gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a technique for increasing a degree of design freedom regarding acquisition performance of a game value.SOLUTION: A BB1 state is a game state for repeating a state shift between an accessory non-operation state and an accessory operation state by the time when a completion condition of the BB1 state is completed, control is shifted to the accessory operation state when a shift winning combination is won in the accessory non-operation state and control is shifted to the accessory non-operation state when a completion condition of the accessory operation state is satisfied, a shift winning combination is won overlappingly with a replay in the accessory non-operation state, a probability of overlappingly winning a shift winning combination and a replay is higher than a probability of winning a replay in a normal state, a winning probability of a replay does not vary depending on winning of a shift winning combination, and the replay is won in preference to the shift winning combination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Gaming machines (slot machines) equipped with multiple reels with symbols arranged on their outer peripheries have been known for some time. These types of gaming machines assign a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals or pachinko balls, and players play to acquire this gaming value. These types of gaming machines perform an internal lottery and start the rotation of the multiple reels when the player initiates a spin operation, and stop the multiple reels in a manner corresponding to the results of the internal lottery when the player initiates a stop operation. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when the multiple reels are stopped, and medals and other items are paid out according to the game result.

[0003] With regard to this type of gaming machine, a gaming specification is known in which a bonus state is provided as the main function for acquiring gaming value, in which the winning rate of small winning combinations, which are combinations that confer gaming value upon winning, is increased compared to the normal state (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-131331 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, this type of gaming machine is required to be designed so that various performance indicators related to the performance of acquiring gaming value, such as payout rate, fall within the standards set by the regulations. However, under the current regulations, there is little freedom in designing gaming specifications that use the bonus state as the main function for acquiring gaming value, making it difficult to provide gaming machines that can be expected to operate stably in the market.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that increases the degree of freedom in designing the performance of acquiring gaming value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention includes a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer periphery, an internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a plurality of types of roles including small roles, replays, and special roles will be won, a reel control means for spinning the plurality of reels, and, when a stop operation is initiated, performing control to stop the reels being rotated in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery, a winning determination means for determining that a role has won based on the fact that a symbol combination showing a winning form predetermined for each role is displayed on an active line when the plurality of reels are stopped, and a winning determination means for determining that the role has won when the small role has won. a replay processing means for performing processing to provide the next game for free when the replay wins; and a game state control means for setting a plurality of game states including a first game state in which an internal lottery for the special role is held, and a second game state to which the game state is shifted by the special role winning, in which the probability of winning the replay fluctuates based on the winning of the special role, and a shift role is added as a lottery object for the internal lottery, and the second game state is set to the second game state. The first game state is a game state in which a state transition is repeated between a role non-operation state and a role operation state until the termination condition of the state is met, and when the shift role wins in the role non-operation state, the state transitions to the role operation state, and when the termination condition of the role operation state is met, the state transitions to the role non-operation state, and in the role non-operation state, the shift role overlaps with the replay and the probability of the shift role and the replay overlapping and winning is higher than the probability of the replay winning in the first game state, and the winning probability of the replay does not change depending on the win of the shift role, and the replay does not change depending on the win of the shift role. Control is performed to stop the multiple reels so that the shift role is given priority in winning, and when the replay wins, no game value is paid out and no game value is inserted in the next game, and when the shift role wins alone or when the maximum payout of the small role that is won in combination with the shift role is equal to or less than the number of game values ​​inserted, the shift role wins, when the maximum payout of the small role that is won in combination with the shift role is greater than the number of game values ​​inserted, the small role wins, and when the shift role wins in combination with the replay, the replay wins,The payout rate in a situation where a shift role is won in the non-operating state, calculated on the assumption that the small role will be won in a manner that maximizes the payout amount of game value when only the small role is won, exceeds 100% and falls below 220%, the probability of winning the small role is equal in the first game state and the non-operating state, and the operating state of the role has a higher probability of winning the small role than the non-operating state, and it is easier to acquire game value than the non-operating state.

[0008] In the present invention, it is possible to realize gaming specifications with a high level of gaming value acquisition performance while keeping various performance indicators related to gaming value acquisition performance within the standards set by regulations, thereby improving the design freedom of gaming machines. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a cabinet of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an internal lottery table in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the winning patterns of small prizes in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the game state and winning combinations in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between winning roles and symbol combinations in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a transition diagram of a gaming state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A figure showing an example of allocation of random number values ​​to each winning mode in a gaming machine of an embodiment of the present invention and the payout rate of each game state. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the winning patterns of a small prize in a gaming machine according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiments are necessarily essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0011] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration (excluding the reel unit) of the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The gaming machine of this embodiment is a so-called slot machine or reel gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine in which games are played using medals as gaming media.

[0013] The gaming machine of this embodiment houses a reel unit consisting of a first reel R1 through a third reel R3 (multiple reels) in a box-shaped housing consisting of a storage box BX, an upper front door UD, and a lower front door DD. The lower part of the reel unit storage space PS in the storage box BX houses a power supply unit EU, which incorporates a power supply and is equipped with various switches such as a power switch ES, a setting change key cylinder KS, and a setting change button SB, as well as a hopper unit HP, which serves as a medal payout device. The hopper unit HP includes a medal storage tank MT for storing medals to be used in games, a payout motor (not shown) consisting of a stepping motor, and a rotating disk (not shown) pivotally supported by the payout motor. The rotating disk is driven by the payout motor to rotate and dispense medals one by one. The hopper unit HP also sends surplus medals to a cash box CB when a certain amount of medals has been stored in the medal storage tank MT. In addition, within the cabinet of the gaming machine of this embodiment, for example, a main circuit board MAIN is attached above the reel unit storage space PS, and a sub-circuit board SUB is attached to the side of the reel unit storage space PS, and these control boards (main circuit board MAIN, sub-circuit board SUB) are equipped with a CPU (an example of a calculation means), a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM (an example of a temporary storage means), etc., so that the operation of the gaming machine can be controlled. In this embodiment, the power supply unit EU is provided with a setting change key cylinder KS and a setting change button BS, but the setting change key cylinder KS and the setting change button BS may also be provided on the surface of the main circuit board MAIN.

[0014] The outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 shown in FIG. 1 is divided into 21 regions (each region referred to as a "frame") at regular intervals, and each frame has one of several types of symbols arranged thereon. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are supported by a stepping motor (reel drive means; not shown), and are driven to rotate about the axis of the stepping motor. The first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped in frame units (predetermined rotation angle units, predetermined rotation amount units) by controlling the number of pulses and pulse width of drive pulses of the stepping motor. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the stepping motor drives the first to third reels R1 to R3 to rotate in response to drive pulses supplied from a control board. When a full-phase excitation drive pulse is supplied from the control board, the first to third reels R1 to R3 stop as the stepping motor stops rotating.

[0015] The upper front door UD and the lower front door DD are provided so that they can be opened and closed separately, and the upper front door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows the spinning and stopped states of the first to third reels R1 to R3 to be observed. When the first to third reels R1 to R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower symbols) that are consecutively arranged on the outer periphery of each of the first to third reels R1 to R3 can be observed through the display window DW from the front of the gaming machine.

[0016] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, each reel is provided with an upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an activated line is set by the combination of the display positions of each reel. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the number of medals required for one game, the so-called specified insertion number, is set to one or three, and when medals equivalent to the specified insertion number are inserted, an activated line L1 formed by the upper row of the first reel R1, the middle row of the second reel R2, and the lower row of the third reel R3, an activated line L2 formed by the middle rows of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and an activated line L3 formed by the lower rows of each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 are activated.

[0017] The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the valid line in the display window DW, and if the symbol combination on the valid line corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that winning combination is considered to have won and medals are paid out from the hopper unit HP.

[0018] The upper front door UD is also provided with a game information display DS and a zone indicator SEC. The game information display DS is made up of LEDs, lamps, 7-segment displays, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or won in one game, and the total number of medals paid out or won in BB mode. The zone indicator SEC also notifies you whether you are in a favorable zone by turning on and off the built-in LED.

[0019] The upper front door UD is also provided with a liquid crystal display LCD for game effects. This liquid crystal display LCD displays various videos (or images) to assist and liven up the game. In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, multiple speakers SP for game effects are provided on the upper front door UD and the lower front door DD. These speakers SP output various sounds to assist and liven up the game.

[0020] The lower front door DD is provided with various operating means, such as a bet button (insertion operating means) B0 for inserting credited (stored) medals, a start lever (game start operating means) SL for rotating the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 to start a game, and stop buttons (stop operating means) B1 to B3 for stopping each of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are rotated by a stepping motor.

[0021] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal slot MI or presses the bet button B0, the machine is set to a ready state in which it is possible to start spinning control of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Then, when the player presses the start lever SL, the control board starts spinning the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 by driving a stepping motor, and an internal lottery is performed using a random number value. On the condition that the spinning speed of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 has increased to a predetermined speed, pressing of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is permitted (enabled).

[0022] Thereafter, when the player presses the stop buttons B1 to B3 at any timing, the stop switch (stop signal output means: for example, a photosensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) built into each of the stop buttons B1 to B3 turns on, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from the off state to the on state.

[0023] Furthermore, when the player releases any of the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 at any time, the stop switches corresponding to the respective stop buttons B1 to B3 turn off, changing the reel stop signal input to the control board from on to off.

[0024] The control board then stops the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 at a stop position corresponding to the result of the internal lottery based on the change from OFF to ON of the reel stop signal, whose signal state changes depending on the timing of pressing and releasing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0025] Furthermore, a medal payout port MO and a medal tray MP are provided below the lower front door DD, and medals in a number according to the results of a game are paid out from the hopper unit HP through the medal payout port MO to the medal tray MP. When medals are paid out according to the results of a game, if medal credit (internal storage) is permitted, medals equivalent to some or all of the payout number are credited up to the credit limit number (50 in this embodiment), and the display value of the credit indicator consisting of a 7-segment display of the game information display unit DS is changed in accordance with the change in the number of medal credits.

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

[0027] The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by game control means (main circuit board MAIN and sub circuit board SUB) 100. The game control means 100 is started by receiving power from a power supply unit EU when a power switch ES is activated, and receives input signals from input means such as a medal insertion switch 210, a bet switch 220, a start switch 230, a stop switch 240, a setting change permission switch 250, and a setting change switch 260, performs various calculations for executing a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a reel unit 310, a hopper unit (payout device) HP, a display device 330, and an audio device 340 based on the calculation results. The functions of the game control means 100 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROMs (an example of information storage media), or RAMs, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in the ROM, etc.

[0028] The game control means 100 includes setting change means 103, input acceptance means 105, random number generation means 110, internal lottery means 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, payout control means 150, replay processing means 160, game status control means 170, effect control means 180, game information storage means 190a, and effect information storage means 190b. In this embodiment, the setting change means 103, input acceptance means 105, random number generation means 110, internal lottery means 120, reel control means 130, winning determination means 140, payout control means 150, replay processing means 160, and game status control means 170 are realized by the CPU of the main board MAIN executing various programs, and the effect control means 180 is realized by the CPU of the sub-board SUB executing various programs. The game information storage means 190a is composed of a main ROM and a main RAM mounted on the main board MAIN, and the effect information storage means 190b is composed of a sub-ROM and a sub-RAM mounted on the sub-board SUB. Various programs executed by the CPU of the main board MAIN are stored in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a, and various programs executed by the CPU of the sub-board SUB are stored in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b.

[0029] The setting change means 103 controls changing of the setting values ​​stored in the setting value storage area 1913 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is switched between starting in game mode and starting in setting change mode depending on the state of the setting change permission switch 250 when the power is turned on. When the setting key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder KS and turned clockwise from its initial position, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 becomes ON. In this state, when the power switch ES is activated to supply power from the power supply unit EU, the setting change means 103 starts the gaming machine in setting change mode. In this embodiment, a setting value can be selected from six setting values, from Setting 1 to Setting 6, and the winning probability of the internal lottery varies so that the expected payout rate increases from Setting 1 to Setting 6. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​are expressed in the order of Setting 1 < Setting 2 < Setting 3 < Setting 4 < Setting 5 < Setting 6.

[0030] Furthermore, when the setting change switch 260 is activated by pressing the setting change button SB in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 changes the setting value in the order of Setting 1 → Setting 2 →... Setting 6 → Setting 1 →... each time it receives an input signal from the setting change switch 260, confirms the setting value based on a game start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated by pressing the start lever SL, and controls to store the confirmed setting value in the setting value memory area 1913. In this embodiment, the signal state of the setting change permission switch 250 is changed to the OFF state by returning the setting key inserted in the setting change key cylinder KS to the initial position, thereby enabling a transition from the setting change mode to the game mode.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the power is turned on with the setting change key cylinder KS in the initial position, the gaming machine is started in game mode based on the signal state of the setting change permission switch 260 being in the OFF state. In this embodiment, in game mode, games can be played but setting values ​​cannot be changed, and in setting change mode, setting values ​​can be changed but games cannot be played.

[0032] In addition, in the setting change mode, the setting change means 103 performs an initialization process to initialize information stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. In particular, in this embodiment, with respect to the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, information stored in the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game status storage area 1916 is initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode. More specifically, storage areas other than the lottery flag storage area 1915 and the game status storage area 1916 in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a are designated as information storage areas, and information stored in storage areas other than the information storage areas of the main RAM is initialized. Therefore, in the main RAM, the setting value storage area 1913 and the credit information storage area 1914 are designated as information storage areas, and the information stored in these storage areas is retained without being initialized by the initialization process in the setting change mode.

[0033] The insertion acceptance means 105 accepts insertion of medals for each game, and performs processing to validate a game start operation for the start lever SL (game start operation means) based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number (2 or 3). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first pressing operation of the start lever SL, which is validated based on the insertion of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number, is accepted as a game start operation, and serves as an opportunity to start the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 and also as an opportunity to execute an internal lottery.

[0034] Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot MI, the medal insertion switch 210 is actuated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted medals to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number. Furthermore, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a maximum of 50 medals can be stored (accumulated) as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the gaming information storage means 190a, and when the bet button B0 is pressed with medals stored as credits in the gaming machine, the bet switch 220 is actuated, and the insertion acceptance means 105 sets the medals stored as credits in the credit information storage area 1914 to an inserted state, up to a specified insertion number.

[0035] The random number generating means 110 is a means for generating random number values ​​for the lottery. The random number values ​​can be generated by, for example, a 16-bit random number circuit that generates 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535 without duplication within one cycle. In this embodiment, the term "random number value" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but whose acquisition timing is irregular, and therefore can essentially function as random numbers.

[0036] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for conducting an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination will be achieved based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game (first pressing of the activated start lever SL), and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0037] In the lottery table selection process, it is determined which internal lottery table to use for the internal lottery among a plurality of internal lottery tables stored in a main lottery table storage area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the gaming information storage means 190a. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, seven types of internal lottery tables (internal lottery table 1 to internal lottery table 7) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are stored in the main lottery table storage area 1910. In each internal lottery table, various combinations such as replays, small combinations, and bonuses, as well as misses (non-wins), are associated with a plurality of random number values ​​(for example, 65,536 random number values ​​from 0 to 65,535). In this embodiment, eight types of internal lottery tables are prepared for each of six setting values. The probability of obtaining some winning patterns in the internal lottery differs depending on the setting value, and the correspondence between combinations and random number values ​​is set so that the higher the setting value, the higher the expected ball payout rate.

[0038] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, small wins 1 to 9 are prepared as small wins, and as shown in Fig. 6, bell a, bell b, bell c, cherry, JAC1, JAC2, JAC3, and JAC4 are set as winning modes of the small wins. In this embodiment, as necessary, the winning modes of bell a, bell b, and bell c may be collectively referred to as "bell", and the winning modes of JAC1, JAC2, JAC3, and JAC4 may be collectively referred to as "JAC".

[0039] In this embodiment, the winning patterns of the small winning combinations to be drawn on internal lottery tables 1 to 4 are the same, and the winning probabilities of the small winning combinations are also the same, but the winning patterns of the small winning combinations to be drawn on internal lottery tables 5 to 7 are different from those on internal lottery tables 1 to 4, and the winning probabilities of the small winning combinations are set higher than those on internal lottery tables 1 to 4.

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

[0041] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a first Big Bonus (BB1: an example of a special role), a second Big Bonus (BB2), and a shift role are provided as bonuses. The first Big Bonus (BB1) and the second Big Bonus (BB2) are selected by lottery on internal lottery table 1, and the shift role is selected by lottery on internal lottery table 3 and internal lottery table 5. In this embodiment, the winning probability of the shift role is the same on internal lottery table 3 and internal lottery table 5. In addition, in this embodiment, the first Big Bonus (BB1), the second Big Bonus (BB2), and the shift role are provided as bonuses, but winning any of the bonuses does not change the winning probability of a replay. In particular, in the BB1 ​​state, the winning probability of a replay changes depending on the winning of a shift role, but the winning probability of a replay does not change depending on the winning of a shift role.

[0042] In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the game states can be set to normal state, BB1 formation state, BB2 formation state, BB1 state (device non-operation state, device operation state), and BB2 state, and in the lottery table selection process, one of internal lottery tables 1 to 7 is selected as the internal lottery table to be used in the internal lottery depending on the game state.

[0043] In this embodiment, the probability of winning the first big bonus (BB1) varies depending on the set value. For example, the higher the set value, the higher the probability of winning the first big bonus (BB1). In this embodiment, the probability of winning the small role, replay, second big bonus (BB2), and shift role is the same regardless of the set value. However, there may also be roles other than the first big bonus (BB1) whose probability of winning varies depending on the set value.

[0044] In the random number determination process, a random number value (random number for lottery) is obtained from the random number generating means 110 for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 230, and the obtained random number value is used to determine whether or not it has won a winning combination by referring to the internal lottery table stored in the main lottery table memory area 1910 provided in the main ROM of the game information memory means 190a.

[0045] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-winning state (first flag state, OFF state) to a winning state (second flag state, ON state). In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when two or more types of combinations are won at the same time, the lottery flags corresponding to the two or more types of combinations that are won at the same time are set to a winning state. The setting information of the lottery flag is stored in a lottery flag storage area 1915 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0046] In addition, the gaming machine of this embodiment is provided with a lottery flag (carry-over flag) that allows a winning state to be carried over to subsequent games until a prize is won, and a lottery flag (non-carry-over flag) that is reset to a non-winning state without carrying over the winning state to subsequent games regardless of whether a prize is won. The former carry-over flag is associated with the first Big Bonus (BB1), the second Big Bonus (BB2), and the shift role, while the latter non-carry-over flag is associated with the small role and the replay. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, for example, when the first Big Bonus (BB1) is won in the internal lottery, the winning state of the lottery flag for the first Big Bonus (BB1) is carried over until the first Big Bonus (BB1) is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 performs an internal lottery to determine whether the small role and the replay will be won or not, even in a game in which the winning state of the lottery flag for the first Big Bonus (BB1) is carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, when a small win or replay is won in a game in which the winning state of the bonus lottery flag is carried over, lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning roles consisting of the lottery flag of the bonus that has already been won and the lottery flag of the small win or replay that has been won in the internal lottery are set to a winning state.

[0047] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 using a stepping motor based on a start signal from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player operates the start lever SL to start the game, and controls the stop operation by pressing the stop button B1 to B3 (stop operation means) corresponding to the reel that is rotating steadily at a predetermined speed (approximately 80 rpm: a rotation speed of approximately 80 rotations per minute), and also controls the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 that are being rotated by the stepping motor to stop in a manner according to the setting state of the lottery flag (the result of the internal lottery).

[0048] When the stop switch 240 is activated by the player pressing one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 while the stop operation for the stop buttons B1 to B3 is enabled, the reel control means 130 controls the reels to stop, from the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, by supplying a full-phase excitation drive pulse to the stepping motor of the reel unit 310 based on the reel stop signal from the stop switch 240.

[0049] That is, each time one of the stop buttons B1 to B3 is pressed, the reel control means 130 determines the stop position of the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3, and controls the reel to stop at the determined stop position. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, pressing the stop button B1 corresponds to an operation for stopping the first reel R1, pressing the stop button B2 corresponds to an operation for stopping the second reel R2, and pressing the stop button B3 corresponds to an operation for stopping the third reel R3. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, if the order in which the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed changes, the stop order of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 also changes. In this embodiment, as necessary, the reel that stops first among the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 may be referred to as the first stop reel, the second reel to stop as the second stop reel, and the last reel to stop as the third stop reel. In addition, in this embodiment, if necessary, the stop operation corresponding to the first stop reel may be referred to as the first stop operation, the stop operation corresponding to the second stop reel as the second stop operation, and the stop operation corresponding to the third stop reel as the third stop operation.

[0050] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the first reel R1 through the third reel R3 corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button B1 through B3 is pressed. When the rotating reels are stopped within 190 ms of the time when the stop button is pressed, the stop position of each rotating reel is determined based on the number of frames required from the time when the stop button is pressed to the time when the reel stops, within a range of 0 to 4 frames (a predetermined pull-in range). The reel control means 130 controls the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button B1 through B3 to stop so that, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination in the internal lottery is located within a range of 0 to 4 frames from the display position on the pay line at the time when the stop button is pressed, the symbol corresponding to the winning combination for which the lottery flag is set to a winning state is displayed at the display position on the pay line.

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, red 7 symbol A "RED 7A", red 7 symbol B "RED 7B", bar symbol "BAR", special symbol A "SPA", special symbol B "SPB", bell symbol A "BLA", bell symbol B "BLB", watermelon symbol "WM", replay symbol "RP", and cherry symbol "CH" are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel R1 to third reel R3 that make up the reel unit 310, and when symbols that are within four frames from the push detection position are drawn onto an active line, the symbols that are arranged at intervals of four frames or less on the outer peripheral surface of each reel can be displayed on the active line regardless of the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time the stop switch 240 is activated (the time when the push of the stop button is detected).

[0052] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the reel unit 310 is equipped with a reel index 315 consisting of a photosensor, and the reel control means 130 is able to monitor the current rotation state of the reel by determining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotary shaft of the stepping motor) from the reference position of the reel (the frame detected by the reel index 315) based on the reference position signal detected by the reel index 315 every time the reel makes one rotation. In other words, the reel control means 130 can obtain the position of the reel when the stop switch 240 is activated by determining the rotation angle from the reference position of the reel.

[0053] The reel control means 130 then determines the stop positions of the reels that are being rotated by referring to a stop control table stored in a stop control table storage area 1911 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a.

[0054] Here, in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position, which is the position of the reel at the time of operation of the stop switch 240 (the time when the push of the stop button is detected), and the actual stop position is set according to the setting state of the lottery flag. Note that in the stop control table, a correspondence relationship between the push detection position and the number of sliding symbols, which indicates the amount of rotation from the push detection position to the actual stop position, may also be set according to the setting state of the lottery flag.

[0055] In particular, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the order of priority is set as "replay > bonus" and then "bonus > minor role", and in the stop control table that is referenced when the lottery flags for two or more types of roles are set to a winning state, the relationship between the press detection position and the stop position is set in accordance with the priority associated with each role so that roles with higher priority win in preference to roles with lower priority.

[0056] In the stop control table that is referenced when Bell A is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that if the game state is normal, BB1 formed, or BB2 formed, a 1-coin minor role (a minor role with a payout of 1 coin) will be won regardless of the type of stop operation, and if the game state is BB1 state, a 4-coin minor role (a minor role with a payout of 4 coins) will be won regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0057] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Bell b is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that if the game state is normal, a 1-coin small win will be awarded regardless of the type of stop operation, and if the game state is BB1 formed, BB2 formed, or BB1 state, a 4-coin small win will be awarded regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0058] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when Bell C is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that a 4-coin minor prize will be awarded regardless of the type of stop operation in any of the normal state, BB1 formation state, BB2 formation state, and BB1 state.

[0059] In this embodiment, the correspondence between the game state and the winning small role when a bell winning mode is obtained is as shown in Figure 8. Bell a, Bell b, and Bell c are all winning modes that include the small role 3 as a four-coin small role, and when a four-coin small role is won, a symbol combination indicating the winning mode of the small role 3 is displayed on the activated line. Also, all of the bell winning modes are winning modes that include a four-coin small role and a one-coin small role, but when a four-coin small role is won, the stop position of the target reel is determined to realize payout number priority control that prioritizes stop positions that increase the number of medals paid out with the win, and when a one-coin small role is won, the stop position of the target reel is determined to realize number priority control that prioritizes stop positions that increase the number of symbol combinations that indicate winning modes that can be displayed on the activated line.

[0060] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a cherry is won in the internal lottery, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that there are cases where a 4-coin small combination wins or no combination wins (a missed combination) depending on the press detection position when stopping the first reel R1. Specifically, when stopping the first reel R1, if the press detection position includes the cherry symbol "CH" in the pull-in range, the 4-coin small combination 4 wins, and if the press detection position does not include the cherry symbol "CH" in the pull-in range, a missed combination occurs.

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

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

[0063] In addition, in the stop control table that is referred to when a replay wins in the internal lottery, the stop positions relative to the press detection positions are set so that the replay wins regardless of the manner of the stop operation on the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0064] In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a bonus (first big bonus (BB1), second big bonus (BB2), shift combination) is won, in a situation where only the bonus is won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that if a stop operation is performed on the stop buttons B1 to B3 at a press detection position that includes in the pull-in range the symbols that make up the winning form of the winning bonus, the winning bonus will be won. In addition, in the stop control table that is referenced when a bonus is won, in a situation where a replay is won in addition to a bonus, the replay win is given priority, and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the replay wins regardless of the manner of the stop operation on the stop buttons B1 to B3. In addition, in the stop control table referred to when a bonus is won, in a situation where a small role is won in addition to a bonus, the winning bonus is given priority, and when a stop operation is performed on the stop buttons B1 to B3 at a press detection position that includes the symbols that make up the winning form of the winning bonus in the pull-in range, the winning bonus is won, and when a stop operation is performed on the stop buttons B1 to B3 in a manner that does not allow the bonus to be won, the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the winning of the small role is possible. However, when the gaming state is in the role operation state of BB1, even if a situation occurs in which a small role is won in addition to a shift role, the stop control table referred to in this situation avoids the winning of the shift role regardless of the manner of the stop operation on the stop buttons B1 to B3 based on the role operation state, and the stop position relative to the press detection position is set so that the winning small role is possible.

[0065] The winning determination means 140 performs a winning determination process to determine whether or not a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping state of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3. Specifically, the winning determination means 140 refers to a winning determination table stored in a winning determination table storage area 1912 provided in the main ROM of the game information storage means 190a to determine whether or not the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when all of the first reel R1 to the third reel R3 have stopped is in the form of a predetermined winning combination. Then, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a winning determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a first big bonus (BB1), a second big bonus (BB2), a shift combination, a replay, and small combinations 1 to 9 can be determined based on the symbol combination displayed on the pay line when each reel has stopped.

[0066] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a winning combination is achieved, a winning process is executed based on the determination result of the winning determination means 140. As the winning process, for example, when a small combination is achieved, a medal payout control process is executed by the payout control means 150, when a replay is achieved, a replay process is executed by the replay processing means 160, and when a bonus is achieved, a game state transition process is executed by the game state control means 170 to transition the game state.

[0067] The payout control means 150 performs payout control processing related to the payout of medals according to the game results. Specifically, when a small winning combination is achieved, the payout number of medals in the game is determined based on the payout predetermined for each combination, and the payout number of medals corresponding to the determined payout number is controlled to be paid out to the hopper unit HP (payout device).

[0068] The hopper unit HP performs the operation of paying out the number of medals to be paid out specified by the payout control means 150. The hopper unit HP is provided with a paid out medal detection switch 325 that is activated each time a medal is paid out, and the payout control means 150 is configured to be able to manage the number of medals actually paid out from the hopper unit HP based on the input signal from the paid out medal detection switch 325.

[0069] When credit storage (accumulation storage) of medals is permitted, instead of actually paying out medals using the hopper unit HP, a credit addition process is performed in which the number of medals to be paid out is added to the number of credits (number of medals stored as credits) stored in the credit information storage area 1914 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a, and medals are virtually paid out.

[0070] When a replay wins, the replay processing means 160 performs replay processing (replay processing) to set the next game to the same preparation state as the previous game without requiring the player to insert any medals owned by the player. That is, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, when a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed to automatically insert a number of medals equivalent to the specified insertion number required for the next game without using any medals (including credit medals) owned by the player, and the machine waits for the next game start operation using the start lever SL with an active line corresponding to the specified insertion number set.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B), the game state control means 170 performs a game state transition control process to transition the game state among the normal state, the BB1 ​​established state, the BB2 established state, the BB1 ​​state (the role device inactive state, the role device active state), and the BB2 state. In this embodiment, information indicating the current game state is stored in a game state memory area 1916 provided in the main RAM of the game information storage means 190a. The game state transition condition may be one condition or multiple conditions. When multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state when one of the multiple predetermined conditions is fulfilled or when all of the multiple predetermined conditions are fulfilled.

[0072] The normal state (an example of the first gaming state) is a gaming state that corresponds to the initial state among the multiple gaming states. The specified number of coins inserted is set to three, and transitions from the normal state to the BB1 ​​state, BB2 state, BB1 state, and BB2 state are possible. Specifically, in the normal state, if the first Big Bonus (BB1) is won but the first Big Bonus (BB1) is not won, the system transitions to the BB1 ​​state. Also, in the normal state, if the second Big Bonus (BB2) is won but the second Big Bonus (BB2) is not won, the system transitions to the BB2 state. Also, in the normal state, if the first Big Bonus (BB1) is won and the first Big Bonus (BB1) is won, the system transitions to the BB1 ​​state. Also, in the normal state, if the second Big Bonus (BB2) is won and the second Big Bonus (BB2) is won, the system transitions to the BB2 state. In addition, under normal circumstances, an internal lottery is conducted by referring to internal lottery table 1, among internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 and the first big bonus (BB1) and second big bonus (BB2) are set as the items to be drawn.

[0073] The BB1 ​​establishment state is a game state to which a transition occurs when the first Big Bonus (BB1) is not won in a game in which the first Big Bonus (BB1) has been won in an internal lottery, and the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 3. In the BB1 ​​establishment state, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 2, among internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3 and in which both the first Big Bonus (BB1) and the second Big Bonus (BB2) are excluded from the lottery.

[0074] In addition, in the BB1 ​​establishment state, the lottery flag corresponding to the first big bonus (BB1) is maintained in a winning state until the first big bonus (BB1) is won, and when a pattern combination indicating the winning form of the first big bonus (BB1) is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB1 ​​establishment state to the BB1 ​​state.

[0075] The BB1 ​​state (an example of a second gaming state) is a gaming state that is triggered by the display of a symbol combination indicating a winning form of the first big bonus (BB1) on an active payline. As shown in FIG. 11B, the gaming state transitions between the non-operating and operating states until the condition for ending the BB1 ​​state is met. In the BB1 ​​state, an internal lottery is conducted with reference to one of internal lottery tables 3 to 6 among internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, in both the non-operating and operating states, there are non-internal shift periods in which an internal lottery is conducted in which a shift role is selected, and internal shift periods in which the winning shift role is carried over. For convenience of explanation, the non-internal shift periods in the non-operating state will be referred to as non-operating state A, the internal shift periods in the non-operating state as non-operating state B, the non-internal shift periods in the operating state as operating state A, and the internal shift periods in the operating state as operating state B.

[0076] The non-operating bonus state A is a game state that is set when the BB1 ​​state is initiated by winning the first big bonus (BB1), and in the non-operating bonus state A, the specified number of coins is set to three, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to the internal lottery table 3 among the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 that are used in the BB1 ​​state. In this embodiment, the shift role is the subject of the lottery in the internal lottery table 3, and the lottery mode and winning probability of the small role are the same as those in the internal lottery table 2. Furthermore, in the internal lottery table 3, the shift role always overlaps with the replay and the winning probability of the replay is set to be higher than those in the internal lottery tables 1 and 2, at approximately 1 / 2.0.

[0077] In this embodiment, in the non-operating device state A, as described above, an internal lottery is held with the shift role as the lottery subject, and if the shift role is won and the shift role does not win, the state transitions to the non-operating device state B. In this embodiment, in the non-operating device state A, the shift role always wins together with the replay, and in a game in which the shift role wins, the replay with the higher priority always wins, so the shift role does not win.

[0078] The non-operating state B of the role is a gaming state in which the role is not operated and the winning of the shift role is carried over, and in the non-operating state B of the role, the specified number of insertions is set to 3, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to the internal lottery table 4 among the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB1 ​​state. In this embodiment, in the internal lottery table 4, the shift role is excluded from the lottery targets, and the winning probabilities of the small role and the replay are the same as those of the internal lottery table 3.

[0079] In this embodiment, in the non-operational state B of the device, in a game in which a small win is obtained or in a game in which the result of the internal lottery is a loss, a shift role can be won, and if a shift role is won, the device will transition to the operation state A of the device.

[0080] Also, if the conditions for ending the BB1 ​​state (explained later) are met while the reel device is in the non-operating state, the non-operating state of the reel device will end with the end of the BB1 ​​state.

[0081] The role operation state A is a gaming state to which the game shifts when a shift role is won, and the specified input number is set to 1, and an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 5 among internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB state. In this embodiment, the shift role is the subject of the lottery in the internal lottery table 5, and the lottery mode for the small role is different from the internal lottery tables 3 and 4, and the winning probability of the small role is higher than that of the internal lottery tables 3 and 4. In addition, in the internal lottery table 5, either JAC3 or JAC4 is always won, and the shift role is always won in combination with JAC4, and replays are not subject to the lottery.

[0082] In this embodiment, as described above, an internal lottery is conducted in the role operation state A with the shift role as the lottery subject, and if the shift role is won and the shift role does not win, the state transitions to the role operation state B. Note that in this embodiment, even if the shift role wins in the role operation state A, stop control is performed to prevent the shift role from winning based on the role operation state, so the shift role will not win in a game in which the shift role is won.

[0083] The role operation state B is a game state in which the role operation state is in which the winning of the shift role is carried over, and in the role operation state B, the specified number of coins is set to 1, and an internal lottery is performed by referring to the internal lottery table 6 among the internal lottery tables 3 to 6 used in the BB state. In this embodiment, in the internal lottery table 6, the shift role is excluded from the lottery target, and the winning probability of the small role is the same as that of the internal lottery table 5.

[0084] In this embodiment, the winning of the shift role is carried over in the role operation state B, but the shift role will not win because stop control is performed to prevent the shift role from winning based on the role operation state.

[0085] As described above, in the BB1 ​​state, when a small role and a shift role are both won in the non-operating state of the reels, bonus priority control is performed to determine the stop position with priority given to the winning of the shift role, and the shift role can win. However, even in the operating state of the reels, there are situations where the shift role is won and the small role and the shift role are both won, but in the operating state of the reels, the shift role will not win no matter what operation mode is used to perform the stop operation, based on the fact that the game state is the operating state of the reels.

[0086] In addition, when the reel is activated, a new small prize, small prize 1, is prepared, which has an even higher payout than the 4-coin small prize, which is the small prize with the highest payout that can be won in the normal state, and an internal lottery is conducted that includes small prize 1, so the expected value of winning medals is dramatically improved compared to when the reel is not activated.

[0087] Furthermore, whether or not the termination condition for the reel operation state is met is determined based on the number of times a small role has been won and the number of times the game has been played. In this embodiment, the termination condition for the reel operation state is met when the number of times a small role has been won reaches eight times or when the number of times the game has been played reaches eight. The number of times a small role has been won and the number of times the game has been played are determined by adding up the number of times the small role has been won and the number of times the game has been played. When the termination condition for the reel operation state is met, the game state control means 170 controls the reel operation state to end and return to the reel non-operating state unless the termination condition for the BB1 ​​state (explained below) is met. In this embodiment, the setting state (winning state / non-winning state) of the lottery flag for the shift role is carried over even when returning to the reel non-operating state. When the termination condition for the reel operation state is met in reel operation state A, the reel operation returns to reel non-operating state A. When the termination condition for the reel operation state is met in reel operation state B, the reel operation returns to reel non-operating state B. Furthermore, if the termination condition for the BB1 ​​state is met while the reel is in operation, the reel operation state will end with the end of the BB1 ​​state even if the termination condition for the reel operation state is not met.

[0088] In the BB1 ​​state, replays are not eligible for the lottery when the reel is activated, but when the reel is deactivated and the reel is deactivated, the probability of winning a replay changes and an internal lottery is held in which replays are again eligible for the lottery. In this case, the probability of winning a replay is higher when the reel is deactivated than when it is in the normal state.

[0089] In the BB1 ​​state, whether or not the termination condition is met is determined based on the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB1 ​​state, and when medals exceeding a predetermined number (for example, 285 medals) are paid out, the game state control means 170 terminates the BB1 ​​state and performs control to return the game state to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of payouts in the BB1 ​​state, as well as count information on the number of wins of minor roles and the number of games played in the role activation state, are stored in the game state memory area 1916. Also, in this embodiment, if the lottery flag for the shift role is set to a winning state at the end of the BB1 ​​state, the lottery flag for the shift role is reset to a non-winning state upon the end of the BB1 ​​state.

[0090] The BB2 establishment state is a game state to which a transition occurs when the second Big Bonus (BB2) is not won in a game in which the second Big Bonus (BB2) was won in an internal lottery, and the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to 3. In the BB2 establishment state, among internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in Figures 4 and 5, the probability of winning a replay is set to approximately 1 / 7.3, and an internal lottery is held with reference to internal lottery table 2 in which both the first Big Bonus (BB1) and the second Big Bonus (BB2) are excluded from the lottery.

[0091] In addition, in the BB2 established state, the lottery flag corresponding to the second big bonus (BB2) is maintained in a winning state until the second big bonus (BB2) is won, and when a pattern combination indicating the winning form of the second big bonus (BB2) is displayed on the activated line, the game state control means 170 transitions the game state from the BB2 established state to the BB2 state.

[0092] The BB2 state is a game state to which the game shifts when a symbol combination indicating a winning form of the second big bonus (BB2) is displayed on an active pay line, and the specified number of coins to be inserted is set to three. In the BB2 state, an internal lottery is performed with reference to internal lottery table 7, among internal lottery tables 1 to 7 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the lottery mode for small winning combinations in internal lottery table 7 is different from internal lottery tables 1 and 2, and the winning probability of small winning combinations is higher than that in internal lottery tables 1 and 2. In addition, in internal lottery table 7, either JAC1 or JAC2 is always won, and replays are not included in the lottery. Note that since no shift combination is used in the BB2 state, there is no non-operational state of the combinations as in the BB1 ​​state, and the game corresponding to the operation state of the combinations continues until the end condition is met.

[0093] In the BB2 state, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is met based on the total number of medals paid out during play in the BB2 state, and when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 117 medals), the game state control means 170 terminates the BB2 state and controls the game state to return to the normal state. In this embodiment, count information on the number of medals paid out in the BB2 state is stored in the game state memory area 1916.

[0094] The effect control means 180 controls display effects performed using the display device 330 (an example of an effect device) and sound effects performed using the sound device 340 (an example of an effect device) based on effect data stored in an effect data storage area 1925 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b. For example, in response to the occurrence of game events such as the insertion of medals, the operation of the bet button B0, the start lever SL, or the stop buttons B1 to B3, or changes in the game status, the effect control means 180 controls the execution of effects to liven up the game or assist the game according to the progress of the game. The content of the effects executed in the game is determined by referring to an effect lottery table stored in a sub-lottery table storage area 1926 provided in the sub-ROM of the effect information storage means 190b, depending on the game status, effect status, the result of the internal lottery, etc. In this embodiment, image data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1925 of the sub-ROM into an image buffer 1927 provided in the sub-RAM, and an image based on the image data read into the image buffer 1927 is output to the liquid crystal display LCD, and sound data corresponding to the progress of the game, etc. is read from the effect data storage area 1925 of the sub-ROM into a sound buffer 1928 provided in the sub-RAM, and sound based on the sound data read into the sound buffer 1928 is output from the speaker SP.

[0095] The functional block configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to computer systems (including game systems). In these systems, the functions of the game control means 100 of this embodiment can be realized by downloading a program that causes a computer to function from an information storage medium such as a CD or DVD or from a web server on the Internet via a network. In the above computer system, the medal insertion switch 210, bet switch 220, start switch 230, stop switch 240, etc. can be realized by virtually assigning their functions to operating means such as a keyboard, pointing device (such as a mouse), touch panel, or controller. In the above computer system, the reel unit 310, hopper unit HP, etc. are not essential components, and these device units can virtually realize their functions by controlling the images displayed on the display (display device 330).

[0096] 2. Method of this embodiment In this embodiment, the BB1 ​​state and the BB2 state are provided as bonus states in which it is easier to acquire medals than in the normal state, and the game specifications are such that these bonus states are the main medal acquisition functions.

[0097] In a game specification such as this embodiment in which the main medal acquisition function depends on the bonus state, the design of the medal acquisition function requires that performance indicators such as the role ratio and consecutive role ratio (hereinafter abbreviated as role ratio, etc.) be kept below standards predetermined by the rules, and that the payout rate be within a range predetermined by the rules, and it is particularly important that the payout rate not exceed the upper limit of the range.

[0098] Therefore, in this embodiment, the BB1 ​​state is a non-operating state in which the probability of winning a small prize is the same as in the normal state, and when a shift role is won, the BB1 ​​state transitions to a role-operating state in which the probability of winning a small prize is higher than in the normal state. In a bonus state in which a game is played using such a shift role to increase the probability of winning a small prize, the amount of medals paid out in a game in the role-operating state is calculated as the amount of medals paid out by the role in the role ratio, etc., and does not include the amount of medals paid out in a game in the role-operating state. For this reason, by making the BB1 ​​state a bonus state in which the game can be repeatedly transitioned between the role-operating state and the role-operating state until the termination condition is met, the role ratio, etc. can be kept lower than when a shift role is not used.

[0099] In this embodiment, the probability of winning a replay increases with the first big bonus (BB), and when the reels are not activated in the BB1 ​​state, an internal lottery is held with a higher probability of winning a replay than in the normal state. When the reels are not activated in the BB1 ​​state, a shift role is newly added to the lottery, and the shift role and the replay are also won. Therefore, if a shift role is won when the reels are not activated, the replay will also be won in that game, and the shift role will not be won.

[0100] In this embodiment, when a winning mode of a small role is obtained in the internal lottery in the non-operating state of the role in the BB1 ​​state, the winning mode of any small role always includes a 4-coin small role that will result in the payout of more medals than the specified number of inserted medals. Also, in the non-operating state of the role in the BB1 ​​state, there are cases where the result of the internal lottery is a loss, but the probability of obtaining a loss result is set to be extremely low.

[0101] That is, in the BB1 ​​state of this embodiment, when the reel is not operating, either a replay or a small role is won in almost every game, and when a small role is won, a 4-coin small role, which is a payout exceeding the specified number of coins, is always won. In the game specifications of this embodiment, creating a situation in which a replay or a 4-coin small role is won in almost every game when the reel is not operating effectively functions to keep performance indicators such as the payout rate low in the so-called simulation test.

[0102] The simulation test described above is a test in which various performance indicators, such as payout rate, are calculated by ball payout simulation, and whether the performance indicators obtained by the ball payout simulation meet the standards set forth in the rules is determined. In the simulation test, when a replay wins, a replay always wins, and when a small role wins, the game result in which the most medals are expected to be won in that game is simulated. Therefore, in the ball payout simulation for the game specifications of this embodiment, in the non-operating state of the reel device in the BB1 ​​state, when a replay wins, a replay wins even if a shift role is also won, and when a small role wins, a four-coin small role that is expected to increase medals is won even if the shift role is won. Only when the internal lottery result is a miss and only the shift role is won when the reel device is not operating, the shift role wins and the game transitions to the operating state.

[0103] In this embodiment, the probability of obtaining a losing lottery result in the internal lottery when the reels are not operating in BB1 state is set to be extremely low, and the above simulation test simulates behavior in which the rate of stay in the reels not operating state in BB1 state is extremely high.

[0104] In this embodiment, in a situation where a small win and a bonus are both won, a control that determines the stop position by prioritizing the bonus win is adopted, so-called bonus priority control. Therefore, when a player experiences a game in the market in the BB1 ​​state according to the game specifications of this embodiment, after a shift role is won in the non-operating state, the shift role can be won by the stop control that prioritizes the win of the shift role in the game where a small win is obtained. Therefore, in actual behavior in the market, it is possible to frequently transition to the role operation state in the BB1 ​​state.

[0105] In this embodiment, an internal lottery is conducted in which the shift role is selected not only in the non-operating role state but also in the operating role state. Unlike the non-operating role state, the operating role state is controlled to prevent the shift role from winning based on the fact that the game state is the operating role state, and the shift role does not win in the operating role state. Furthermore, when the operating role state ends and the game transitions to the non-operating role state in the BB1 ​​state, the lottery status for the shift role is carried over. Therefore, in the BB1 ​​state, if the shift role is selected in the operating role state, the winning status of the shift role is carried over until the operating role state ends and the game transitions to the non-operating role state. Since the shift role has already been selected at the time of transition to the non-operating role state, the transition to the operating role state is quicker. In other words, in this embodiment, an internal lottery is conducted in the operating role state in the BB1 ​​state in which the shift role is selected, and the winning status of the shift role can be carried over to the non-operating role state, thereby improving the retention rate of the operating role state.

[0106] In this embodiment, with regard to the BB1 ​​state, the behavior in the simulation test is such that the rate at which the device remains in the non-operating state is high, while in actual play by players in the market, the behavior is such that the rate at which the device remains in the operating state is high. Therefore, the number of medals won in the BB1 ​​state differs between the simulation test and the market, and it is possible to realize a game specification in the market that allows many medals to be won in the BB1 ​​state.

[0107] For example, Figure 12(A) shows a specific example of the allocation of random numbers to each winning mode for the game specifications of this embodiment. According to the example shown in Figure 12(A), the relationship between the payout rate (expected value) of each game state in actual games on the market and the payout rate of each game state in the payout simulation in the simulation test (SIM) is as shown in Figure 12(B). In calculating the payout rate on the market, three coins are paid out when a replay wins and three coins are inserted for the next game, and in calculating the payout rate in the simulation test, zero coins are paid out when a replay wins and zero coins are inserted for the next game.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 12(B), there are differences between the ball payout rate in the market and the ball payout rate in the simulation test in the normal state, the BB1 ​​established state, the BB2 established state, and the BB1 ​​state in which the device is not activated.

[0109] First, in the normal state (state 1 in the figure), for Bell a and Bell b, while only one small symbol is awarded in the market, in the simulation test it is treated as if four small symbols, which is the maximum payout, have been awarded, so the payout rate in the market is lower than the payout rate in the simulation test.

[0110] Also, in the BB1 ​​formation state (state 2 in the figure), for Bell a, while only a 1-coin small win is awarded in the market, in the simulation test it is treated as if a 4-coin small win, which is the maximum payout, is awarded, so the payout rate in the market is lower than the payout rate in the simulation test.

[0111] Also, in the non-operating state A of the BB1 ​​state (state 3 in the figure), the behavior when a small winning combination is obtained is the same in the market and the simulation test, but as mentioned earlier, the handling of a replay winning combination in the simulation test is different from that in the market, and as a result the payout rate in the simulation test is higher than the payout rate in the market.

[0112] Furthermore, in the non-operating state B of the BB1 ​​state (state 4 in the figure), the market payout rate and the payout rate in the simulation test differ greatly. This is because the simulation test simulates the behavior of winning a 4-coin small role, which is expected to increase the number of medals in that game if a small role is won, whereas in the market, when a small role is won, it is expected that a shift role will be won due to bonus priority control, and therefore the market payout rate is extremely lower than the payout rate in the simulation test.

[0113] In the BB1 ​​state, the payout rate in the market and the payout rate in the simulation test are equal for the BB1 ​​state's reel operation state A (state 5 in the figure), the BB2 state (state 7 in the figure). This is because, in both the market and the simulation test, when a small win is obtained, a 15-coin small win or a 13-coin small win will be won. In this embodiment, an internal lottery is held in the BB1 ​​state's reel operation state for the shift role, but even if the shift role is won, the shift role will not win in the reel operation state, so whether or not the shift role is won does not have a direct effect on the payout rate in the reel operation state.

[0114] In the gaming specifications of this embodiment, the BB1 ​​state has a high rate of stay in the reel-operated state in the market, and a high rate of stay in the reel-non-operated state in the simulation test. As a result, the average number of medals won in the BB1 ​​state in the example shown in Figure 12 is about 263 medals in the market because most of the payout exceeding the approximately 285 medals that are the end condition are obtained when the reel-operated state, whereas in the simulation test, most of the payout exceeding the approximately 285 medals that are the end condition are obtained when the reel-non-operated state, and so is about 83 medals.

[0115] In the present embodiment described above, it is possible to realize gaming specifications with high medal acquisition performance while keeping various design indicators related to medal acquisition performance within the standards set by regulations, thereby improving the design flexibility of gaming machines. Specifically, by increasing the percentage of times that the BB1 ​​state remains in the non-operating state in simulation tests, performance indicators such as the ratio of reel features and the ratio of consecutive reel features can be kept low. Furthermore, since the average number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state is low in simulation tests, it is easy to design a machine that does not exceed the upper limit of the payout rate set by regulations. On the other hand, in the market, behavior is shown in which the percentage of times that the reel features remain in the operating state is high in the BB1 ​​state, resulting in a high average number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state. Furthermore, the gaming specifications of this embodiment can be designed with a low payout rate in the normal state, which allows for greater fluctuations in the progress of medal acquisition and increases the enjoyment of the game.

[0116] In this embodiment, when the reels are not activated in the BB1 ​​state, there is an extremely low probability that the result of the internal lottery will be a miss. However, since transitioning to the reels activated state due to the winning of a shift role increases the payout rate in the simulation test, it is possible to avoid a miss in the internal lottery when the reels are not activated. In other words, when the reels are not activated in the BB1 ​​state, it is possible to configure the reels so that either a small role or a replay is always won. In this way, a situation where only a shift role is won in the reels not activated state does not occur, and therefore there is no transition to the reels activated state in the simulation test, and the designed reels ratio can be dramatically reduced.

[0117] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12(B), the expected payout rate in the normal state in the market is low, making it difficult for the reel ratio in so-called test firing tests (tests to confirm various performance indicators based on the actual behavior of gaming machines) to meet the standards set by the regulations. For this reason, the expected payout rate is increased in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states to keep the reel ratio low. In particular, in this embodiment, the priority between bonus and small win is "bonus > small win." Therefore, prioritizing bonus wins in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states makes it difficult for small wins to be won. As a result, the expected payout rate in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states is likely to decrease. However, this can be resolved by changing the stop control mode from the normal state when Bell b is won in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states, thereby enabling a four-coin small win. This is also the reason why, unlike in the normal state, four-coin small wins are possible for Bell a and Bell b when the reels are inactive in the BB1 ​​state.

[0118] In addition, in the BB2 state, the prescribed number of coins to be inserted is three, but there are winning modes (JAC1 and JAC2) that include the small role 2 that is only eligible for drawing in the BB2 state. This small role 2 has a maximum payout of four coins in the normal state, BB1 established state, and BB2 established state, which also have a prescribed number of coins to be inserted, so by adding the small role 2 with a payout of 13 coins to the new lottery target in the BB2 state, it has the effect of improving the medal acquisition performance in the BB2 state.

[0119] In this embodiment, in the non-operating state B of the BB1 ​​state, the shift role can be prevented from winning depending on the manner of the stop operation. Specifically, in a situation where a small role and a shift role are both won in the non-operating state B of the reels, if the stop operation is performed in an operation sequence that stops the first reel R1 first, the shift role will always win. However, if the stop operation is performed in an operation sequence that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first, stop control is performed to display the bell pattern A "BLA" on the activated line on the first stop reel, and depending on the timing of the stop operation that stops the first reel R1, the shift role or the small role 3 will win. In this embodiment, if a small role and a bonus are both won, the bonus win takes priority. This is because if the shift role were always to win in the non-operating state B of the reels, the lottery for the small role would essentially be meaningless. However, in the non-operating state B of the role, a symbol combination showing the winning form of the shift role may be set so that the shift role can be won regardless of the manner of the stop operation.

[0120] In addition, the BB2 state in this embodiment does not use a shift role, but it is also possible to use a shift role in the BB2 state and transition to a role-activated state when a shift role is won in a role-inactive state.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an internal lottery with the shift role as the lottery subject can be executed not only in the role non-operating state in the BB1 ​​state but also in the role operating state, so that with regard to the role operating state, it is possible to achieve a high probability of winning the shift role by the time the end condition of the role operating state is met, and it is easy to return to the role operating state early even after the role operating state ends and transitions to the role non-operating state. However, it is also possible to perform an internal lottery with the shift role as the lottery subject only in the role non-operating state in the BB1 ​​state, and to perform an internal lottery in which the shift role is not the lottery subject in the role operating state.

[0122] In this embodiment, when a shift role is won in the role operation state A in the BB1 ​​state, and in the role operation state B, even if the priority between the small role and the bonus is "bonus > small role", stop control is performed to prevent the shift role from winning based on the fact that the game state is in the role operation state. For this reason, in the role operation state, the shift role does not win, and the termination condition of the role operation state is often met when the player is in the role operation state B, so it is possible to create a situation in which it is easy to quickly transition to the role operation state after returning to the role non-operation state.

[0123] Furthermore, this embodiment is designed so that there are cases where the result of the internal lottery is a losing ticket when the device is not operating in the BB1 ​​state. However, with regard to the behavior of the BB1 ​​state in the simulation test, the rate of stay in the non-operating state of the device is greatly influenced by the probability of getting a losing ticket in the internal lottery when the device is not operating, so if there are cases where the result of the internal lottery is a losing ticket when the device is not operating in the BB1 ​​state, it is preferable to make the probability extremely low.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a shift role and a small role are both winning in the BB1 ​​state, control is performed to determine the stop position by prioritizing the win of the shift role, i.e., bonus priority control. Therefore, even in a configuration where the internal lottery results in a loss only with an extremely low probability when the role is not activated in the BB1 ​​state, the shift role can be quickly won. As a result, in actual gaming in the market, the rate at which the role is activated in the BB1 ​​state can be increased, thereby improving the average number of medals won in the BB1 ​​state. Note that, instead of bonus priority control in the BB1 ​​state, control may be performed to determine the stop position by prioritizing the win of the small role when a shift role and a small role are both winning, i.e., small role priority control. In this case, even when a shift role and a small role are both winning, a configuration is possible where the small role can be missed, and the shift role can be won by performing the stop operation in an operation mode that avoids the win of the small role.

[0125] In this embodiment, the maximum payout for small winning combinations in the normal state, the BB1 ​​state, the BB2 state, and the BB1 ​​state when the reel is not activated is four coins. However, there may be winning combinations in which small winning combinations with payouts of five or more coins are won. That is, if the specified number of coins is N, winning combinations for small winning combinations that are subject to lottery in the normal state can include winning combinations with payouts of N+1 or more coins. For example, if the specified number of coins is three, there may be winning combinations including small winning combinations with payouts of four coins, five coins, or six coins. However, including small winning combinations with high payouts in the lottery increases the medal acquisition performance in the BB1 ​​state when the reel is not activated, resulting in an increased payout rate in simulation tests. For this reason, it is preferable to set the probability of obtaining a winning combination with a small winning combination with payouts of five or more coins lower than the winning combinations of other small winning combinations (e.g., Bell a, Bell b, Bell c, etc.).

[0126] In this embodiment, in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states, the stop control mode for Bell b, which is normally controlled to win a single small prize, is changed so that a four-coin small prize is awarded. This improves the medal acquisition performance in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states during so-called test firing, enabling favorable adjustments to ensure that the payout rate does not fall below the lower limit set by the rules. Furthermore, improving the medal acquisition performance in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states can also reduce the ratio of prizes. In other words, the stop control mode may be changed so that a four-coin small prize can be awarded in the BB1 ​​and BB2 states for some or all of the winning modes of small prizes that normally only win a single small prize.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the reels are not operating in the BB1 ​​state, a four-coin small combination is awarded for all of Bells a to c, and the stop control mode is different from that in the normal state, but when the reels are not operating in the BB1 ​​state, there may be a winning mode in which stop control is performed in the same mode as in the normal state for some or all of Bells a to c. If a stop control mode different from the normal state is adopted to award four-coin small combinations, as in this embodiment, the medal acquisition performance when the reels are not operating is improved, so the expected medal acquisition value in the BB1 ​​state can be increased, and by increasing the medal acquisition performance when the reels are not operating in the BB1 ​​state, the effect of reducing the ratio of consecutive reels can also be obtained.

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the specified number of coins to be inserted when the device is not operating in the normal state and the BB1 ​​state is 3, and the specified number of coins to be inserted when the device is operating in the BB1 ​​state is 1, but the specified number of coins to be inserted when the device is operating in the BB1 ​​state may also be 2. By making the specified number of coins to be inserted when the device is operating in the BB1 ​​state different from the normal state and the BB1 ​​state when the device is not operating, the effect of increasing the average number of medals acquired in the BB1 ​​state by reducing the number of medals inserted when the device is operating can be obtained, and by changing the specified number of coins to be inserted, the payout for small roles can be changed, thereby improving the medal acquisition performance when the device is operating.

[0129] In addition, in this embodiment, even if the bonus priority control is performed in the non-operating state B of the BB1 ​​state, the winning of the shift role can be avoided by performing a stop operation in a specific operation mode. In this way, the number of medals won by winning small roles increases by extending the stay period of the non-operating state of the role, and the effect of reducing the ratio of consecutive roles can be obtained.

[0130] In this embodiment, the BB2 state is provided as a bonus state that does not use a shift role, but the BB2 state does not have to be provided. If a bonus state that does not use a shift role such as the BB2 state is provided, the ball payout rate in the simulation test will increase, so it is preferable that the expected medal acquisition value in the bonus state that does not use a shift role is set lower than that in the bonus state that uses a shift role such as the BB1 ​​state.

[0131] In addition, in this embodiment, bonus priority control was employed to determine the stop position by prioritizing the bonus win when both a bonus and a small win are won. However, small win priority control may also be employed to determine the stop position by prioritizing the small win when both a bonus and a small win are won. When small win priority control is employed, the duration of the BB1, BB2, and BB1 state non-operating feature state B is extended, preventing the payout rate from falling below the lower limit of the so-called test firing test. Furthermore, by increasing the medal acquisition due to the win of a small win in the BB1, BB2, and BB1 state non-operating feature state, the effect of reducing the ratio of the so-called test firing feature can be achieved. When small win priority control is employed, if a small win is won in the BB1 ​​state non-operating feature state B, it is preferable to perform stop control by preferentially displaying symbols common to the shift win and the small win on the pay line, thereby enabling the shift win.

[0132] In addition, as shown in FIG. 13(A), JAC5 and JAC6 may be provided as winning modes of the small winning combination that is won in the role operation state of the BB1 ​​state.

[0133] In this example, if JAC5 is won, a 15-coin small win will be awarded if the stop operation is performed according to the operation sequence (batting order 1, 2) that stops the first reel R1 first, and a 1-coin small win will be awarded if the stop operation is performed according to the operation sequence (batting order 3 to 6) that stops the second reel R2 or the third reel R3 first. Also, if JAC6 is won, a 15-coin small win will be awarded regardless of the type of stop operation.

[0134] In the above embodiment, since the bonus priority control is adopted, the first big bonus (BB1) is likely to be won when BB1 is established. This point raises concerns about compliance with the standards set by the rules regarding the upper limit of the payout rate.

[0135] Therefore, in this example, JAC5 is provided, which can win a 15-coin minor prize only when the batting order is 1 or 2, which is the operation order that the player is likely to mainly use, and when the operation order is random, it performs the function of lowering the expected value of medals won when the device is operating in BB1 state, making it easier to meet the upper limit standard for the ball payout rate. Also, JAC6 performs the function of preventing the ball payout rate from being significantly low even when playing with only irregular button presses (batting order 3 to 6) when the device is operating in BB1 state.

[0136] Furthermore, in the specifications of the above embodiment, the condition for ending the BB1 ​​state is that more than 285 coins have been paid out, so the maximum number of medals won in the BB1 ​​state is when the 15-coin small role wins 20 times. However, a 4-coin small role win can occur between the start of the BB1 ​​state and the win of a shift role in the non-operating state. For this reason, if a 4-coin small role wins even once in the BB1 ​​state, the number of times a 15-coin small role can be won decreases, and as a result, the number of medals won decreases compared to when the 4-coin small role wins are not won.

[0137] Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 13 (B), JAC5a is set as the winning mode of a small role that can result in a payout of 11 medals when pressing the buttons in an irregular sequence (batting order 3 to batting order 6).If an 11-coin small role is won the same number of times as a 4-coin small role is won when the device is not in operation, the total number of medals paid out in the BB1 ​​state can be adjusted to a multiple of 15, and even if a 4-coin small role is won, the decrease in the number of medals won can be prevented.

[0138] It is preferable to configure the system so that the 11-coin minor win, which can be achieved when JAC5a is won, can be achieved by performing a stop operation at a specific press detection position, and that a 1-coin minor win will be achieved if the stop operation is not performed at the specific press detection position. This improves the degree of technical intervention in games with the reel device activated, and has the effect of reducing the average number of medals won when the stop operation is performed randomly. However, it is also possible to configure the system so that an 11-coin minor win is always achieved by performing an irregular press when JAC5a is won. It is also possible to omit the winning mode of JAC6, in which case, an opportunity to adjust the number of medals won in each game with the reel device activated can be provided.

[0139] In addition, when a replay wins, it is treated as paying out 0 coins and inserting 0 coins (condition 1), and if the shift role wins alone or if the maximum payout for a small role that is won in conjunction with the shift role is less than the specified number of inputs, the shift role wins (condition 2), and if the maximum payout for a small role that is won in conjunction with the shift role is more than the specified number of inputs, the small role wins (condition 3), and if the shift role wins in conjunction with the replay (including when the replay wins in role inactive state B), the replay wins (condition 4), and if only a small role wins, the small role wins in a manner that maximizes the number of medals paid out (condition 5), and assuming that even if the shift role wins in the role active state, the shift role does not win in that role active state (condition 6), the payout rate in role inactive state B (inside the shift in role active state) may be less than 220% as a result of calculating the payout rate in BB1 state. In this embodiment, because the shift role is the target of the lottery in the reel-operated state, the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is calculated taking into account condition 6. However, condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not the target of the lottery in the reel-operated state. When medals are increased during a shift in the reel-operated state, the number of games played until the payout number set as the end condition for the BB1 ​​state is reached increases. If the payout rate during a shift in the reel-operated state exceeds the upper limit of the payout rate for the so-called short-term test (220% for 400G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed the upper limit if the BB1 ​​state continues. The payout rate during a shift in the reel-operated state falling below 220% can also be applied to game specifications in which at least one of the above conditions 1 to 6 does not occur (for example, game specifications in which the shift role does not win alone in the reel-operated state A).

[0140] Furthermore, when calculating the payout rate in the BB1 ​​state under the assumptions of Conditions 1 through 6, the payout rate in the non-operating state B (during the shift period when the reel is operating) may be below 150%. Even in this case, Condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not included in the lottery during the operating state. If medals are increased during the shift period when the reel is not operating, the number of games played until the payout number set as the end condition for the BB1 ​​state is reached increases. In a design where the payout rate during the shift period when the reel is operating exceeds the payout rate upper limit of the so-called new mid-term test (150% at 1600G), if the BB1 ​​state continues, the payout rate may exceed the upper limit. The payout rate during the shift period when the reel is not operating below 150% can also be applied to game specifications where at least one of the conditions 1 through 6 above does not occur (for example, game specifications where the shift role cannot win alone in the non-operating state A).

[0141] Furthermore, when the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is calculated under the assumptions of Conditions 1 to 6 above, the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state may be below 220%. Even in this case, Condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not included in the lottery when the device is activated. This is because if the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is designed to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate for the so-called short-term test (220% for 400G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed the upper limit if the BB1 ​​state continues to win. The payout rate for the BB1 ​​state being below 220% can also be applied to game specifications in which a situation corresponding to at least one of Conditions 1 to 6 above does not occur (for example, game specifications in which the shift role does not win alone when the device is inactive A).

[0142] Furthermore, when the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is calculated under the assumptions of Conditions 1 to 6 above, the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state may be below 150%. Even in this case, Condition 6 is unnecessary if the shift role is not included in the lottery when the device is activated. This is because if the payout rate for the BB1 ​​state is designed to exceed the upper limit of the payout rate for the so-called new mid-term test (150% for 1600G), there is a risk that the payout rate will exceed the upper limit if the BB1 ​​state is played consecutively. The payout rate for the BB1 ​​state being below 150% can also be applied to game specifications in which a situation corresponding to at least one of Conditions 1 to 6 above does not occur (for example, game specifications in which the shift role does not win alone when the device is inactive A).

[0143] In addition, in this embodiment, the gaming machine is configured so that when playing a game, gaming media such as medals are inserted and gaming media are paid out when a winning combination is achieved, but games may also be played by consuming or granting gaming value as electronic information without using gaming media. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which information on gaming value owned by a player can be stored in the gaming machine or an external unit connected to the gaming machine, and consuming gaming value by subtracting the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by inserting gaming media, and granting gaming value by adding the number of gaming values ​​is replaced by paying out gaming media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] BX storage box, UD front upper door, DD front lower door, DW display window, L1~L3 valid lines, DS game information display, LCD liquid crystal display, SB setting change button, KS setting change key cylinder, EU power supply unit, ES power switch, SP speaker, PS reel unit storage space, MAIN main board, SUB sub board, HP Hopper Unit, MT Medal Storage Tank, CB Cash Box, R1 1st reel, R2 2nd reel, R3 3rd reel, B0 bet button, SL start lever, B1~B3 stop button, MI medal insertion slot, MO medal dispensing slot, MP medal tray, 100 game control means, 103 setting change means, 105 input acceptance means, 110 random number generation means, 120 internal lottery means, 130 reel control means, 140 winning determination means, 150 payout control means, 160 replay processing means, 170 game state control means, 180 production control means; 190a game information storage means, 1910 main lottery table storage area, 1911 Stop control table storage area, 1912 Winning determination table storage area, 1913 Setting value storage area, 1914 Credit information storage area, 1915 lottery flag storage area, 1916 game status storage area, 190b performance information storage means, 1925 performance data storage area, 1926 Sub lottery table storage area, 1927 Image buffer, 1928 Sound buffer, 210 Medal insertion switch, 220 Bet switch, 230 Start switch, 240 Stop switch, 250 Setting change permission switch, 260 Setting change switch, 310 Reel unit, 315 Reel index, 325 payout medal detection switch, 330 display device, 340 sound device

Claims

[Claim 1] a plurality of reels on the outer periphery of which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged; An internal lottery means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether or not a plurality of types of roles including small roles, replays, and special roles have been won; reel control means for rotating the plurality of reels and, upon a stop operation, performing control to stop the rotating reels in a manner according to the result of the internal lottery; A winning determination means for determining that a winning combination has been achieved based on the fact that a symbol combination indicating a winning form predetermined for each winning combination is displayed on an active line while the plurality of reels are stopped; A game value providing means for performing a process for providing a game value according to the small winning combination when the small winning combination is achieved; a replay processing means for performing processing to provide a next game free of charge when the replay wins; A game state control means for setting a plurality of game states including a first game state in which an internal lottery for the special role is conducted, and a second game state to which the game state is shifted when the special role is won; A gaming machine equipped with The winning probability of the replay varies based on the winning of the special role, and a shift role is added as a lottery target for the internal lottery, The second game state is a game state in which a state transition is repeated between a role non-operation state and a role operation state until an end condition of the second game state is established, and when the shift role is won in the role non-operation state, the state transitions to the role operation state, and when an end condition of the role operation state is established, the state transitions to the role non-operation state, In the non-operating state of the reels, the shift role overlaps with the replay and the probability of the shift role and the replay overlapping and winning is higher than the probability of the replay winning in the first gaming state, the winning probability of the replay does not change depending on the win of the shift role, and control is performed to stop the multiple reels so that the replay wins in priority to the shift role, When the replay wins, no game value is paid out, and no game value is inserted in the next game, and when the shift role wins alone or when the maximum payout of the minor role that is won in conjunction with the shift role is less than the number of game values ​​inserted, the shift role wins, when the maximum payout of the minor role that is won in conjunction with the shift role is greater than the number of game values ​​inserted, the minor role wins, when the shift role wins in conjunction with the replay, the replay wins, and when only the minor role wins, the minor role wins in such a manner that the payout of game value becomes the maximum, the payout rate in the situation where the shift role is winning with the replay inactive is calculated based on the assumption that the minor role wins in such a manner that the payout of game value becomes the maximum, is greater than 100% and less than 220%, A gaming machine characterized in that the probability of winning the small role is equal in the first gaming state and the device non-operating state, and when a specific winning pattern is obtained in the device non-operating state, the winning of a specific small role in which the number of game values ​​paid out exceeds the number of game values ​​inserted is permitted, and when the specific winning pattern is obtained in the first gaming state, the winning of the specific small role is not permitted, and when the specific winning pattern is obtained in games after the game in which the special role is won in the first gaming state until the special role is won, the winning of the specific small role is not permitted, and the device operating state has a higher probability of winning a small role than the device non-operating state, and the second gaming state makes it easier to acquire game value than the first gaming state.

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