Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of maintaining a player's satisfaction level to be high without greatly losing benefit in a game hall side.SOLUTION: In a game machine configured such that game balls that are shot by shooting means and enter an upper portion of a game area flow down either a left flow-down area or a right flow-down area, and enter one of multiple winning holes or enter an out port and are discharged to the outside of the game area, and a predetermined number of prize balls determined for each winning hole are imparted when game balls enter one of the multiple winning holes, a ball entry rate regarding a first start winning hole 111 is set higher than the total of the winning rates regarding multiple normal winning holes 101, 102 provided in the left flow-down area side and the number of prize balls regarding the first start winning hole 111 is set smaller than the maximum value of the number of prize balls regarding the normal winning holes 101, 102 when game balls flow down the left flow-down area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a plurality of winning holes, such as a normal winning hole, a start winning hole, and a special variable winning hole, are provided in the gaming area, and when a gaming ball shot by a shooting means enters one of the winning holes as it flows down the gaming area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each winning hole. Also, when a gaming ball enters the start winning hole, a pattern is displayed in a variable manner, and if the stopped pattern after the variation becomes a specific pattern, a special profit state occurs and the special variable winning hole is opened, allowing the player to receive a large profit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-9970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of gaming machine, increasing the rate at which balls enter the starting winning slot will increase player satisfaction, but it will also increase the number of prize balls paid out, putting pressure on the amusement hall's profits. Conversely, decreasing the rate at which balls enter the starting winning slot will ensure profits for the amusement hall, but it will decrease player satisfaction and may lead to customers leaving. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can maintain high levels of player satisfaction without significantly compromising the profits of the gaming hall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to a game machine that includes an image display means capable of displaying an image, a front structure that is arranged in a game area and has a display window for viewing the display screen of the image display means from the front side, a launch means capable of launching game balls toward the game area, a plurality of winning holes that are arranged in the game area and include a start winning hole, a special variable winning hole, and a normal winning hole, a plurality of exit holes that are arranged in the game area, a pattern display means that is capable of variably displaying patterns by the image display means based on the entry of a game ball into the start winning hole, and an operating type display device that operates when a stopped pattern after variably displayed by the pattern display means becomes a specific pattern. and a profit state generating means for changing the special variable winning port from a closed state to an open state allowing the game ball to enter, wherein a game ball that is shot by the shooting means and enters the upper part of the game area flows down either the A flow down area on one of the left and right sides of the front structure or the B flow down area on the other side, and enters one of the multiple winning ports or enters the out port and is discharged outside the game area, and when a game ball enters one of the multiple winning ports, a predetermined number of prize balls determined for each winning port is awarded, the start winning port is disposed below the front structure. and a second actuated entry port which can be changed between an open state allowing game balls to enter and a closed state in which game balls cannot enter or which makes it more difficult for game balls to enter than the open state, the normal entry port includes a plurality of A normal entry ports arranged in the A flow-down area, the B flow-down area is provided with the special variable entry port, the second start entry port, and a B normal entry port among the normal entry ports, and the A flow-down area is provided with an A branching section which branches into a plurality of routes including an A first route and an A second route, and game balls which flow down the A branching section to the A first route side are transferred to the first start entry port and the A normal entry port. a game ball that flows down the A second route side at the A branching section has difficulty or is impossible to enter the first start entry port but can enter the A normal entry port; when a game ball flows down the A flow-down area, the entry rate for the first start entry port is made higher than the sum of the entry rates for the multiple A normal entry ports and the number of winning balls for the first start entry port is made lower than the maximum number of winning balls for the multiple A normal entry ports; and the multiple out-ports include a first out-port arranged in the vicinity of the A normal entry port and a second out-port arranged downstream of the first out-port.a third outlet disposed in the B downstream region; Including, A game ball that flows down the B flow area without entering the third out hole and the special variable winning hole is prevented from entering the first start winning hole without being prevented from entering the B normal winning hole, The flow-down area A is wider in the direction in which the game ball flows down than the flow-down area B, and the flow-down area A has more branching points at which the direction of travel of the game ball branches off than the flow-down area B, so that the average time it takes for a game ball to flow down the flow-down area A is longer than the average time it takes for a game ball to flow down the flow-down area B. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain high levels of player satisfaction without significantly impairing the profits of the gaming hall. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the rear support member and fixed decorative means that make up the game board of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part (upper side) of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part (lower part) of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 7] This is a front view of the main part (lower left) of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the main part (lower right) of the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the rear support member and movable performance means that make up the game board of the pachinko machine. [Figure 10] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the division of the display area and the light-emitting area on the game board of the pachinko machine and their area ratios. FIG. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the design values ​​for the number of winning balls and winning rate for each winning slot of the pachinko machine. [Figure 12]2A to 2C are diagrams showing examples of displays on the liquid crystal display means of the pachinko machine. [Figure 13] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the display modes of decorative patterns for each game mode of the pachinko machine. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the changes in decorative and mini patterns of the pachinko machine. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reach effect of the pachinko machine. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the performance during a jackpot round (performance during a jackpot) of the same pachinko machine. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 to 16 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. In Figs. 1 and 2, a gaming machine main body 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a front frame 3 arranged in front of the outer frame 2. The front frame 3 is pivotally attached to the outer frame 2 via a first hinge 4 in the up-down direction arranged at one end side in the left-right direction, for example, at the left end side, so as to be openable, closable, and detachable, and can be locked in a closed state relative to the outer frame 2 by a locking means 5 provided on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the first hinge 4, for example, at the right end side.

[0009] The front frame 3 comprises a main body frame 6 and a glass door 7 arranged in front of the main body frame 6. The glass door 7 is pivotally attached to the main body frame 6 via a second hinge 8 in the vertical direction arranged at one end in the left-right direction, for example, at the left end, so as to be openable, closable, and detachable, and can be locked in the closed state relative to the main body frame 6 by a locking means 5. The first hinge 4 and the second hinge 8 are arranged, for example, to be coaxial with each other.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 2, the outer frame 2 is formed in a rectangular shape by a pair of left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame members 2c, 2d. A resin front cover member 9 is attached to the lower front side of the outer frame 2 so as to connect the lower front sides of the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b along the front edge of the lower horizontal frame member 2d. The front cover member 9 protrudes forward from the left and right vertical frame members 2a, 2b, and the main body frame 6 is disposed above it. In addition, the outer frame 2 has an upper outer frame hinge metal fitting 11 constituting the first hinge 4 disposed, for example, at the upper left, and a lower outer frame hinge metal fitting 12 disposed above the front cover member 9 at the lower left.

[0011] The main body frame 6 is made of resin and includes, for example, a rectangular frame portion 13 that can be substantially in contact with the front edge of the outer frame 2 above the front cover member 9, a game board mounting portion 14 provided on the upper side of the frame portion 13, and a lower mounting portion 15 provided on the lower side of the frame portion 13. A game board 16 is detachably mounted on the game board mounting portion 14, for example, from the front side, and a launching means 17 capable of launching game balls toward a game area 23, a lower speaker 18, etc. are arranged on the front side of the lower mounting portion 15. In addition, on the main body frame 6, a main body frame upper hinge metal fitting 19 constituting the first hinge 4 and a main body frame upper hinge metal fitting 20 constituting the second hinge 8 are arranged, for example, on the upper left side, and a main body frame lower hinge metal fitting 21 constituting the first and second hinges 4, 8 are arranged, for example, on the lower left side.

[0012] The glass door 7 is provided with a resin door base 22 formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the front side of the main body frame 6. In this door base 22, a window hole 24a of a glass window 24 is formed corresponding to a play area 23 formed on the front side of the play board 16, and multiple (four in this case) upper speakers 25, a blower effect device 26 and other performance means are arranged around the window hole 24a, and an upper decorative cover 27 is attached to substantially cover the upper speaker 25 etc. from the front side. At least a part of the upper decorative cover 27 constitutes a light-emitting lens part having translucency, and one or more LED boards 28 having a large number of LEDs 28a are arranged behind the upper decorative cover 27.

[0013] Also arranged on the lower front side of the door base 22 are an upper tray 30 that stores game balls dispensed from the dispensing means 29 arranged on the rear side of the main body frame 6 and supplies them to the launching means 17, a lower tray 31 that stores surplus balls when the upper tray 30 is full, a launching handle 32 that is operated to activate the launching means 17, etc., and further a lower decorative cover 33 that substantially covers the upper tray 30, lower tray 31, etc. from the front is attached. The lower decorative cover 33 is formed in a forward-facing bulge, and on its upper side are provided operation means such as an effect button 34 that can be pressed by the player and a cross operation means 35.

[0014] A glass unit 36 ​​is detachably attached to the rear side of the door base 22 so as to substantially cover the window hole 24a from the rear side, and a vertical hinge end side reinforcing sheet metal 37 arranged along the edge of the first and second hinges 4, 8, a vertical opening / closing end side reinforcing sheet metal 38 arranged along the edge of the opening / closing end side, and a left / right lower side reinforcing sheet metal 39 arranged below the window hole 24a are detachably fixed by screws or the like. In addition, a glass door upper hinge metal fitting 40 constituting the second hinge 8 is arranged on the upper left of the door base 22, and a glass door lower hinge metal fitting 41 is arranged on the lower left.

[0015] Also, for example, a ball feeding unit 42, a lower tray guide unit 43, etc. are attached to the back side of the lower reinforcing sheet metal 39. The ball feeding unit 42 is for supplying the game balls in the upper tray 30 one by one to the launching means 17, and is arranged corresponding to the front side of the launching means 17. The lower tray guide unit 43 is for guiding surplus balls when the upper tray 30 is full, and foul balls that have been launched by the launching means 17 but have returned without reaching the playing area 23, to the lower tray 31, and is arranged, for example, adjacent to the ball feeding unit 42 on the first and second hinges 4, 8 sides.

[0016] 3, a guide rail 51, a central display frame unit 52, a normal winning unit 53, a start gate unit 54, a first start winning unit 55, a second start winning means 56, a big winning unit 57, a liquid crystal display means (image display means) 58, a movable performance means 59, a fixed decoration means 60, etc. are attached to the transparent base plate 45. The second start winning means 56 is disposed on the central display frame unit 52, but may be attached to the transparent base plate 45 as a unit separate from the central display frame unit 52.

[0017] The liquid crystal display means 58, the movable performance means 59, the fixed decoration means 60, etc. are disposed on the rear side of the transparent base plate 45 via a rear support member 61, etc. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, etc., the rear support member 61 integrally comprises a rear wall portion 62 disposed approximately parallel to the transparent base plate 45 and rearward of the transparent base plate 45, and a peripheral wall portion 63 extending approximately forward from the outer periphery of the rear wall portion 62, and is fixed by screws or the like with the front edge side of the peripheral wall portion 63 abutting against the back side of the transparent base plate 45.

[0018] A substantially rectangular opening 62a is formed in the rear wall 62 of the rear support member 61, and the liquid crystal display means 58 is detachably fixed to the rear side of the rear wall 62 with the display screen 58a corresponding to the opening 62a. The movable performance means 59 and the fixed decoration means 60 are disposed within the rear support member 61, that is, behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, and are detachably fixed to the rear wall 62 etc.

[0019] The guide rail 51 is for guiding the game balls launched from the launching means 17, and is disposed in a substantially annular shape on the front side of the transparent base plate 45 so as to surround the periphery of the game area 23, and is composed of a plurality of, for example, three, first to third rail members 51a to 51c as shown in Fig. 3 etc. The first to third rail members 51a to 51c are formed, for example, from a transparent or semi-transparent resin.

[0020] The first rail member 51a is formed in a generally arch shape from the lower left side of the transparent base plate 45 through the approximate center of the left edge, the approximate center of the upper edge, and to the upper right part, and is integrally provided with a front wall portion 64 parallel to the transparent base plate 45 and a peripheral wall portion 65 of a generally constant width protruding rearward from the peripheral portion of the front wall portion 64, and is detachably fixed to the transparent base plate 45 with the rear end side of the peripheral wall portion 65 abutting against the front surface of the transparent base plate 45. The first rail member 51a has a peripheral wall portion 65a on the play area 23 side formed in a generally arc shape when viewed from the front, forming a part of the guide rail 51.

[0021] The second rail member 51b is formed in a plate shape of a constant width in the front-rear direction that stands upright approximately vertically on the front side of the transparent base plate 45, and is disposed in an approximately arc shape so as to be parallel to the inside of the first rail member 51a from the upper left to the lower left of the transparent base plate 45. The portion sandwiched between the first rail member 51a and the second rail member 51b forms a launch guide passage 66 that guides the game balls launched by the launching means 17 to the game area 23.

[0022] The third rail member 51c is formed in a generally L-shape in front view along the right and bottom edges of the transparent base plate 45 so as to connect the upper right end of the first rail member 51a and the lower left end of the second rail member 51b, and integrally includes a front wall portion 67 parallel to the transparent base plate 45 and a peripheral wall portion 68 of a generally constant width protruding rearward from the peripheral portion of the front wall portion 67, and is detachably fixed to the transparent base plate 45 with the rear end side of the peripheral wall portion 68 abutting against the front surface of the transparent base plate 45. The third rail member 51c has a peripheral wall portion 68a on the play area 23 side that forms a part of the guide rail 51.

[0023] The central display frame unit (front structure) 52 constitutes a display frame for the liquid crystal display means 58, and is provided with a display window 74 at approximately the center for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front side, and is detachably attached from the front side to a front-rear penetrating attachment hole (not shown) formed in the transparent base plate 45. This central display frame unit 52 is made of transparent or translucent resin, and as shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6, etc., includes a front attachment plate 71 that is arranged outside the attachment hole along the front side of the transparent base plate 45 and through which game balls can pass, a decorative frame 72 that is arranged in a roughly gate-like shape when viewed from the front with left and right side decorative frames 72a and an upper decorative frame 72b above it, and that protrudes forward on the inner periphery side of the front attachment plate 71, a stage 73 that is arranged between the left and right lower ends of the decorative frame 72, and a light-emitting display means 75 that is arranged corresponding to the display window 74 surrounded by the decorative frame 72 and the stage 73. The game ball is launched by the launching means 17 and enters the upper side of the game area 23, and is split to the left and right at the top of the upper decorative frame 72b, and flows down either the left flow area (flow area A) 76 on the left side of the central display frame unit 52 or the right flow area (flow area B) 77 on the right side.

[0024] The left flow-down area 76 can be roughly divided into a left upstream area 76a on the upstream side, a left downstream area 76c on the downstream side, and a left middle area 76b between them. The left upstream area 76a is formed on the front side of the front mounting plate 71 of the central display frame unit 52, and has a passage width (width in the flow-down direction of the game balls) of two or more game balls, and a plurality of obstacles 69 for changing the flow-down direction of the game balls are integrally protruded from the front side of the front mounting plate 71. The left middle area 76b and the left downstream area 76c are formed with a passage width wider than the left upstream area 76a, and a large number of game nails 70 are arranged in each.

[0025] The right flow area 77 can be roughly divided into an upper right flow area 77a on the upstream side, a right downstream area 77c on the downstream side, and a right middle area 77b between them. The upper right flow area 77a is formed in front of the front mounting plate 71 of the central display frame unit 52, and has a passage width of about one game ball. The right middle area 77b and the right downstream area 77c are formed with a passage width wider than the upper right flow area 77a, and a large number of game nails 70 are arranged in each.

[0026] Comparing the left flow-down area 76 and the right flow-down area 77, the left flow-down area 76 has a wider passageway overall than the right flow-down area 77, and has a larger number of obstacles 69 and game nails 70, and therefore a larger number of branching points that branch the direction of travel of the game ball. As a result, the average flow-down speed of the game ball in the left flow-down area 76 (calculated based on the average time it takes for the game ball launched by the launching means 17 to reach the outlet 114 at the bottom of the board after entering the game area 23) is slower than the average flow-down speed of the game ball in the right flow-down area 77 (calculated based on the average time it takes for the game ball launched by the launching means 17 to reach the normal winning port 123 after entering the game area 23), and therefore the average time it takes for the game ball to flow down the left flow-down area 76 is longer than the average time it takes for the game ball to flow down the right flow-down area 77.

[0027] The central display frame unit 52 is provided with a warp ball entrance 78 through which game balls can enter, corresponding to either the left flow-down area 76 or the right flow-down area 77, for example, the left middle area 76b of the left flow-down area 76. A game ball that enters the warp ball entrance (predetermined ball entrance) 78 from the left middle area 76b is guided to a stage guide passage (guide passage) 79 and flows into the stage 73 from its left end side. The stage 73 is formed in a gentle, approximately V-shape when viewed from the front, with the center lower than both the left and right ends, and the game ball guided by the stage guide passage 79 is allowed to freely roll in the left and right directions, and then falls to the front from either a central drop section 80 or other parts. A blocking wall (first blocking portion) 81 is erected on the end side (right end side) opposite the warp ball entrance 78 of the stage 73 to block the movement of game balls to the flow-down area (right flow-down area 77) opposite the warp ball entrance 78. The stage guide passage 79 and the stage 73 are formed to be transparent almost entirely.

[0028] In addition, various display means such as a normal symbol display means 91, a normal reserved number display means 92, a first special symbol display means 93, and a second special symbol display means 94 are provided on the central display frame unit 52. Of course, these display means 91 to 94 can be arranged not only on the central display frame unit 52 but also at any position on the front side of the game board 16 in a state where they can be seen from the front side.

[0029] The light-emitting display means (decorative member) 75 is a so-called illuminated panel display device, and includes a transparent resin light guide plate (second light receiving portion) 82 arranged substantially parallel to the display screen 58a on the front side of the liquid crystal display means 58, and an LED board 83 arranged along a predetermined edge portion (here, the upper edge portion) of the light guide plate 82, as shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6, etc. The light guide plate 82 is arranged on the rear side so as to substantially cover the display window 74. A plurality of LEDs (second light emitters) 83a are mounted at regular intervals on the LED board 83, which are arranged in a direction facing (here, facing downward) an end face (here, the upper end face) of the light guide plate 82. In addition, the light guide plate 82 is provided on at least one side (here, the back side) thereof with a reflecting portion 84 made of a group of minute recesses so as to form any pattern, character, figure, etc. (here, a pattern of a kappa character) in a front view, as shown by a broken line in Fig. 3.

[0030] When the LED 83a is turned on, the light enters the light guide plate 82 from the end face on the upper edge side, and is then reflected forward by the reflector 84. This makes it possible to make any desired image or the like appear on the light guide plate 82 in front of the display screen 58a. The LED 83a may be disposed at any position relative to the light guide plate 82, and may be disposed on any one edge, top, bottom, left or right, or may be disposed on multiple edges, such as the upper edge and left edge.

[0031] In this way, the light-emitting display means 75 is configured so that the light irradiated in the in-plane direction of the light guide plate 82 (here, the up-down direction) is reflected forward by the reflecting portion 84, making it visible from the front side, and therefore the light guide plate 82 does not need to be subjected to a light transmittance suppression treatment like the decorative surfaces of the movable performance means 59, fixed decoration means 60, etc., which will be described later. Therefore, when the LED 83a is not lit, the image displayed on the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 can be clearly seen from the front side through the light guide plate 82 arranged in front of it. The light guide plate 82 may be arranged to correspond to a part of the display window 74 rather than the entirety of it.

[0032] The normal winning unit 53 is disposed along the guide rail 51 in the lower left portion of the game area 23, i.e., the left downstream area 76c in the left flow-down area 76, and is detachably attached to a front-rear penetrating attachment hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the normal winning unit 53 includes a normal winning main body 53a formed at least partially, for example entirely, transparent or semi-transparent, a plurality of normal winning openings (A normal winning openings) 101, 102 formed integrally with the normal winning main body 53a, one or more, for example one outlet 103 formed integrally with the normal winning main body 53a, and a game ball detection means 104 for detecting game balls that enter the normal winning openings 101, 102, as shown in Figs. Although the normal winning unit 53 does not have an LED board, it is entirely transparent or translucent, and as described below, a fixed decorative means 60 is arranged on the rear side, so that the area in which the normal winning unit 53 is arranged when viewed from the front is almost entirely an illuminated area provided by the LED on the fixed decorative means 60 side.

[0033] The normal winning openings 101, 102 open upward or diagonally upward, and are arranged adjacent to each other on the left and right at a position near the downstream end of the normal winning main body 53a. After a game ball that enters the normal winning openings 101, 102 is detected by the game ball detection means 104, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. For each game ball that enters the normal winning openings 101, 102, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls for both the normal winning openings 101, 102 is set to five, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0034] The gaming ball detection means 104 is disposed not in the vicinity of the normal winning openings 101, 102 but in a position outside (below) the game area 23 and difficult (or impossible) to see from the front, for example, behind the third rail member 51c. In this embodiment, since the normal winning openings 101, 102 have the same number of winning balls (both 5 balls), the gaming ball detection means 104 is commonly used for the normal winning openings 101, 102, but gaming ball detection means may be provided separately for each of the normal winning openings 101, 102.

[0035] The outlet 103 is open almost upward and is disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the normal winning holes 101 and 102, that is, on the left side. The game ball that enters the outlet 103 is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. Naturally, the outlet 103 does not have a game ball detection means, but the adjacent normal winning holes 101 and 102 do not have game ball detection means either, so it is difficult to determine whether or not it is an outlet based on the presence or absence of a game ball detection means. Of course, on the front side of the normal winning unit 53, an outlet identification information 105 indicating that it is an outlet is displayed at a position corresponding to the outlet 103, which makes it possible to recognize that it is an out outlet. The out identification information 105 is, for example, composed of the characters "OUT".

[0036] The start gate unit 54 is located on the right side of the game area 23, i.e., in the right middle area 77b in the right flow-down area 77, and is removably attached from the front side to a front-to-rear through mounting hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the start gate unit 54a is at least partially, for example entirely, formed to be transparent or translucent, a normal pattern start gate 106 formed integrally with this start gate main body 54a and through which game balls can pass in the vertical direction, and a game ball detection means 107 for detecting game balls that have passed through the normal pattern start gate 106. The normal pattern start gate 106 is used to start the variation of the normal pattern by the normal pattern display means 91, and has a plurality of game pins 70 arranged above it. The game ball that has flowed down from the upper right flow area 77a to the right middle area 77b has its flow direction changed by the game pins 70, so that it either passes through the normal pattern start gate 106, or flows downstream without passing through the normal pattern start gate 106.

[0037] Here, the normal symbol display means 91 is for displaying normal symbols in a variable manner, and is provided with a plurality of light-emitting bodies (e.g., LEDs) corresponding to a plurality of normal symbols (e.g., two types, "○" and "×"). When a game ball flowing down the right flow-down area 77 passes through the normal symbol start gate 106, and the game ball detection means 107 detects it, the plurality of light-emitting bodies blink so as to emit light in a predetermined order. When the winning judgment random number value included in the normal random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 107 matches a predetermined winning judgment value, the light-emitting body on the "○" side, for example, corresponding to the winning mode (predetermined mode) lights up, and otherwise the light-emitting body on the "×" side, for example, corresponding to the losing mode lights up and stops. When the stopped symbol after the variation of the normal symbol display means 91 becomes a winning mode, a normal profit state occurs. The normal profit state will be described later.

[0038] In addition, when a game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 106 during a normal reservation period including during the pattern change of the normal symbol display means 91 and during the normal profit state, the normal random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of reserved number, for example, 4 pieces, and each time the normal reservation period ends, one piece is consumed and the normal symbol is changed. The number of stored normal random number information (normal reservation number) is notified to the player by the normal reservation number display means 92, etc.

[0039] The first start winning unit 55 is located at the lower side at approximately the center in the left-right direction within the game area 23, i.e. between the central display frame unit 52 and the guide rail 51 below it, and is removably attached from the front side to a front-to-rear through mounting hole formed in the transparent base plate 45.As shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, etc., the first start winning unit 55a is formed at least in part, for example entirely, to be transparent or translucent, a first start winning port (start winning port) 111 formed integrally with this first start winning main body part 55a, a game ball detection means 112 for detecting a game ball that has entered this first start winning port 111, and one or more LED boards 113 having multiple LEDs 113a on the front side.

[0040] A predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the light-transmitting area formed corresponding to the LED 113a on the front side of the first start winning unit 55, which reduces the so-called point light where light is emitted intensively near the light source, and makes the internal LED board 113 and the like difficult to see from the front side. As the light transmittance suppression treatment, a non-translucent or low-translucent decorative sticker is attached, and a light diffusion treatment for diffusing (diffuse reflection) light is conceivable. Due to the LED board 113, the arrangement area of ​​the first start winning unit 55 in the front view is almost entirely a light-emitting area due to the LED 113a. It is also possible to make the arrangement area of ​​the first start winning unit 55 a light-emitting area by arranging a fixed decoration means 60 behind the first start winning unit 55 without providing an LED board.

[0041] The first start winning hole 111 is a non-operation winning hole for starting the variation of the first special symbol by the first special symbol display means 93, and is formed in an upward opening shape corresponding to the lower side of the central drop part 80 provided on the stage 73. After the game ball that entered the first start winning hole 111 is detected by the game ball detection means 112, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. For the game ball that enters the first start winning hole 111, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out per ball that enters. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the first start winning hole 111 is set to three. In addition, an outlet 114 is provided below the first start winning unit 55 in correspondence with the most downstream position of the game area 23. The game ball that enters the outlet 114 is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine.

[0042] Here, the first special symbol display means 93 is composed of a display means such as a 7-segment type capable of variably displaying one or more first special symbols, for example, one first special symbol, and variably displays the first special symbol for a predetermined time on the condition that a game ball enters the first start winning hole 111 and is detected by the game ball detection means 112, and when the jackpot determination random number value included in the first special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 112 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the first special symbol stops in the first jackpot mode, and otherwise stops in the first miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the variance of the first special symbol display means 93 becomes the first jackpot mode, a special advantage state occurs. The special advantage state will be described later.

[0043] In addition, while game balls that have flowed down the left flow area 76 can enter the first start winning port 111, it is impossible (or very difficult) for game balls that have flowed down the right flow area 77 to enter the first start winning port 111 due to the presence of game pins 70b (third blocking section) described below, etc.

[0044] The second start winning means 56 is arranged on the front mounting plate 71 on the right side of the central display frame unit 52, downstream of the start gate unit 54 in the right flow down area 77 (here, the right middle area 77b), and is equipped with a second start winning port 115 formed in the front mounting plate 71, as shown in Figures 3, 8, etc., an opening / closing member 116 that can change this second start winning port 115 between an open state where a game ball can enter and a closed state where no game ball can enter (or where it is more difficult to enter than in the open state), and a game ball detection means 117 that detects a game ball that has entered the second start winning port 115.

[0045] The second start winning hole 115 is an actuation winning hole for starting the variation of the second special symbol by the second special symbol display means 94, and is formed in a forward opening shape. The opening / closing member 116 can swing around a left-right rotation axis provided on the lower side, for example, and in the closed state, it is approximately flush with the front mounting plate 71 to close the second start winning hole 115, allowing the game ball to pass through the front side, and in the open state, it is inclined backward and downward in front of the front mounting plate 71 to guide the game ball into the second start winning hole 115. This opening / closing member 116 changes from a closed state to an open state for a predetermined time when the stopped symbol after the variation of the normal symbol display means 91 becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, thereby making the second start winning hole 115 in a state where the game ball can enter. The game ball that enters the second start winning hole 115 is detected by the game ball detection means 117, and then guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each game ball entering the second start winning hole 115. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the second start winning hole 115 is set to one.

[0046] Here, the second special symbol display means 94 is composed of a display means such as a 7-segment type capable of variably displaying one or more, for example, one second special symbol, and variably displays the second special symbol for a predetermined time on the condition that a game ball enters the second start winning hole 115 that has been opened during the normal winning state and the game ball detection means 117 detects it, and when the jackpot determination random number value included in the second special random number information acquired when the game ball is detected by the game ball detection means 117 matches a predetermined jackpot determination value, the second special symbol stops in the second jackpot mode, and otherwise stops in the second miss mode. When the stopped symbol after the variation of the second special symbol display means 94 becomes the second jackpot mode, a special winning state occurs.

[0047] In addition, when a game ball enters the first and second start winning holes 111, 115 during a special reservation period including during the pattern change of the first special pattern display means 93, during the pattern change of the second special pattern display means 94, and during a special profit state, the first and second special random number information acquired thereby is reserved and stored up to a predetermined upper limit of the number of reserved pieces, for example, 4 pieces each. Then, when the special reservation period ends, if the reserved memory on the second special pattern side is 1 or more (if the pattern change start condition for the second special pattern is established), the reserved memory of the second special pattern is consumed and the second special pattern is changed, and if only the reserved memory on the first special pattern side is 1 or more (if the pattern change start condition for the first special pattern is established), the reserved memory of the first special pattern is consumed and the first special pattern is changed. In this embodiment, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not both changing, and when there are reserved memories on both the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, the second special symbol is given priority for changing. The number of stored first and second special random number information (number of first and second special reserved numbers) is notified to the player by the liquid crystal display means 58, etc., as described later.

[0048] The large prize unit 57 is positioned downstream of the second starting prize-winning means 56 in the right flow-down area 77, i.e., in the right downstream area 77c, along the guide rail 51, and is removably attached from the front side to a front-to-rear through-hole formed in the transparent base plate 45. As shown in Figures 3, 8, etc., the large prize unit 57 comprises a large prize main body 57a which is formed at least partially, for example entirely, to be transparent or translucent, a large prize opening (special variable prize opening) 121 formed in this large prize main body 57a, an opening / closing member 122 which can change the large prize opening 121 between an open state where a game ball can enter and a closed state where a ball cannot enter, one or more, for example one normal prize opening 123, formed in the large prize main body 57a, one or more, for example one outlet 124, formed in the large prize main body 57a, game ball detection means 125 which detects game balls which have entered the large prize opening 121, game ball detection means 126 which detects game balls which have entered the normal prize opening 123, and one or more LED boards 127 which have multiple LEDs 127a on the front side.

[0049] On the front side of the big prize unit 57, a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the light-transmitting area formed corresponding to the LED 127a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 127 and the like difficult to see from the front side. Note that, due to the LED board 127, the arrangement area of ​​the big prize unit 57 in a front view is almost entirely a light-emitting area for the LED 127a.

[0050] A left-downward inclined surface 128 is provided on the front upper portion of the large prize winning main body 57a to guide the game ball toward the inside (left side) of the game area 23, and the large prize winning opening 121 is formed in a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular shape that opens approximately upward on the inclined surface 128. The opening / closing member 122 is a plate-shaped member corresponding to the large prize winning opening 121, and is formed in a left-downward inclined shape in accordance with the inclined surface 128, and is slidable in the front-rear direction between a closed state in which the large prize winning opening 121 is closed by protruding forward from the front surface of the transparent base plate 45, and an open state in which the large prize winning opening 121 is opened by retreating to the rear side of the large prize winning opening 121. The game ball that enters the large prize winning opening 121 is detected by the game ball detection means 125, and then guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. When the opening / closing member 122 is in the closed state, the game ball that has fallen onto the inclined surface 128 is guided toward the downstream side (left side) by the opening / closing member 122, etc.

[0051] When a special profit state occurs as a result of the first and second special symbols of the first and second special symbol display means 93, 94 stopping in the first and second big win modes after fluctuating, the opening and closing member 122 of the big prize unit 57 opens according to a predetermined opening pattern under the control of the profit state generating means configured on the main control board, and allows the game balls flowing down the inclined surface 128 to enter the big prize opening 121. Here, the opening pattern of the opening and closing member 122 is configured to execute a predetermined unit opening operation for a predetermined number of rounds such as 5R, 10R, etc. The unit opening operation is an operation of closing the big prize opening 121 (switching from an open state to a closed state) on the condition that a predetermined upper limit time (e.g., 28 seconds) has elapsed since the big prize opening 121 was opened (switched from a closed state to an open state) or a predetermined upper limit number of game balls (e.g., 9 balls) have entered by that time. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each game ball that enters the big prize opening 121. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls for the big prize opening 121 is set to 15, as shown in FIG.

[0052] After the special advantage state ends, a special game state advantageous to the player occurs with a certain probability. In this embodiment, a special game state, either a time-saving state or a probability-changing state, is generated after the special advantage state ends, according to the jackpot pattern random number value when the jackpot determination random number value included in the first and second special random number information matches the jackpot determination value.

[0053] During the time-saving state, the fluctuation time of the first and second special symbols is switched to a shortened fluctuation time shorter than the normal fluctuation time, the probability of the normal symbols becoming a winning pattern is switched from a normal probability (e.g., 1 / 10) to a high probability (e.g., 1 / 1.3), the fluctuation time of the normal symbols is switched from a normal fluctuation time (e.g., 27 seconds) to a shortened fluctuation time (e.g., 2.7 seconds), and the opening and closing pattern of the second start winning hole 115 is switched from a normal opening and closing pattern (e.g., 0.2 seconds x 1 opening) to an extended opening and closing pattern (e.g., 2 seconds x 3 openings). The time-saving state starts after the special advantage state ends, and ends when the next special advantage state occurs or when the first and second special symbols have changed a predetermined number of times (e.g., 50 times) before that.

[0054] During the probability change state, the probability that the first and second special symbols will become the first and second jackpot patterns is switched to a higher probability (e.g., 1 / 35) than the normal probability (e.g., 1 / 350). In addition, during the probability change state, in principle, switching is also performed in the same way as in the time-saving state. Note that the probability change state begins after the special advantage state ends and ends when the next special advantage state occurs, but other ending conditions such as the number of times the first and second special symbols change may be added.

[0055] The normal winning opening (B normal winning opening) 123 is disposed in an upward opening manner on the downstream side (left side) of the inclined surface 128 on which the large winning opening 121 is provided. A game ball that falls onto the inclined surface 128 and flows downstream without entering the large winning opening 121 is guided to a plurality of game nails 70 disposed on the upper side of the normal winning opening 123, so that the ball enters the normal winning opening 123 with a high probability. Since the normal winning opening 123 is disposed on the downstream side of the inclined surface 128 and the large winning opening 121 is disposed on the inclined surface 128, it goes without saying that it is easier for the ball to enter the normal winning opening 123 when the large winning opening 121 is closed than when it is open. After the game ball that enters the normal winning opening 123 is detected by the game ball detection means 126, it is guided to the rear side of the game board 16 and discharged outside the machine. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out for each game ball that enters the normal winning opening 123. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the number of prize balls for the normal winning opening 123 is set to one. When a game ball enters this normal winning opening 123, the normal pattern display means 91 may be configured to start varying the normal pattern. By using the normal winning opening 123 as the normal pattern start opening instead of the normal pattern start gate 106, the start gate unit 54 becomes unnecessary, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0056] The outlet 124 opens substantially upward, and is disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the inclined surface 128, i.e., on the right side. A gaming ball that enters the outlet 124 is guided to the rear side of the gaming board 16 and discharged outside the machine. On the front side of the big winning unit 57, in a position corresponding to the outlet 124, outlet identification information 105 consisting of the letters "OUT" or the like indicating that it is an outlet is displayed, which makes it possible to recognize that it is an outlet.

[0057] Next, the arrangement of the game nails 70 and the like in the game area 23 will be described. First, in the left downstream area 76, since the front side of the transparent base plate 45 in the left upstream area 76a is almost covered by the front mounting plate 71 of the central display frame unit 52, instead of the game nails 70, an obstacle portion 69 integrally formed with the front mounting plate 71 is arranged, but a large number of game nails 70 are arranged in the left middle area 76b and the left downstream area 76c. Also, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, a windmill 130 that can rotate around an axis in the front-rear direction is arranged near the boundary between the left middle area 76b and the left downstream area 76c, for example, near the upstream side of the normal winning unit 53.

[0058] In the left downstream area 76c, as shown in Fig. 7, two nail rows formed by arranging the game nails 70 in a substantially single row are provided in an upper and lower row so as to be parallel to the flow direction (downward to the right) of the game ball, and the two nail rows form roughly two game ball flow paths. The upper upper nail row 131 is arranged in a substantially straight line from the vicinity of the downstream side of the windmill 130 to the vicinity of the first start winning hole 111, and the upper side along this upper nail row 131 is the first path (first path A) 133. The lower lower nail row 132 is arranged in the vicinity of the upper side of the normal winning unit 53, and the second path (second path A) 134 is between this lower nail row 132 and the upper nail row 131. A game ball flowing down the left middle area 76b without entering the warp ball entrance 78 is sorted into a first path 133 and a second path 134 when passing through the windmill 130 and flowing into the left downstream area 76c. That is, the windmill 130 is disposed at a branching section (first branching section) 130a that branches into the first path 133 and the second path 134.

[0059] The upper nail row 131 is provided with one or more row missing parts 131a in which the nail interval is larger than one game ball, and the game ball flowing down the first path 133 can pass through this row missing part 131a and move to the second path 134 side. In addition, the lower nail row 132 is provided with multiple row missing parts 132a in which the nail interval is larger than one game ball corresponding to at least the normal winning holes 101, 102 and the out hole 103, and the game ball flowing down the second path 134 can pass through this row missing part 132a and enter the normal winning holes 101, 102 or the out hole 103.

[0060] A gaming ball that passes through the windmill 130 and flows down the first path 133 side can enter the first start winning port 111, and can also enter the normal winning ports 101, 102 by passing through the row missing portion 131a and passing through the second path 134. On the other hand, a gaming ball that passes through the windmill 130 and flows down the second path 134 side can enter the normal winning ports 101, 102, but it is difficult (or impossible) for the ball to enter the first start winning port 111.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the design values ​​of the winning rate (balls / minute) for the first start winning port 111 and the regular winning ports 101, 102 during normal times when there is neither a special advantage state nor a special game state are 5.71, 2.50, and 0.50, respectively, and when game balls flow down the left flow area 76, the winning rate for the first start winning port 111 (5.71) is higher than the sum of the winning rates for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (2.50 + 0.50 = 3.00). On the other hand, in terms of the number of prize balls, the number of prize balls from the first start winning port 111 (here, 3) is less than the total number of prize balls from the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 10), and is also less than the maximum number of prize balls from the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 5), and is also less than the minimum number of prize balls from the regular winning ports 101, 102 (here, 5).

[0062] In this embodiment, when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76, the winning rate of the first start winning port 111 is made higher than that of the normal winning ports 101, 102, making it easier to fluctuate the first special pattern display means 93, while the number of winning balls in the first start winning port 111 is kept low to avoid excessive pressure on the hall's profits.

[0063] Next, in the right flow down area 77, the right upper flow area 77a has a narrow passage width of about one game ball, so no game pins 70 are arranged, but in the right middle area 77b and the right downstream area 77c, a large number of game pins 70 are arranged on the upstream side of the normal symbol start gate 106 and on the upstream and downstream sides of the big prize unit 57. For example, in the right downstream area 77c, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of game pins 70a arranged to guide game balls to the normal prize opening 123 are provided on the downstream side of the inclined surface 128 of the big prize unit 57, so that a game ball that has flowed down the inclined surface 128 without entering the big prize opening 121 can enter the normal prize opening 123 with a high probability by being guided by the plurality of game pins 70a.

[0064] Of course, the probability that a gaming ball that has flowed down the inclined surface 128 will enter the normal winning hole 123 is high, but not 100%, and there is still room for the ball to flow down to the out hole 114 side without entering the normal winning hole 123. By leaving such room, the profit of the hall can be secured without significantly impairing the profit of the player. Thus, in this embodiment, when a gaming ball that has flowed down the right flow-down area 77 flows downstream without entering the special winning hole 121, the probability that the gaming ball will enter the normal winning hole 123 is higher than the probability that the gaming ball will enter the out hole 114 downstream of the normal winning hole 123 without entering the normal winning hole 123.

[0065] Comparing the case where game balls flow down the left flow down area 76 with the case where game balls flow down the right flow down area 77, when game balls flow down the left flow down area 76, there is a high probability that they will enter the out holes 103, 114 without entering the normal winning holes 101, 102, etc., whereas when game balls flow down the right flow down area 77, there is a higher probability that they will enter the normal winning hole 123 than the out holes 114, 124. However, in return, the number of winning balls is greater in the normal winning hole 101, 102 (here, five each) than in the normal winning hole 123 (here, one) (Figure 11).

[0066] In addition, when the game ball flows down the right flow area 77, the rate of the game ball entering either the second start winning hole 115 or the normal winning hole 123 is higher than the rate of the game ball entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning hole 101, 102 when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the total of the winning ball rates (pieces / minute) for the first start winning hole 111 and the normal winning holes 101, 102 during normal times is 8.71 (=5.71+2.50+0.50), while the total of the winning ball rates (pieces / minute) for the second start winning hole 115 and the normal winning hole 123 during the special game state is 95.20 (=82.19+13.01). On the other hand, the number of prize balls for the second start winning port 115 and the regular winning port 123 is both set to 1, which is less than the number of prize balls for the first start winning port 111 and the regular winning ports 101 and 102 (3, 5, and 5 respectively).

[0067] 8, a plurality of game nails (second blocking portion) 70b are arranged below the stage 73 to block the movement of game balls dropped from the stage 73 toward the right flow-down area 77. The game nails 70b are arranged in a row on the lower right side of the stage 73 so as to slope downward to the left, and their upstream ends are close to the lower end of the blocking wall 81. Even if the game balls that have flown into the stage 73 fly out of the stage 73, for example, toward the right while freely rolling, they are prevented from moving toward the right flow-down area 77 by the blocking wall 81 and the game nails 70b, and are guided leftward to flow down, for example, toward the first start winning port 111 or the out port 114.

[0068] The multiple game nails 70b function as a second blocking section that blocks the game ball that has flowed down from the stage 73 from moving toward the right flow-down area 77, but also function as a third blocking section that blocks the game ball that has flowed down the right flow-down area 77 from entering the first start winning hole 111. That is, a game ball that has flowed down the right flow-down area 77 and has been bounced off the game nails 70a or the like and missed entering the normal winning hole 123 is prevented from moving toward the first start winning hole 111 by the game nails 70b, and flows down to the out hole 114 with a high probability.

[0069] Next, the liquid crystal display means 58, the movable performance means 59, the fixed decoration means (decorative member) 60, and the like, which are arranged behind the transparent base plate 45, will be described. The liquid crystal display means 58 has a rectangular display screen 58a, and is arranged behind the display window 74 so that the display screen 58a is vertically long, as shown in Figs. 3 to 6, and is supported by the rear support member 61. The entire periphery of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 is outside the display window 74 in a front view, so that not the entire display screen 58a but a part of it is located inside the display window 74 in a front view. The area of ​​the area where the display screen 58a and the central display frame unit 52 (excluding the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75) overlap in the front-rear direction, that is, the area of ​​the area of ​​the display screen 58a that protrudes outside the display window 74 in a front view, is larger above and below the display window 74 than to the left and right. In many cases, decorative patterns 161 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the display screen 58a by the decorative pattern display means 153, as described later. Therefore, if the area of ​​the area that protrudes outside the display window 74 on the left and right of the display screen 58a is increased, the decorative pattern 161 cannot be displayed in a sufficient size. The decorative pattern 161 scrolls up and down while the pattern is changing, but when the change stops, the decorative pattern 161 is displayed stationary in the approximate center in the up and down direction, so that even if the area that protrudes outside the display window 74 is made wider up and down than left and right, the effect on the display of the decorative pattern 161 is small.

[0070] In addition, even if a part of the display screen 58a is located outside the display window 74 when viewed from the front, if the part in front is transparent, that part can be seen from the front. However, for a part where an opaque member (a predetermined part on the game board) such as the movable body 141 or the fixed decoration means 60 overlaps the front, even if an image is displayed, it cannot be seen or is difficult to see from the front (hereinafter referred to as a non-visual display area). The area of ​​this non-visual display area is also wider at the top and bottom of the display window 74 than at the left and right. Decorations such as logos on the movable body 141 and the fixed decoration means 60 are often placed above and below the display window 74. By making the movable body 141 move in the vertical direction, the increased moving speed due to gravity makes it easier to make an impact on the player. In addition, since the logo is more easily conveyed as the model name when it is displayed horizontally, it is often formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape at the top and bottom of the display window 74, so the area of ​​the non-visual display area is made wider at the top and bottom of the display window 74 than at the left and right.

[0071] 3, 5, 9, etc., the movable performance means 59 comprises a movable body 141, a movable body guide means 142 that movably supports the movable body 141, and a drive means (not shown) that drives the movable body 141. The movable body (illuminating decorative member) 141 comprises a base movable part 141a, a first sub-movable part 141b that can move in a first direction (here, upward) relative to the base movable part 141a, and a second sub-movable part 141c that can move in a second direction (here, downward) relative to the base movable part 141a.

[0072] The base movable part 141a is formed in a horizontally long rectangle, and its front side is a decorative surface 143 decorated with any decoration such as the main character or logo of the model (here, a decoration of an airplane with a kappa, the main character of the gaming machine, on board), and inside is arranged an LED board 144 having a large number of LEDs (first light emitters) 144a that can emit light on the decorative surface (first light receiving part) 143 by irradiating light substantially forward. A predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent area of ​​the decorative surface 143 formed in correspondence with the LEDs 144a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 144 and the like difficult to see from the front side.

[0073] The first sub movable part 141b is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, is arranged on the rear side of the base movable part 141a, and is attached in a state in which it can move up and down relative to the base movable part 141a. The first sub movable part 141b is, for example, non-translucent (including cases in which the translucency is extremely low) and is given an arbitrary decoration (here, the characters "emergency departure"). The second sub movable part 141c is formed in a horizontally long rectangular plate shape, is arranged on the rear side of the base movable part 141a and the first sub movable part 141b, and is attached in a state in which it can move up and down relative to the base movable part 141a. The second sub movable part 141c is, for example, non-translucent (including cases in which the translucency is extremely low) and is given an arbitrary decoration (here, the characters "SCRAMBLE").

[0074] The movable body guide means 142 supports the movable body 141 in a state in which the movable body 141 can move in a predetermined direction (here, the vertical direction) along the front side of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58, and is arranged along both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display means 58 and is detachably fixed to the front side of the rear wall portion 62 of the rear support member 61. The movable body guide means 142 has a pair of left and right guide rails 142a arranged in the vertical direction, and the left and right end portions of the base movable part 141a are supported by each of the guide rails 142a so as to be vertically movable.

[0075] The movable body 141 is driven by a driving means such as a stepping motor, and is guided by the movable body guide means 142 to be movable in the vertical direction between an upper position (origin position) on the upper side of the liquid crystal display means 58 (FIG. 9(a)) and a lower position (performance position) on the front side of the liquid crystal display means 58 (FIG. 9(b)). The movable body 141 is usually held at the upper position, which is the origin position. The origin position (upper position) of the movable body 141 is set above the display window 74 and behind the upper decorative frame 72b, and the lower position of the movable body 141 is set inside the display window 74 (here, approximately in the center in the vertical direction). Therefore, the movable body 141 is usually retreated to the rear side of the upper decorative frame 72b (origin position) above the display window 74, and at a predetermined timing such as during a reach performance, it descends to the lower position, which is the performance position, and appears inside the display window 74 so as to partially hide the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58.

[0076] In the upper position (origin position), the first sub movable part 141b and the second sub movable part 141c are hidden behind the base movable part 141a (FIG. 9(a)). When the movable body 141 moves from the upper position (origin position) to the lower position (performance position), or during the movement, the first sub movable part 141b slides to the upper side of the base movable part 141a, and the second sub movable part 141c slides to the lower side of the base movable part 141a (FIG. 9(b)). In this way, in the lower position (performance position), the movable body 141 is in a state in which the non-translucent first sub movable part 141b and the second sub movable part 141c are arranged above and below the base movable part 141a, respectively, that is, non-translucent areas that do not have translucency (or have extremely low translucency) are arranged above and below the translucent area corresponding to the LED 144a. As a result, when the LED 144a is turned on while the movable body 141 is in a lower position (performance position) in front of the display screen 58a, non-translucent areas exist above and below the light-emitting translucent area, preventing the light-emitting part (translucent area) of the movable body 141 from becoming obscured by light from the display screen 58a.

[0077] The upper decorative frame 72b is given an arbitrary decoration (here, decoration of a kappa character) and is formed at least partially transparent, with the upper fixed decorative means 60a described later being arranged on the rear side, and at least a part of the upper fixed decorative means 60a being visible from the front side through the transparent part of the upper decorative frame 72b. At the origin position (upper position), the movable body 141 is hidden behind the upper decorative frame 72b and the upper fixed decorative means 60a, and is not visible (or difficult to see) from the front side.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the fixed decorative means 60 fixedly arranged on the rear side of the transparent base plate 45 includes an upper fixed decorative means 60a corresponding to the upper side of the display window 74, a lower fixed decorative means 60b corresponding to the lower side of the display window 74, a left fixed decorative means 60c corresponding to the left side of the display window 74, and a right fixed decorative means 60d corresponding to the right side of the display window 74.

[0079] The upper fixed decorative means 60a is of a horizontally elongated, generally rectangular shape, and is disposed behind the transparent base plate 45 in correspondence with the area above the display window 74 in the play area 23 (the upper decorative frame 72b of the central display frame unit 52 and a part of the left flow-down area 76 to the left of it), and in front of the movable body 141 and the liquid crystal display means 58. As a result, the area above the display window 74 of the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 is substantially entirely located behind the upper fixed decorative means 60a.

[0080] The upper fixed decorative means (decorative member, light-emitting decorative member) 60a has a decorative surface 145 on the front side thereof, on which any decoration (not shown) is applied, and inside is disposed an LED board 146 having a number of LEDs (first light emitters) 146a capable of emitting light substantially forward to illuminate the decorative surface (first light receiving section) 145. Note that the decorative surface 145 is subjected to a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment in a light-transmitting region formed in correspondence with the LEDs 146a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 146 and the like difficult to see from the front side.

[0081] The lower fixed decorative means 60b has a horizontally elongated, roughly rectangular shape and is disposed behind the stage 73 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, and as is clear from Fig. 3 etc., a part of the upper side is located within the display window 74 when viewed from the front, and the other part is located below the display window 74, i.e., behind the stage 73 etc. In this way, since the lower fixed decorative means 60b is disposed behind the stage 73 in correspondence with roughly the entire stage 73, it is only the lower fixed decorative means 60b that can be seen from the front through the transparent stage 73, and the area of ​​the display screen 58a that corresponds to the rear side of the lower fixed decorative means 60b cannot be seen from the front through the stage 73.

[0082] As shown in Figures 4, 6, etc., the lower fixed decorative means (decorative member, light-emitting decorative member) 60b comprises a decorative lens plate (second light receiving portion) 147 arranged approximately parallel to the display screen 58a, an LED board 148 arranged along a predetermined edge (here, the lower edge) of the decorative lens plate 147, and a back plate 147a arranged parallel to the decorative lens plate 147 so as to approximately cover the rear side of the decorative lens plate 147. A plurality of LEDs (second light emitters) 148a are mounted at regular intervals on the LED board 148 and are arranged in a direction facing (here, facing upward) the end face (here, the lower end face) of the decorative lens plate 147.

[0083] Decorative lens plate 147 has reflecting portion 147b on at least one side (here, the back side) that reflects light from LED 148a forward, so as to form any pattern, letter, figure, etc. (here, the letters "Kappa Legend") when viewed from the front, as shown by solid lines in Fig. 4. In addition, back plate 147a is non-translucent, and on its front side, any decoration (here, a flower pattern, see Fig. 4) that forms the background of the decoration on decorative lens plate 147 side (the letters "Kappa Legend").

[0084] When the LED 148a is turned on, the light is incident on the decorative lens plate 147 from the end face on the lower edge side, and then reflected forward by the reflecting portion 147b. This allows any desired pattern or the like to appear on the decorative lens plate 147. The LED 148a may be disposed at any position relative to the decorative lens plate 147, and may be disposed on any one edge of the upper, lower, left, or right side, or may be disposed on multiple edges, such as the lower edge and left edge.

[0085] In this way, the lower fixed decoration means 60b is configured so that the light irradiated toward the in-plane direction of the decorative lens plate 147 (here, the vertical direction) is reflected forward by the reflecting portion 147a, making it visible from the front side, so that the decorative lens plate 147 does not need to be subjected to a light transmittance suppression treatment like the decorative surfaces of the movable performance means 59, the upper fixed decoration means 60a, etc. Therefore, the decoration applied to the rear back plate 147a can be viewed from the front side through the decorative lens plate 147, making it possible to achieve a more three-dimensional decoration. In this embodiment, a non-translucent back plate 147a is arranged behind the decorative lens plate 147 so that the display screen 58a cannot be viewed through the decorative lens plate 147, but the display screen 58a may be made visible through the decorative lens plate 147 by not arranging the back plate 147a.

[0086] The left fixed decorative means 60c is disposed behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, corresponding to the area extending from the left side of the display window 74 to the lower left side. The left fixed decorative means (decorative member, light-emitting decorative member) 60c has a decorative surface 149 on the front side on which any decoration (not shown) is applied, and an LED board 150 having a large number of LEDs (first light emitters) 150a capable of emitting light to the decorative surface (first light receiving unit) 149 is disposed inside. In addition, a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent region formed in correspondence with the LEDs 150a on the decorative surface 149, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 150 and the like difficult to see from the front side.

[0087] The right fixed decorative means 60d is disposed behind the transparent base plate 45 and in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, corresponding to the area extending from the right side of the display window 74 to the lower right side. The right fixed decorative means (decorative member, light-emitting decorative member) 60d has a decorative surface 151 on the front side on which any decoration (not shown) is applied, and an LED board 152 having a large number of LEDs (first light emitters) 152a capable of emitting light substantially forward to illuminate the decorative surface (first light receiving unit) 151 is disposed inside. In addition, a predetermined light transmittance suppression treatment is applied to the transparent region of the decorative surface 151 formed in correspondence with the LEDs 152a, which reduces so-called point light and makes the internal LED board 152 and the like difficult to see from the front side.

[0088] As described above, the movable performance means 59, upper fixed decorative means 60a, left fixed decorative means 60c, right fixed decorative means 60d, etc. are equipped with LEDs (first light emitters) 144a, 146a, 150a, 152a that emit light approximately forward, and decorative surfaces (first light receiving parts) 145, 149, 151 that receive the light and emit light, and by applying a light transmittance suppression treatment to the decorative surfaces (first light receiving parts) 143, 145, 149, 151, the so-called point light is reduced and the internal LED boards, etc. are made difficult to see from the front. On the other hand, the above-mentioned light-emitting display means 75 and lower fixed decorative means 60b are equipped with LEDs (second light emitters) 83a, 148a that emit light in a direction other than forward, and a light guide plate (second light receiving portion) 82 and decorative lens plate (second light receiving portion) 147 that receive the light and reflect it forward by reflecting portions 84, 147b, and not only is it not necessary to suppress the light transmittance of the light guide plate 82 and decorative lens plate 147 to reduce point light or conceal the interior, as in the upper fixed decorative means 60a, but it is also necessary to increase the light transmittance of the light guide plate 82 and decorative lens plate 147 so that light can reach a wide range of the light guide plate 82 and decorative lens plate 147 and be emitted. Therefore, in this embodiment, the light transmittance of the light-emitting display means 75 and the light guide plate (second light receiving part) 82 and the decorative lens plate (second light receiving part) 147 in the lower fixed decorative means 60b is higher than that of the decorative surfaces (first light receiving part) 143, 145, 149, 151 in the movable performance means 59, upper fixed decorative means 60a, left fixed decorative means 60c, right fixed decorative means 60d, etc.

[0089] FIG. 10 shows the area in the game area 23 divided into a "display area" (light gray) and a "light-emitting area" (dark gray). FIG. 10(a) shows the state where the movable body 141 is in the upper position, which is the origin position, and FIG. 10(b) shows the state where the movable body 141 is in the lower position, which is the performance position. Here, the "display area" is the area of ​​the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 that is visible when viewed from the front, and the "light-emitting area" is the area other than the display area that can be illuminated by a light-emitting body such as an LED. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75 is disposed in front of the display screen 58a, but this light guide plate 82 does not completely obstruct the visibility of the display screen 58a, and the display screen 58a is visible from the front even when the light-emitting display means 75 is in the light-emitting state. Therefore, the area where the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75 overlaps the front of the display screen 58a is called the "display area" rather than the "light-emitting area".

[0090] The "display area" includes an area inside the display window 74 when viewed from the front (hereinafter referred to as a "non-overlapping display area") and an area outside the display window 74 when viewed from the front (hereinafter referred to as an "overlapping display area"). The overlapping display area is an area where the display screen 58a can be seen through a transparent member such as the stage guide passage 79 or a part of the central display frame unit 52 (excluding the light guide plate 82 of the light-emitting display means 75).

[0091] As is clear from FIG. 10, when the movable body 141 is in the origin position (upper position) (FIG. 10(a)), the display area and the light-emitting area in the game area 23 are larger than each other, and the area ratio is, for example, 115:100. On the other hand, when the movable body 141 is moved from the origin position to the lower position (FIG. 10(b)), the overlapping area between the display screen 58a and the movable body 141 (the base movable part 141a, the first auxiliary movable part 141b, and the second auxiliary movable part 141c) in front of it expands, and the size relationship between the display area and the light-emitting area is reversed, and the area ratio is, for example, 40:100. In this way, in this embodiment, the size of the light-emitting area can be greatly changed by moving the movable body 141 from the upper position (origin position) to the lower position (performance position), which allows the player to intuitively feel that there is a high possibility that the player will be in an advantageous state. Although Figure 10 only covers the area within the game area 23, the target area may be wider than the game area 23 (for example, the area within the glass window 24 when viewed from the front), and within that area, the display area may be wider than the light-emitting area when the movable body 141 is in the origin position (upper position), and the light-emitting area may be wider than the display area when the movable body 141 moves from the origin position to the performance position.

[0092] Moreover, even when the movable body 141 moves to the lower position (performance position) and overlaps the front side of the display screen 58a (overlapping area), the image is displayed on the entire display screen 58a including the overlapping area by the liquid crystal display means 58. This has the advantage that it is not necessary to perform complex control such as displaying an image while avoiding the overlapping area, and the performance effect is enhanced by combining the light from the display screen 58a corresponding to the overlapping area.

[0093] In addition, most of the areas in the game area 23 through which the game ball can pass are luminous areas, but as shown in FIG. 10(a), a part of the left upstream area 76a in the left flow-down area 76 (the area shaded in FIG. 10(a)) does not have the fixed decorative means 60 or the like arranged on the rear side, and is an overlapping display area where the display screen 58a can be seen from the front side. In this way, although there is a part of the left flow-down area 76 that corresponds to the display area (overlapping display area), the area that corresponds to the luminous area is wider. For example, in the left flow-down area 76, the area that corresponds to the luminous area (the area that overlaps with the luminous decorative member) is wider than the area that corresponds to the display area (the area that overlaps with the display screen) on the upstream side of the warp ball entrance 78, and the movement of the game ball is easier to see due to the upper fixed decorative means 60a and the left fixed decorative means 60c emitting light on the rear side.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 10(a), at least a part of the stage guide passage 79 is disposed in the area corresponding to the display area (area overlapping with the display screen) (area shaded in FIG. 10(a)), but since the stage guide passage 79 is formed transparently, the display screen 58a on the rear side can be seen through the transparent stage guide passage 79 (overlapping display area). On the other hand, the lower fixed decoration means 60b is disposed on the rear side corresponding to almost the entire stage 73, and the lower fixed decoration means 60b can be seen through the transparent stage 73. In this way, in the area corresponding to the stage guide passage 79 and the stage 73 in a front view, the area where the display screen 58a cannot be seen because it does not overlap with the display screen 58a and overlaps with the lower fixed decoration means 60b, etc. is wider than the area where the display screen 58a can be seen because it overlaps with the display screen 58a. This is because, when a game ball enters the warp entry port 78, the player focuses on whether or not the game ball will pass through the stage 73 and enter the first start entry port 111, and this is to prevent the player from being distracted by the performance images displayed behind the stage 73, etc.

[0095] Next, the effects centering on image display on the liquid crystal display means 58 will be described. The liquid crystal display means 58 displays various effect images, notification images, etc., and as shown in Fig. 12, comprises a decorative pattern display means 153, a mini pattern display means 154, a reserved image display means 155, etc., and in parallel with the variable display of the first and second special patterns by the first and second special pattern display means 93, 94, the decorative pattern display means 153 can variably display the decorative pattern 161, and the mini pattern display means 154 can variably display the mini pattern 162, respectively, and the reserved image display means 155 can display various images such as the first and second reserved images X1-X4, Y1-Y4 indicating the number of first and second special reserved items.

[0096] The decorative symbol display means (symbol display means) 153 is configured to be able to variably display decorative symbols 161 by the liquid crystal display means 58 based on the entry of a game ball into the first and second start winning holes 111, 115 (establishment of a predetermined symbol start condition). The decorative symbols 161 include a left decorative symbol (first decorative symbol) 161a variably displayed on the left end side of the display screen 58a, a right decorative symbol (second decorative symbol) 161b variably displayed on the right end side of the display screen 58a, and a middle decorative symbol (third decorative symbol) 161c variably displayed approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the display screen 58a, and each of the decorative symbols 161a to 161c is configured as a symbol row in which a plurality of symbols are endlessly arranged. In addition, each decorative pattern 161a to 161c has a main body portion (number portion) 164 consisting of numbers such as "1" to "8" and the like, and characters and other decorative portions 165 accompanying this main body portion 164. The display can be changed to a number of different display modes, including a non-decorative display mode in which the main body portion 164 is displayed but the decorative portion 165 is not displayed, and a decorative display mode in which both the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165 are displayed, and it is also possible to enlarge, reduce, change the display position, etc.

[0097] The decorative symbols 161a-161c start to change by vertical scrolling or the like all at once according to a predetermined change pattern at approximately the same time as the first and second special symbols start to change, and stop in a predetermined order such as left, right, center, etc., or approximately at the same time, so as to finally stop in accordance with the stop of the first and second special symbols. Note that, when the decorative symbols 161a-161c stop in a combination (predetermined combination) in which all the symbols are the same, such as "2·2·2" or "7·7·7", it is a jackpot performance mode (specific mode), and otherwise it is a miss performance mode, etc., and when the first and second special symbols are in the first and second jackpot modes, the decorative symbols 161a-161c are in the jackpot performance mode, and when the first and second special symbols are in the first and second miss modes, the decorative symbols 161a-161c are in the miss performance mode.

[0098] In addition, in this embodiment, the game can be switched to multiple types of game modes, for example, three types of game modes, first to third. In the first game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c change in a decorative display mode (displaying the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165) (Figure 13(a)). In the second game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c change in a non-decorative display mode (displaying only the main body portion 164) (Figure 13(b)). In the third game mode, of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c which stops last changes in a non-decorative display mode (displaying only the main body portion 164), and the remaining left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b change in a decorative display mode (displaying the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165) (Figure 13(c)).

[0099] In addition, the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b in the third game mode (Figure 13(c)) are displayed in a wider area, i.e., larger, than the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b in the first game mode (Figure 13(a)), and the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c in the third game mode (Figure 13(c)) is displayed in a narrower area, i.e., smaller, than the middle decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c in the first game mode (Figure 13(a)).

[0100] In the third game mode (FIG. 13(c)), when the left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a and the right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b, which change at both the left and right ends of the display screen 58a, are stopped and displayed, the decorative portion 165 is displayed in a state where it is partially invisible when viewed from the front (a state where a part of it protrudes outside the display area), but the main body portion (number portion) 164 is displayed in a state where it is entirely visible when viewed from the front. In any of the first to third game modes, when the decorative patterns 161a to 161c stop in a big win performance mode, all of those decorative patterns 161a to 161c become non-decorative display modes (see FIG. 14(g1)).

[0101] In this embodiment, in the third game mode (FIG. 13(c)), the font (display mode) of the main body (number part) 164 of the middle decorative pattern 161c displayed in the non-decorative display mode is different from the font (display mode) of the main body (number part) 164 of the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b displayed in the decorative display mode, but they may be the same. Also, the font (display mode) of the main body (number part) 164 of the middle decorative pattern 161c is common to the font (display mode) of the main body (number part) 164 in the SP reach performance (predetermined reach performance). In the SP reach performance, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are variably displayed in the non-decorative display mode regardless of the game mode. For the decorative portion 165, a character that is the motif of the gaming machine is often used, and it is desired to display the character as large as possible to make it stand out, but if the entire character is displayed within the display area, the character becomes small, so in order to display the decorative portion 165 as large as possible, it is permitted that a part of it protrudes from the display area and becomes invisible, but it is desirable that the entire main body portion 164 is displayed within the display area, preferably within a non-overlapping display area. This is the same for all of the first to third game modes.

[0102] The mini symbol display means 154 is configured to be able to variably display a mini symbol (small symbol) 162 by the liquid crystal display means 58 in response to the variable display of the decorative symbol 161 based on the entry of a game ball into the first and second start winning holes 111 and 115. The decorative symbol 161 is not always displayed even during the variation of the first and second special symbols, and may disappear partly or entirely from the screen depending on the content of the performance such as a reach performance, whereas the mini symbol 162 is always displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58 during the variation of the first and second special symbols. Note that the mini symbol 162 may disappear from the screen during a part of the period during which the first and second special symbols are varying. Also, the mini symbol 162 may be difficult to see during a part of the period when the movable body moves.

[0103] The mini pattern 162 has the same number of pattern rows (three in this case) and the types of patterns (number patterns 1 to 8 in this case) that compose each pattern row as the decorative pattern 161, but has only a main body with numbers such as "1" to "8" and no decorative portion, and is displayed in a smaller size than the decorative pattern 161 near the periphery of the display screen 58a as shown in Fig. 12. However, the mini pattern 162 is displayed entirely within a non-overlapping display area within the display area, and is not displayed within an overlapping area such as the rear of the stage guide passage 79.

[0104] Also, the display state of the mini pattern 162 is only "change stopped state" and "high-speed change state", and there is no speed change (deceleration, frame advance, etc.) during change like the decorative pattern 161. When the first and second special patterns start changing, the change stopped state due to a predetermined change start result or the previous stop result is instantly switched to a predetermined change start result and then switched to a high-speed change state, and when the first and second special patterns stop changing, the high-speed change state is switched to a change stopped state due to a predetermined change stop result. Also, the change (high-speed change) of the mini pattern 162 is not a scroll change, but is performed by switching the patterns by repeatedly adding 1 to each pattern (returning to the minimum value if it exceeds the maximum value) or subtracting 1 (returning to the maximum value if it exceeds the minimum value).

[0105] In addition, in the decorative pattern 161, the variation stop number is the variation start number for the next variation, but the mini pattern 162 is always set to a predetermined variation start number, and when the variation starts, the variation stop number of the previous variation is instantly switched to a predetermined variation start number, and then the high-speed variation starts from that variation start number. This is because if the previous variation was a reach-miss variation or a jackpot variation, if the variation stop number is used as the variation start number to start the variation of the mini pattern 162, the high-speed variation will occur with the left and right patterns or all patterns aligned, which may give the player the misunderstanding that it will be a reach or jackpot again. Therefore, the variation start number of the mini pattern 162 needs to be set to a number that is unrelated to reach or jackpot, such as "1·2·3". The variation stop number of the mini pattern 162 is the same as the variation stop number of the decorative pattern 161.

[0106] 12, the reserved image display means 155 is configured to be able to display the first and second reserved images X1-X4, Y1-Y4, etc., which indicate the first and second special reserved numbers, on the liquid crystal display means 58. The reserved image display means 155 additionally displays one of the first and second reserved images X1-, Y1- on the liquid crystal display means 58 when the first and second special reserved numbers increase based on game balls entering the first and second start winning holes 111, 115, and shifts the first and second reserved images X1-, Y1- by one toward the front of the queue (for example, the right side of the screen) when the first and second special reserved numbers decrease based on the start of new fluctuations of the first and second special patterns by the first and second special pattern display means 93, 94.

[0107] In addition, when the first and second special symbols stop in the first and second jackpot modes to generate a special advantage state, a jackpot performance is performed during the special advantage state. The jackpot performance is composed of a jackpot start interval performance performed during a jackpot start interval, a jackpot round performance performed during a jackpot round, and a jackpot end interval performance performed during a jackpot end interval. For example, in the jackpot round performance, as shown in FIG. 16, a launch direction notification image 166 for notifying the target launch direction (here, the right side), a round number notification image 167 indicating the ongoing round, an acquired ball number notification image 168 indicating the number of acquired balls in the special advantage state, and a jackpot performance image 169 of a character or the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58.

[0108] Next, the flow of the game in this pachinko machine will be specifically explained. In this pachinko machine, during a normal game state other than a special game state, even if the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 106, the normal symbol display means 91 changes, and the normal symbol becomes a winning state and a normal profit state occurs, the opening time (normal opening time) of the second start winning hole 115 to start the change of the second special symbol is short (for example, 0.2 seconds), so even if the player shoots the game ball aiming at the right flow down area 77 side where the normal symbol start gate 106 and the second start winning hole 115 exist (hereinafter referred to as "right hit"), the possibility of the ball entering the second start winning hole 115 is extremely low. On the other hand, the difficulty of entering the first start winning hole 111, which is a non-operating winning hole, does not change depending on the game state, and stable ball entry can be expected even during the normal game state. Therefore, instead of hitting from the right during the normal game state, aiming at the normal pattern start gate 106 and the second start winning port 115 on the right flow-down area 77 side, the player should first aim the game ball at the left flow-down area 76 side, where the ball is expected to enter the first start winning port 111, in order to generate a special game state (hereinafter referred to as a "left hit" period).

[0109] When a player hits with the left hand during normal play, the released game ball enters the left flow-down area 76 from the upper side of the game area 23, and flows down from the left upstream area 76a to the left middle area 76b. At this time, the left upstream area 76a and the left middle area 76b have a larger area corresponding to the light-emitting area (area overlapping with the light-emitting decorative member) than the area corresponding to the display area (area overlapping with the display screen) (FIG. 10(a)), so the upper fixed decorative means 60a and the left fixed decorative means 60c on the rear side emit light, making it easier to see the movement of the game ball.

[0110] When flowing down the left middle area 76b, the game ball either enters the warp ball entrance 78 or flows downstream without entering the warp ball entrance 78. The game ball that enters the warp ball entrance 78 passes through the stage guide passage 79, rolls freely in the left and right directions on the stage 73, and then falls to the front from either the central drop section 80 or another part, and either enters the first start winning opening 111 below the central drop section 80, or flows into the out opening 114 without entering the first start winning opening 111. In addition, a blocking wall (first blocking section) 81 is erected on the side (right side) of the stage 73, and multiple game pins (second blocking section) 70b are arranged in a row on the lower side (right side) of the stage 73 so as to slope downward to the left.Therefore, game balls that fall from the stage 73 are prevented from entering the right flow down area 77 by the blocking wall 81 and game pins 70b, making it impossible (or difficult) for the ball to enter a normal winning hole 123, etc.

[0111] On the other hand, a game ball that has flowed down the left middle area 76b without entering the warp ball entry port 78 passes through the windmill 130 when flowing into the left downstream area 76c, and is distributed to the upper first path 133 and the lower second path 134. If the game ball guided to the first path 133 side by the windmill 130 flows down along the upper nail row 131 to the most downstream side, it may enter the first start winning hole 111, but if it flows down from the row missing part 131a on the way to the second path 134 side, it may enter the normal winning holes 101, 102, but it is extremely unlikely (or impossible) to enter the first start winning hole 111.

[0112] In addition, a game ball that flows down along the upper nail row 131 to the most downstream side of the first path 133, i.e., near the first start winning hole 111, but misses the first start winning hole 111, has an extremely low (or impossible) chance of entering other winning holes, i.e., the normal winning hole 102, etc., and therefore enters the out hole 114. In addition, a game ball guided to the second path 134 side by the windmill 130, like a game ball that flows into the second path 134 from the middle of the first path 133, has an extremely low (or impossible) chance of entering the first start winning hole 111, although it may enter the normal winning holes 101, 102.

[0113] In this embodiment, when a game ball flows down the left flow area 76 by hitting from the left, the rate of balls entering the out hole 114 without entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning hole 101, 102 is higher than the rate of balls entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning hole 101, 102. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the design values ​​of the ball entry rate (pieces / min) for the first start winning hole 111 and the normal winning hole 101, 102 during normal times are 5.71, 2.50, and 0.50, respectively, and more than 90% of the game balls shot about 100 times per minute enter the out hole 103, 114 without entering either the first start winning hole 111 or the normal winning hole 101, 102.

[0114] In addition, in this embodiment, when a game ball flows down the left flow area 76 by hitting with the left hand, as shown in Figure 11, the ball entry rate for the first start winning port 111 (5.71 balls / min) is higher than the sum of the ball entry rates for the normal winning ports 101, 102 (2.50 + 0.50 = 3.00 balls / min), and the player can relatively easily cause the ball to enter the first start winning port 111 by hitting with the left hand during normal game mode, thereby changing the first special pattern display means 93. On the other hand, the number of prize balls for the first start winning port 111 (3 in this case) is less than the total number of prize balls for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (10 in this case), and is also less than the maximum number of prize balls for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (5 in this case), and is also less than the minimum number of prize balls for the regular winning ports 101, 102 (5 in this case). Therefore, even though the winning rate for the first start winning port 111 is higher than the winning rate for the regular winning ports 101, 102, it does not unduly put pressure on the hall's profits.

[0115] When a game ball enters the first start winning hole 111, the first special symbol is changed by the first special symbol display means 93, and in parallel with this, the decorative symbol 161 is changed by the decorative symbol display means 153 and the mini symbol 162 is changed by the mini symbol display means 154 on the liquid crystal display means 58. Fig. 14 shows a specific example of the change display of the decorative symbol 161 and the mini symbol 162 in the third game mode.

[0116] When the number of first special reserved balls is 0 and a game ball enters the first start winning hole 111, or when the number of first special reserved balls is 1 or more and the first special symbol display means 93 is enabled to change the symbols, the left, right, and center decorative symbols 161a-161c and the mini symbol 162 start changing all at once almost simultaneously with the first special symbol display means 93 starting to change the first special symbol (FIG. 14(a)). Here, the decorative symbols 161a-161c start changing from the change stop result of the previous change, but the mini symbol 162 starts changing at high speed from the change start result after instantly switching from the change stop result of the previous change to a predetermined change start result (for example, "1·2·3").

[0117] 14, since the third game mode is in progress, the center decorative pattern 161c is displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body 164 is displayed), and the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b are displayed in a decorative display mode (the main body 164 and the decorative portion 165 are displayed), but the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b are displayed in a size such that the decorative portion 165 protrudes to the side of the display area and is partially hidden. Note that the main body 164 is displayed so that its entirety fits within the display area, more preferably within a non-overlapping display area excluding the rear side of the stage guide passage 79, etc.

[0118] After the decorative symbols 161a to 161c start to change, when the left decorative symbol 161a and the right decorative symbol 161b stop in sequence with the same symbol (here, "7") and a ready-to-win state is established (Fig. 14(b)→(c)), the left and right decorative symbols 161a and 161b that constitute the ready-to-win state are displayed in a reduced size, while the center decorative symbol 161c is displayed in an enlarged size and continues to change (Fig. 14(c)→(d)→(e)). At this time, the display positions of the left and right decorative symbols 161a and 161b may be changed at the same time (for example, moved upward).

[0119] Then, when the center decorative pattern 161c stops with the same pattern (here, "7") as the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b and a big win performance mode is established (Fig. 14(e)→(f1)), all the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body 164 is displayed) and at substantially the same size (Fig. 14(g1)). This allows the player to reliably recognize that the three decorative patterns 161a to 161c have lined up to establish a big win performance mode, and the type of the pattern. After that, a big win performance is executed on the liquid crystal display means 58 in response to the occurrence of the special advantage state.

[0120] On the other hand, if the middle decorative pattern 161c stops at a pattern (here, "8") different from the decorative patterns 161a, 161b on the left and right, resulting in a miss performance (Figure 14(e)→(f2)), the change in the display mode (reducing / enlarging, changing the display position) of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c that was made after the reach was achieved is released and returned to the original state (Figure 14(g2)), and then if the number of first special reserved symbols is 1 or more, the next pattern change will start.

[0121] In this way, for the confirmation display (result display) when the variation result is a miss performance mode, the next variation needs to start as it is, so the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are returned to the normal display mode as shown in Fig. 14 (g2), but for the confirmation display (result display) when the variation result is a big win performance mode, it does not move to the next variation as it is, but moves to a big win performance, so there is no need to worry about the connection with the next variation, and it is possible to display the decorative patterns 161a to 161c in a free display mode and display position without returning them to the normal display mode. In other words, for the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, the display position and / or display mode of the confirmation display (result display) may be different between the case where the variation result is a miss performance mode and the case where the variation result is a big win performance mode.

[0122] In addition, in the variation of the decorative pattern 161 by the decorative pattern display means 153, various reach effects can be executed after the reach is established. FIG. 15 shows an example of a reach effect in which a big win effect is achieved by an operation effect involving the operation of the effect button 34 (FIG. 1), as an example of the reach effect. When an operation effective period during which the operation of the effect button 34 is effective starts after the reach is established, an operation effective notification image 171 for notifying that the operation effective period is in progress is displayed on the display screen 58a (FIG. 15(a)). The operation effective notification image 171 is composed of an operation target notification image 171a representing the effect button 34 that is the operation target, an operation content notification image 171b consisting of the character "PUSH" or the like indicating the operation content for the operation target, and the like.

[0123] In addition, the operation validity notification image 171 is displayed so that at least the entire operation content notification image 171b fits within the display area, more preferably within the non-overlapping display area. In the example of Fig. 15, the left and right decorative symbols 161a, 161b constituting the reach state are displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body 164 is displayed), but even in the third game mode, the left and right decorative symbols 161a, 161b may be displayed in a non-decorative display mode during the reach performance.

[0124] When the player operates the effect button 34 during the operation valid period, the operation valid period ends at that point, and the display of the operation valid notification image 171 on the liquid crystal display means 58 ends, and a notice effect image 172 that notices the operation of the movable body 141 is displayed (FIG. 15(a)→(b)). This notice effect image 172 is an example of an effect image including one or more character information, and displays a first character string of "emergency launch" in kanji and a second character string of "SCRAMBLE" in alphabetic characters in two horizontal lines, one above the other. This notice effect image 172 is first displayed in a first state (FIG. 15(b)) in which all the contents of the character strings can be read (identified), and then switched to a second state (FIG. 15(c)) in which the first character string with a small display width can be read (identified), but the second character string with a large display width is expanded to a state in which a part of the first character string is invisible when viewed from the front (it extends beyond the display screen 58a or is displayed in a non-visible display area) and cannot be read (identified). As shown in FIG. 15(b), even in the first mode, it is desirable to display the character strings constituting the preview performance image 172 so that a part of them (here, both ends of "SCRAMBLE" constituting the second character string) cannot be seen when viewed from the front (they extend beyond the display screen 58a or are displayed in a non-visible display area) while the entire character string can be read (identified). If all the characters of the first character string and the second character string are made visible, not only will the preview performance image become smaller and the characters become hard to read, but the performance may lack impact. Therefore, by making a part of the character strings visible when viewed from the front while still being readable (identifiable), it is possible to make the character strings readable (identifiable) by the player while still providing an impact as a performance.

[0125] After the preview performance image 172 is displayed, the movable body 141 descends from the upper position (origin position) to the lower position (performance position) (Figure 15(d)), and then rises to the upper position again, after which the central decorative pattern 161c stops at the same pattern (here, "7") as the left and right decorative patterns 161a, 161b, thereby establishing a jackpot performance mode (Figure 15(e)), and all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are displayed in a non-decorative display mode (only the main body portion 164 is displayed) and at approximately the same size (Figure 15(f)).

[0126] When a jackpot performance pattern is established during the variation of the decorative pattern 161 by the decorative pattern display means 153 as described above, a special advantage state occurs and the large prize opening 121 opens according to a predetermined opening pattern, so that the player hits to the right, aiming toward the right flow-down area 77 where the large prize opening 121 is located (right hitting period).

[0127] When a player hits the ball from the right during the special advantage state, the ball enters the right flow area 77 from the upper side of the game area 23, and most of them enter the open big prize opening 121. For each ball that enters the big prize opening 121, 15 prize balls are paid out (FIG. 11), so the player can enjoy a large profit. Even if a player hits the ball from the right during the special advantage state, the ball may enter the out opening 124 upstream of the big prize opening 121, or may flow downstream without entering the big prize opening 121. A ball that flows downstream along the inclined surface 128 without entering the big prize opening 121 is guided by the game nail 70a and enters the normal prize opening 123 with a high probability. For each ball that enters the normal prize opening 123, one prize ball is paid out (FIG. 11). Also, in order to reduce the number of balls that enter the outlet 114 without entering the normal winning opening 123, the outlet 124 is provided upstream of the big winning opening 121 and close to the outside of the game area 23. This not only makes it difficult for players to notice game balls entering the outlet 124, but also allows players who focus on game balls entering the normal winning opening 123 to recognize that they almost never flow down to the outlet 114.

[0128] Also, during the special profit state, a big win performance is performed. FIG. 16 shows an example of a display image of the liquid crystal display means 58 in a big win round performance performed during a big win round. In the big win round performance, a launch direction notification image 166, a round number notification image 167, a number of acquired balls notification image 168, a big win performance image 169, etc. are displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58, but the number of acquired balls displayed in the acquired ball number notification image 168 is calculated by adding only the prize balls paid out based on the balls entering the big winning hole 121, and does not add the prize balls paid out based on the balls entering the normal winning hole 123. The number of prize balls in this normal winning hole 123 is one, and even if a ball enters, the launched game ball is returned as it is. If this is added to the number of acquired balls displayed in the acquired ball number notification image 168, the game balls acquired by the player will be displayed as more than they actually are, which is not appropriate.

[0129] When the special advantage state ends, the special game state starts. During the special game state (probability change state or time-saving state), the normal symbol will be in a winning state with a high probability (for example, 1 / 1.3), so if the game ball passes through the normal symbol start gate 106, the normal advantage state will occur with a high probability after the normal symbol changes, and the second start winning hole 115 will open for a long time (for example, 2 seconds x 3). Therefore, during this special game state, the player should continue to hit to the right, aiming at the right flow down area 77 side where the normal symbol start gate 106 and the second start winning hole 115 are located (right hitting period).

[0130] When a game ball enters the second start winning hole 115, the second special symbol is changed by the second special symbol display means 94, and in parallel with this, the decorative symbol 161 is changed by the decorative symbol display means 153 and the mini symbol 162 is changed by the mini symbol display means 154 on the liquid crystal display means 58 (see the example in FIG. 14 already described). Then, if a big win performance mode is established in the change of the decorative symbol 161 by the decorative symbol display means 153, a special advantage state occurs and the big winning hole 121 is opened according to a predetermined opening pattern.

[0131] In addition, a game ball that does not enter the second start winning hole 115 despite being hit to the right during a special game state will enter the out hole 124 or will flow down along the inclined surface 128 and then be guided by the game nail 70a and will enter the normal winning hole 123 with a high probability. Note that a game ball that flows down the inclined surface 128 may not enter the normal winning hole 123 because it is bounced off the game nail 70a, but even in that case, the game ball will flow down to the out hole 124 side without entering the first start winning hole 111 because the game nails (third blocking portion) 70b prevent the game ball from moving toward the first start winning hole 111 side.

[0132] The number of prize balls is set to one for the winning holes on the right flow-down area 77 side into which game balls can enter during the special game state, i.e., the second start winning hole 115 and the normal winning hole 123 (FIG. 11). As a result, the number of prize balls obtained during the special game state does not exceed the number of balls shot. That is, during the special game state in which the opening and closing pattern of the second start winning hole 115 is the extended opening pattern, the value obtained by dividing the number of game balls obtained by the number of game balls shot does not exceed 1 (that is, the number of prize balls is greater than the number of game balls shot), so it is possible to limit the number of prize balls during the special game state so that it does not exceed the number of game balls shot. In other words, since the number of balls shot per minute is limited by the rules to not exceed 100, it is easily possible to limit the total number of prize balls during the special game state so that it does not exceed 100.

[0133] As described above, the pachinko machine of this embodiment includes a liquid crystal display means (image display means) 58 capable of displaying images, a central display frame unit (front structure) 52 arranged in the game area 23 and having a display window 74 for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front side, a launching means 17 capable of launching game balls toward the game area 23, a plurality of winning holes arranged in the game area 23 and including start winning holes 111, 115, a large winning hole (special variable winning hole) 121, and normal winning holes 101, 102, 123, and a plurality of winning holes arranged in the game area 23. 23, a decorative pattern display means (pattern display means) 153 capable of variably displaying decorative patterns (patterns) 161a to 161c by a liquid crystal display means 58 based on the entry of a game ball into a start winning hole 111, 115, and a profit state generating means for changing a large winning hole 121 from a closed state to an open state in which a game ball can enter when a stopped pattern after the variation by the decorative pattern display means 153 becomes a specific mode. The game ball flows down either the left flow area (A flow area) 76 on one side of the central display frame unit 52 or the right flow area (B flow area) 77 on the other side, and enters one of the multiple winning holes or enters the out hole and is discharged outside the game area 23. When the game ball enters one of the multiple winning holes, a predetermined number of prize balls (a predetermined number of prize balls) determined for each winning hole is awarded. The start winning hole includes the first start winning hole 111 located below the central display frame unit 52, and the normal winning hole is the left flow winning hole. The lower area 76 includes a plurality of normal winning ports (A normal winning ports) 101, 102, and the left flow-down area 76 is provided with an A branching section 130a that branches into a plurality of routes including a first route (A first route) 133 and a second route (A second route) 134. A game ball that flows down to the first route 133 side at the A branching section 130a can enter the first start winning port 111 and the normal winning ports 101, 102, and a game ball that flows down to the second route 134 side at the A branching section 130a has difficulty or cannot enter the first start winning port 111 and cannot enter the normal winning ports 101,A game ball that can enter the first start winning hole 111 and flows down to the vicinity of the first start winning hole 111 via the first path 133 but misses entering the first start winning hole 111 enters the out hole 114 without entering any other winning hole, and when the game ball flows down the left flow-down area 76, the winning rate for the first start winning hole 111 is made higher than the sum of the winning rates for the multiple regular winning holes 101, 102, and the number of winning balls for the first start winning hole 111 is made lower than the maximum number of winning balls for the multiple regular winning holes 101, 102.

[0134] In addition, in the right flow-down area 77, a large prize opening 121, a second start prize opening 115 among the start prize openings, and a regular prize opening (B regular prize opening) 123 among the regular prize openings are provided, and the regular prize opening 123 is disposed downstream of the large prize opening 121, so that when the large prize opening 121 is in a closed state, it is easier for a ball to enter the regular prize opening 123 than when it is in an open state, and when a game ball flows down the right flow-down area 77, a game ball that passes through the large prize opening 121 without entering the large prize opening 121 will not enter the regular prize opening 123. The percentage of balls that enter the normal winning port 123 is higher than the percentage of balls that enter the out port 114 downstream, and when game balls flow down the left flow down area 76, the percentage of balls that enter the out ports 103, 114 without entering either the first start winning port 111 or the normal winning ports 101, 102 is higher than the percentage of balls that enter either the first start winning port 111 or the normal winning ports 101, 102, so that the number of winning balls related to the normal winning ports 101, 102 is greater than the number of winning balls related to the normal winning port 123.

[0135] In addition, when a game ball flows down the right flow area 77, the probability of the ball entering either the second start winning port 115 or the regular winning port 123 is higher than the probability of the ball entering either the first start winning port 111 or the regular winning port 101, 102 when the game ball flows down the left flow area 76, and the number of winning balls for the second start winning port 115 and the regular winning port 123 is set to 1.

[0136] The game board 16 is also provided with a liquid crystal display means 58 having a display screen 58a capable of displaying images, a fixed decorative means (decorative member) 60, and a movable body 141 capable of moving between an origin position and a performance position in front of the display screen 58a. LEDs (light-emitting bodies) are arranged on at least a portion of each of the fixed decorative means 60 and the movable body 141. The area of ​​the display screen 58a that is visible when viewed from the front is defined as the display area, and the area other than the display area that can be illuminated by the LED is defined as the light-emitting area. When the movable body 141 is in the origin position, the display area is wider than the light-emitting area, and when the movable body 141 moves from the origin position to the performance position, the overlapping area between the display screen 58a and the movable body 141 in front of it widens, so that the light-emitting area is wider than the display area. However, images are displayed by the liquid crystal display means 58 on the display screen 58a including the overlapping area.

[0137] The LEDs include LEDs (first light emitters) 144a, 146a, 148a, 150a, and 152a that emit light substantially forward, and LED (second light emitter) 83a that emits light in a specific direction different from the above. The light transmittance of the light guide plate (second light receiving portion) 82 that receives light from the second light emitter is higher than that of the decorative surface (first light receiving portion) 145, 147, 149, and 151 that receives light from the first light emitters.

[0138] The game machine further includes a decorative pattern display means 153 capable of variably displaying a decorative pattern 161 by the liquid crystal display means 58 based on the establishment of a predetermined pattern start condition, and the decorative pattern display means 153 varies three decorative patterns 161, namely, a left decorative pattern (first decorative pattern) 161a, a right decorative pattern (second decorative pattern) 161b, and a center decorative pattern (third decorative pattern) 161c, so as to generate a profitable state advantageous to the player when the left, right, and center decorative patterns 161a to 161c stop in a predetermined combination. The game machine is switchable to a plurality of game modes including first to third game modes. In the first game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c vary in a decorative display mode in which both the main body portion (number portion) 164 and the decorative portion 165 are displayed, and in the second game mode, all of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c vary in a decorative display mode in which both the main body portion 164 and the decorative portion 165 are displayed. In the third game mode, of the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, the middle decorative pattern 161c which is the last to stop changes in a non-decorative display mode, but the other left decorative pattern 161a and right decorative pattern 161b change in a decorative display mode. In the third game mode, when the right decorative pattern 161b and the left decorative pattern 161a which change at both ends of the display screen 58a are stopped and displayed, the decorative portion 165 can be displayed in a state where it is partially invisible when viewed from the front, but the main body 164 can be displayed in a state where it is entirely visible when viewed from the front. In any of the first to third game modes, when the decorative patterns 161a to 161c stop in a predetermined combination, all of those decorative patterns 161a to 161c can be displayed in a non-decorative display mode.

[0139] In addition, in the third game mode, when the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b stop and enter into a reach state, the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b are reduced in size and / or moved, and the changing middle decorative pattern 161c is enlarged and displayed.

[0140] In addition, the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b in the third game mode are displayed in a larger area than the left decorative pattern 161a and the right decorative pattern 161b in the first game mode, and the middle decorative pattern 161c in the third game mode is displayed in a smaller area than the middle decorative pattern 161c in the first game mode.

[0141] The game board 16 also has a liquid crystal display means 58. The game board 16 is equipped with a transparent base plate (base plate) 45 arranged in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, a central display frame unit (front structure) 52 attached to the transparent base plate 45 and having a display window 74 for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front, and a movable body 141 arranged between the transparent base plate 45 and the liquid crystal display means 58. Of the entire area of ​​the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58, the non-visible display area that is not visible or difficult to view from the front because the movable body 141 and other specified parts on the game board 16 overlap on the front side is wider at the top and bottom ends of the display screen 58a than at the left and right ends.

[0142] In addition, a preview performance image (performance image) 172 including the first character information and the second character information can be displayed in a first mode and a second mode that is an enlarged version of the first mode. When the preview performance image 172 is displayed in the first mode, a portion of the first character information or the second character information is displayed in a non-visual display area or is displayed so as to extend outside the display screen, but the contents of the first character information and the second character information are made identifiable. When the preview performance image 172 is displayed in the second mode, an area larger than the portion of the first character information or the second character information in the first mode is displayed in a non-visual display area or is displayed so as to extend outside the display screen, so that one of the first character information and the second character information is difficult or impossible to distinguish, and the other is made identifiable.

[0143] The game board 16 also includes a liquid crystal display means 58, a launching means 17 capable of launching game balls toward a game area 23 formed on the front side of the game board 16, a plurality of winning holes including start winning holes 111, 115 arranged in the game area 23, one or more outlet holes 103, 114, 124 arranged in the game area 23, a decorative pattern display means 153 capable of variably displaying decorative patterns 161a to 161c by the liquid crystal display means 58 based on the entry of game balls into the start winning holes 111, 115, and an advantage state generating means for generating an advantage state advantageous to a player when the stopped pattern after the variation by the decorative pattern display means 153 becomes a specific mode. The game machine includes a transparent base plate 45 arranged in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, a central display frame unit (front structure) 52 arranged in the game area 23 in the transparent base plate 45 and having a display window 74 for viewing the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58 from the front side, and a fixed decoration means (light-emitting decoration member) 60 arranged on the rear side of the transparent base plate 45 and emitting light by LEDs. A game ball that is launched by the launching means 17 and enters the upper part of the game area 23 flows down either a left flow-down area (A flow-down area) 76 on one side of the central display frame unit 52 or a right flow-down area (B flow-down area) 77 on the other side, and enters one of a plurality of winning holes or exits 103, 114,124 and is discharged outside the game area 23, and the central display frame unit 52 is provided with a warp ball entrance (predetermined ball entrance) 78 through which the game ball flowing down the left flow-down area 76 can enter, a stage guide passage (guide passage) 79 for guiding the game ball that entered the warp ball entrance 78, and a stage 73 for allowing the game ball guided by the stage guide passage 79 to roll freely left and right and then flow down to the lower side, and the area upstream of the warp ball entrance 78 in the left flow-down area 76 overlaps with the fixed decoration means 60 more widely than the area overlapping with the display screen 58a of the liquid crystal display means 58, and the stage guide passage 79 and the stage 73 are formed transparently, and at least a part of the stage guide passage 79 is arranged to overlap the front side of the display screen 58a, In the area corresponding to the stage guide passage 79 and the stage 73 in a plan view, the area that does not overlap with the display screen 58a is wider than the area that overlaps with it, the stage 73 is provided with a blocking wall (first blocking section) 81 that blocks the movement of game balls toward the right flow-down area 77, and below the blocking wall 81, game nails 70b (second blocking section) that block the movement of game balls that flow down from the stage 73 toward the right flow-down area 77 are provided, and game nails 70b (third blocking section) that block game balls that flow down the right flow-down area 77 from entering the first start winning hole 111 below the stage 73 are provided, the left flow-down area 76 is wider in the direction in which the game balls flow down than the right flow-down area 77, and the left flow-down area 76 has more branching points that branch off the direction in which the game balls travel than the right flow-down area 77.

[0144] In addition, mini patterns (small patterns) 162 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display means 58 in response to the change in the decorative patterns 161a to 161c, and the decorative patterns 161a to 161c can change with at least the main body portion 164 of the main body portion (number portion) 164 and the decorative portion 165 displayed, and in the entire area of ​​the display screen 58a, the area that overlaps with the stage guide passage 79 when viewed from the front can display a part of the changing decorative patterns 161a to 161c, but the main body portion 164 and mini patterns 162 in the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are not displayed.

[0145] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the outlet 124 on the right flow-down area 77 side is arranged upstream of the large prize opening 121 to make it difficult for the player to notice the game ball entering the outlet 124, but the outlet 124 may be arranged downstream of the large prize opening 121 and adjacent to the upstream or downstream side of the normal prize opening 123. Also, the outlets may be arranged upstream of the normal prize opening 123 and upstream of the large prize opening 121, respectively.

[0146] Three or more regular winning ports may be arranged on the left flow-down area 76 side, and two or more regular winning ports may be arranged on the right flow-down area 77 side. The number of winning balls in the multiple regular winning ports on the left flow-down area 76 side may be different. The position of the outlet 103 on the left flow-down area 76 side is arbitrary, and it may be arranged between multiple regular winning ports. Multiple outlets may also be arranged on the left flow-down area 76 side.

[0147] In the embodiment, the movable body 141 is configured such that, when the movable body 141 is in the lower position (performance position), the non-translucent first sub movable part 141b and the second sub movable part 141c are arranged above and below the base movable part 141a, that is, non-translucent areas that do not have translucency (or have extremely low translucency) are arranged above and below the translucent area corresponding to the LED 144a. However, a non-translucent area that does not have translucency (or has extremely low translucency) may be arranged around the translucent area corresponding to the LED 144a so as to surround the translucent area. As a result, when the movable body 141 is in the lower position (performance position) in front of the display screen 58a and the LED 144a is turned on, a non-translucent area is present around the translucent area that emits light, and it is possible to prevent the light-emitting part (translucent area) of the movable body 141 from becoming difficult to see due to the light from the display screen 58a.

[0148] In the embodiment, an example was shown in which the movable body 141, which was in a state of being invisible (or difficult to see) from the front side at the origin position because it was hidden behind the upper fixed decorative means 60a, etc., becomes visible from the front side by moving to a performance position in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, thereby reducing the display area and expanding the light-emitting area, but it may be configured such that when the movable body 141 is in the origin position, the light-emitting part by the LED 144a is hidden by a predetermined member on the movable body 141 and cannot be seen from the front side, and when the movable body 141 moves to a performance position in front of the liquid crystal display means 58, the movable body 141 is deformed or the position of the predetermined member changes so that the light-emitting part by the LED 144a becomes visible from the front side. A plurality of movable bodies may be arranged on the game board.

[0149] In the embodiment, the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are arranged in the left-right direction (left, right, center), but a game mode in which the decorative patterns 161a to 161c are arranged in a direction other than the left-right direction, for example, in a vertical direction (up, down, center), may be provided. Also, the decorative portion 165 has the same display mode in the first game mode and the third game mode, but the size is different, but the decorative portion may have a different display mode in each mode.

[0150] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, but can also be implemented in other gaming machines such as arrange ball machines and mahjong ball gaming machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0151] 17 Launch means 23 Gaming sector 52 Central display frame unit (front structure) 58 Liquid crystal display means (image display means) 74 Display window 76 Left lower flow area (lower flow area) 77 Right stream lower area (Otsu stream lower area) 101 Regular Prize Winning Gate (Class A Regular Prize Winning Gate) 102 Regular Prize Winning Gate (Class A Regular Prize Winning Gate) 103 Outlet 111 First start winning slot 114 Outlet 115 2nd Start Winning Slot 121 Large prize slot (special variable prize slot) 123 Regular Winning Entrance (B Regular Winning Entrance) 124 Outlet 130a Junction 133 Route 1 134 Route 2 153 Decorative pattern display means (pattern display means)

Claims

[Claim 1] An image display means capable of displaying an image; a front structure disposed within the game area and having a display window for viewing the display screen of the image display means from the front side; A launching means capable of launching a game ball toward the game area; A plurality of winning holes are arranged in the game area, the winning holes including a starting winning hole, a special variable winning hole, and a normal winning hole; A plurality of outlets disposed within the play area; A symbol display means for displaying a symbol by the image display means based on the entry of a game ball into the start winning hole; and a profit state generating means for changing the special variable winning hole of the operation type from a closed state to an open state in which a game ball can enter when the stopped pattern after the change by the pattern display means becomes a specific pattern, The game ball that is launched by the launching means and enters the upper part of the game area flows down either the A flow-down area on one side of the front structure or the B flow-down area on the other side, and enters one of the plurality of winning holes or enters the out hole and is discharged outside the game area, When a game ball enters any one of the plurality of winning holes, a predetermined number of prize balls is awarded for each of the winning holes. In the gaming machine, The starting winning opening includes a non-operating first starting winning opening arranged under the front structure, and an operating second starting winning opening that can be changed between an open state where a game ball can enter and a closed state where a game ball cannot enter or where a game ball is more difficult to enter than in the open state; The normal winning port includes a plurality of A normal winning ports arranged in the A flow area, The special variable winning port, the second start winning port, and the B normal winning port among the normal winning ports are provided in the B flow area, A branching section is provided in the downstream area of ​​the first flow path, the branching section being branched into a plurality of paths including a first path and a second path, The game ball that flows down to the A first path side at the A branching portion can enter the first start winning hole and the A normal winning hole, The game ball that flows down to the A second path side at the A branching part is difficult or impossible to enter the first start winning hole, but can enter the A normal winning hole, When the game ball flows down the A flow-down area, the winning rate for the first start winning port is made higher than the sum of the winning rates for the plurality of A normal winning ports; The number of prize balls for the first start winning port is made smaller than the maximum number of prize balls for the plurality of A normal winning ports; The plurality of outlets include a first outlet arranged in the vicinity of the A normal winning port, a second outlet arranged downstream of the first outlet, and a third outlet arranged in the B downstream area, A game ball that has flowed down the B flow area without entering the third out hole and the special variable winning hole is prevented from entering the first start winning hole without being prevented from entering the B normal winning hole, The A flow-down area is wider in the flow-down direction of the game ball than the B flow-down area, The A-flow area has more branching points that branch the direction of travel of the game ball than the B-flow area, The average time required for a game ball to flow down the A flow area is made longer than the average time required for a game ball to flow down the B flow area. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images