Pachinko machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preventing decline in a player's interest in a performance.SOLUTION: Performance control means can execute, in a prescribed period, a CZ transfer suggestion performance at any one of normal timing and delay timing after the normal timing. The CZ transfer suggestion performance includes a low expectation degree performance to be executed at a first probability and a high expectation degree performance to be executed at a second probability. In a case where the CZ transfer suggestion performance to be executed at least at the normal timing is the high expectation degree performance, a probability to be transferred to the CZ state is higher than that in a case where it is the low expectation degree performance. A rate of a probability to be executed at the delay timing out of the first probability is a first rate (approximately 5.0% in a precursor and approximately 18.0% in the CZ transfer), and a rate of a probability to be executed at the delay timing out of the second probability is a second rate (0% in the precursor and approximately 4.5% in the CZ transfer), where the first rate is larger than the second rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotary gaming machine, slot machine) having a plurality of reels with symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface has been known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and conducts a game to obtain such gaming media. In addition, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon the player's rotation start operation, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon the player's stop operation. The result of the game is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in the state where the plurality of reels have stopped, and payouts such as medals are made according to the result of the game.

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in recent years, in gaming machines, it has been required to improve the player's interest in the effects by using various effects. In such gaming machines, the sense of expectation regarding the granting of privileges is configured to differ depending on the effects executed. Here, when a so-called reversal effect such as that of the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be executable for a plurality of effects with different senses of expectation, if the occurrence frequencies are configured to be approximately the same, the player may feel a sense of discomfort with respect to the content of the executed effect, and the player's interest in the effect may decrease.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing a decrease in the player's interest in the effect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes a plurality of reels, internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery, auxiliary game control means for controlling an auxiliary game, effect control means for controlling an effect related to the game, display means for displaying a performance; and is provided with the auxiliary game control means is capable of granting a predetermined privilege, the effect control means is capable of executing a specific effect as an effect related to the granting of the predetermined privilege, the effect control means, within a predetermined period, first timing, and after the first timing, second is capable of executing the specific effect at either one of the timings, the specific effect includes a first effect executed with a first probability and a second effect executed with a second probability, a first specific performance including the above, a second specific performance; and is included, at least when the specific effect executed at the first timing is the second effect, the probability of granting the predetermined privilege is higher than when it is the first effect, among the first probabilities, the secondThe percentage of the probability that the timing is executed is the first percentage, Among the second probabilities, second The proportion of the probability that the timing is executed is the second proportion, The first ratio is greater than the second ratio. such as the performance control means can execute the second specific performance in parallel with the first specific performance within the predetermined period; the second specific performance is a performance to be displayed on the display means; the second specific performance is completed before the second timing; It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a gaming machine can be provided that can prevent a player's interest in the presentation from declining. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Outline of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called rotary drum type gaming machine. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to set game values in an input state based on an input signal output from a game value management device (dedicated unit) having a configuration capable of recording the total number of game values that can be used by a player for gaming by an electromagnetic method. When paying out game values, a payout signal is output to the game value management device, and the game value management device is configured to record, by an electromagnetic method, game values corresponding to the payout signal on a predetermined recording medium (for example, a medal card capable of storing data related to game values). It is composed of a so-called medal-less gaming machine.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) composed of left reels R1 to right reels R3 as a plurality of reels housed in a box-shaped housing composed of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. Further, a control board that mounts a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment.

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

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided so as to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is provided with a display device 330 as a display means for performing an effect composed of various videos and images for assisting the game and livening up the game. Further, the display device 330 has a transmissive region 330a facing the left reel R1 to right reel R3 and is composed of a transmissive liquid crystal display, and is configured to be able to observe the rotation state and stop state of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 through the display device 330. In the stopped state of the left reel R1 to right reel R3, among the plurality of types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel R1 to right reel R3, three symbols (upper-stage symbol, middle-stage symbol, lower-stage symbol) arranged continuously on the outer peripheral surface can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display device 330.

[0015] Further, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, upper, middle, and lower stages are provided for each reel as display positions for observing symbols through the display device 330, and an effective line L1 is set for the effective lines formed by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the total number of game values required for one game, so-called specified input numbers, are set to 3 in any game state, and when the game values corresponding to the specified input numbers are set to the input state, the effective line L1 formed by the middle stages of the left reel R1 to right reel R3 is activated.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019] In the game information display unit DS, when the specified number of medals is inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a notification display, which is a display corresponding to a winning combination command that is a control signal created based on the winning information of the winning combination in this game, is displayed. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop after the notification display is shown, the notification display ends and the number of medals paid out or won is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the game information display unit DS lights up and goes out in a display mode according to the winning combination command.

[0020] Also, on the game information display unit DS, there is a dot of a 7-segment display, and an interval notification unit that lights up when the advantageous interval is started by the AT control means 200 (see FIG. 2) described later and the winning of a minor combination is assisted so that the expected value of medal acquisition becomes 1 or more is provided.

[0021] The credit number display unit CD consists of an LED, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays the number of game values (credit numbers) corresponding to the amount of money input by the player into the game value management device. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to credit game values corresponding to a maximum of 16,368 medals. For this reason, the credit number display unit CD is configured to be able to display 5-digit numbers. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, in the slot machine 1, a counting button BC is arranged near the credit number display unit CD.

[0022] Also, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of acoustic devices 340 for performing effects using sound are provided on the front lower door DD. Various sounds for assisting the game or livening up the game are output from the acoustic device 340.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment. The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is controlled by a game control means 10 as a control board. The game control means 10 receives input signals from input means such as a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260 as a plurality of operation detection means, performs various calculations for executing a game, and based on the calculation results, controls the operations of output means such as an effect device 300, a reel unit 310, a game information display unit DS, and a credit number display unit CD.

[0024] Further, the game control means 10 includes a setting change means 100, a credit reception means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a winning determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, an effect control means 180, a storage means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each means constituting the game control means 10 reads and executes each control program stored in advance in the storage means 190 when executing each control process.

[0025] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) for changing the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 192 of the storage means 190. The setting change means 100, in a state where the setting change permission switch 250 is in an ON state and setting change is permitted, each time it receives an input signal output from the setting change switch 260 provided in the power supply device, cyclically varies the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ··· → setting 6 → setting 1 → ···, and determines the setting value based on receiving a start signal output from the start switch 230 when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, according to the setting value determined in the setting value storage means 192, the winning probability of a part of the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed. That is, the setting change means 100 is configured to be able to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the winning probability of a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0026] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to be initialized. The game state is set to a non-replay time (hereinafter, the replay time is also referred to as "RT") state described later. Regarding the control related to the auxiliary game that the AT control means 200 executed before the setting change, it is also configured to be initialized and a normal section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the game control means 10 is cut off (power failure) and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are configured to resume from the state before the power failure. Regarding the control related to the auxiliary game that the AT control means 200 executed before the power failure, it is also configured to maintain the state before the power failure.

[0027] When the input reception means 105 receives an input signal output from the dedicated unit within the input reception period for receiving the input of game values, and when a bet operation is executed in a state where game values are credited in the credit number storage means 191 and the max bet button MB is pressed and the bet switch 220 is activated, the input reception means 105 sets the credited game values to the input state within the limit of the specified input number (3 sheets). Based on the fact that the game values corresponding to the specified input number are set to the input state, the input reception means 105 performs a process of enabling the game start operation on the start lever SL.

[0028] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL enabled based on the input of game values corresponding to the specified input number is received as the game start operation by the player. It serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and also serves as an opportunity for the internal lottery means 120 described later to execute an internal lottery.

[0029] The random number generation means 110 is means for generating a random number for lottery. In the present embodiment, the "random number" includes not only a value that randomly occurs in a mathematical sense, but also a value that can function as a random number substantially because the acquisition timing or the like is irregular even though the generation itself is regular.

[0030] The internal lottery means 120 is means for performing an internal lottery to determine the winning or losing of a combination based on a start signal output when a player executes a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs a lottery table selection process, a random number determination process, a lottery flag setting process, and the like.

[0031] In the lottery table selection process, based on the current game state, it is selected which internal lottery table among a plurality of internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 193 of the storage means 190 is used for the internal lottery. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replay, small combination, and bonus, and non-winning (losing) are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535).

[0032] In the following description, "bonus" means a combination that activates a special device or a special device continuous operation device by winning, "activation of the bonus" means that the bonus wins and activates the special device or the special device continuous operation device, and "bonus state" means a state in which the special device or the special device continuous operation device is activated.

[0033] In the random number determination process, based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, the random number (lottery random number) generated by the random number generation means 110 for each game is acquired, and the acquired random number is compared with the internal lottery table selected in the lottery table selection process, and it is determined whether or not the combination has won based on the comparison result.

[0034] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from the non-established state (the first flag state, OFF state) to the established state (the second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when two or more types of winning combinations overlap, the lottery flags corresponding to each of the two or more overlapping winning combinations are set to the established state. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, there are a lottery flag (carry-over possible flag) that can carry over the established state to subsequent games until winning, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to the non-established state without carrying over the established state to subsequent games regardless of winning. Further, the setting information of the lottery flag is stored in the lottery flag storage means 194 of the storage means 190.

[0035] Based on the start signal being output from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player executes a start operation on the start lever SL, the reel control means 130 starts the rotational drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and executes reel rotation control for controlling the rotation mode of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Further, when the rotation states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reach a steady rotation state at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 executes control to enable the stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to the respective reels are pressed. Then, when a reel stop signal is output from the stop switch 240 that has detected a stop operation, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that has detected the stop operation.

[0036] In the following description, regarding the start of the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by the reel control means 130 and the player pressing the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first press is also described as the first stop operation, the second press as the second stop operation, and the third press as the third stop operation.

[0037] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, until 190 ms, which is a predetermined period, has elapsed from the time when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed (the time when the stop switch 240 detects a stop operation), the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped, and it is configured such that the reel can rotate up to 4 frames from the time when the stop button is pressed until it stops.

[0038] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time when the stop button is pressed to 4 frames of rotation are within the range (drawing range) where the symbol can be drawn on the active line L1.

[0039] The reel control means 130 performs a drawing process for stopping the rotating reel so that the roles for which the lottery flag is set to the established state can be won as much as possible when executing the reel stop control, and a kicking process for stopping the rotating reel so that the roles for which the lottery flag is set to the non-established state cannot be won, and a logic operation process for obtaining the stop position of the rotating reel based on the preset priority order by a logic operation including these, and a table reference process for determining the stop position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 195 of the storage means 190, and stops the rotating reel to display a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, also referred to as "stop display" for stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1).

[0040] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when multiple types of minor winning combinations are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of the candidates for the stop positions: a method of determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line L1 (number priority control), and a method of determining the priority according to the number of payouts of the game value based on the payouts predetermined for the minor winning combinations (number of medals priority control). However, when performing the number of medals priority control, if the same minor winning combination with the same payout wins repeatedly, the priorities of the candidates for the stop positions that can award each minor winning combination are treated as the same.

[0041] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process for determining whether or not a winning combination has won based on the stop states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the winning determination table stored in the winning determination table storage means 196 of the storage means 190, it is determined whether the symbol combination displayed on the effective line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped is in the form of a winning combination of a predetermined winning combination. And a winning determination table is prepared so that the presence or absence of winning of a bonus, replay, or minor winning combination can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "winning determination") based on the symbol combination displayed on the effective line L1 in the state where each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combination indicating the winning form of the winning combination is also referred to as the "winning symbol combination".

[0042] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, each process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140 in the winning determination process. As each process executed based on the determination result of the winning combination, for example, when a minor winning combination wins, a process of determining the number of medals to be paid out by the payout control means 150 is performed; when a replay wins, a process of causing the replay processing means 160 to execute without consuming medals in the next game is performed; and when a winning combination that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus wins, a process of causing the game state transition control means 170 to transition the game state is performed.

[0043] The payout control means 150 performs a payout process for the payout of the game value according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination is won, the payout amount of the game value in the game is determined based on the payout amount predetermined for each combination, and a value corresponding to the determined payout amount is added to the credit amount storage means 191, thereby performing a control to virtually pay out the game value.

[0044] When the winning determination means 140 determines that a symbol combination indicating a winning replay among a plurality of types of replay roles described later is stopped and displayed on the pay line L1, and the replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs a replay process (replay process) for setting the next game to a ready state in which the game can be executed without inserting medals. That is, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed for automatically setting the game value of a specified insertion number to an insertion state without using the credited game value stored in the credit number storage means 191, and the slot machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL in a state in which the same pay line L1 as the previous game is set.

[0045] The game state transition control means 170 performs a process of transitioning the game state between a plurality of game states, and a process related to the activation and termination of a bonus. Here, the transition condition for each game state may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the establishment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or the establishment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0046] The effect control means 180 performs control related to effects for the game, such as image and video effects using the display device 330 as an effect display device, and sound effects using the sound device 340, based on the effect data stored in the effect control data storage means 197. Specifically, when the player operates each component of the slot machine 1, such as inserting medals, pressing the max bet button MB, start lever SL, or stop buttons B1 to B3, or when a game event occurs, such as a change in the game state, the effect control means 180 performs control to light or blink lamps and LEDs, output sound from the sound device 340, and delay the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 when a start signal is output from the start switch 230. By executing effects such as these, the effect control means 180 performs execution control of effects that liven up the game or assist the game.

[0047] Also, the effect control means 180 causes each component constituting the effect device 300 to execute an effect based on each effect state. In the present embodiment, for each lottery process using a random number, the effect control means 180 acquires a random number from the random number storage area of the random number generation means 110 and executes each lottery process using the effect lottery table necessary for each lottery process from among a plurality of effect lottery tables stored in the effect control data storage means 197.

[0048] In the present embodiment, when the AT control means 200 executes winning assistance, the effect control means 180 executes a winning assistance effect that notifies the content notified by the winning assistance (for example, notification of the correct batting order when winning in the winning area "batting order bell 1") by an effect using the effect device 300.

[0049] The AT control means 200 performs control related to the transition between a favorable section (favorable period), which is a section (period) in which control related to an instruction function including a supplementary game capable of executing prize-winning assistance for winning of a specific role can be executed, and a normal section (non-favorable period, non-favorable section), which is a section (period) in which control related to a supplementary game (control related to an instruction function) based on the result of an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, using the data stored in the AT control data storage means 198, and constitutes supplementary game control means for performing control in the normal section, favorable section, and related to the supplementary game.

[0050] The AT control data storage means 198 stores data (various flags, counters, etc. set to an ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process) used in various controls related to a plurality of types of production states including the AT state and non-AT state executed within the favorable section.

[0051] The AT control means 200 sets the production state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions in the favorable section, and by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation order (correct hitting order) of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the winning of the specific role selected on the game information display unit DS, performs prize-winning assistance (correct hitting order notification) for assisting the winning of the specific role. Also, in the slot machine 1, when prize-winning assistance by the AT control means 200 is executed, a prize-winning assistance production for displaying an index corresponding to the correct hitting order on the display device 330 by the production control means 180 described later is executed. Thus, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, by notifying the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 by prize-winning assistance, a supplementary game (AT game, notification game) advantageous to the player is executed.

[0052] When a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous section, which will be described in more detail later, is satisfied, the AT control means 200 executes a predetermined end process for ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process for initializing various flags, numerical values, etc. set within the advantageous section and information regarding the advantageous section. Further, when the advantageous section is started and the prize assistance is executed such that the expected value of medal acquisition becomes 1 or more, the AT control means 200 lights up the section notification unit provided in the game information display unit DS. For this reason, even when the advantageous section is being started, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to turn off the section notification unit in an effect state where the prize assistance is not executed.

[0053] In a game in which the advantageous section has been started, each time one game is executed, the AT control means 200 adds the value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, to the value (stored value) stored in the first advantageous section counter 198a, and executes a game number update process for incrementally updating the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 198a cumulatively. Further, the AT control means 200 executes a difference number update process for cumulatively recording in the second advantageous section counter 198b the difference value (difference number of medals) obtained by subtracting the number of medals paid out from the number of medals inserted since the game in which the advantageous section was started.

[0054] When controlling the advantageous section, the AT control means 200 of the present embodiment executes, in any game state, a game number update process for cumulatively adding (updating) by the value "1", which is a value corresponding to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 198a each time one game is executed, and a difference number update process for cumulatively updating the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b with a value corresponding to the difference number of medals.

[0055] Here, in the difference count update process where the AT control means 200 updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b, when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b is subtracted due to the number of medals paid out in the game being less than the specified input number, and if the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b becomes less than the value "0", the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b is set to the value "0". Thereby, the AT control means 200 can fix the value when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b reaches the lowest point to the value "0". Therefore, in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b, it is not necessary to vary the value that becomes the determination threshold according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load of the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b can be reduced.

[0056] When a game of 1500 games is executed, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 198a becomes the value "0" as the first value or when the player acquires more than 2400 medals from the time when the most medals were consumed in the advantageous section, that is, when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b becomes the value "2401" from the time when it was the lowest value (the lowest point), the AT control means 200 determines that a specific end condition, which is a predetermined end condition for ending the advantageous section, is satisfied, and executes a predetermined end process for ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game.

[0057] In a predetermined initialization process, the AT control means 200 initializes all the information used in various control processes in the advantageous section, such as each flag set to the ON state in the advantageous section and the values set in the advantageous section. Note that the AT control means 200 can also end the advantageous section when a predetermined end condition (normal end condition) set in advance other than the specific end condition is satisfied, and executes the predetermined initialization process and the predetermined end process when the normal end condition is satisfied. Details of the normal end condition set by the AT control means 200 of the present embodiment will be described later.

[0058] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the present embodiment Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, details of each component included in the slot machine 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0059] <Winning area for internal lottery> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are the targets of the internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning roles associated with each winning area.

[0060] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a bonus, it has a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") as a bonus continuous operation device related to the first type of special accessory. Also, in the slot machine 1, as game state transition control means 170 controls the game state, there are a non-RT state as a general medium in which the RBB is not set in the established state and the RBB is not operating, a bonus established state as a bonus internal medium (internal medium) that is shifted to when the RBB is set in the established state and the established state of the RBB is maintained internally until the RBB operates, and a bonus state as a bonus operating state (operating) that is shifted to when the RBB operates and the RBB is operating.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as the winning areas that are the targets of the internal lottery, there are a winning area "all small roles", a winning area "all single-piece roles", a winning area "normal replay 1", a winning area "normal replay 2", a winning area "rare replay", winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12", a winning area "RBB & single-piece role", a winning area "RBB & rare role", and a winning area "RBB", and the numbers from winning number 1 to winning number 20 are respectively associated. Also, in the slot machine 1, winning number 0 is associated as a non-winning (losing) result of the internal lottery.

[0062] Here, the "order of pressing" means the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. Also, in the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed is also referred to as the "pressing timing".

[0063] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the order of pressing, which is the order of pressing the three stop buttons B1 to B3, is composed of six types of orders of pressing, namely, pressing order 1 to pressing order 6. Pressing order 1 is an order of pressing, so-called sequential pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3. Also, pressing order 2 is an order of pressing, so-called pincers pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2. Also, pressing order 3 is an order of pressing in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Also, pressing order 4 is an order of pressing in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Also, pressing order 5 is an order of pressing in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Also, pressing order 6 is an order of pressing, so-called reverse pressing, in which the stop operation is executed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0064] In the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, the winning or losing of each winning area is determined in the order from the winning area associated with the winning number 20 to the non-winning associated with the winning number 0.

[0065] In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as winning small roles that can be won in the internal lottery, it has bells A to F, single-coin roles A to C, and rare roles. As replays that can be won in the internal lottery, it has replay A, replay B, and rare replay. Each small role and each replay are associated with each winning area in the combination shown in FIG. 3 respectively.

[0066] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the slot machine 1, as winning areas including bonuses and minor winning combinations, winning areas "RBB & Single Combination" and "RBB & Rare Combination" are set, and as a winning area including only bonuses, winning area "RBB" is set.

[0067] In the slot machine 1, for the winning area "Rare Replay", the winning probability is set lower than that of the winning areas of other replays. Also, in the slot machine 1, for the winning area "RBB & Rare Combination", the winning probability is set lower than that of each winning area including the minor winning combinations of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" and the winning area "RBB & Single Combination".

[0068] Here, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as the combination to which the carry-over flag is associated, there is RBB, and the minor winning combination and replay are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when winning in a winning area including RBB in the internal lottery, the process of carrying over the establishment state of the lottery flag of the winning RBB until RBB wins is performed. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery for determining the success or failure of the minor winning combination and replay even in a game in which the establishment state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the establishment state of the lottery flag of RBB is carried over, when a minor winning combination or replay wins, lottery flags corresponding to two or more combinations including the lottery flag of the already winning RBB and the lottery flag of the minor winning combination or replay winning in the internal lottery are set to the established state.

[0069] <Internal Lottery Table> The slot machine 1 of this embodiment stores, in the internal lottery table storage means 193, an internal lottery table which is a lottery table used in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120, including an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the bonus established state (internal state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the bonus state (operating state) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C of the internal lottery table, the number of lottery values is associated with each winning area to be lottery-selected.

[0070] <Random number determination process> In the random number determination process of the internal lottery means 120 of this embodiment, the random number acquired from the random number generation means 110 is sequentially subtracted by the number of lottery values associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table acquired from the internal lottery table storage means 193. When the result of the subtraction becomes a negative value, it is determined that the winning area corresponding to the subtracted number of lottery values has been won. Also, when the result of the subtraction is a positive value when all the numbers of lottery values stored in the internal lottery table have been subtracted, the internal lottery means 120 determines that it is a non-winning situation where no winning has occurred for any combination.

[0071] Note that the random number generation means 110 of this embodiment is configured to be able to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535 as the random numbers used in the internal lottery. Also, in the internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning areas from "RBB" to "Normal replay 1" is 65,536, and in the internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values associated with the winning areas from "RBB & Rare combination" to "Normal replay 1" is 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery in the non-RT state or the bonus established state, it is configured to win for one of the combinations and not result in a non-winning situation.

[0072] <Bonus winning determination process> As described above, in the internal lottery means 120 of the present embodiment, lottery value numbers are set in the winning area "RBB & 1 - card combination" and the winning area "RBB & rare combination" in the bonus - established state. Therefore, in the internal lottery when the gaming state is the bonus - established state, since there is a possibility that RBB is elected again in a state where RBB has already been set to the established state in the internal lottery, in order not to set the newly - elected RBB to the established state, it is configured to execute a bonus - winning determination process for determining whether the winning area for which the success or failure is determined by the random number determination process is a winning area including a bonus.

[0073] In the bonus - winning determination process, when the internal lottery means 120 determines that the winning area including the bonus is the target for which the success or failure is determined by the random number determination process, if the winning area including the bonus is elected and the gaming state is the bonus - established state, it executes a process of skipping the process of setting the bonus to the established state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the established state when RBB has already been set to the established state.

[0074] <Details of the batting - order bell> In the present embodiment, in the winning areas "batting - order bell 1" to "batting - order bell 12", batting orders (correct batting orders) that enable winning of bell A to bell F when elected are respectively set.

[0075] For the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" and "Batting Order Bell 7", the correct batting order that enables Bell A to win is set to batting order 1. For the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 2" and "Batting Order Bell 8", the correct batting order that enables Bell B to win is set to batting order 2. For the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3" and "Batting Order Bell 9", the correct batting order that enables Bell C to win is set to batting order 3. For the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 4" and "Batting Order Bell 10", the correct batting order that enables Bell D to win is set to batting order 4. For the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 5" and "Batting Order Bell 11", the correct batting order that enables Bell E to win is set to batting order 5. For the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 6" and "Batting Order Bell 12", the correct batting order that enables Bell F to win is set to batting order 6. When Stop Buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a batting order different from the correct batting order set for each winning area among the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", there is a 1 / 2 probability that one Joker A or one Joker B wins, and there is a 1 / 2 probability that a combination of symbols different from any winning symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 as a miss (non-winning).

[0076] <Reel Control Means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in any gaming state, the priority order of the symbols to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is determined in the order of "Replay > Small Symbol > Bonus". That is, when a bonus and a small symbol or a bonus and a replay overlap and are selected, the reel control means 130 executes stop control to give priority to the small symbol or the replay over the bonus for winning.

[0077] <Payout of Small Symbols> The payouts for Bell A to Bell F are set to the number of payouts (15) that is more than the specified number of insertions (3). Also, the payouts for one Joker A to one Joker C and the rare symbol are set to the number of payouts (1) that is less than the specified number of insertions.

[0078] <Gaming State Transition Control Means> FIG. 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 of the present embodiment.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4(A), the non-RT state is a game state (initial game state, normal game state) corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and is a non-bonus state in which the bonus is not activated and established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table A in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3).

[0080] The bonus established state is a game state that transitions when winning in any of the winning areas "RBB", "RBB & 1-card combination", and "RBB & rare combination" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the RBB is set to the established state. In the bonus established state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table B in which the winning probability of replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (about 1 / 7.3).

[0081] The bonus state is a game state that is transitioned when the RBB wins and the RBB is activated. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether the end condition of the activated RBB is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out, and when more than a predetermined payout number (for example, 100 medals) is paid out, the bonus state is ended by ending the activation of the RBB, and the game state is transitioned to the non-RT state which is a non-bonus state. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with a winning area "all small winning combinations" that wins all small winning combinations of bells A to F, single-character winning combinations A to C, and rare winning combinations, and a winning area "all single-character winning combinations" that wins all small winning combinations in which the payouts of single-character winning combinations A to C and rare winning combinations are set to one.

[0083] The bonus state will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the bonus state where the internal lottery table C is selected, the probability of winning the winning area "all small winning combinations" or the winning area "all single-character winning combinations" is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small winning combinations in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B. That is, the probability of winning a small winning combination in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any small winning combination in a gaming state other than the bonus state. Further, in the internal lottery table C, the probability of winning the winning area "all small winning combinations" is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any one of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 6" and any one of the winning areas "batting order bell 7" to "batting order bell 12" in the internal lottery table A and the internal lottery table B.

[0084] Due to such a configuration, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that in the bonus state, the winning probability of all small winning combinations increases, and the winning probability of any small winning combination is also the same or increases, compared to the non-RT state where the bonus is not activated and the case where the bonus is established.

[0085] Further, the slot machine 1 is configured such that in the bonus state, the probability of winning the winning area "all small winning combinations" is lower than the probability of winning any of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12" (the winning probability obtained by summing the winning probabilities of the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12").

[0086] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of types of specific winning patterns (Bell A to Bell F) set with a payout higher than the number of game values required to start a game, and these do not overlap with each other and overlap and win with other minor winning patterns in a plurality of types of first specific winning modes (winning areas "Batter Bell 1" to "Batter Bell 6", winning areas "Batter Bell 7" to "Batter Bell 12"), and a second specific winning mode in which a plurality of types of specific minor winning patterns overlap and win (winning area "All Minor Winning Patterns"). The internal lottery means 120 is configured to perform an internal lottery so that a plurality of types of first specific winning modes exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and the bonus establishment state, and to perform an internal lottery so that the second specific winning mode exists in the bonus state. Also, in the slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning mode in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the plurality of types of first winning modes in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state, and the winning probability of each of all minor winning patterns in the internal lottery in the bonus state is configured to be equal to or higher than the winning probability of each of all minor winning patterns in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus establishment state.

[0087] Therefore, for the bonus state of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate is less than 100%.

[0088] Here, in the bonus established state, although it will be described in more detail later, when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", unless the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order composed of batting orders 1 to 6, bells A to F cannot be won. Therefore, the probability of winning any of bells A to F is limited to the case where the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be pressed in the correct batting order from six types of batting orders. On the other hand, when an AT game in which winning assistance is executed by the AT control means 200 described later is executed, when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", the correct batting order is notified by the winning assistance by the AT control means 200 and the winning assistance effect by the effect control means 180. Therefore, the probability of winning any of bells A to F can be increased up to six times at most compared to the case where winning assistance is not executed.

[0089] As described above, in the present embodiment, as a winning combination (specific combination) that pays out more medals than the specified number of inserted medals that win when the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order and the pressing timing of the first stop operation is appropriate, six types from bells A to F are set. And the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state is compressed to about 1 / 6 of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state. By configuring in this way, an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific combinations are won without overlapping each other in a game state other than the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific combinations are won overlappingly in the bonus state. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in the bonus state can be compressed to about 1 / N of the probability of obtaining a winning combination including a specific combination in a game state other than the bonus state. As a result, the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state can be lowered to less than 100%, and the medal acquisition performance regarding the AT game can be designed. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be dramatically improved.

[0090] <AT control means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of a normal section and an advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the present embodiment, and a production state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0091] As described above, the normal section is a period in which control related to the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. In the game within the normal section, the AT control means 200 executes an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the normal section and start the advantageous section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0092] In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 200 first acquires an advantageous section transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of the advantageous section" and "loss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 198. Then, the AT control means 200 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and determines whether to start the advantageous section based on the comparison result.

[0093] The AT control means 200 executes the advantageous section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area won in the internal lottery by the winning probability of "start of the advantageous section" in the advantageous section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0094] The AT control means 200 of the present embodiment is configured to execute the advantageous section lottery when winning in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the bonus establishment state in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12", the winning area "RBB & rare combination", the winning area "RBB & 1-card combination", the winning area "normal replay 1", and the winning area "rare replay", and not to execute the advantageous section lottery when winning in other winning areas. In addition, the AT control means 200 executes the advantageous section lottery with a high probability of about 1 / 1.5 of winning in "start of the advantageous section".

[0095] In the advantageous section, the AT control means 200 has, as states related to the instruction function (production states), a normal state, a CZ state, and an AT state. In the normal state, it is configured not to execute prize assistance for bells A to F when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12". In the CZ state and the AT state, it is configured to be able to execute prize assistance for bells A to F when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12". Also, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the staying ratio of the advantageous section in the entire game can be 70% or more.

[0096] The normal state is a production state (normal production state) corresponding to the normal state among a plurality of types of production states set when not transitioning to other production states. When the production state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 executes an increment update that adds the value "1" corresponding to 1 game to the non-AT game count counter (not shown) that counts the number of games in the normal state every time a game is executed. When the stored value of the non-AT game count counter becomes the value "700", the AT control means 200 determines that the transition condition to the CZ state is satisfied, and transitions the production state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0097] Also, the AT control means 200 executes a CZ lottery to determine whether to transition to the CZ state in each game in the normal state. In the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery that can win "transition to the CZ state" regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Also, in the CZ lottery, the AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table by referring to the winning area won in the internal lottery, and is configured such that the probability of winning "transition to the CZ state" changes depending on the winning area won in the internal lottery. The AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table that can win "transition to the CZ state" with a higher probability when winning in the winning area "RBB & Rare Combination" and when winning in the winning area "Rare Replay" than when winning in other winning areas.

[0098] The AT control means 200 conducts a lottery in the CZ lottery to determine either "transition to the CZ state" or "ineligible selection". When winning the "transition to the CZ state" in the CZ lottery, it determines that the CZ transition condition has been satisfied, and after a game of a predetermined number of game plays (for example, 5 games) is executed, the presentation state is shifted from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0099] In the CZ state, when winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12", the prize assistance for bells A to F is executed, which is a presentation state more advantageous for the player than the normal state.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the presentation control means 180 wins in the internal lottery in the CZ state in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12", and based on receiving information (selected role group information) capable of discriminating which winning area among the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" has been won due to the execution of the prize assistance by the AT control means 200, it executes a prize assistance presentation for notifying the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable bells A to F to be won.

[0101] The AT control means 200 sets a value (for example, 8 times) corresponding to a predetermined number of times for executing the prize assistance in the CZ auxiliary game count counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 198 at the start of the CZ state. Each time the AT control means 200 wins in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" and executes the prize assistance, it performs a decrement update for subtracting the stored value of the CZ auxiliary game count counter by a value "1" corresponding to one time.

[0102] The AT control means 200 is configured to execute a CZ mid-AT lottery that draws whether or not to determine a transition to the AT state in a game in which the CZ state has started. When winning the "transition to the AT state" in the CZ mid-AT lottery, the AT control means 200 shifts the production state from the CZ state to the AT state after 8 prize supplements have been executed since the start of the CZ state. On the other hand, when not winning the "transition to the AT state" in the CZ mid-AT lottery, the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state after 8 prize supplements have been executed since the start of the CZ state. When the AT control means 200 ends the CZ state in a state where the AT transition condition is not satisfied, it determines that the normal end condition among the end conditions of the advantageous section has been satisfied, and performs a predetermined initialization process that is a process of initializing information regarding the advantageous section, and a predetermined end process of ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game.

[0103] In the CZ mid-AT lottery, the AT control means 200 executes a lottery that can win the "transition to the AT state" regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Also, in the CZ mid-AT lottery, the AT control means 200 is configured such that the probability of winning the "transition to the AT state" varies depending on the winning area won in the internal lottery by obtaining a lottery table with reference to the winning area won in the internal lottery. The AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table that can win the "transition to the AT state" with a higher probability when winning the winning area "RBB & rare combination" or the winning area "rare replay" in the internal lottery than when winning other winning areas.

[0104] The AT state is a production state that is more advantageous for the player than the normal state by executing prize supplements for bells A to F when winning the winning areas from "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12".

[0105] In this embodiment, the effect control means 180 wins in the internal lottery in the AT state in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", and when the winning assistance by the AT control means 200 is executed, it receives information (selected role group information) that can determine which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" it has won in. Based on this, a winning assistance effect is executed to notify the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the bells A to F to win.

[0106] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (50 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of game plays in the AT game number counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 198 at the start of the AT state, and each time a game is executed, it performs a decrement update to subtract the stored value of the AT game number counter by a value "1" corresponding to 1 game.

[0107] Also, the AT control means 200 determines whether to add a value determined by lottery to the stored value of the AT game number counter when winning in the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 and when winning in the winning area "Rare Replay". By doing so, an additional lottery is executed to determine whether to add (overlay) the period during which the AT state continues, and when the value determined by the additional lottery is a value of 1 or more, an overlay process is executed to add the determined value to the AT game number counter.

[0108] When the stored value of the AT game number counter becomes the value "0" by the decrement update that the AT control means 200 executes each time a game is executed in the AT state, it determines that the end condition (AT end condition) of the AT state is satisfied, ends the AT state, determines that the normal end condition among the end conditions of the advantageous section is satisfied, and executes a predetermined initialization process that is a process of initializing the information regarding the advantageous section and a predetermined end process of ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game.

[0109] Further, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 198a reaches the value "1500" in the AT state and when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 198b exceeds the value "2400" in the AT state, the AT control means 200 also determines that the AT end condition is satisfied, ends the AT state, determines that the specific end condition among the end conditions of the advantageous section is satisfied, and executes a predetermined initialization process that is a process of initializing the information regarding the advantageous section, and a predetermined end process of ending the advantageous section and starting the normal section from the next game.

[0110] 3. Details of the effect in the normal state Next, details of the effect related to the transition to the CZ state executed by the effect control means 180 of the present embodiment when being controlled in the normal state by the AT control means 200 will be described.

[0111] <Suggestive effect for CZ transition> The effect control means 180 of the present embodiment is configured to display a predetermined icon within the display area of the display device 330 when being controlled in the normal state by the AT control means 200. The effect control means 180 is configured to be able to change the display mode of the predetermined icon according to the progress of the game.

[0112] Further, the effect control means 180 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute a CZ transition suggestive effect that suggests a transition to the CZ state when being controlled in the normal state by the AT control means 200. The effect control means 180 is configured to be able to execute a CZ transition suggestive effect lottery for determining whether to execute the CZ transition suggestive effect in a state where the transition to the CZ state has not been determined. Also, when "transition to the CZ state" is determined by the CZ lottery, the effect control means 180 is configured to be able to execute the CZ transition suggestive effect with a higher probability during the five games from when the CZ transition condition is satisfied until the transition to the CZ state than when the CZ transition condition is not satisfied. And, in a game that transitions from the normal state to the CZ state, the effect control means 180 is configured to execute the CZ transition suggestive effect with a higher probability than in other games in the normal state.

[0113] The CZ transition suggestion effect of this embodiment is composed of multiple types of effects. For each effect, since the probability of execution in a state where the transition to the CZ state is not determined is higher than that of other effect groups, the first effect group is composed of effects with the lowest expected degree of transition to the CZ state when the effects included in the group are executed. The second effect group is composed of effects with the highest expected degree of transition to the CZ state when the effects included in the group are executed, because the probability of execution in a state where the transition to the CZ state is not determined is lower than that of other effect groups. The third effect group is composed of effects with an expected degree of transition to the CZ state that is higher than that of the effects included in the first effect group and lower than that of the effects included in the second effect group, because the probability of execution in a state where the transition to the CZ state is not determined is lower than that of the effects included in the first effect group and higher than that of the effects included in the second effect group.

[0114] The first effect group includes low-expectation effects that display an effect composed of a color different from the default effect in the normal state displayed within the display area of the display device 330 while maintaining the display of the default effect. The second effect group includes high-expectation effects that display a predetermined icon that covers the default effect in the normal state displayed within the display area of the display device 330. The third effect group includes medium-expectation effects that cut in a predetermined character into the default effect in the normal state displayed within the display area of the display device 330.

[0115] In addition, the performance control means 180 is configured to be able to execute a chance suggestion performance that suggests that "transition to CZ state" has been determined in parallel when executing any of the low expectation performance, the medium expectation performance, and the high expectation performance. The chance suggestion performance is a performance that suggests that "transition to CZ state" has been determined by changing the display mode of a predetermined icon displayed on the display device 330 to a display mode specific to the chance suggestion performance (for example, changing the display color of the icon) at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate.

[0116] Furthermore, when executing any of the low expectation level performance, the medium expectation level performance, and the high expectation level performance, the performance control means 180 is configured to execute the performance either at the timing when the start lever SL is operated to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 as the normal timing, or at the timing when the stop button B1 to the stop button B3 are operated for the first stop as the delay timing, which is the timing after the normal timing.

[0117] The presentation control means 180 is configured to be capable of executing a warning sound presentation consisting of a sound that notifies the player that a presentation will be executed when the start lever SL is operated to start the presentation, regardless of whether a low expectation presentation, a medium expectation presentation, or a high expectation presentation is being executed.

[0118] <CZ移行示唆演出が実行される場合における演出の実行確率> Figure 5 is a diagram showing the execution probability of each effect when it is decided to execute a CZ transition suggestion effect, where Figure 5(A) is a diagram showing the execution probability of each effect executed between the time when "transition to CZ state" is decided in the CZ lottery and the time when the transition to the CZ state is made (premonition time), and Figure 5(B) is a diagram showing the execution probability of each effect executed during a game in which the transition to the CZ state is made (at the time of CZ transition) based on the decision of "transition to CZ state" in the CZ lottery.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), the low-expectation performance that does not execute the chance suggestion performance is configured such that the probability of execution is higher at the precursor time than at the time of CZ transition. On the other hand, the medium-expectation performance that does not execute the chance suggestion performance and the high-expectation performance that does not execute the chance suggestion performance are configured such that the probability of execution is higher at the time of CZ transition than at the precursor time.

[0120] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), in any of the low-expectation performance, medium-expectation performance, and high-expectation performance, the probability that the chance suggestion performance is not executed is higher than the probability that the chance suggestion performance is executed in parallel.

[0121] <Ratio of execution timing when the CZ transition suggestion performance is executed> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the ratio of the presence or absence of a warning sound and the execution timing (execution timing) when each performance is executed when the execution of the CZ transition performance is determined and the performance content to be executed is determined. FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing each ratio of the low-expectation performance in which the chance suggestion performance is not executed, FIG. 6(B) is a diagram showing each ratio of the low-expectation performance in which the chance suggestion performance is executed, FIG. 6(C) is a diagram showing each ratio of the medium-expectation performance in which the chance suggestion performance is not executed, FIG. 6(D) is a diagram showing each ratio of the medium-expectation performance in which the chance suggestion performance is executed, FIG. 6(E) is a diagram showing each ratio of the high-expectation performance in which the chance suggestion performance is not executed, and FIG. 6(F) is a diagram showing each ratio of the high-expectation performance in which the chance suggestion performance is executed.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 6(A), 6(C), and 6(E), when the chance suggestion performance is not executed, the performance control means 180 is configured such that, for any of the low-expectation performance, medium-expectation performance, and high-expectation performance, the ratio of execution at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating is larger than the timing when the first stop operation is executed, both at the precursor time and at the time of CZ transition.

[0123] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, since the normal timing is higher than the delay timing as the timing at which the CZ transition suggestion effect is executed, when the CZ transition suggestion effect is not executed at the normal timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start to rotate in the normal state, it is possible to make the player expect that the transition to the CZ state will not occur and temporarily reduce the player's expectation, and by executing the CZ transition suggestion effect at the delay timing when the first stop operation is executed, it is possible to reverse the decrease in the expectation and greatly increase the player's expectation from the state where the player's expectation for the transition to the CZ state has been once reduced.

[0124] Also, as shown in FIGS. 6(A), 6(C), and 6(E), when the chance suggestion effect is not executed and the CZ transition suggestion effect without a warning sound is executed at the timing when the first stop operation is executed, the execution ratio is as follows: in the case of the premonition, the low-expectation effect is about 5.0% of the execution probability of about 1 / 1.6, the medium-expectation effect is about 4.5% of the execution probability of about 1 / 4.2, and the high-expectation effect is 0% of the execution probability of about 1 / 33.4; in the case of the CZ transition, the low-expectation effect is about 18.0% of the execution probability of about 1 / 2.5, the medium-expectation effect is about 6.0% of the execution probability of about 1 / 3.8, and the high-expectation effect is 4.5% of the execution probability of about 1 / 14.3. In both the premonition and the CZ transition, the execution ratio when the execution is determined is configured to increase in the order of the low-expectation effect > the medium-expectation effect > the high-expectation effect.

[0125] As described above, in the slot machine 1, for the high-expectation performance, when it is executed, it is configured as a performance with a higher expectation level of shifting to the CZ state or having the shift to the CZ state determined at the time of execution than other CZ shift suggestion performances. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, if the ratio at which the high-expectation performance is executed at the delay timing is set to the same ratio as the ratio at which the low-expectation performance is executed at the delay timing, the high-expectation performance is not executed at the normal timing and is executed at the delay timing, so that even though the shift to the CZ state has already been determined, the player may have a sense of distrust in the performance and the player's interest in the performance may decrease because the sense of expectation has been reduced once.

[0126] On the other hand, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that, for the ratio of executing the CZ shift suggestion performance at the delay timing, the ratio increases in the order of low-expectation performance > medium-expectation performance > high-expectation performance both at the premonition time and at the CZ shift time. By suppressing the ratio at which the high-expectation performance is not executed at the normal timing but is executed at the delay timing and setting the ratio at which it is executed at the normal timing to a large ratio, it is possible to prevent the player from having a sense of distrust in the high-expectation performance and to prevent the decrease in the player's interest in the performance.

[0127] Also, as shown in FIGS. 6(B), 6(D), and 6(F), when the effect control means 180 executes the chance suggestion effect, for any of the low-expectation effect, medium-expectation effect, and high-expectation effect, it is configured to execute the CZ shift suggestion effect at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating both when it is the premonition time and when it is the CZ shift time.

[0128] As described above, the chance suggestion effect in this embodiment is configured to be executed at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, if the CZ transition suggestion effect when the chance suggestion effect is executed is executed at a delayed timing, the CZ transition suggestion effect will not be executed until the first stop operation is executed even though the chance suggestion effect is being executed as the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating. When the first stop operation is executed, it will be determined by the player that the CZ transition suggestion effect is executed. Even though the execution of the CZ transition suggestion effect has already been determined, there is a risk that the player will feel distrust towards the effect and the player's interest in the effect will decrease because the sense of expectation has been lowered once.

[0129] On the other hand, when the slot machine 1 of this embodiment executes a chance suggestion effect whose display is completed before the delayed timing, the CZ transition suggestion effect is configured to be executed at the normal timing which is the timing before the delayed timing and is the timing when the chance suggestion effect starts. This can prevent the player from having distrust towards the CZ transition suggestion effect and can prevent the decrease in the player's interest in the effect.

[0130] In this CZ lottery, determining "transition to the CZ state" constitutes a predetermined privilege in this embodiment. The CZ transition suggestion effect that suggests the possibility that "transition to the CZ state" may be determined constitutes a specific effect related to the grant of the predetermined privilege in this embodiment. The low-expectation effect constitutes the first effect in this embodiment. The high-expectation effect, in which the probability that "transition to the CZ state" is determined is higher than when it is a low-expectation effect when executed at the normal timing, constitutes the second effect in this embodiment. The medium-expectation effect, in which the probability that "transition to the CZ state" is determined is higher than when it is a low-expectation effect and lower than when it is a high-expectation effect when executed at the normal timing, constitutes the third effect in this embodiment.

[0131] Also, the execution probability of approximately 1 / 1.6, which is the probability of executing a low-expectation performance where the chance suggestion performance is not executed when the execution of the CZ transition suggestion performance is determined during the precursor, and the execution probability of approximately 1 / 2.5, which is the probability of executing a low-expectation performance where the chance suggestion performance is not executed when the execution of the CZ transition suggestion performance is determined during the CZ transition, respectively constitute the first probability in this embodiment. The execution probability of approximately 1 / 33.4, which is the probability of executing a high-expectation performance where the chance suggestion performance is not executed when the execution of the CZ transition suggestion performance is determined during the precursor, and the execution probability of approximately 1 / 14.3, which is the probability of executing a high-expectation performance where the chance suggestion performance is not executed when the execution of the CZ transition suggestion performance is determined during the CZ transition, respectively constitute the second probability in this embodiment. The execution probability of approximately 1 / 4.2, which is the probability of executing a medium-expectation performance where the chance suggestion performance is not executed when the execution of the CZ transition suggestion performance is determined during the precursor, and the execution probability of approximately 1 / 3.8, which is the probability of executing a medium-expectation performance where the chance suggestion performance is not executed when the execution of the CZ transition suggestion performance is determined during the CZ transition, respectively constitute the third probability in this embodiment.

[0132] Also, the ratio of approximately 5.0% which is the proportion of the probability of executing a low - expectation performance where the chance - suggestion performance and the warning - sound performance are not executed, out of the probability of executing a low - expectation performance when the execution of the CZ transition - suggestion performance is determined during the precursor period, and which is executed at a delayed timing, and the ratio of approximately 18.0% which is the proportion of the probability of executing a low - expectation performance where the chance - suggestion performance and the warning - sound performance are not executed, out of the probability of executing a low - expectation performance when the execution of the CZ transition - suggestion performance is determined during the CZ transition period, and which is executed at a delayed timing, respectively constitute the first ratio in this embodiment. The ratio of 0% which is the proportion of the probability of executing a high - expectation performance where the chance - suggestion performance and the warning - sound performance are not executed, out of the probability of executing a high - expectation performance when the execution of the CZ transition - suggestion performance is determined during the precursor period, and which is executed at a delayed timing, and the ratio of approximately 4.5% which is the proportion of the probability of executing a high - expectation performance where the chance - suggestion performance and the warning - sound performance are not executed, out of the probability of executing a high - expectation performance when the execution of the CZ transition - suggestion performance is determined during the CZ transition period, and which is executed at a delayed timing, respectively constitute the second ratio in this embodiment. The ratio of 4.5% which is the proportion of the probability of executing a medium - expectation performance where the chance - suggestion performance and the warning - sound performance are not executed, out of the probability of executing a medium - expectation performance when the execution of the CZ transition - suggestion performance is determined during the precursor period, and which is executed at a delayed timing, and the ratio of approximately 6.0% which is the proportion of the probability of executing a medium - expectation performance where the chance - suggestion performance and the warning - sound performance are not executed, out of the probability of executing a medium - expectation performance when the execution of the CZ transition - suggestion performance is determined during the CZ transition period, and which is executed at a delayed timing, respectively constitute the third ratio in this embodiment.

[0133] Also, one game including the normal timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating and the delayed timing when the first stop operation is executed constitutes a predetermined period in this embodiment. The low - expectation performance, the medium - expectation performance, and the high - expectation performance constitute the first specific performance in this embodiment. The chance - suggestion performance whose display is completed before the delayed timing constitutes the second specific performance in this embodiment.

[0134] 4. Summary of this embodiment As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that, regarding the ratio of executing the CZ transition suggestion effect at the delay timing, the ratio of the low-expectation effect is larger than that of the high-expectation effect both at the precursor time and at the CZ transition time. By suppressing the ratio of the high-expectation effect being executed at the delay timing instead of the normal timing and setting the ratio of being executed at the normal timing to be large, it is possible to prevent the player from having a sense of distrust towards the high-expectation effect and to prevent a decrease in the player's interest in the effect.

[0135] 5. Modification Example In the present embodiment, the effect control means 180 is configured to be able to execute the CZ transition suggestion effect at the timing when the first stop operation is executed as the delay timing, but is not limited thereto. The effect control means 180 may be, for example, at the timing when the second stop operation is executed for the delay timing, or may be at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating and become in a steady rotation. As long as it is a timing after the normal timing, it may be composed of any timing.

[0136] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 sets the normal timing and the delay timing in one game as a predetermined period, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 has, for example, a specific state controlled by the effect control means 180 that continues until a plurality of games are executed, and sets the timing when the game of the first game count is executed in the specific state as the normal timing, and the timing when the game of the second game count, which is more than the first game count, is executed as the delay timing.

[0137] Also, in the present embodiment, the effect control means 180 is configured such that, for both the low-expectation effect and the high-expectation effect, the probability of being determined to "transition to the CZ state" is higher when the high-expectation effect is executed than when the low-expectation effect is executed, whether it is executed at the normal timing or the delayed timing. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when executed at the normal timing, the effect control means 180 is configured such that the probability of being determined to "transition to the CZ state" is higher when the high-expectation effect is executed than when the low-expectation effect is executed. When executed at the delayed timing, the probability of being determined to "transition to the CZ state" is higher when the low-expectation effect is executed than when the high-expectation effect is executed. That is, when the CZ transition suggestion effect is executed at the delayed timing, the probabilities of a predetermined privilege being given when the first effect is executed and when the second effect is executed may be reversed.

[0138] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a transition from the normal state to the CZ state as a predetermined privilege. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a transition from the normal state to the AT state, or may be configured to execute control to add (bonus) the number of game times during which the AT state continues. As long as the predetermined privilege is advantageous to the player, it is not limited to the present embodiment.

[0139] Also, in the present embodiment, the effect control means 180 is configured such that the first probability of executing the low-expectation effect is higher than the second probability of executing the high-expectation effect, and the first ratio of the first probability executed at the delayed timing without the preview sound effect is larger than the second ratio of the second probability executed at the delayed timing without the preview sound effect. However, it is not limited to this. The effect control means 180 only needs to be configured such that the first ratio is larger than the second ratio. For example, it may be configured with a probability that the second probability is higher than the first probability.

[0140] Also, in this embodiment, the effect control means 180 is configured to execute a chance suggestion effect that changes the display mode of a predetermined icon displayed on the display device 330 as the second specific effect, but is not limited thereto. The effect control means 180 may execute, for example, an effect of displaying a character that is not displayed in other effects as the second specific effect. Further, the effect control means 180 may be configured to output, for example, a sound different from the preview sound effect from the audio device 340 as the second specific effect. Further, the effect control means 180 may be configured to execute, for example, an effect of stopping all the sounds output from the audio device 340 as the second specific effect.

[0141] That is, the effect control means 180 only needs to be configured to be able to execute an effect that is completed before the delay timing as the second specific effect, and the second specific effect is not limited to an effect accompanied by display by the display device 330.

[0142] Also, in this embodiment, the effect control means 180 is configured to start the chance suggestion effect at the same timing as the normal timing, but is not limited thereto. The effect control means 180 may be configured to execute the chance suggestion effect at a timing earlier than the normal timing (the timing from when the start operation is performed on the start lever SL until the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating). Further, the effect control means 180 may be configured to execute the chance suggestion effect, for example, at a timing (such as the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reach a steady rotation) from when a low-expectation effect, a medium-expectation effect, or a high-expectation effect is executed at the normal timing until the delay timing.

[0143] That is, the effect control means 180 only needs to be configured to complete the display of the chance suggestion effect before the delay timing, and the temporal relationship between the start timing and the normal timing is not limited to this embodiment.

[0144] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for setting the game value of the specified input number to the input state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the max bet button MB, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have a single bet button for setting the game value corresponding to one medal to the input state.

[0145] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is composed of a medal-less gaming machine that records game values by an electromagnetic method. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be composed of, for example, a gaming machine that conducts a game using medals as gaming media.

[0146] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to perform a decrement update that sets a value as an initial value to the stored values of each counter and storage means and subtracts 1 each time a game is executed, or an increment update that adds 1 each time a game is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The update method for each counter and storage means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

Explanation of Signs

[0147] 1 Slot machine (gaming machine) 120 Internal lottery means 180 Effect control means 200 AT control means (auxiliary game control means) 330 Display device (display means) R1 Left reel R2 Middle reel R3 Right reel

Claims

1. a plurality of reels; internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; auxiliary game control means for controlling the auxiliary game; production control means for controlling the production related to the game; display means for displaying the production, and comprising: the auxiliary game control means is capable of granting a predetermined privilege; the production control means is capable of executing a specific production as a production related to the granting of the predetermined privilege; the production control means is capable of executing the specific production at either a first timing or a second timing after the first timing within a predetermined period; the specific production includes a first specific production including a first production executed with a first probability and a second production executed with a second probability, and a second specific production; when the specific production executed at least at the first timing is the second production, the probability of granting the predetermined privilege is higher than when it is the first production; the ratio that the probability of being executed at the second timing occupies in the first probability is a first ratio; the ratio that the probability of being executed at the second timing occupies in the second probability is a second ratio; the first ratio is larger than the second ratio; the production control means is capable of executing the second specific production in parallel with the first specific production within the predetermined period; the second specific production is a production to be displayed on the display means; the second specific production is completed before the second timing; A gaming machine characterized by the above.

2. The first specific production is executed at the first timing and not executed at the second timing when the second specific production is executed. The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A plurality of reels; internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery; auxiliary game control means for controlling the auxiliary game; production control means for controlling the production related to the game; display means for displaying the production, and comprising: the auxiliary game control means is capable of granting a predetermined privilege; the production control means is capable of executing a specific production as a production related to the granting of the predetermined privilege; the production control means is capable of executing the specific production at either a first timing or a second timing after the first timing within a predetermined period; the specific production includes a first specific production including a first production executed with a first probability and a second production executed with a second probability, and a second specific production; When the specific effect executed at least at the first timing is the second effect, the probability of being given the predetermined privilege is higher than when it is the first effect. The ratio that the probability of being executed at the second timing occupies in the first probability is the first ratio. The ratio that the probability of being executed at the second timing occupies in the second probability is the second ratio. The first ratio is larger than the second ratio. The second specific effect is an effect displayed on the display means. The first specific effect is executed at the first timing and not executed at the second timing when the second specific effect is executed. A gaming machine characterized by the above.

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