Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a gaming machine that can enhance the player's interest in the game's presentation. [Solution] The transition suggestion effect for the "panel flashing" effect type and the transition suggestion effect for the "panel blackout" effect type are effects that suggest a transition to the 2nd AT state. The period from the game in which a premonition trigger is won in the 1st AT state until the end of the 2nd AT transition premonition has a 1st section and a 2nd section. If the game is in the 1st AT state and a premonition trigger is won, the transition suggestion effect for the "panel flashing" effect type and the transition suggestion effect for the "panel blackout" effect type can be executed. If it is during the 2nd AT transition premonition, the probability of the transition suggestion effect for the "panel blackout" effect type being executed changes.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines (rotary gaming machines, slot machines) equipped with a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on their outer peripheral surfaces are known. This type of gaming machine assigns 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 the stopping of 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. When configuring to enable the execution of various effects, it is required to improve the player's interest in the effects by appropriately setting the timing for executing each effect.

[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] The present invention includes a performance control means for performing performance control, The aforementioned performance control means is capable of executing a first performance (for example, a transition suggestion performance for performance type "panel flashing", paragraph

[0181] , Figure 10(A)) and a second performance (a transition suggestion performance for performance type "panel light off", paragraph

[0181] , Figure 10(A)), The first and second performances mentioned above are performances that suggest the granting of special benefits. In a single specific section, there is a first section and a second section, If it is the first section, then the first performance and the second performance can be performed. The probability of the second performance being executed changes when it is the second interval. [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 an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to an 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 an 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 hit in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a small win is hit during the internal RBB (Real Big Bonus) state in a gaming machine according to an 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 of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a table summarizing the winning combinations for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the processing related to the transition suggestion effect performed in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] (A) is a diagram showing a transition suggestion performance lottery table used in the gaming machine of this embodiment of the present invention when a pre-trigger trigger role is won during gameplay in the first AT state, (B) is a diagram showing a transition suggestion performance lottery table used during gameplay in the second AT transition pre-trigger, and (C) is a diagram showing a second AT transition pre-trigger performance lottery table used in the lottery during the second AT transition pre-trigger. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all configurations described in these embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention. In the following description, the side facing the player (near the player) will be referred to as "front," and the opposite side as "rear."

[0011] 1. Overview of the configuration of the gaming machine Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called reel-type gaming machine, and is a so-called medalless gaming machine that records the gaming value that can be used by the player by an electromagnetic method based on a lending signal output from an external device provided outside the slot machine 1 and a dedicated unit SU (see Figure 2) which is a specific unit, and the gaming value that can be used by the player by an electromagnetic method. The slot machine 1 stores information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals, and is configured 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 dispensing it.

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

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

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so as to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is provided with a display device 410 as display means for performing an effect composed of various videos and images for assisting the game and enlivening the game. Further, in the display device 410, a specific area 410b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the display area 410a for displaying an image is composed of a transmissive liquid crystal display, and the display device 410 is configured such that the rotation state and the stop state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed. In the stop state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, among a plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, three symbols (upper-stage symbol, middle-stage symbol, lower-stage symbol) arranged continuously on the outer peripheral surface can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 410.

[0015] Also, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for each reel, upper, middle, and lower stages are provided as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 410, and an effective line L1 is set for an effective line formed by a combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of electronic medals required for one game, so-called the specified number (specified number), is set to 3 (first specified number) or 2 (second specified number), and when the electronic medals corresponding to the specified number are inserted, the effective line L1 formed by the middle stages of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is activated.

[0016] Then, the game result is determined by the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the effective line L1 (on the effective line), and when the symbol combination on the effective line L1 is a symbol combination corresponding to a predetermined winning combination, control corresponding to the winning combination is executed as if the winning combination has won.

[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 this embodiment, when the performance display button PU is operated and a 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. In addition, a light source (LED) for illumination, controlled by the performance control means 200 of the sub-control CPU 21 (see Figure 2), is provided inside the performance display button PU, and the performance display button PU is configured to emit light when it is illuminated from the inside by the light emitted from this light source.

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

[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 slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the control related to the game state performed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section performed by the AT control means 170 are initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was performing before the setting change is also initialized and the non-advantageous section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, 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 performed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section performed by the AT control means 170 are resumed from the state before the power outage, and the control related to the instruction function that the AT control means 170 was performing before the power outage is also maintained 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 this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the initial press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a predetermined number of electronic tokens, is accepted as the player's operation to start playing, triggering the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and also triggering the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to perform an internal lottery. Details of the predetermined numbers set for each game state will be described later.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[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 this 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 this embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 10, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

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

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

[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 that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this 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 slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery include the winning area "Bonus Small Win 1", the winning area "Bonus Small Win 2", the winning 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 these areas. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery when the result is not won (a miss).

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

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

[0079] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, 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 probability for the "Replay 2" area is set lower than that for the "Replay 1" area. Also, in slot machine 1, the winning probability for the "Rare Role" area is set lower than that for each of the winning areas, including the "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" areas and the "RBB & 1-Coin Role" area. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the winning probability for the "Rare Replay" area is set lower than that for the "Replay 1" area.

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

[0082] <Internal Lottery Table> In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 three internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120: 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 this embodiment, the internal lottery table A has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following: winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "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 will win 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] Given this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that it will not result in a loss (failure) in any of the internal lotteries during the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, or the RBB state.

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

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

[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 this embodiment, the same payout is set for each of the following cases for minor 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 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 minor 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 this 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 pay out the tokens. 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 this 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 present 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 obtains 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 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained 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 present 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 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 at 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 CZ state, and an AT state having the first AT state and the second AT state. In the normal state and the CZ state, it is configured not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4", and in the AT state, it is configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall game 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 the CZ state after the second start state ends, terminates the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the performance state to the CZ state.

[0109] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, 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 an operation timing that makes it impossible 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 this embodiment, once the game state is set to the RBB internal state, gameplay continues in the RBB internal state thereafter. Therefore, when the advantageous section ends and the non-advantageous section begins based on the fulfillment of the normal termination condition or specific termination condition in the advantageous section, the game state becomes the RBB internal state and is controlled to the non-advantageous section. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, after transitioning from the advantageous section to the non-advantageous section while the game state is the RBB internal state, if the advantageous section lottery results in a "transition to the advantageous section" and the player transitions to the advantageous section, the performance state is set to the second start state. Since the game state at the start of the second start state is the RBB internal state, the performance state is configured to transition to the CZ state after one game is played in the second start state.

[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 winning area is selected in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", "Rare Role", "Replay 1", or "Rare Replay", which are winning areas that can be selected even in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 determines the transition state to the normal state after one game is played in the second start state if the game state at the time of playing in the second start state is the RBB internal state, and determines the transition state to the CZ state after one game is played in the second start state if the game state at the time of playing in the second start state is the RBB internal state.

[0114] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when playing in a non-advantageous section (first game), if the game transitions from a non-advantageous section to an advantageous section, the performance state is set to either the first start state or the second start state by a control process that sets the performance state by the AT control means 170 during the first game. Next, in the game following the first game (second game), the slot machine 1 executes a game with the performance state set to either the first start state or the second start state. If the performance state is the first start state, the game transitions to the normal state. If the performance state is the second start state, the performance state transitions to either the normal state or the CZ state depending on the game state in the second game.

[0115] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, when setting change control is performed by the setting change means 100, the game state is set to a non-RT state and set to a non-advantageous section. However, 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 CZ state based on the start of the advantageous section. This prevents the development of a strategy that would make the probability of transitioning to the CZ state immediately after setting change control extremely high, thereby reducing the marketability of the game machine, while improving the marketability of the machine while still having an advantageous section.

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

[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, the second start state, or the 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 transition 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 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 CZ state, the AT control means 170 transitions the game state from the CZ state to the first AT state after 10 games have been played in the CZ state and the conditions for ending the CZ state have been met.

[0119] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state when the game wins a winning area that does not include RBB in the internal lottery during the normal state. The AT control means 170 is also configured to perform a normal AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state when the winning area "Rare Role" is won in the internal lottery. When the AT control means 170 performs the normal AT lottery and wins "Transition to AT state", it determines that the conditions for transitioning to the AT state (AT transition conditions) have been met, and transitions from the normal state to the first AT state among the AT states.

[0120] The CZ state is configured such that, as a control related to the instruction function, when a control is executed to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, it is possible to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state, making it a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 sets the value "700" as an initial value in the AT transition game counter when transitioning from the second start state to the CZ state. At the start of the CZ state, the AT control means 170 sets a value (for example, 10 games) corresponding to the number of games that can continue the CZ state in the CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the CZ game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0121] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a CZ-in AT lottery in each game played in the CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the CZ-in AT lottery results in "transition to AT state", the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the CZ state to the first AT state after 10 games have been played from the start of the CZ state.

[0122] The AT control means 170, when it wins the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the CZ and during the gameplay until the CZ state ends, executes a 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 transition from the CZ state is made. If the AT control means 170 decides in the 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.

[0123] On the other hand, if 10 games are played in the CZ state without winning the "transition to AT state" lottery during the CZ, the AT control means 170 terminates the CZ state and transitions the performance state back to the normal state.

[0124] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute lotteries related to instruction functions executed in the CZ state (AT lottery during CZ, lottery for adding sets during 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 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 CZ, the probability of "transitioning to AT state" becomes higher). In this embodiment, specifically, during the AT lottery in the CZ, if the winning area "Rare Role" is selected, there is approximately a 50% chance of winning "Transition to AT State", if the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected, there is approximately a 60% chance of winning "Transition to AT State", and if a winning area other than the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected, there is approximately a 30% chance of winning "Transition to AT State".

[0125] 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 this embodiment is configured to set the performance state to the first AT state when the AT state is started.

[0126] 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.

[0127] The first 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 adds a value (for example, 30 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 when the first AT state starts, and 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, each time a game is played.

[0128] 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 decides to transition 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.

[0129] The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to stop decrementing the first AT game counter 196b from the game following the game in which the second AT lottery was executed based on winning the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" in the internal lottery, until a predetermined number of games (for example, 5 games) have been played. In the following description, the period from the game following the game in which the second AT lottery was executed until a predetermined number of games (for example, 5 games) have been played will also be referred to as "second AT transition premonition."

[0130] The AT control means 170, when it wins the "transition to the second AT state" in the second AT lottery, transitions the performance state from the first AT state to the second AT state after the last game during the second AT transition pre-announcement is executed. Furthermore, if the AT control means 170 wins the "transition to the second AT state" in the second AT lottery and, during the game played until the second AT transition pre-announcement ends, wins the winning area "rare role" or the winning area "rare replay" in the internal lottery, it executes a second AT stock process that adds (adds) the number of times one set of the second AT state is executed.

[0131] Furthermore, if the AT control means 170 determines "miss (failure)" in the second AT lottery and wins the winning area "rare role" or the winning area "rare replay" in the game until the end of the second AT transition premonition, it executes a second AT lottery during the premonition to determine whether or not to transition the performance state from the first AT state to the second AT state after the end of the second AT transition premonition. If the AT control means 170 wins "transition to second AT state" in the second AT lottery during the premonition, it transitions the performance state from the first AT state to the second AT state after the last game of the currently running second AT transition premonition is executed.

[0132] On the other hand, the AT control means 170 is configured to restart the decrement update of the first AT game counter 196b from the game following the end of the last game during the pre-transition to second AT period if the transition from the first AT state to the second AT state is not determined by the end of the last game during the pre-transition to second AT period.

[0133] The performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute a transition suggestion performance that indicates that a transition from the first AT state to the second AT state has been decided after the end of the second AT transition premonition, when the second AT lottery by the AT control means 170 is successful in determining the "transition to the second AT state". Furthermore, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute a performance that notifies that the second AT transition premonition is in progress, or a performance that suggests a transition to the second AT state, when controlled by the AT control means 170 during the second AT transition premonition. Details of the performances related to the transition to the second AT state executed by the performance control means 200 will be described later.

[0134] 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".

[0135] 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, 100 games) 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 when the second AT state starts, 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.

[0136] In this embodiment, the AT control means 170 executes a lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of games played during the second AT state if the winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 1", or winning area "Rare Replay" is selected in the internal lottery during the second AT state. If the AT control means 170 decides in the lottery to add the number of games played during the second AT state to add the number of games played during the second AT state, it adds the value decided to be added to the second AT game counter in the AT control data storage means 196. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, when the winning area "Replay 1" is selected, the AT control means 170 executes a lottery to add games during the second AT, in which the expected value of the added games is set to approximately 50 games. When the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected, the AT control means 170 executes a lottery to add games during the second AT, in which the expected value of the added games is set to approximately 100 games.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 3. Gameplay in each game state Next, the gameplay characteristics of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment in each game state will be described.

[0139] <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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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).

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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).

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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.

[0149] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of payouts stored in the payout storage means 199 (see Figure 2) and the number of inserts stored in the insert 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 set the number of payouts to the upper limit of the number of electronic tokens that can be dispensed (1 in this embodiment) and execute an upper limit setting process to dispense the electronic tokens.

[0150] <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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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.

[0153] On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 of this 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, resulting in 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.

[0154] 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.

[0155] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this 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.

[0156] Thus, in this embodiment, when a game is started with a first predetermined number of game values ​​inserted into the slot machine 1, it is possible to pay out game values ​​exceeding the first predetermined number. When a game is started with a second predetermined number of game values, which is less than the first predetermined number, the upper limit of the number of game values ​​that can be paid out is set to a specific number less than the second predetermined number.

[0157] As a result, in the RBB state, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment 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.

[0158] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when reducing the payout rate in the RBB state, the slot machine 1 can set the payout rate in the RBB state 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. Additionally, 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.

[0159] <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 this 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 a win in the non-RT state, but is configured to award a win based on winning in the RBB internal state and the RBB state.

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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.

[0162] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a win occurs in the RBB state, which is set to insert two electronic tokens and the game is started, the payout amount is different from when a win occurs with three electronic tokens inserted. Furthermore, when a win occurs in the RBB state, a win is awarded based on the outcome.

[0163] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved, and these multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations that belong to a predetermined group. The predetermined group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out differs depending on whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value, which is less than the first predetermined number. Each minor winning combination in the predetermined group is awarded based on being won in the internal lottery, regardless of whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value.

[0164] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the minor roles included in a predetermined group include a first minor role (minor role 1) and a second minor role (minor role 2). The first minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a first operation pattern (batting order 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.

[0165] With this configuration, in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number set to a first specified number in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of electronic medals paid out when small win 1 and small win 2 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when they are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, because the machine is awarded based on the fact that both small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, it is possible to prevent the performance of small win 1 and small win 2 from being excessively reduced and to sufficiently guarantee the performance of the gaming machine.

[0166] 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.

[0167] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved. These multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations in a first group and minor winning combinations in a second group. The first group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is the same whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value (which is less than the first predetermined amount). The second group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is different whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value. The minor winning combinations in the first group include those for which no win is achieved when the game is started with a second predetermined amount of game value, regardless of the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons.

[0168] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the RBB state, where the number of electronic medals paid out does not change when a win occurs in the RBB state compared to when a win occurs in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of wins for minor roles 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.

[0169] 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.

[0170] <Control for setting the recommended batting order in a gaming machine> As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, 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 predetermined 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%.

[0171] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the machine is in a normal state or a CZ state where no prize-winning assistance is performed, the configuration is such that it is more likely to win electronic tokens 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.

[0172] Given this configuration, the AT control means 170 of this 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 during a win 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 being performed, or when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in batting order 1 and batting order 2 during a win 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".

[0173] Therefore, in the case where no prize-winning assistance is performed, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to recommend playing in the order of batting 1 and batting 2, in which the stop button B1 is first stopped (batting order 1 and batting order 2 are the recommended batting orders).

[0174] 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, AT lottery during CZ. Specifically, in the AT lottery during 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 CZ when the memory value of the AT high probability counter is "0", regardless of the result of the internal lottery, there is a probability of winning "Transition to AT state" of approximately 0.4% (256 / 65536).

[0175] 4. Details of the presentation related to the transition to the second AT state Next, we will describe the details of the performance related to the transition to the second AT state, which is performed by the performance control means 200 of this embodiment.

[0176] <Details of the transition indication effect> Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the processing related to the transition suggestion effect when the effect control means 200 executes the transition suggestion effect. The processing related to the transition suggestion effect shown in Figure 9 is executed each time a game is played, from the time a game is played in the winning area "Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay" in the first AT state, which is a winning area (pre-announcement trigger role) that triggers the start of the second AT transition pre-announcement period, until the second AT transition pre-announcement period ends.

[0177] As shown in Figure 9, the performance control means 200 first determines whether the AT control means 170 has decided to transition to the second AT state (S11). In this process, the performance control means 200 determines whether it has been decided to transition from the first AT state to the second AT state after the end of the second AT transition premonition, and whether it is possible to execute a transition suggestion performance, which is a performance that suggests transitioning to the second AT state as a bonus. If it is determined that the transition to the second AT state has not been decided (NO), the process related to the transition suggestion performance is terminated without executing the processes in steps S12 to S16.

[0178] In step S11, if it is determined that a transition to the second AT state has been decided (YES), the performance control means 200 determines whether the flag data (transition suggestion performance flag) stored in the transition suggestion performance flag storage means 212 (see Figure 2) of the sub-storage means 210 is in the ON state (S12). In this process, the performance control means 200 refers to the transition suggestion performance flag storage means 212, which stores the transition suggestion performance flag that is set to the OFF state in the initialized state and set to the ON state when a transition suggestion performance is executed, and determines whether the transition suggestion performance flag is set to the ON state. If it is determined that the transition suggestion performance flag is in the ON state (YES), the processing related to the transition suggestion performance is terminated without executing the processes in steps S13 to S16.

[0179] In step S12, if it is determined that the transition suggestion performance flag is in the OFF state (NO), the performance control means 200 executes a transition suggestion performance lottery (S13). In this process, the performance control means 200 decides whether or not to execute a transition suggestion performance, and if so, decides what kind of performance to execute.

[0180] Using FIG. 10, the details of the process in step S13 will be described. FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing a transition suggestion effect lottery table used in the transition suggestion effect lottery for a game in which a premonition trigger role is elected in the first AT state. The effect control means 200 of the present embodiment has, as the types of transition suggestion effects (effect types), the effect type "illumination of the effect display button", the effect type "panel extinguishing", and the effect type "panel blinking".

[0181] The effect type "illumination of the effect display button" is a transition suggestion effect that lights the effect display button PU by causing the light source provided inside the effect display button PU to emit light. The effect type "panel extinguishing" is a transition suggestion effect that turns off the light source provided on the back surface of the panel unit 430 and maintains the panel unit 430 in a turned-off state until the next game starts. The effect type "panel blinking" is a transition suggestion effect that blinks the panel unit 430 by repeating the state in which the light source provided on the back surface of the panel unit 430 is lit and the state in which the light source is turned off.

[0182] That is, the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel extinguishing" is an effect mode different from the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel blinking" in which the states of the panel unit 430 being lit and turned off are repeated by maintaining the state in which the panel unit 430 is turned off until the next game starts, and is configured as a transition suggestion effect having a common effect mode of the state in which the panel unit 430 is turned off.

[0183] Also, in the slot machine 1, in any of the transition suggestion effects of the effect type "illumination of the effect display button", the effect type "panel extinguishing", and the effect type "panel blinking", it is composed of an effect using the light source provided inside or on the back surface of the corresponding device, and it is not clearly notified but only suggested that a transition to the second AT state occurs after the end of the second AT transition premonition.

[0184] These effects, which use a light source located inside or on the back of the corresponding device and are effects using a device different from the display device 410, include a transition suggestion effect for effect type "effect display button lit", a transition suggestion effect for effect type "panel off", and a transition suggestion effect for effect type "panel flashing", which constitute a specific group of effects in this embodiment.

[0185] As shown in Figure 10(A), in the transition indication animation lottery, the target for determining success or failure is set to be the type of transition indication animation and the timing at which the animation is performed (execution timing). For example, the animation type "Panel lights off" is associated with "Lever ON," which is the timing when the start operation is performed on the start lever SL, "First stop operation," which is the timing when the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, and "Third stop operation," which is the timing when the third stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, and a lottery value is set for each of these.

[0186] Figure 10(B) is a diagram showing the transition suggestion animation lottery table used in the transition suggestion animation lottery during gameplay in the pre-transition phase of the second AT. As shown in Figure 10(B), in the transition suggestion animation lottery table used in the transition suggestion animation lottery during the pre-transition phase of the second AT, the animation type "panel flashing" whose execution timing corresponds to the "first stop operation" and the animation type "panel flashing" whose execution timing corresponds to the "third stop operation" are set as targets for determining success or failure, while the animation type "animation display button lighting" and the animation type "panel turning off" are not set as targets for determining success or failure.

[0187] Thus, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the performance control means 200 performs a lottery using a transition suggestion performance lottery table corresponding to the game in which the transition suggestion performance lottery is performed, in a set section from the game in which a premonition trigger role is won in the internal lottery in the first AT state until the end of the premonition period for transitioning to the second AT, resulting in a configuration in which different transition suggestion performances become available.

[0188] After executing the process in step S13, the performance control means 200 determines whether or not it has won to execute any of the transition suggestion performances (S14). In this process, if it is determined that it has not won to execute any of the transition suggestion performances (NO), the performance control means 200 terminates the process related to the transition suggestion performances without executing the processes in steps S15 and S16. On the other hand, if it is determined that it has won to execute any of the transition suggestion performances (YES), the performance control means 200 executes the selected transition suggestion performance at the execution timing associated with the winning performance type (S15).

[0189] Next, the performance control means 200 sets the transition suggestion performance flag stored in the transition suggestion performance flag storage means 212 to the ON state (S16), and terminates the processing related to the transition suggestion performance. In this process, since the transition suggestion performance was executed in the processing of step S15, the performance control means 200 sets the transition suggestion performance flag stored in the transition suggestion performance flag storage means 212 to the ON state, thereby terminating the processing related to the transition suggestion performance without executing the processing from step S13 onwards when the processing related to the transition suggestion performance is to be executed in the next game during the series of pre-transition signs for the second AT.

[0190] The performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to perform a lottery for performances during the pre-transition to the second AT based on the fact that the start lever SL is started during each game played during the pre-transition to the second AT.

[0191] Figure 10(C) is a diagram showing the lottery table for the second AT transition pre-announcement performance used in the second AT transition pre-announcement lottery. As shown in Figure 10(C), in the second AT transition pre-announcement performance lottery table, the performance type "transition suggestion image" whose execution timing is associated with "lever ON" is set as the target for determining success or failure. The second AT transition pre-announcement performance of performance type "transition suggestion image" is a performance in the display area 410a of the display device 410 that suggests that the player will transition from the first AT state to the second AT state after the second AT transition pre-announcement has ended.

[0192] The performance control means 200 is configured to perform a lottery for performances during the pre-transition to the second AT, regardless of the transition suggestion performance flag stored in the transition suggestion performance flag storage means 212. In other words, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute the performance of type "transition suggestion image" even when a transition suggestion performance is executed during the pre-transition to the second AT.

[0193] In this embodiment, a performance using the display device 410, where the expected value of granting a bonus when performed is lower than when a performance of the type "Performance display button lights up", a performance of the type "Panel lights off", or a performance of the type "Panel flashing" is performed, constitutes a performance that is not included in the specific group.

[0194] <Summary of the presentation related to the transition to the 2nd AT state> As described above, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to perform a transition suggestion performance lottery when it is determined that a premonition trigger role has been won in the internal lottery in the first AT state, using a transition suggestion performance lottery table (see Figure 10(A)) which has the performance types "performance display button lights up", "panel lights off", and "panel flashing" set as targets for determining success or failure.

[0195] As mentioned above, the "Panel Off" effect is configured to turn off the light source located on the back of the panel unit 430, while the "Panel Flashing" effect is configured to flash the panel unit 430 by repeatedly turning the light source located on the back of the panel unit 430 on and off. In other words, the "Panel Off" effect and the "Panel Flashing" effect are similar in that they both involve turning off the panel unit 430. On the other hand, the "Panel Flashing" effect is different from the "Panel Off" effect in that it also involves turning on the panel unit 430.

[0196] Furthermore, when the performance control means 200 executes a transition suggestion performance lottery during the second AT transition pre-announcement period, which is initiated when a pre-announcement trigger role is won in the internal lottery in the first AT state, it is configured to use a transition suggestion performance lottery table (see Figure 10(B)) in which the performance type "panel flashing" is set as the target for determining success or failure.

[0197] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if a pre-announcement trigger role is won during gameplay in the first AT state when the pre-announcement of the transition to the second AT has not yet started, the following effects can be executed: effect type "effect display button lights up", effect type "panel lights up", and effect type "panel flashing". However, if these effects are being executed during gameplay in the pre-announcement of the transition to the second AT, the following effects cannot be executed: effect type "effect display button lights up", and effect type "panel lights up".

[0198] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can implement two transition indication effects: one with the effect type "effect display button lights up" and another with the effect type "panel lights up," which indicate that the transition to the second AT state is about to begin and that the transition to the second AT state will end. This increases the player's sense of anticipation when the transition indication effects "effect display button lights up" and "panel lights up" are executed, thereby enhancing the player's interest in the effects.

[0199] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a transition suggestion animation of the "panel flashing" type if, in the internal lottery during the first AT state, a pre-announcement trigger role is won and the second AT transition pre-announcement period begins, and the transition suggestion animation of the "panel flashing" type is won in the lottery for transition suggestion animation during gameplay in the second AT transition pre-announcement period.

[0200] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can implement a transition indication effect of the "panel flashing" effect type as a visual effect that suggests that the game will transition to the second AT state when the second AT transition indication effect ends, while the game is progressing during the second AT transition indication. This can surprise the player and increase their sense of anticipation when the "panel flashing" effect is executed while the game is progressing during the second AT transition indication, thereby improving the player's interest in the visual effects.

[0201] Furthermore, as described above, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured such that when the performance type "panel flashing" is selected in the transition suggestion performance lottery during gameplay in the pre-transition phase of the second AT, the timing of executing the transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel flashing" is either the timing when the first stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3, or the timing when the third stop operation is performed on stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0202] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the game starts during the pre-transition to the second AT, the transition indication effect of the effect type "panel flashing" is not executed. Instead, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed for the first stop operation or the third stop operation, the transition indication effect of the effect type "panel flashing" is executed. This means that when the game starts during the pre-transition to the second AT, no effect is executed, and the player is not paying attention to the effect. This surprises the player, increases their sense of anticipation, and enhances their interest in the effect.

[0203] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to enable the execution of a transition suggestion animation of the "panel blackout" type during games that trigger the start of the second AT transition pre-announcement, and to not execute the transition suggestion animation of the "panel blackout" type during games played during the second AT transition pre-announcement, by changing the probability of executing the transition suggestion animation of the "panel blackout" type. This makes it possible to change the impression given to the player between the transition suggestion animation of the "panel blackout" type and the transition suggestion animation of the "panel flashing" type, which are similar animations in that a part of the animation pattern in which the panel unit 430 turns off is the same. By executing the transition suggestion animation of the "panel blackout" type and the transition suggestion animation of the "panel flashing" type at an appropriate timing according to the progress of the game, the player's interest in the animations can be enhanced.

[0204] Furthermore, as described above, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured such that if a transition suggestion performance is executed once from the time a premonition trigger role is won in the internal lottery in the first AT state until the end of the second AT transition premonition period which is started based on the win of the premonition trigger role, then the transition suggestion performance will not be executed again until the end of the series of second AT transition premonition periods. On the other hand, the performance control means 200 is configured to be able to execute the second AT transition suggestion performance even if a transition suggestion performance is executed during the second AT transition premonition period.

[0205] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, since it is suggested that it is determined to shift to the second AT state after the end during the second AT shift precursor, the degree of expectation of the player for execution is extremely high. When any one of the transition suggestion effects of the effect type "illumination of the effect display button", the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off", and the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel flashing" is executed, during the subsequent second AT shift precursor, the probability of executing all the transition suggestion effects including the transition suggestion effects of the effect types different from the executed transition suggestion effect decreases to 0%, and the probability of executing the second AT shift suggestion effect with a lower degree of expectation of the player for execution than the transition suggestion effect does not change.

[0206] With such a configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, during the second AT shift precursor after one transition suggestion effect is executed, although the transition suggestion effect is no longer executed, the second AT shift suggestion effect can be executed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of effects during the second AT shift precursor after the transition suggestion effect is executed from becoming excessively small and the player's interest in the effects from decreasing. Also, it is possible to prevent the player from misrecognizing that a plurality of transition suggestion effects are executed during one second AT shift precursor and a privilege corresponding to the number of times the transition suggestion effect is executed is given, and to prevent the player's interest in the effects from decreasing.

[0207] The transition suggestion effect of the effect type "illumination of the effect display button" constitutes the first specific effect in the present embodiment, the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" constitutes the second specific effect in the present embodiment, and the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel flashing" constitutes the fourth specific effect in the present embodiment. Also, the effect during the second AT shift precursor of the effect type "transition suggestion image" constitutes the third specific effect in the present embodiment, and the period from the game in which the player wins the precursor trigger role by internal lottery in the first AT state until the end of the second AT shift precursor constitutes the predetermined period in the present embodiment.

[0208] In addition, the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel blinking" constitutes the first effect in this embodiment, the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" constitutes the second effect in this embodiment, and the panel unit 430 in the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel blinking" repeats the lit state and the turned-off state, which constitutes the first effect mode in this embodiment. The effect mode in which the turned-off state of the panel unit 430 continues in the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" constitutes the second effect mode, which is the same as a part (the state where the panel unit 430 is turned off) of the first effect mode in this embodiment. The section from the game in which the foreshadowing trigger role is elected by internal lottery in the first AT state until the end of the period during the transition foreshadowing to the second AT constitutes the specific section in this embodiment. The section of one game of the game in which the foreshadowing trigger role is elected by internal lottery in the first AT state constitutes the first section in this embodiment. The section from the start to the end of the period during the transition foreshadowing to the second AT constitutes the second section in this embodiment.

[0209] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the game that triggers the start of the transition foreshadowing to the second AT, the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" can be executed, and in the game during the transition foreshadowing to the second AT, by changing the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" so as not to execute the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off", a part of the effect mode in which the panel unit 430 turns off becomes the same effect mode. By changing the impression given to the player between the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" and the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel blinking", and by executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel turning off" and the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel blinking" at appropriate timings according to the progress of the game, the player's interest in the effects can be improved.

[0210] 6. Modification example In this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel blackout" and a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel flashing," which have some identical performance characteristics, as performances that can be executed in the section from when a premonition trigger role is won in the internal lottery in the first AT state until the end of the second AT transition premonition. However, it is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to execute a first performance and a second performance, which have some similar performance characteristics, as performances that can be executed in the section until the end of the second AT transition premonition. Specifically, the first performance may be configured to execute a first performance characteristic in which the panel unit 430 is illuminated at a first illuminance, and the second performance may be configured to execute a second performance characteristic similar to the first performance characteristic in which the panel unit 430 is illuminated at a second illuminance that is brighter than the first illuminance.

[0211] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute performances with different performance modes for the first performance and the second performance. Specifically, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel flashing" as the first performance, and to execute a transition suggestion performance of performance type "performance display button lighting" as the second performance.

[0212] With this configuration, slot machine 1 can execute the transition suggestion animation of the "Show display button lights up" type in games that trigger the start of the second AT transition pre-announcement period, and does not execute the transition suggestion animation of the "Show display button lights up" type in games played during the second AT transition pre-announcement period. By changing the probability of executing the transition suggestion animation of the "Show display button lights up" type in such games, the transition suggestion animation of the "Show display button lights up" type and the transition suggestion animation of the "Panel flashing" type can be executed at appropriate timings according to the progress of the game, thereby improving the player's interest in the animations.

[0213] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute a transition suggestion performance that indicates a decision to transition to the second AT state, as a performance that can be executed in the section from when a premonition trigger role is won in an internal lottery in the first AT state until the end of the second AT transition premonition. However, it is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to execute first and second performances that can be executed in the section until the end of the second AT transition premonition, for example, with the same probability of execution when a transition to the second AT state is decided and when a transition to the second AT state is not decided, and which are composed of performances different from those that suggest the granting of a bonus, and in which some of the performance modes are the same or similar.

[0214] With this configuration, slot machine 1 can enable the execution of the second performance during gameplay that triggers the start of the second AT transition premonition, and change the probability of executing the second performance during gameplay in the second AT transition premonition. This allows for a change in the impression given to the player by the first and second performances, which are similar performances with some identical performance characteristics. By executing the first and second performances at appropriate timings according to the progress of the game, the player's interest in the performances can be enhanced.

[0215] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to be able to execute a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel flashing" as a first performance, and a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel off" as a second performance, and is configured to be able to execute performances using only the same device as the first and second performances, but is not limited to this. For example, the performance control means 200 may be configured to be able to execute a transition suggestion performance of a first performance mode in which the panel unit 430 and the display device 410 are turned off as a first performance, and to be able to execute a transition suggestion performance of a second performance mode of performance type "panel off" as a second performance, so that the same performance mode in which the device that is turned off as part of the performance mode is used can be executed as the first and second performances.

[0216] Furthermore, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute, for example, a first performance mode in which a lamp located on the left side when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front flashes, and a second performance mode in which a lamp located on the right side when the slot machine 1 is viewed from the front flashes, thereby enabling the execution of performances in which different devices are turned on and off in the same performance mode, as the first and second performances.

[0217] Also, in the present embodiment, the effect control means 200 can execute a transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" in a game that won the precursor opportunity role by internal lottery in the first AT state as the first section, and is configured to be unable to execute the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" from the start to the end of a game that has started during the precursor to the second AT transition as the second section. Thus, the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" is configured to change from the start to the end of the precursor to the second AT transition, but is not limited thereto. For example, the effect control means 200 may be configured to change the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" from the start to the end of the precursor to the second AT transition to a probability higher than 0% and lower than the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" in a game that won the precursor opportunity role by internal lottery in the first AT state.

[0218] Also, for example, the effect control means 200 may be configured to change the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" from the start to the end of the precursor to the second AT transition to a probability higher than the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" in a game that won the precursor opportunity role by internal lottery in the first AT state.

[0219] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 changes the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" so that the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect of the effect type "panel light-off" is higher in the game during the precursor to the second AT transition than in the game that triggers the start of the precursor to the second AT transition. As a result, the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect during the precursor to the second AT transition increases, and the player's interest in the effect can be improved.

[0220] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute multiple types of transition suggestion performances using a device different from the display device 410, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to execute multiple types of transition suggestion performances using the display device 410. In this configuration, the performance control means 200 may be configured to draw the images to be displayed as transition suggestion performances on a specific layer. In other words, a specific group of performances may be composed of performances using images drawn on a specific layer.

[0221] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute transition suggestion performances included in the performances of a specific group when a transition to the second AT state has been decided, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may be configured to execute performances that can be executed in both cases, whether a transition to the second AT state has been decided or not, as performances of a specific group. Also, the performance control means 200 may be configured to execute a performance of the performance type "Performance display button lights up" in both cases, whether a transition to the second AT state has been decided or not, and to execute a performance of the performance type "Panel flashing" and a performance of the performance type "Panel lights off" when a transition to the second AT state has been decided, but not when a transition to the second AT state has not been decided, and for a specific group, it may be configured to include both performances related to the granting of benefits and performances that are not related to the granting of benefits.

[0222] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute the transition indication performance for performance type "performance display button lit" and the transition indication performance for performance type "panel off" only when a premonition trigger role is won in the first AT state, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may also be configured to execute the transition indication performance for performance type "performance display button lit" and the transition indication performance for performance type "panel off" even during the second AT transition premonition.

[0223] When configured in this way, during the second AT transition precursor after executing any one of the transition suggestion effects of the effect type "effect display button lighting", the effect type "panel extinguishing", and the effect type "panel blinking", the effect control means 200 may be configured to reduce the probability of executing a transition suggestion effect of an effect type different from the executed transition suggestion effect of the effect type. Even if the probability of executing the executed transition suggestion effect of the effect type is not changed during a series of second AT transition precursors, it may be configured.

[0224] When configured in this way, during the second AT transition precursor after any one of the transition suggestion effects of the effect type "effect display button lighting", the effect type "panel extinguishing", and the effect type "panel blinking" is executed, a transition suggestion effect of an effect type different from the executed transition suggestion effect of the effect type is executed, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the player will be misrecognized when a plurality of types of benefits are given, and it is possible to suppress the player's interest in the effect from decreasing.

[0225] Also, in the present embodiment, the effect control means 200 is configured not to execute the transition suggestion effect during the second AT transition precursor after executing one transition suggestion effect, but is not limited to this. The effect control means 200 may be configured such that, for example, during the second AT transition precursor after executing one transition suggestion effect, although the probability of executing the transition suggestion effect decreases, the transition suggestion effect can be executed with a probability higher than 0%.

[0226] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute three types of performances as performances of a specific group: a transition suggestion performance of performance type "performance display button lights up", a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel lights off", and a transition suggestion performance of performance type "panel flashing", but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 only needs to be configured to execute at least two types of performances, a first specific performance and a second specific performance, as performances of a specific group. Also, the performance control means 200 may be configured, for example, to reduce the probability of executing the other performance of the first specific performance and the second specific performance, which is a different performance from the one that was executed, during the second AT transition premonition after one of the first specific performances and the second specific performance has been executed, but may not be configured to change the probability of executing the executed performance during the series of second AT transition premonitions.

[0227] When configured in this way, slot machine 1 can reduce the possibility that the player may be misled into believing that multiple types of benefits are being granted when the other of the first and second specific effects is executed during the pre-AT transition period after one of the first and second specific effects has been executed, thereby preventing a decrease in the player's interest in the effects.

[0228] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to execute a second AT transition premonition performance of the performance type "transition suggestion image," which displays an image in the display area 410a of the display device 410, as a third specific performance, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may also be configured to execute a performance using a device different from the display device 410 as a third specific performance.

[0229] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a game in which a pre-announcement trigger role is won in an internal lottery during the first AT state constitutes the first section, the section from the start to the end of the second AT transition pre-announcement constitutes the second section, and the period (section) from the game in which a pre-announcement trigger role is won in an internal lottery during the first AT state to the end of the second AT transition pre-announcement constitutes a predetermined period (specific section), but is not limited to this. In slot machine 1, for example, the period from the start of the CZ state until the execution of 5 games of gameplay may be considered the first section, the period from the 6th game of gameplay in the CZ state until the end of the CZ state may be considered the second section, and the CZ state may be considered a predetermined period (specific section). It is sufficient that a predetermined period, a specific section, the first section, and the second section are composed of a preset period (section), and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0230] Furthermore, in this embodiment, 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 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 CZ state.

[0231] In the CZ state, if the slot machine 1 is configured to perform a prize-winning assist for small win 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 prize-winning assist is performed by the lottery does not exceed 100%.

[0232] Furthermore, in this embodiment, 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 it may be configured to manage the duration by the number of times small win 1 is achieved.

[0233] Furthermore, in this embodiment, 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.

[0234] 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.

[0235] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a two-coin bet is played, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the upper limit of the payout to one coin, so that regardless of the number of coins paid out for the winning combination, one coin is paid out. However, it is not limited to this. 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.

[0236] 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.

[0237] 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.

[0238] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to have a medal count control means 300 of a medal count control CPU 31 as a management control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU, and a main control CPU 11 as a game control means that controls games played using electronic medals, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured without a medal count control board 30, and the various functions mounted on the medal count control board 30 may be realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 functions as a management control means that manages electronic medals and can communicate with a dedicated unit SU.

[0239] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to notify whether or not it is in a favorable period when, for example, the expected value of acquiring electronic medals becomes 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles.

[0240] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has multiple reels, from the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and multiple stop buttons, from stop buttons B1 to stop buttons B3, corresponding to the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. However, it is not limited to this, and may also have, for example, a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0241] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a predetermined number of electronic tokens, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one electronic token in addition to the max bet button MB.

[0242] 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.

[0243] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set initial values ​​for the stored values ​​of each counter and storage means, and to perform decrement updates that subtract 1 each time a game is played, or increment updates that add 1 each time a game is played. However, the method for updating each counter and storage means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0244] 1. Slot machine (amusement machine) 200 Performance control means

Claims

1. It is equipped with a performance control means for controlling the performance, The aforementioned performance control means is capable of executing a first performance and a second performance. The first and second performances described above are performances that suggest the granting of special benefits, In a single specific section, there is a first section and a second section, If it is the first section, the first performance and the second performance can be performed. If it is the second interval, the probability of the second performance being executed changes. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

2. The first staging is a staging of the first staging method, The aforementioned second production is a production of the second production type, The second performance mode is a performance mode that is different from the first performance mode, and is a performance mode that is partially the same as or similar to the first performance mode. The gaming machine described in feature 1.

3. It is equipped with a performance control means for controlling the performance, The aforementioned performance control means is capable of executing a first performance and a second performance. The first staging is a staging of the first staging method, The aforementioned second production is a production of the second production type, The second performance mode is a performance mode that is different from the first performance mode, and is a performance mode that is partially the same as or similar to the first performance mode. In a single specific section, there is a first section and a second section, If it is the first section, the first performance and the second performance can be performed. If it is the second interval, the probability of the second performance being executed changes. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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