according to the operation of the control means during the simulated game.

[0278] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to perform a panel flashing performance, which causes the panel unit 430 to flash, as a third performance, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may also be configured to perform, for example, a panel blackout performance, which causes the panel unit 430 to turn off, as a third performance.

[0279] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to grant an additional number of games played while the first AT state continues as a bonus, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to grant, for example, an additional number of games (e.g., 100 games) as a first bonus while the first AT state continues, a transition to a specific AT state as a second bonus, where the duration of continuation is managed by the difference in the number of tokens, and the player can acquire a difference in the number of electronic tokens greater than the average difference in the number of tokens that can be acquired if the first AT state continues for 100 games, and a third bonus, where the AT state is determined to continue until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400".

[0280] In other words, the first, second, and third benefits do not all need to consist of increasing the number of games played while the AT state continues. They just need to be structured so that the degree of advantage for the player is "first benefit < second benefit < third benefit". The first, second, and third benefits may be composed of increasing the number of games played, having an AT state managed by the number of sets and increasing the number of sets of that AT state, or having an AT state managed by the difference in the number of tokens and increasing the difference in the number of tokens of that AT state.

[0281] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute a normal bonus notification performance using the display device 410 as a first performance, a specific bonus notification performance using the display device 410 as a second performance, and a panel flashing performance using the panel unit 430 as a third performance, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to execute any of the first, second, or third performances using the display device 410. Alternatively, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute a performance using the display device 410 as a first performance, a performance using the display device 410 and the sound device 420 as a second performance, and a performance using the sound device 420 as a third performance.

[0282] In other words, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute performances using any of the devices constituting the performance device 400 for each of the first, second, and third performances, and the devices used in each performance are not limited to the first embodiment.

[0283] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to notify the number of games added as the number of games in which the first AT state continues when the performance display button PU is operated after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped, in both the normal bonus notification performance and the specific bonus notification performance. However, it is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured, for example, to notify the number of games added as the number of games in which the first AT state continues when the performance display button PU remains pressed after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped, in both the normal bonus notification performance and the specific bonus notification performance. Furthermore, the performance control means 200 may be configured such that, for example, in the normal bonus notification performance and the specific bonus notification performance, each time the performance display button PU is pressed after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped, it displays a value in the range of "1" to "10", and continues to display a value in the range of "1" to "10" each time the performance display button PU is pressed until the sum of the bonus game count suggestion images 513a, 513b or bonus game count suggestion images 516a, 516b and the numerical value displayed on the display device 410 each time the performance display button PU is pressed reaches the result of the game count bonus lottery during the second AT.

[0284] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a threshold value of "1000" corresponding to 1000 games as a result of the second AT game count increase lottery, and is configured to execute a second type of increase notification performance when the number of added games is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 only needs to have a threshold value set from a predetermined value. Preferably, the value should be such that it has the potential to be 2400 or more, which is the number of electronic medals that can be obtained in a series of advantageous periods when granted.

[0285] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to display an additional game count suggestion image 521 indicating an additional game count of 999 games in both cases when executing the additional game count notification performance of the first performance mode and when executing the additional game count notification performance of the second performance mode, but is not limited thereto. For example, when executing the additional game count notification performance of the second performance mode, the performance control means 200 may be configured to display an additional game count achievement image 523 based on the pressing of the performance display button PU without displaying the additional game count suggestion image 521, and while the performance display button PU is held down, the display of the additional game count achievement image 523 is repeated until the number of times obtained by subtracting the value "1" from the additional game count determined in the second AT game count increase lottery (for example, 1049 times if the additional game count is determined to be 1050 games), and then display an additional game count achievement image 524.

[0286] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 may be configured to display the additional game count achievement image 524 based on the operation of the performance display button PU when, for example, the additional game count notification performance of the second performance mode is executed.

[0287] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to start displaying the additional game count suggestion image 521 when the performance display button PU is pressed during the additional game count notification performance, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to start displaying the additional game count suggestion image 521 when the start lever SL is operated to start the next game after the second AT state has ended. Also, the performance control means 200 may be configured to generate a freeze that delays the progress of the game based on the third stop operation of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second AT state, start the additional game count notification performance during the freeze, and start displaying the additional game count suggestion image 521.

[0288] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to display images 523 and 524 showing the achievement of the number of added games in the second performance mode's bonus notification performance, which include the words "Congratulations!" as images that congratulate the player and give them a sense of accomplishment, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may also be configured to display characters or symbols that do not indicate the number of added games in the images displayed in the second performance mode's bonus notification performance.

[0289] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute a performance as a second performance type increase notification performance that notifies the number of electronic medals that can be acquired until the value of the advantageous section counter 196a reaches the value of "2400", if it determines from the result of the second AT game count increase lottery and the net increase in coins in the AT state that the AT state can be continued until the value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value of "2400". In this configuration, the number of added games that, when multiplied by the net increase in coins in the AT state, is determined to be the number of added games that allows the AT state to be continued until the value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value of "2400", constitutes the threshold. More specifically, for example, if the value of the advantageous section counter 196a is "300", and the winning probability of each winning area in the internal lottery is set so that the net increase in coins in the AT state is 3.0 coins, the second performance type increase notification performance is executed when the result of the second AT game count increase lottery is 700 games or more.

[0290] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 may be configured to, for example, if it determines from the result of the second AT game count increase lottery and the net increase in coins during the AT state that the AT state can be continued until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", it may notify that the first AT state will continue until the advantageous section ends, and execute a performance as a second performance mode increase notification performance that does not notify the specific number of added games or the number of electronic coins that can be obtained.

[0291] Also, in the second embodiment, while the effect control means 200 is configured to change the display mode of the additional game number suggestion image 521 by one value of "1" when the effect display button PU is long-pressed in the additional notification effect, it is not limited thereto. For example, the effect control means 200 may be configured to change the display mode of the additional game number suggestion image 521 by one value of "10" when the effect display button PU is long-pressed in the additional notification effect, or may be configured to determine whether to change by one value of "1" or by one value of "10" by lottery.

[0292] Also, in the second embodiment, while the effect control means 200 is configured to output an effect sound from the sound device 420 each time the display mode of the additional game number suggestion image 521 is changed in the additional notification effect, it is not limited thereto, and it may be configured not to output an effect sound. Also, the effect control means 200 may be configured not to output the effect sound output from the sound device 420 each time the display of the additional game number achievement image 523 starts.

[0293] Also, in the second embodiment, while the slot machine 1 has the second AT state as an advantageous state, it is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 only needs to be configured such that an advantageous state is formed from a state in which a specific value can be given as a privilege. For example, in a specific CZ state, when determining the transition to the first AT state, the number of game times for which the first AT state continues may be configured to be given as a privilege.

[0294] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 170 has a state that terminates when one game is played as the second AT state, but is not limited thereto. The AT control means 170 may have a state in which multiple games can be played as the second AT state. In this configuration, the AT control means 170 may be configured to perform a lottery for adding game counts during the second AT state for each game played in the second AT state, or to perform a lottery for adding game counts during the second AT state for the game that starts or ends the second AT state. Also, in this configuration, the performance control means 200 may be configured to perform a performance notification for adding game counts each time a lottery for adding game counts during the second AT state is performed, or to perform a performance notification for adding game counts for the last game played in the second AT state.

[0295] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 170 is configured not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected in the internal lottery during the normal CZ state and the specific CZ state, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 by determining by lottery whether or not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected in the internal lottery during the normal CZ state and the specific CZ state.

[0296] In the normal CZ state and the specific CZ state, if the slot machine 1 is configured to perform assistance in winning small role 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is selected by lottery, it is preferable that the payout rate in the performance state in which the assistance in winning is performed by lottery does not exceed 100%.

[0297] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to manage the duration of each of the first AT state and the second AT state by the number of games played, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to manage the duration of each of the first AT state and the second AT state by the difference in the number of tokens won, or by the number of times the small win 1 is achieved.

[0298] In this configuration, if the duration of the first AT state is managed by the difference in the number of tokens won, the slot machine 1 may be configured to add (increase) the difference in tokens that can be obtained in the first AT state during the second AT state, and may also have the number of tokens to be added as a specific value granted as a bonus. Furthermore, if the duration of the first AT state is managed by the number of times small win 1 is won, the slot machine 1 may be configured to add (increase) the number of times small win 1 can be won in the first AT state during the second AT state, and may also have the number of times small win 1 is won to be added as a specific value granted as a bonus.

[0299] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the duration of the second AT state is managed by the number of games played, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may also be configured such that the number of games that can be played is managed using the number of sets, in substantially the same way as the first AT state.

[0300] In this configuration, slot machine 1 may be configured such that the probability of continuing one set of second AT states when no playable sets of second AT states are stocked is higher than the probability of continuing one set of first AT states when no playable sets of first AT states are stocked.

[0301] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured such that when a two-coin bet is played, a process is executed to set the maximum payout to one coin, so that regardless of the number of coins paid out for the winning combination, one coin is paid out. However, the machine is not limited to this configuration. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that, for example, the payout for all combinations from combination 1 to combination 8 is set to one coin when a two-coin bet is played, so that one electronic token is paid out when a two-coin bet is played.

[0302] With this configuration, slot machine 1 does not need to perform a process to set an upper limit on the number of payouts (upper limit setting process) in order to pay out 1 coin when a small win occurs in the RBB state where the prescribed number is set to 2 coins. Therefore, the amount of data required for the program to perform the upper limit setting process for the number of payouts can be reduced.

[0303] In this configuration, the slot machine 1 must be configured such that, in the RBB state, the payout for a small win that differs between a 3-coin bet and a 2-coin bet, can be won by operating stop buttons B1 to B3 in a predetermined manner when a win occurs in a predetermined winning area.

[0304] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to include a medal count control means 300 of a medal count control CPU 31 as a management and control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU, and a main control CPU 11 as a game control means that controls games played using electronic medals, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured without a medal count control board 30, and the various functions mounted on the medal count control board 30 may be realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 functions as a management and control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU.

[0305] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period when, for example, the expected value of acquiring electronic medals becomes 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles.

[0306] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has multiple reels, specifically left reel R1 to right reel R3, and multiple stop buttons, specifically stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to left reel R1 to right reel R3. However, it is not limited to this, and may also have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0307] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of electronic tokens, but it is not limited to this, and may be configured to have, for example, a single bet button for inserting one electronic token in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0308] In this configuration, slot machine 1 may be configured to start playing regardless of whether the number of electronic tokens inserted is set to a first predetermined number or a second predetermined number, for a predetermined number of tokens in the non-RT state or RBB internal state. In this configuration, slot machine 1 may be configured to set the first predetermined number of electronic tokens inserted when the max bet button MB is operated, and to set the second predetermined number of electronic tokens inserted when the single bet button is operated twice, when the game state is the non-RT state or RBB internal state.

[0309] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set initial values ​​for the stored values ​​of each counter and storage means, and to perform decrement updates that subtract 1 each time a game is played, or increment updates that add 1 each time a game is played. However, the method for updating each counter and storage means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0310] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 120 Internal drawing method 170 AT control means (control means) 200 Performance control means B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 Stop button R1 Left reel R2 Middle Reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, Control means for performing control related to the instruction function, It comprises a performance control means for performing control related to the performance, The control means is capable of controlling a favorable state for the player, The control means is capable of assigning a specific value as a benefit in the advantageous state, The aforementioned performance control means is capable of executing specific performances related to the aforementioned benefits, When the specified value is less than the threshold, the specified performance is the first performance mode. When the specified value is equal to or greater than the threshold, the specified performance is a second performance mode that differs from the first performance mode. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

Images