Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing a player's interest in a performance by executing a performance according to progress by the player.SOLUTION: A main control unit is capable of executing a first reel performance to a third reel performance that suggest executed specific control at predetermined timing when a freeze based on winning of a winning area "shooting-order bell 1" to a winning area "shooting-order bell 12" is executed. The predetermined timing is a time point t1 that a reel vibration performance time elapses from the start of the first reel performance to the third reel performance. The main control unit transmits a specific command to a sub-control unit when executing the first reel performance to the third reel performance. Performance control means starts counting by a timer for a performance on the basis of reception of the specific command, and executes a winning assist performance at a time point t3 about the same as the time point t1 when a predetermined time is counted by the timer for a performance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

[0003] In the above-described gaming machine, as an effect state for executing a winning assistance effect for assisting the winning of a combination, there is known a configuration in which the winning probability of the combination is varied by shifting to an assist time state, and it becomes easier to obtain a gaming value (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in recent years, in gaming machines, it has been demanded to enhance the player's interest in the effects by using various effect expressions, and to enhance the player's interest by performing effect expressions combined with the progress of the game.

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

[0007] The present invention comprises multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, Control means capable of executing control related to the instruction function, It comprises a performance control means for controlling the performance, The aforementioned plurality of reels include a first reel, a second reel, a third reel, The subject of the lottery in the aforementioned internal lottery includes specific winning patterns. The aforementioned specific winning pattern includes the first payout prize and the second payout prize, The aforementioned first dividend is set at a higher dividend than the aforementioned second dividend. For each of the multiple types of specified winning patterns, a correct operation pattern is set as the operation pattern of the multiple stop buttons. The operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the aforementioned specific winning modes. The specified winning mode includes an operation mode in which the second reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode, and an operation mode in which the third reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode, and does not include an operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first that is the correct operation mode. Furthermore, there is no specific winning pattern in which the second payout small win does not occur when the multiple stop buttons are operated in a manner that first stops the first reel. In the case where the aforementioned internal lottery results in the selection of the specific winning pattern, When the multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode described above, the first prize is awarded. If the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the correct operation mode described above, specifically in an operation mode that stops the first reel first, then in any of the multiple types of specific winning modes, the second payout prize will be awarded. If, among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode described above, the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first, and the second payout prize is awarded with a predetermined probability, and if the second payout prize is not awarded, then no prize is awarded. The control means is capable of controlling a first state and a second state as states related to the instruction function. Based on the fact that the specific winning pattern was selected in the internal lottery in the first state, it is possible to transition from the first state to the second state. The performance control means is characterized in that, when the internal lottery in the first state results in the selection of the specific winning pattern, it is possible to execute a performance that suggests a transition from the first state to the second state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can enhance the player's interest in the game's presentation through presentations that correspond to the player's progress. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] This is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a transition diagram relating to the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the performance state during the advantageous section. [Figure 6]Time chart when winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" are won in the internal lottery in the first CZ state in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention and a specific freeze is started. [Figure 7] (A) is a diagram showing an effect executed when the first CZ state is started in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing the first CZ start spinning effect and the first CZ start effect executed in the game where the first CZ state is started. [Figure 8] (A) is a diagram showing a state where a specific freeze is started and a spinning vibration effect is executed in the gaming machine of the first embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a diagram showing a state where a spinning start effect, a winning auxiliary effect, and a result display effect are executed. [Figure 9] A diagram showing the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention, the winning combinations included in each winning area, and the number of lottery values associated with each winning area. [Figure 10] A diagram for explaining the symbol arrangement of the reels in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] A diagram for explaining the symbol combinations showing the winning forms of 15-card combinations A to C, bells A to E, and 3-card combinations A to F in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A diagram for explaining the symbol combinations showing the winning forms of 1-card combinations A to J in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] A diagram for explaining the symbol combinations showing the winning forms of 1-card combinations K to S in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] A diagram showing the winning combinations that can be won when winning in a winning area including small winning combinations in the non-RT state in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] A diagram showing the winning combinations that can be won when winning in a winning area including small winning combinations in the bonus establishment state in the gaming machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16]This is a diagram showing the payout rate for each game method in each game state in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0011] 1. Outline of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called rotary-reel type gaming machine, which is a type of gaming machine that conducts games using medals as gaming media.

[0012] The slot machine 1 of the first embodiment includes a reel unit 310 (see FIG. 2) composed of left reels R1 to right reels R3 as a plurality of reels in a box-shaped housing composed of a housing BX, a front upper door UD, and a front lower door DD. Also, a hopper unit 320 (see FIG. 2) as a medal payout device is housed below the reel unit 310 in the housing. Further, a control board that mounts a CPU, a ROM (an example of an information storage medium), a RAM, etc. and controls the operation of the slot machine 1 is also housed in the housing of the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment.

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

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is provided with a display window DW that allows observation of the rotation and stopped states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper row symbols, middle row symbols, and lower row symbols) that are arranged consecutively on the outer surface of each of the multiple types of symbols arranged at regular intervals on the outer surface of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be observed from the front of the slot machine 1 through the display window DW.

[0015] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each reel is provided with upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display window DW, and an active line L1 is set for the combination of display positions on each reel. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the number of tokens required for one game, the so-called prescribed number of tokens, is set to 3 in all game states, and when tokens equivalent to the prescribed number of tokens are inserted, the active line L1, which is composed of the middle sections of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, is activated.

[0016] The game result is determined by the combination of symbols that stop and are displayed on the active line L1 in the display window DW. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, the winning combination is considered to have been achieved, and medals are dispensed from the hopper unit 320.

[0017] The front upper door UD is equipped with a game information display unit DS. The game information display unit DS consists of LEDs, lamps, a 7-segment display, etc., and displays various game information such as the number of medal credits, the number of medals paid out or acquired in one game, the total number of medals paid out or acquired in bonus mode, information on the winning combination in the current game, and information suggesting how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to medal payouts.

[0018] The game information display unit DS includes a main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display. When a specified number of tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated, a notification display is shown, which corresponds to a winning combination command, a control signal created based on winning information, which is information about the winning combination in this game. After the notification display is shown, when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, the notification display ends and the number of tokens dispensed or acquired is displayed. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, a notification display is executed in which each segment of the main control display device 500 lights up and turns off in a display mode corresponding to the winning combination command.

[0019] Furthermore, the main control display device 500 is equipped with a section notification unit 500A, which is a dot on a 7-segment display and lights up when the advantageous section is started by the AT control means 200 (see Figure 2), described later, and the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more due to the assistance of winning small roles. In addition, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, multiple sound devices 340 for sound effects are provided on the front upper door UD and the front lower door DD. Various sounds are output from the sound devices 340 to assist in the game or to liven up the game.

[0020] The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a single bet button BT for inserting one coin and a max bet button MB for inserting a specified number of coins, which are used for inserting credited (stored) coins; a start lever SL for initiating the start operation that rotates the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to begin playing; stop buttons B1 to B3 for initiating the stop operation that stops the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors, which are used by the player; and a settlement button BS for settling credited coins.

[0021] Furthermore, a medal payout port MO and a medal receiving tray MP are provided at the bottom of the front lower door DD, and the number of medals corresponding to the game result are dispensed from the medal payout port MO to the medal receiving tray MP. Also, when the settlement button BS is pressed while the number of credited medals is stored in the game machine, a settlement process is executed in response to the pressing of the settlement button BS, dispensing a number of medals corresponding to the number of credits (the number of medals credited) from the hopper unit 320, and the medals are dispensed from the medal payout port MO to the medal receiving tray MP.

[0022] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment. The slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment is controlled by a main control unit 10, which serves as a control board. The main control unit 10 receives input signals from input means, which are a plurality of operation detection means, such as a coin 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, and performs various calculations to execute the game. Based on the calculation results, it controls the operation of output means such as the performance device 300, the reel unit 310, the hopper unit 320, and the main control display device 500.

[0023] Furthermore, the main control unit 10 includes a setting change means 100, an input reception means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a replay processing means 160, a game state transition control means 170, a main memory means 190, and an assist time control means (AT control means) 200. Each means constituting the main control unit 10 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the main memory means 190 when executing each control process.

[0024] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main memory means 190. In the setting change permission state, when the setting change permission switch 250 is ON and setting changes are permitted, the setting change means 100 receives an input signal output from the setting change switch 260 provided on the power supply and cyclically changes the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 in the order of setting 1 → setting 2... setting 6 → setting 1... In the slot machine 1, the setting change permission state is terminated by confirming the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 based on a start signal from the start switch 230 which is activated by operating the start lever SL in the setting change permission state. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to change a setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are initialized, and the game state is set to the non-replay time state (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT"), and the normal section is set. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, the control related to auxiliary games that was executed by the AT control means 200 before the setting change is also initialized. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control unit 10 is cut off (power out) and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 170 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 200 are resumed from the state before the power outage. For this reason, in the slot machine 1, when a power outage occurs and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to auxiliary games that was executed by the AT control means 200 before the power outage is also maintained from the state before the power outage.

[0026] The coin insertion acceptance means 105 performs a process to activate the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that a specified number of coins (3 coins) have been inserted during the coin insertion acceptance period in which coins are inserted. Specifically, when coins are inserted into the coin slot MI (see Figure 1), the coin insertion switch 210 is activated, and the coin insertion acceptance means 105 sets the inserted coins to the inserted state, up to the specified number. Furthermore, when a bet operation is performed by pressing the single bet button BT or the max bet button MB while coins are credited, the coin insertion acceptance means 105 is activated, and the bet switch 220 is activated, setting the credited coins to the inserted state, up to the specified number.

[0027] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the first press of the start lever SL, which is activated based on the insertion of a specified number of tokens, is accepted as the player's operation to start playing, triggering the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and also triggering the internal lottery means 120, which will be described later, to perform an internal lottery.

[0028] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In the first embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that occur randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that, even if their generation is regular, can function as effectively random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0029] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0030] In the lottery table selection process, the system selects which of the multiple internal lottery tables stored in the internal lottery table storage means 192 of the main memory means 190 will be used to perform the internal lottery, based on the current game state. In each internal lottery table, each of the multiple random numbers (for example, 65,536 random numbers from 0 to 65,535) is associated with various roles such as replays, minor roles, and bonuses, as well as losses (misses).

[0031] In the following description, "bonus" refers to a feature that activates a special mechanism or a continuous special mechanism activation device upon winning; "bonus activated" means that a bonus is won and the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated; and "bonus state" means the state in which the special mechanism or continuous special mechanism activation device is activated.

[0032] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for drawing) generated by the random number generation means 110 for each game is obtained based on the start signal output from the start switch 230. The obtained random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and a determination is made based on the comparison result as to whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0033] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously is set to an established state. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, there are lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state without being carried over to subsequent games regardless of whether a win is achieved (carry-over non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main memory means 190.

[0034] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the start signal output from the start switch 230, which is activated when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL. Furthermore, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reaches a state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation detected by the stop switch 240 when the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel are pressed. Then, when the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation outputs a reel stop signal, the reel control means 130 performs control to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stop switch 240 that detected the stop operation (reel stop control).

[0035] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and the player presses the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first press will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second press as the second stop operation, and the third press as the third stop operation.

[0036] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190ms from the time when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed (when the stop switch 240 detects the stop operation). Here, when stopping the rotating reels within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each rotating reel is configured to allow a maximum of 4 frames of rotation from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel.

[0037] Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be pulled onto the active line L1 (pulling range) is a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until it rotates 4 frames.

[0038] When reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, which includes a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to the "established" state can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to the "not established" state cannot be awarded, and a table reference process that determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194 of the main memory means 190, thereby stopping the rotating reel and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0039] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine the priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each of these small wins is treated as the same.

[0040] The prize determination means 140 performs a prize determination process to determine whether a winning combination has been achieved based on the stopping patterns of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Specifically, while referring to the prize determination table stored in the prize determination table storage means 195 of the main memory means 190, it determines whether the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 when all of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped correspond to predetermined winning combinations. The prize determination table is provided so that the presence or absence of a bonus, replay, or minor win can be determined (hereinafter referred to as "prize determination") based on the symbol combinations displayed on the active line L1 in the state in which each reel has stopped. In the following description, the symbol combinations that indicate the winning combination will also be referred to as "prize symbol combinations".

[0041] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. As for the processes executed based on the result of the prize determination, for example, if a small win is achieved, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of medals to be paid out; if a replay is achieved, the replay processing means 160 is instructed to execute the next game without consuming medals; and if a win that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is achieved, the game state transition control means 170 is instructed to transition to a new game state.

[0042] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win is achieved, it determines the number of medals to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and controls the hopper unit 320, which acts as a payout device, to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the determined payout amount.

[0043] The hopper unit 320 dispenses the number of medals instructed by the dispensing control means 150. The hopper unit 320 is equipped with a dispensed medal detection switch 325 that operates each time a medal is dispensed. The dispensing control means 150 is configured to manage the number of medals actually dispensed from the hopper unit 320 based on the input signal from the dispensed medal detection switch 325. If medal credit is permitted, instead of actually dispensing medals, the hopper unit 320 performs a credit addition process, which adds the number of medals dispensed to the number of credits (number of credited medals) stored in the credit storage area (not shown) of the main storage means 190, thereby virtually dispensing medals.

[0044] The replay processing means 160, when the winning determination means 140 determines that a combination of symbols indicating the winning of one of the multiple types of replay symbols described later has stopped and is displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay processing (re-play processing) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of tokens are automatically inserted without using the player's tokens (including credit tokens), and the machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

[0045] The game state transition control means 170 performs the process of transitioning game states between multiple game states, and the process of activating and terminating bonuses. Here, the transition conditions for each game state may be defined as one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0046] The AT control means 200 is an auxiliary game control means that performs control related to the transition between an advantageous section (advantageous period), which is a section (period) in which control related to an instruction function that can perform an auxiliary game that assists in winning specific roles, can be performed, and a normal section (non-advantageous period, non-advantageous section), which is a section (period) in which control related to an auxiliary game (control related to an instruction function) based on the results of an internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be performed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 197, thereby performing control related to the normal section, the advantageous section, and the auxiliary game.

[0047] The AT control data storage means 197 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including AT states and non-AT states, that are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to an ON state or an OFF state in a predetermined control process).

[0048] The AT control means 200 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and performs prize-winning assistance (correct button-press notification) to help the player win specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation order (correct button-press order) of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enables the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 500 consisting of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when prize-winning assistance is performed by the AT control means 200, the performance control means 180, described later, performs a prize-winning assistance performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct button-press order on the display device 330. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation pattern of stop buttons B1 to B3 is notified by prize-winning assistance, thereby performing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0049] The AT control means 200 executes a predetermined termination process to terminate the advantageous period and start the normal period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process to initialize various flags, numerical values, and other information related to the advantageous period that were set within the advantageous period, when a predetermined termination condition for terminating the advantageous period, which will be described in more detail later, is met. In addition, the AT control means 200 lights up the section notification unit 500A when the advantageous period has started and the expected value of medal acquisition is 1 or more due to the execution of prize-winning assistance. For this reason, even when the advantageous period has started, the AT control means 200 is configured to turn off the section notification unit 500A if the performance state is one in which prize-winning assistance is not executed.

[0050] The AT control means 200, in a game in which the advantageous period has started, adds a value "1", which is equivalent to one game, to the value stored in the first advantageous period counter 197a (stored value) each time a game is played, and performs a game count update process that cumulatively increments the stored value of the first advantageous period counter 197a. The AT control means 200 also performs a difference in tokens update process that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens) obtained by subtracting the number of tokens paid out by the number of tokens inserted from the game in which the advantageous period started, in the second advantageous period counter 197b.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200, when controlled in an advantageous section, performs a game count update process that cumulatively adds (updates) a value of "1", which corresponds to one game, to the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a each time a game is executed, regardless of the game state, and a difference in the number of medals update process that cumulatively updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b to a value corresponding to the difference in the number of medals.

[0052] Here, in the AT control means 200, in the difference in the number of tokens update process that updates the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, if the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes less than the value "0" when the number of tokens paid out in the game is less than the prescribed number of tokens inserted, the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b is set to the value "0". As a result, the AT control means 200 can fix the value of the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b at its lowest point to the value "0", so in the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b, it is no longer necessary to change the value that serves as the threshold for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point, and the load on the control process using the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b can be reduced.

[0053] The AT control means 200 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous section when 1500 games have been played, that is, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a becomes the first value "0", or when the player has acquired more than 2400 medals from the point in the advantageous section when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b becomes "2401" from the point in time when it was at its lowest value (lowest point), and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous section and start the normal section from the next game.

[0054] The AT control means 200 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values ​​set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 200 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 200 in the first embodiment will be described later.

[0055] The freeze control means 600 executes a freeze process, which is a process that causes a freeze that temporarily delays the progress of normal gameplay. In the first embodiment, the freeze control means 600, as a freeze, executes a reel performance that operates the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in a specific manner within the period until the detection of a stop operation by the stop switch 240 is enabled in the reel control means 130, based on a start signal output when the player performs a start operation on the start lever SL and the start switch 230 detects the start operation.

[0056] Furthermore, the freeze performed by the freeze control means 600 is not limited to one that temporarily interrupts the normal gameplay and delays the game's progress by executing a reel animation. The freeze only needs to be able to temporarily interrupt the normal gameplay and delay the game's progress. For example, it may temporarily disable operations on valid stop buttons, or it may temporarily disable operations on single bet buttons BT, max bet buttons MB, and start levers SL, etc. Details of the reel animation performed by the freeze control means 600 will be described later.

[0057] The sub-control unit 20 is connected to the main control unit 10 via unidirectional communication so that it can receive various information, including commands, from the main control unit 10, but cannot transmit information to the main control unit 10. Based on the various signals (commands) transmitted from the main control unit 10, it performs various calculations to execute the performance, and controls the operation of output means such as the display device 330 and the performance device 300, including the sound device 340, based on the calculation results. The functions of the sub-control unit 20 are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RWM, or by software consisting of predetermined programs pre-stored in ROM, etc. The sub-control unit 20 of the first embodiment has a CPU as a processor (hereinafter, the CPU of the sub-control unit 20 is also referred to as "sub-CPU"). The sub-control unit 20 also has performance control means 180 and sub-storage means 181 on the ROM of the sub-control unit 20. Each means constituting the sub-control unit 20 reads and executes each control program pre-stored in the sub-storage means 181 when executing each control process.

[0058] The performance control means 180 controls game-related effects based on performance data stored in the performance data storage means 182 of the sub-storage means 181, such as image and video effects using the display device 330 and sound effects using the sound device 340. Specifically, when a player operates various components of the slot machine 1, such as inserting medals, operating the single bet button BT, the max bet button MB, the start lever SL, the stop buttons B1 to B3, and the performance button PU, or when a game event occurs such as a change in the game state, the performance control means 180 controls the execution of effects that enhance the game or assist the game by lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, outputting sound from the sound device 340, etc. Furthermore, the performance control means 180 causes each component of the performance device 300 to execute effects based on each performance state.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the performance control means 180 executes a prize-winning assistance performance using the performance device 300 to announce the contents to be announced by the prize-winning assistance (for example, announcement of the correct batting order when the winning area "batting order bell 1" is won) when the AT control means 200 performs prize-winning assistance.

[0060] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in the first embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 8, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0061] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 shows the winning areas that are subject to internal drawing in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area.

[0062] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, a regular big bonus (hereinafter, the regular big bonus is also referred to as "RBB") is provided as a bonus, which is a continuous activation device for a special first-class feature. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 has game states controlled by the game state transition control means 170, which include a non-RT state, which is a general state where the RBB is not set to be established and the RBB is not operating; a bonus established state, which is a state to which the player transitions when the RBB is set to be established, and in which the RBB is maintained internally until the RBB is activated; and a bonus state, which is a state to which the player transitions when the RBB is activated, and in which the RBB is operating.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery include the winning area "All Small Wins", the winning area "All Single Wins", the winning area "Normal Replay 1", the winning area "Normal Replay 2", the winning area "Rare Replay", the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12", the winning area "RBB & Single Win", the winning area "RBB & Rare Win", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 20 are associated with each of these areas. In addition, in the slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery when the result is not won (a miss).

[0064] Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which the stop buttons B1 through B3 are pressed. In the following description, the timing at which the stop buttons B1 through B3 are pressed will also be referred to as "press timing."

[0065] In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed consists of six types of pressing orders, from pressing order 1 to pressing order 6. Press order 1 is a pressing order called "sequential pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3. Press order 2 is a pressing order called "scissors pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2. Press order 3 is a pressing order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Press order 4 is a pressing order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Press order 5 is a pressing order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Furthermore, batting order 6 is a so-called reverse batting order, where the stopping operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0066] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner or loser in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 20 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0067] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the small wins that can be achieved when the internal lottery is won include Bell A to Bell F, Single Win A to Single Win C, and Rare Win, and the replays that can be won when the internal lottery is won include Replay A, Replay B, and Rare Replay. Each small win and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 3.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in slot machine 1, the winning areas "RBB&1-coin win" and "RBB&rare win" are set as winning areas that include both bonuses and small wins, and the winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only bonuses.

[0069] In Slot Machine 1, the winning area "Rare Replay" has a lower winning probability than the other replay winning areas. Also, in Slot Machine 1, the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" has a lower winning probability than the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12" and the winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role," which include the small roles.

[0070] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the carry-over flag is associated with the RBB, while the minor role and replay are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, if the internal lottery hits a winning area including the RBB, the state in which the RBB lottery flag is established is carried over until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine whether the minor role and replay are won, even in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over, if a minor role or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles, consisting of the already won RBB lottery flag and the minor role or replay lottery flag won in the internal lottery, are set to the established state.

[0071] <Internal Lottery Table> In the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 an internal lottery table used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, which includes an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the bonus established state (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the bonus state (operating mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value is associated with each winning area that is the target of the lottery.

[0072] <Random number generation process> In the first embodiment, the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192. If the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it is determined that the player has won in the winning area corresponding to the number of lottery values ​​that was subtracted. Furthermore, if the result of the subtraction is a positive value after subtracting by all the number of lottery values ​​stored in the internal lottery table, it is determined that the player has not won any role and is therefore unsuccessful.

[0073] Furthermore, the random number generation means 110 of the first embodiment is configured to generate a total of 65,536 random numbers ranging from 0 to 65,535 for use in the internal lottery. In addition, in the internal lottery table A, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536, and in the internal lottery table B, the total number of lottery values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" to the winning area "Normal Replay 1" is 65,536. Therefore, in the internal lottery during non-RT state or bonus state, the system is configured to ensure that one of the roles is won and no one loses.

[0074] <Bonus Winning Determination Process> As described above, in the first embodiment, the internal lottery means 120 has lottery values ​​set for the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" and the winning area "RBB & rare win" when a bonus is established. Therefore, in the internal lottery when the game state is a bonus established state, there is a possibility that an RBB may be won again when an RBB has already been set to an established state. To prevent the newly won RBB from being set to an established state, the internal lottery means 120 is configured to execute a bonus win determination process that determines whether the winning area whose win or loss is determined by a random number determination process is a winning area that includes a bonus.

[0075] In the bonus winning determination process, the internal lottery means 120, when it determines in the random number determination process that a winning area including a bonus is subject to determination of win or loss, executes a process to skip the process of setting the bonus to the winning state if the winning area including a bonus is a win and the game state is a bonus winning state. In this way, the slot machine 1 prevents a new RBB from being set to the winning state when an RBB is already set to the winning state.

[0076] <Details of the batting order bell> In the first embodiment, each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" has a set batting order (correct batting order) that allows bells A to F to be awarded when a win is achieved.

[0077] In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" and "Bat Order Bell 7," the correct batting order to win Bell A is set to batting order 1, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting orders 2 to 6, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning 1-coin prize A or 1-coin prize B. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 2" and "Bat Order Bell 8," the correct batting order to win Bell B is set to batting order 2, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting orders 1, 3 to 6, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning 1-coin prize A or 1-coin prize B. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 3" and "Bat Order Bell 9," the correct batting order to win Bell C is set to batting order 3. When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting orders 1, 2, 4 to 6, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning 1-coin prize A or 1-coin prize B. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 4" and "Bat Order Bell 10," the correct batting order to win Bell D is set to batting order 4. When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting orders 1 to 3, 5, or 6, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning 1-coin prize A or 1-coin prize B. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 5" and "Bat Order Bell 11," the correct batting order to win Bell E is set to batting order 5. When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting orders 1 to 4 and 6, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning 1-coin prize A or 1-coin prize B. In the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 6" and "Bat Order Bell 12," the correct batting order to win Bell F is set to batting order 6. When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting orders 1 to 5, there is a 1 / 2 probability of winning 1-coin prize A or 1-coin prize B.

[0078] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order for the winning combinations to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is set to "replay > small win > bonus". In other words, when a bonus and a small win or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 performs a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

[0079] <Payouts for minor roles> The payout for Bell A through Bell F is set to be 15 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins to be inserted (3 coins). Also, the payout for 1-coin combinations A through C and rare combinations is set to be 1 coin, which is less than the prescribed number of coins to be inserted.

[0080] <Game state transition control means> Figure 4 is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of game states performed by the game state transition control means 170 of the first embodiment.

[0081] As shown in Figure 4, the non-RT state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among multiple types of game states (initial game state, normal game state), and is a non-bonus state in which a bonus is not activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0082] The bonus-established state is a game state that is entered when, in the non-RT state, the player wins one of the following winning areas in the internal lottery: "RBB", "RBB & 1-coin win", or "RBB & rare win", and RBB is set to the established state. In the bonus-established state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table B, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3).

[0083] The bonus state is a game state that is entered when an RBB is won and the RBB is activated. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 determines whether the termination condition of the activated RBB has been met based on the total number of medals paid out. If the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 100 medals), the bonus state is terminated by ending the operation of the RBB, and the game state is transitioned to the non-bonus state, the non-RT state. In the bonus state, the game state transition control means 170 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C.

[0084] As shown in Figure 3, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with two winning areas: "All Small Wins," which includes all small wins such as Bell A to Bell F, Single Win A to Single Win C, and Rare Wins; and "All Single Wins," which includes all small wins such as Single Win A to Single Win C and Rare Wins, where the payout is set to 1 coin.

[0085] The bonus state will be explained in detail using Figure 3. In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Wins" or the winning area "All Single Wins" in the bonus state in which internal lottery table C is selected is higher than the probability of winning any of the winning areas including small wins in internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B. In other words, the probability of winning a small win in the bonus state is set to be higher than the probability of winning any small win in any game state other than the bonus state. Furthermore, in internal lottery table C, the probability of winning the winning area "All Small Wins" is set to be the same as the sum of the probabilities of winning any one of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 6" and any one of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 7" to "Bat Order Bell 12" in internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B.

[0086] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured such that, in the bonus state, the probability of winning all minor roles increases compared to the non-RT state (when the bonus is not activated) and the bonus state, and the probability of winning any minor role is the same or increases.

[0087] Furthermore, in the bonus state, slot machine 1 is configured such that the probability of winning in the winning area "All Small Wins" is lower than the probability of winning in any of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" (the sum of the winning probabilities for each of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12").

[0088] Thus, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment has multiple types of first specific winning patterns (winning area "Bell 1" to "Bell 6", winning area "Bell 7" to "Bell 12") in which multiple types of specific roles (Bell A to Bell F) set to pay out more than the number of game value inputs required to start the game do not overlap with each other but are also won in combination with other small roles, and a second specific winning pattern (winning area "All Small Roles") in which multiple types of specific small roles are won in combination. The internal lottery means 120 is configured to conduct an internal lottery so that multiple types of first specific winning patterns exist in the normal game state (non-RT state) and the bonus state, and to conduct an internal lottery so that a second specific winning pattern exists in the bonus state. Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning the second winning pattern in the internal lottery during the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple first winning patterns in the internal lottery during normal gameplay and the bonus state, and the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery during the bonus state is set to be higher than or equal to the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery during normal gameplay and the bonus state.

[0089] Therefore, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate during the bonus state is less than 100%.

[0090] Here, in the bonus establishment state, although it will be described in more detail later, when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", unless the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order composed of batting orders 1 to 6, the bells A to F cannot be won. Therefore, the probability of winning any one of the bells A to F is limited to the case where the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be pressed in the correct batting order from six types of batting orders. On the other hand, when an AT game in which winning assistance is executed by the AT control means 200 described later is executed, when winning in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12", the correct batting order is notified by the winning assistance control by the AT control means 200 and the winning assistance performance by the performance control means 180. Therefore, the probability of winning any one of the bells A to F can be increased up to six times at most compared to the case where no winning assistance is executed.

[0091] As described above, in the first embodiment, six types from bells A to F are set as winning roles (specific roles) that pay out more medals than the specified number of inserted medals that win when the stop operation is performed in the correct batting order and the pressing timing of the first stop operation is appropriate. And the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in the bonus state is compressed to about 1 / 6 of the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in a game state other than the bonus state. By configuring in this way, an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific roles are won without overlapping each other in a game state other than the bonus state, and an internal lottery is performed by providing a mode in which N types of specific roles are won overlappingly in the bonus state. Thus, the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in the bonus state can be compressed to about 1 / N of the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a specific role in a game state other than the bonus state. Thereby, since the lower limit of the expected value of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state can be lowered to less than 100% and then the medal acquisition performance regarding the AT game can be designed, the design freedom of the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be dramatically improved.

[0092] <AT control means> Figure 5 is a state transition diagram showing details of the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 200 of the first embodiment, and the performance state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0093] As described above, the normal section is a period during which no control is performed regarding auxiliary games based on the results of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120. In games played within the normal section, the AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery, which is a lottery to determine whether to end the normal section and start the favorable section, based on the winning area selected in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0094] In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 200 first obtains an advantageous section transition lottery table from the AT control data storage means 197, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous section" and "miss (failure)" are associated with each of several random numbers. Then, the AT control means 200 obtains a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the obtained random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and decides whether or not to start the advantageous section based on the comparison result.

[0095] The AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the probability of winning a winning area in the internal lottery by the probability of winning "start of favorable section" in the favorable section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0096] In the first embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to perform a favorable section lottery when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12", winning area "RBB & Rare Role", winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", winning area "Normal Replay 1", or winning area "Rare Replay" is selected in the internal lottery during the non-RT state and bonus establishment state, but does not perform a favorable section lottery when any other winning area is selected. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs a favorable section lottery with a high probability of approximately 1 / 1.5 in which it will select "Start of Favourite Section".

[0097] In the advantageous period, the AT control means 200 has states (performance states) related to the instruction function, namely the normal state, the first CZ state, the second CZ state, the first AT state, the second AT state, the AT-in-CZ state, and the special AT state. In the normal state, it is configured not to perform assistance for the entry of bells A to bells F when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12". In the first CZ state, the second CZ state, the first AT state, the second AT state, the AT-in-CZ state, and the special AT state, it is configured to perform assistance for the entry of bells A to bells F when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

[0098] The normal state is the performance state that corresponds to the normal state among several types of performance states (normal performance state), which is set when the performance state has not transitioned to any other performance state. When the performance state transitions to the normal state, the AT control means 200 performs an incremental update to the non-AT game counter (not shown), which counts the number of games played in the normal state, by adding a value of "1" corresponding to one game each time a game is played. When the stored value of the non-AT game counter reaches the value of "700", the AT control means 200 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state have been met, and transitions the performance state from the normal state to the CZ state.

[0099] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs a normal CZ lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the CZ state when the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is selected in the internal lottery, or when the winning area "Rare Replay" is selected.

[0100] The AT control means 200 conducts a lottery during normal CZ lottery to determine either "transition to CZ state" or "failure." If the normal CZ lottery results in "transition to CZ state," it determines that the conditions for transitioning to the CZ state (CZ transition conditions) have been met, and transitions the performance state from the normal state to the first CZ state.

[0101] The first CZ state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because assistance is provided for the entry of bells A to F when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12".

[0102] The AT control means 200 performs a first CZ result determination process at the start of the first CZ state, which associates the result of the first CZ state with the result of the internal lottery. In the first CZ result determination process, the AT control means 200 associates three types of results as the result of the first CZ state—"continuation of the first CZ state," "transition to the second CZ state," and "stock of one set of the first AT state"—with the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1," "Batting Order Bell 2," "Batting Order Bell 7," and "Batting Order Bell 8" (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "first winning area"), "Batting Order Bell 3," "Batting Order Bell 4," "Batting Order Bell 9," and "Batting Order Bell 10" (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "second winning area"), and "Batting Order Bell 5," "Batting Order Bell 6," "Batting Order Bell 11," and "Batting Order Bell 12" (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "third winning area").

[0103] As described above, the first winning area is the area where batting order 1 and batting order 2 are set as the correct batting order in which stop button B1 is the first to be stopped; the second winning area is the area where batting order 3 and batting order 4 are set as the correct batting order in which stop button B2 is the first to be stopped; and the third winning area is the area where batting order 5 and batting order 6 are set as the correct batting order in which stop button B3 is the first to be stopped.

[0104] 200 AT control means 200 executes control based on the result determined in the first CZ result determination process when the player wins one of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12" in the internal lottery during a game in the first CZ state, including a game in which the first CZ result determination process has been executed. If the player wins one of the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12" in the internal lottery, the AT control means 200 executes control based on the result determined in the first CZ result determination process based on the winning area. If the player wins one of the winning areas associated with "continuation of the first CZ state", the AT control means 200 continues the first CZ state in the next game and executes the first CZ result determination process at the start of the next game. If the player wins one of the winning areas associated with "transition to the second CZ state", the AT control means 200 transitions the state related to the auxiliary game from the first CZ state to the second CZ state and starts the second CZ state from the next game. Then, when the AT control means 200 wins in a winning area associated with "one set of first AT state stocks", it transitions the state related to the auxiliary game from the first CZ state to the second CZ state, starts the second CZ state from the next game, and starts the second CZ state with the transition to the AT state predetermined.

[0105] In the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, during the first CZ state, the machine is configured to perform a spinning animation using the freeze control means 600 and an animation using the animation device 300 using the animation control means 180. Details of the animations during the first CZ state will be described later.

[0106] The second CZ state is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state because assistance is provided for the entry of bells A to F when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12".

[0107] The AT control means 200 sets a value corresponding to a predetermined number of games (for example, 10 games) in the 2nd CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the 2nd CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the 2nd CZ game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0108] The AT control means 200 is configured to perform an AT lottery during the second CZ state in a game in which the second CZ state is started, in which a lottery is held to determine whether or not to stock one set of the first AT state. If the "stock of one set of the first AT state" is won in the AT lottery during the second CZ state, or if the "stock of one set of the first AT state" was won in the first CZ state, the AT control means 200 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the AT state (AT transition conditions) have been met, and after 10 games of gameplay have been executed from the start of the second CZ state, the performance state is transitioned from the second CZ state to the first AT state.

[0109] On the other hand, if the AT lottery during the second CZ does not result in a "stock of one set of the first AT state," the AT control means 200 terminates the second CZ state after 10 games have been played from the start of the second CZ state. If the second CZ state is terminated while the AT transition conditions have not been met, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the conditions for terminating the advantageous section has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process, which is a process for initializing information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process, which terminates the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

[0110] During the AT lottery in the second CZ, the AT control means 200 performs a lottery in which it is possible to win "one set of the first AT state stock" regardless of the result of the internal lottery. Furthermore, during the AT lottery in the second CZ, the AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table by referring to the winning area won in the internal lottery, so that the probability of winning "one set of the first AT state stock" changes depending on the winning area won in the internal lottery. When the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" is won in the internal lottery, when the winning area "Rare Replay" is won, the AT control means 200 obtains a lottery table in which it is possible to win "one set of the first AT state stock" with a higher probability than when other winning areas are won.

[0111] The first AT state is a state in which an auxiliary game can be executed in which assistance is performed to win bells A to bells F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is won. As an assistance for winning in the AT state, the AT control means 200 displays on the main control display device 500 a display that notifies the correct batting order that makes it possible to win bells A to bells F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is won.

[0112] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (20 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the first AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the first AT state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the first AT game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to one game.

[0113] When the stored value of the first AT game counter becomes "0", the AT control means 200 decides to continue the first AT state and starts the next set of the first AT state if one or more sets of the first AT state are stocked. Also, when the stored value of the first AT game counter becomes "0", the AT control means 200 transitions from the first AT state to the stocked performance state based on the end of the first AT state if a transition to the second AT state or the AT-in-CZ state was stocked at the start of the first AT state.

[0114] If a set of first AT states has not been stocked and a transition to the second AT state or the AT-in-CZ state has not been determined, the AT control means 200 executes a first AT continuation lottery in the game in which the first AT state has been started, with "continuation of the first AT state," "transition to the second AT state," and "transition to the AT-in-CZ state" as the targets of the lottery. In the first AT continuation lottery, if the AT control means 200 wins one of the following: "continuation of the first AT state," "transition to the second AT state," or "transition to the AT-in-CZ state," the AT control means 200 executes control related to the transition of the performance state according to the result won when the stored value of the first AT game counter becomes "0."

[0115] On the other hand, if the first AT continuation lottery is unsuccessful, and does not result in "continuation of the first AT state," "transition to the second AT state," or "transition to the AT CZ state," the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met based on the fact that the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition) has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section along with the termination of the first AT state, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

[0116] The AT control means 200 performs a bonus granting lottery to determine whether or not to grant a bonus that is advantageous to the player when the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 results in the winning area "RBB & Rare Role" or the winning area "Rare Replay". In the bonus granting lottery when one or more sets of the first AT state are stocked, the AT control means 200 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to change the information related to the stocked "execution of one set of the first AT state" to a transition to the second AT state. Furthermore, in the bonus granting lottery when a transition to the second AT state has been decided, the AT control means 200 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to change the information related to the decided "transition to the second AT state" to a transition to the AT-in-CZ state. Furthermore, in the bonus granting lottery when a transition to the AT-in-CZ state has been decided, the AT control means 200 performs a lottery to determine whether or not to transition from the AT-in-CZ state, which is transitioned to after the end of the first AT state, to the special AT state. Then, in the bonus granting lottery held when the first AT continuation lottery is unsuccessful, the AT control means 200 conducts a lottery to determine whether or not to continue the first AT state.

[0117] In the first AT state, the effect control means 180 causes the display device 330 to display the first character and the second character opposite to each other, and executes an effect in which the first character and the second character fight. When one set of the first AT states is stocked, when the transition to the second AT state or the AT - in CZ state is determined, and when winning in any of "continuation of the first AT state", "transition to the second AT state", and "transition to the AT - in CZ state" in the first AT continuation lottery, the effect control means 180 executes an effect in which the first character attacks the second character in the 19th game of one set of the first AT state. When not winning in the first AT continuation lottery, the effect control means 180 executes an effect in which the second character attacks the first character in the 19th game of one set of the first AT state.

[0118] When the last game in one set of the first AT state starts in a state where the continuation of the first AT state is determined, the effect control means 180 executes a display indicating that the first character has won against the second character, and executes a display prompting the start of the next game to notify that a new set of the first AT state will start from the next game. When the last game in one set of the first AT state starts in a state where the continuation of the first AT state is determined and the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, the effect control means 180 executes an effect to notify that a new set of the first AT state will start from the next game.

[0119] Also, in the first AT state, when one set of the first AT states is stocked, the effect control means 180 displays an icon display, which is an icon surrounding the character "win" with a circle, as a display notifying that one set of the first AT states is stocked on the display device 330, and displays a strip display showing the characters "Continuation Confirmed!". The strip display has a larger display area within the display area of the display device 330 than the icon display.

[0120] The performance control means 180 is configured to continue displaying the icon display and the banner display from the start of the game in which the first set of the first AT state was started until the 20th game of the first set of the first AT state, that is, until the last game of the first set of the first AT state is started and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop. The performance control means 180 is configured to continue displaying the banner display and end the display of the icon display at the timing when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop during the last game of the first set of the first AT state.

[0121] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the first AT state is executed with one set of first AT states stocked, and the fact that one set of first AT states is stocked is indicated by an icon display and a banner display, the execution of the stocked first AT state is decided, that is, the stock is consumed and the execution of the next set of first AT states is decided, the banner display is continued and the icon display is terminated at the timing when the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 stop, thereby preventing the icon display from continuing to be displayed even though the stock has been consumed, which would make it difficult to determine whether or not the stock has been consumed, and thus reducing the player's discomfort with the presentation.

[0122] Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment continues to display the band display even when the icon display ends, thereby preventing a significant change in the displayed content within the display area of ​​the display device 330 due to the band display, which has a larger display area than the icon display, ending as well. This reduces the player's sense of unease regarding the presentation.

[0123] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 executes a continuation process based on the end of one set of the first AT state, and the display of the icon ends at the timing when an effect is executed that notifies the player that the first character displayed on the display device 330 has won against the second character and a new set of the first AT state will start from the next game, so that the player can recognize that the end of the display of the icon consumes a stock and the next set of the first AT state will start, thereby giving meaning to the end of the display of the icon, and preventing the player from feeling any discomfort with the effect of ending the display.

[0124] The second AT state is a state in which an auxiliary game can be executed in which assistance is performed to win bells A to bells F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is won. As an assistance for winning in the AT state, the AT control means 200 displays on the main control display device 500 a display that notifies the correct batting order that makes it possible to win bells A to bells F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is won.

[0125] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (5 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the second AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 at the start of the second AT state. Each time a game is played, it performs a decrement update, subtracting the stored value of the second AT game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game. When the stored value of the second AT game counter becomes "0", the second AT state ends and the system transitions to the first AT state.

[0126] The AT control means 200 performs a first AT stock lottery in a game in which the second AT state has started to determine whether or not to stock one set of the first AT state. If it wins the "stock of one set of the first AT state", it decides to continue the first AT state, which starts after the end of the second AT state, for one set.

[0127] During the AT CZ state, an auxiliary game is available in which assistance is performed to help win bells A to bell F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is selected. As an assistance for winning in the AT state, the AT control means 200 displays on the main control display device 500 a display that notifies the correct batting order that makes it possible to win bells A to bell F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is selected.

[0128] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (5 games) corresponding to a predetermined number of games in the AT control data storage means 197's AT CZ game count counter (not shown) at the start of the AT CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the AT CZ game count counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0129] The AT control means 200 is configured to perform a special AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition to the special AT state in a game in which the AT-in-CZ state has started. If the AT-in-CZ lottery results in a "transition to the special AT state", the AT control means 200 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the special AT state have been met, and after 5 games have been played from the start of the AT-in-CZ state, the performance state transitions from the AT-in-CZ state to the special AT state.

[0130] On the other hand, if the AT-in-CZ lottery does not result in a "transition to special AT state," the AT control means 200 terminates the AT-in-CZ state and transitions the performance state to the first AT state after 5 games have been played from the start of the AT-in-CZ state.

[0131] Thus, the AT-inclusive CZ state is configured to be able to continue for a longer period than the 1st AT state and the 2nd AT state, and is configured as a chance zone state within the AT state that allows transition to a special AT state which is configured to be more advantageous than the 1st AT state and the 2nd AT state.

[0132] The special AT state is a state in which an auxiliary game is performed in which assistance is provided for winning bells A to F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is selected. As assistance for winning in the AT state, the AT control means 200 displays on the main control display device 500 a display that notifies the correct batting order that makes it possible to win bells A to F when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is selected.

[0133] The AT control means 200 sets an initial value (1500 coins) corresponding to a predetermined difference in coins in the special AT difference coin counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 197 when the special AT state starts. When a small win occurs, the AT control means 200 subtracts the value stored in the special AT difference coin counter by subtracting a predetermined number of coins from the payout set for the small win.

[0134] Furthermore, the AT control means 200 is configured to update the value of the special AT difference counter to "0" if the result of the subtraction falls below "0" and becomes a negative value. With this configuration, the slot machine 1 does not need to provide data capacity and calculation programs to enable the special AT difference counter to store negative values, and the data capacity related to the special AT difference counter can be reduced.

[0135] When the stored value of the special AT difference counter becomes "0" or less, the AT control means 200 determines that the normal termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met based on the fact that the termination condition of the AT state (AT termination condition) has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section along with the termination of the special AT state, and a predetermined termination process which terminates the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

[0136] Furthermore, in any of the states of the first AT state, second AT state, AT-in-CZ state, and special AT state, when the stored value of the first advantageous section counter 197a reaches the value "1500" and when the stored value of the second advantageous section counter 197b exceeds the value "2400", the AT control means 200 determines that a specific termination condition among the termination conditions of the advantageous section has been met, regardless of whether the termination condition of the currently running performance state has been met, and executes a predetermined initialization process which initializes information related to the advantageous section, and a predetermined termination process which ends the advantageous section and starts the normal section from the next game.

[0137] 3. Details of the presentation during the first CZ state Next, we will describe in detail the effects performed by the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment during the first CZ state.

[0138] <Flow of events during the 1st CZ state> In the first embodiment, when the slot machine 1 starts a game in which the first CZ state has been initiated, the AT control means 200 executes the first CZ result determination process, the freeze control means 600 generates a start freeze, and the first CZ start reel performance is executed as a reel performance during the start freeze, and the performance control means 180 displays the result of the first CZ state and the result of the internal lottery, which the AT control means 200 has associated in the first CZ result determination process, on the display device 330, thereby executing a first CZ start display performance.

[0139] In the reel animation at the start of the first CZ, the freeze control means 600 rotates the reels at a slower speed than normal rotation (for example, 10 rpm) and in the opposite direction to normal rotation (reverse rotation), and after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have been rotated in the reverse direction for a predetermined number of revolutions (for example, 2 revolutions), the reverse rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is stopped.

[0140] When the reel animation at the start of the first CZ is being executed by the freeze control means 600, the animation control means 180 executes an animation as a display animation at the start of the first CZ, which displays the result of the first CZ state above the reel that stops first when the buttons are pressed in the correct order. For example, if the first winning area is associated with "stock of one set of the first AT state", the second winning area is associated with "transition to the second CZ state", and the third winning area is associated with "continuation of the first CZ state", the animation control means 180 executes an animation which displays "AT stock" above the left reel R1 of the display device 330 (left side when viewed from the front of the display device 330), "second CZ" above the middle reel R2 of the display device 330 (center when viewed from the front of the display device 330), and "continuation" above the right reel R3 of the display device 330 (right side when viewed from the front of the display device 330).

[0141] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" is selected in the internal lottery during the first CZ state, the freeze control means 600 is configured to initiate a specific freeze as a freeze based on the selection of the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12". In slot machine 1, when the freeze control means 600 initiates a specific freeze, it delays the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and as a reel animation during the specific freeze, it executes one of the first to third reel animations corresponding to the selected winning area. If the first winning area is selected, the freeze control means 600 executes the first reel animation as a reel animation during the specific freeze; if the second winning area is selected, it executes the second reel animation as a reel animation during the specific freeze; and if the third winning area is selected, it executes the third reel animation as a reel animation during the specific freeze.

[0142] Furthermore, when the freeze control means 600 initiates a specific freeze, the performance control means 180 starts timing with the performance timer 183 and executes a prize-winning assist performance at a predetermined timing during the specific freeze, specifically at the timing of the start of rotation of one reel in the first to third reel performances.

[0143] <Relationship between reel spinning animations and prize-winning support animations in the 1st CZ state> Figure 6 shows the time chart when, in the first CZ state, the internal lottery selects the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", and a specific freeze is initiated.

[0144] As shown in Figure 6, the main control unit 10 executes a reel vibration animation common to the first to third reel animations as a reel animation during the specific freeze at time t0 when the specific freeze is initiated by the freeze control means 600. In the reel vibration animation, the freeze control means 600 performs a vibration action by rotating the stopped left reel R1 to right reel R3 forward by one frame, then reversing it by one frame, three times, and then stopping the left reel R1 to right reel R3. The reel vibration animation ends at time t1, after the reel vibration animation time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed from time t0 when the specific freeze is initiated.

[0145] The freeze control means 600, at time t1, executes a spinning start animation that starts rotating the left reel R1 if the first spinning animation is being executed, executes a spinning start animation that starts rotating the middle reel R2 if the second spinning animation is being executed, and executes a spinning start animation that starts rotating the right reel R3 if the third spinning animation is being executed.

[0146] Furthermore, when the main control unit 10 wins in the first CZ state between the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12", it sends information (selection group information) indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 12" was won, and a specific command indicating that a specific freeze has started and one of the first to third reel performances will be executed. The main control unit 10 sends a common specific command to the sub-control unit 20 regardless of which of the first to third reel performances is executed.

[0147] At time point t2, the sub-control unit 20 receives the selection group information and specific command transmitted from the main control unit 10. The sub-control unit 20 performs a polling process to monitor for the presence or absence of information and commands transmitted from the main control unit 10 at a shorter interval (e.g., 512 μs) than the period during which commands are transmitted from the main control unit 10. In Figure 6, time points t0 and t2 are described as different points in time within a certain period of time, but this is for clarity, and in reality they are approximately the same time.

[0148] By receiving the selection group information, the performance control means 180 can determine which batting order is the correct one to display in the prize-winning assistance performance. Also, based on the receipt of a specific command, the sub-control unit 20 starts timing using the performance timer 183.

[0149] The sub-control unit 20 starts timing with the performance timer 183 from the time t2 when it receives the selection group information and a specific command, and when the performance timer 183 has timed up to the time t3 which is the same amount of time as the reel vibration performance, it starts the prize-winning support performance that was decided to be executed at time t3.

[0150] As mentioned above, since time t0 and time t2 are approximately the same time, time t1, which is after the reel vibration animation time has elapsed from time t0, and time t3, which is after the same amount of time has elapsed from time t2, are also approximately the same time.

[0151] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment transmits selection group information and a specific command from the main control unit 10 to the sub-control unit 20 at time t0 when a specific freeze is initiated. This allows the prize-winning assistance animation to be displayed on the display device 330 at approximately the same time t3 as time t1 when the reel vibration animation performed during the specific freeze ends and the reel start animation begins, at the timing of the reel starting to rotate when the first stop operation is performed, as a predetermined animation for when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is won. Therefore, there is no need to pre-store in the main memory means 190 a program that sends commands each time according to the behavior of the reels during the specific freeze, and multiple types of commands according to the behavior of the reels. This prevents an increase in data capacity when executing a reel animation in a game that executes a prize-winning assistance animation, and also enables the execution of appropriate animations even when the progress of the game is delayed by the specific freeze and reel animation, thereby improving the player's interest in the animations by providing animations that correspond to the progress of the game.

[0152] Furthermore, at time t3, the performance control means 180 executes a result display performance in which, regarding the display of the results of the three types of first CZ states displayed on the display device 330, the display of the result of the first CZ state corresponding to the result of the internal lottery is changed to a display that is more emphasized than the displays of the other first CZ state results. In the result display performance, for example, if "a stock of one set of first AT states" is associated with the first winning area and the first reel performance is executed, the performance control means 180 illuminates the "AT stock" display that was displayed on the left side of the display device 330 in a front view, in conjunction with the start of rotation of the left reel R1, thereby changing the display to a more emphasized display than the display in the center and the display on the right side of the display device 330 in a front view.

[0153] Then, at time t4 after the reel start animation has started, the freeze control means 600 performs random delay control to randomly delay the timing of the start of rotation for the two reels that have not started rotating in the reel start animation during the first to third reel animations (for example, the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3 in the first reel animation) so that the start of rotation is not synchronized. After the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have started rotating and are in steady rotation, the specific freeze ends and the game resumes. In the random delay control, the freeze control means 600 starts the rotation of the two reels that have not started rotating in the reel start animation during the first to third reel animations at different timings, and terminates the specific freeze based on the fact that the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are in steady rotation, and enables the stop operation to stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0154] The first to third reel animations, which are initiated based on the start of a specific freeze and executed by the freeze control means 600 of the main control unit 10 to start rotating the reels, indicate whether "stocking one set of the first AT state", "transition to the second CZ state", or "continuation of the first CZ state" will be performed. These constitute the main control animation in the first embodiment, the reel vibration animation time during which the reel vibration animation included in any of the first to third reel animations is performed constitutes a predetermined time in the first embodiment, and the time t1 when the reel vibration animation ends and the reel start animation begins constitutes a predetermined timing in the first embodiment.

[0155] <Specific examples of presentation during the first CZ state> Figure 7 shows a specific example of the effects performed by the slot machine 1 during gameplay when the first CZ state has started. As shown in Figure 7(A), the effect control means 180 performs an effect that displays "START" to notify the player that the first CZ state has started. Also, as shown in Figure 7(B), after the "START" effect shown in Figure 7(A) is started, the slot machine 1 performs the reverse rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 by the first CZ start reel effect by the freeze control means 600, and the first CZ start effect by the effect control means 180.

[0156] In the reel animation at the start of the first CZ, the freeze control means 600 rotates the reels at a slower speed than normal rotation (for example, 10 rpm) and in the opposite direction to normal rotation (reverse rotation), and after the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have been rotated in the reverse direction for a predetermined number of revolutions (for example, 2 revolutions), the reverse rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is stopped.

[0157] In the first CZ start animation shown in Figure 7(B), the animation control means 180 associates "stock of one set of first AT state" with the first winning area, "transition to second CZ state" with the second winning area, and "continuation of first CZ state" with the third winning area. Therefore, the display device 330 displays the words "AT stock" enclosed in a square as the left result display 330a above the left reel R1, the display device 330 displays the words "second CZ" enclosed in a square as the middle result display 330b above the middle reel R2, and the display device 330 displays the words "continuation" enclosed in a square as the right result display 330c above the right reel R3.

[0158] Figure 8 shows a specific example of the effects that slot machine 1 performs when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 6" is selected in the internal lottery during the first CZ state. As shown in Figure 8(A), the freeze control means 600 starts a specific freeze and also starts a reel vibration effect, and performs a vibration behavior three times by rotating the stopped left reel R1 to right reel R3 forward by one frame and then reversing by one frame, before stopping the left reel R1 to right reel R3.

[0159] Then, as shown in Figure 8(B), in slot machine 1, after the reel vibration effect is started and the reel vibration time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the internal lottery has resulted in a win in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 6" which is included in the third winning area. Therefore, the freeze control means 600 executes a reel start effect that starts the rotation of the right reel R3, and the effect control means 180 executes a prize-winning assistance effect that notifies that the correct batting order is batting order 6 and a result display effect.

[0160] The performance control means 180 changes the display content of the right result display 330c to be more emphasized than the left result display 330a and the middle result display 330b by illuminating the right result display 330c as a result display performance. In addition, at the timing of the start of rotation of the right reel R3, the performance control means 180 displays the first operation instruction indicator 330d with priority over the right result display 330c, the second operation instruction indicator 330e with priority over the middle result display 330b, and the third operation instruction indicator 330f with priority over the left result display 330a as a prize-winning assistance performance.

[0161] By prioritizing the display of the first operation instruction indicator 330d to the third operation instruction indicator 330f over the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c, slot machine 1 can improve the visibility of the first operation instruction indicator 330d to the third operation instruction indicator 330f over the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c, even when one of the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c is more visually prominent than the other two as a result of the first CZ state due to the result display effects. This prevents the visibility of the prize-winning assistance effects, which are closely related to medal acquisition, from being reduced by diverse visual expressions, and suppresses a decrease in the player's interest in the effects.

[0162] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment controls the following processes in the first CZ state: "stocking one set of the first AT state", "transition to the second CZ state", and "continuation of the first CZ state" in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1", "Bat Order Bell 2", "Bat Order Bell 7", and "Bat Order Bell 8", where the first stop operation of stop button B1 is set to the correct batting order; the winning area "Bat Order Bell 3", "Bat Order Bell 4", "Bat Order Bell 9", and "Bat Order Bell 10", where the first stop operation of stop button B2 is set to the correct batting order; and the winning area "Bat Order Bell 5", and "Bat Order Bell 8", where the first stop operation of stop button B3 is set to the correct batting order. By associating the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" with each other in a way that they do not overlap, and by displaying the associated winning areas and controls using the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c, it is possible to realize a gameplay experience in which the stop button that is first stopped in the correct batting order, which is announced by the prize-winning assistance effect when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 12" is won in the internal lottery, and the control processing that is executed as a result of the first CZ state displayed by the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c are linked, thereby realizing a gameplay experience in which the player's operation, effects, and gameplay progress are closely related, and the player's interest in the game and effects can be enhanced.

[0163] In this first CZ result determination process, the control that determines the "stock of one set of the first AT state," which is a control process associated with the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12," constitutes the first specific control in the first embodiment. The control that determines the "transition to the second CZ state" constitutes the second specific control in the first embodiment. The control that determines the "continuation of the first CZ state" constitutes the third specific control in the first embodiment. The control that determines the "stock of one set of the first AT state," the control that determines the "transition to the second CZ state," and the control that determines the "continuation of the first CZ state" constitute the specific control in the first embodiment.

[0164] Furthermore, stop button B1 constitutes the first stop button in the first embodiment, stop button B2 constitutes the second stop button in the first embodiment, and stop button B3 constitutes the third stop button in the first embodiment. In addition, the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12" constitute a specific winning pattern in the first embodiment, and bells A to F, which can be awarded when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order as a predetermined operation pattern, constitute a specific role in the first embodiment.

[0165] Furthermore, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1", "Batting Order Bell 2", "Batting Order Bell 7", and "Batting Order Bell 8", in which batting order 1 and batting order 2 are set as the correct batting order for which stop button B1 is first stopped, constitute the first specific winning pattern in the first embodiment, and the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3", "Batting Order Bell 4", "Batting Order Bell 9", and "Batting Order Bell 10", in which batting order 3 and batting order 4 are set as the correct batting order for which stop button B2 is first stopped, constitute the first specific winning pattern in the first embodiment The following areas constitute the third specific winning pattern in the first embodiment: Batting order 5, Batting order 6, Batting order 11, and Batting order 12, which are set as the correct batting order and for which stop button B3 is first stopped, constitute the third specific winning pattern in the first embodiment; Batting order 1 and Batting order 2 constitute the first operation pattern in the first embodiment; Batting order 3 and Batting order 4 constitute the second operation pattern in the first embodiment; and Batting order 5 and Batting order 6 constitute the third operation pattern in the first embodiment.

[0166] Furthermore, the left result display 330a, which notifies specific controls associated with the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1", "Batting Order Bell 2", "Batting Order Bell 7", and "Batting Order Bell 8", constitutes the first notification performance in the first embodiment; the middle result display 330b, which notifies specific controls associated with the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 3", "Batting Order Bell 4", "Batting Order Bell 9", and "Batting Order Bell 10", constitutes the second notification performance in the first embodiment; and the right result display 330c, which notifies specific controls associated with the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 5", "Batting Order Bell 6", "Batting Order Bell 11", and "Batting Order Bell 12", constitutes the third notification performance in the first embodiment.

[0167] 4. Summary of the First Embodiment As described above, in the first embodiment of the slot machine 1, at the time t0 (see Figure 6) when a specific freeze is initiated, the main control unit 10 transmits selection group information and a specific command to the sub-control unit 20. This allows the prize-winning assistance animation to be displayed on the display device 330 at approximately the same time t3 (see Figure 6) as the time t1 (see Figure 6) when the reel vibration animation performed during the specific freeze ends and the reel start animation begins, at the timing when the reels that are first stopped begin to rotate. Therefore, there is no need to pre-store in the main memory means 190 a program that sends commands each time according to the behavior of the reels during the specific freeze, and multiple types of commands according to the behavior of the reels. This prevents an increase in data capacity when reel animations are performed in a game in which prize-winning assistance animations are performed, and also enables the execution of appropriate animations even when the progress of the game is delayed by the specific freeze and reel animations. This enhances the player's interest in the animations by providing animations that correspond to the progress of the game.

[0168] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 controls the following processes in the first CZ state: "stocking one set of the first AT state," "transition to the second CZ state," and "continuation of the first CZ state," with the following winning areas being set: "Bat Order Bell 1," "Bat Order Bell 2," "Bat Order Bell 7," and "Bat Order Bell 8," where the first stop operation of stop button B1 is set to the correct batting order; "Bat Order Bell 3," "Bat Order Bell 4," "Bat Order Bell 9," and "Bat Order Bell 10," where the first stop operation of stop button B2 is set to the correct batting order; and "Bat Order Bell 5," "Bat Order Bell 6," and winning areas being set to the correct batting order of stop button B3. By associating the rear "Batting Order Bell 11" and the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" with each other in a way that they do not overlap, and by displaying the associated winning area and control using the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c, it is possible to realize a gameplay experience in which the stop button that is first stopped in the correct batting order, which is notified by the prize-winning assistance effect when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is won in the internal lottery, and the control processing that is executed as a result of the first CZ state displayed by the left result display 330a to the right result display 330c are linked. This realizes a gameplay experience and performance expression in which the player's operation, performance and progress of the game are closely related, and the player's interest in the game and performance can be enhanced.

[0169] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the slot machine 1, which is a modified version of the first embodiment, will be described. The second embodiment of the slot machine 1 differs from the first embodiment in its configuration regarding the winning patterns that can be won by internal lottery, the arrangement of symbols on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the reel stop control according to the game state, and the payout rate for each operation pattern of the stop buttons B1 to B3. In addition, the second embodiment of the slot machine 1 has an active line L1 consisting of the lower row of the left reel R1, the middle row of the middle reel R2, and the upper row of the right reel R3. As other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment, components common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0170] The payout rate is the ratio of the total number of medals paid out during a predetermined number of games (e.g., 17,500 games) to the total number of medals inserted during that predetermined number of games, assuming that the effects of temporary probability biases are sufficiently ignored.

[0171] 1. Configuration of the gaming machine in the second embodiment Referring to Figures 9 to 16, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in the second embodiment will be described.

[0172] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 9 is a diagram showing the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area, and the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in each game state.

[0173] As shown in Figure 9, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment has the following winning areas that are subject to internal drawing: winning area "All small wins", winning area "All 8-coin wins", winning area "All 3-coin wins", winning area "All 1-coin wins", winning area "Normal replay 1", winning area "Normal replay 2", winning area "Bat order bell 1" to winning area "Bat order bell 8", winning area "Bat order 3-coin win 1" to winning area "Bat order 3-coin win 4", winning area "Bat order 15-coin win 1" to winning area "Bat order 15-coin win 4", winning area "Common 3-coin win", winning area "Rare win 1", winning area "Rare win 2", winning area "Common 9-coin win", winning area "RBB & Rare replay", winning area "RBB & Rare win 3", winning area "RBB & Common 1-coin win", and winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 30 are associated with each of them. In addition, in slot machine 1, the winning number 0 is associated with the result of the internal lottery, which is a loss (a losing spin).

[0174] The internal lottery means 120 determines whether each winning area is a winner or loser in the random number determination process, starting from the winning area associated with winning number 30 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0175] In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the winning combinations that can be won when selected by internal lottery include Bell A to Bell D, 15-coin combination A to 15-coin combination C, 3-coin combination A to 3-coin combination F, and 1-coin combination A to 1-coin combination S, and the winning combinations that can be won by internal lottery include Replay A, Replay B, and Rare Replay. Each winning combination and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 9. Also, as shown in Figure 9, in the slot machine 1, the winning areas that include bonuses and winning combinations are set as winning area "RBB&Rare Combination 3" and winning area "RBB&Common 1-coin Combination", and the winning area that includes bonuses and replays is set as winning area "RBB&Rare Replay".

[0176] In the second embodiment, the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" are configured as winning areas in which the winning combination of small prizes differs depending on the game state in the winning game and the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. Furthermore, the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Prize 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Prize 4" and "Batting Order 15-Coin Prize 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Prize 4" are configured as winning areas in which the winning combination of small prizes differs depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3. In addition, the winning area "Rare Prize 1" is configured so that a prize is awarded if the timing of pressing stop button B3 is such that a 3-coin prize C can be awarded, and if the timing of pressing stop button B3 is such that a 3-coin prize C cannot be awarded, a combination of symbols different from the winning combinations of any of the combinations is displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed prize (non-winning). Details regarding the winning combinations and their probabilities when a winning area including minor roles is reached will be described later.

[0177] <Arrangement of patterns> Figure 10 shows the symbols arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", BAR symbol "BAR", replay symbol "RP", bell symbol "BL", cherry A symbol "CHA", cherry B symbol "CHB", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", and blank symbol "BK" are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. In addition, 20 symbols are arranged on the circumferential surfaces of each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0178] In the second embodiment, the BAR symbol "BAR" has a wider width than the other symbols when viewed from the front, and is configured to be more visible than the other symbols while the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are rotating.

[0179] As shown in Figure 10, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have the replay symbol "RP" and the bell symbol "BL" arranged at intervals of no more than 4 frames, and whether the replay symbol "RP" or the bell symbol "BL" is stopped on the active line L1, the symbols can be stopped on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0180] On the left reel R1, the white 7 symbol "White 7" is positioned at stop numbers 0, 5, and 10, and the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is positioned at stop number 15. On the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3, the white 7 symbol "White 7" is positioned at stop numbers 1, 6, and 11, and the red 7 symbol "Red 7" is positioned at stop number 16. Therefore, the pull-in ranges for the white 7 symbol "White 7" and the red 7 symbol "Red 7" do not overlap in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0181] In slot machine 1, when stopping and displaying the white 7 symbol "white 7" or the red 7 symbol "red 7" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. When stopping and displaying the white 7 symbol "white 7" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when symbols within the range of 15 out of 20 frames in which the white 7 symbol "white 7" can be pulled are rotating on the active line L1. When stopping and displaying the red 7 symbol "red 7" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when symbols within the range of 5 out of 20 frames in which the red 7 symbol "red 7" can be pulled are rotating on the active line L1.

[0182] On the left reel R1, the blank symbol "BK" is positioned at stop numbers 1, 6, and 11, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is positioned at stop number 16. On the middle reel R2, the blank symbol "BK" is positioned at stop numbers 2, 7, and 12, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is positioned at stop number 17. On the right reel R3, the blank symbol "BK" is positioned at stop numbers 0, 5, and 10, and the BAR symbol "BAR" is positioned at stop number 15. Therefore, the pull-in ranges of the blank symbol "BK" and the BAR symbol "BAR" do not overlap in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0183] In slot machine 1, when stopping and displaying the blank symbol "BK" or the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. When stopping and displaying the blank symbol "BK" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when symbols within the range of 15 out of 20 frames in which the blank symbol "BK" can be pulled are rotating on the active line L1. When stopping and displaying the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1, it is possible to stop and display it on the active line L1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when symbols within the range of 5 out of 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" can be pulled are rotating on the active line L1.

[0184] On the left reel R1, the Watermelon A symbol "WMA" is positioned at stop number 2, the Watermelon B symbol "WMB" is positioned at stop number 7, the Cherry A symbol "CHA" is positioned at stop number 12, and the Cherry B symbol "CHB" is positioned at stop number 17. On the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3, the Watermelon A symbol "WMA" is positioned at stop number 4, the Watermelon B symbol "WMB" is positioned at stop number 9, the Cherry A symbol "CHA" is positioned at stop number 14, and the Cherry B symbol "CHB" is positioned at stop number 19. Therefore, the pull-in ranges for the watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", and cherry B symbol "CHB" do not overlap in the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0185] In slot machine 1, when stopping and displaying the watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB" on active line L1, it is possible to stop and display them on active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. When stopping and displaying the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or watermelon B symbol "WMB" on active line L1, symbols within the range of 10 out of 20 frames in which the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or watermelon B symbol "WMB" can be pulled in will be on active line L1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when the symbols are displayed rotating on the top line, the symbols can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1. In order to stop and display the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" on the active line L1, the symbols can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1 if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at the timing when the symbols within the range of 10 out of 20 frames in which the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" can be pulled in are displayed rotating on the active line L1.

[0186] <Payouts for minor roles> In the second embodiment, the payout for 15-coin combinations A to C is set to a payout of 15 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins inserted (3 coins). Also, the payout for bell combinations A to E is set to a payout of 8 coins, which is more than the prescribed number of coins inserted. Also, the payout for 3-coin combinations A to F is set to a payout of 3 coins, which is the same as the prescribed number of coins inserted. Also, the payout for 1-coin combinations A to S is set to a payout of 1 coin, which is less than the prescribed number of coins inserted.

[0187] <Winning combinations for minor roles> Figures 11 to 13 show the combinations of winning symbols for 15-coin combinations A to C, bells A to E, 3-coin combinations A to F, and 1-coin combinations A to S.

[0188] First, let's explain the 15-coin combinations A to C. The winning symbol combination for 15-coin combination A is "RP-Red 7 (White 7)-BL", and when reel stop control is executed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for 15-coin combination A on the active line L1, it is configured so that it can be stopped and displayed regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3. In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the winning area "All Small Wins" is won in the bonus state, reel stop control is executed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for 15-coin combination A "RP-Red 7 (White 7)-BL" on the active line L1.

[0189] The winning combination for the 15-coin payout B is "Red 7 (White 7) - BAR - Red 7 (White 7)". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning combination for the 15-coin payout B on the active line L1, the stop button B2 is configured to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" when pressed within a pull-in range of 5 out of 20 frames that can be stopped on the active line L1.

[0190] The winning symbol combination for the 15-coin payout C is "BL-BL-BAR". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for the 15-coin payout C on the active line L1, the stop button B3 is configured to stop and display the BAR symbol "BAR" when pressed within a pull-in range of 5 out of 20 frames that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0191] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the winning symbol combinations for Bell A to Bell E are arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 at intervals of no more than 4 frames each. When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for Bell A to Bell E on the active line L1, the system is configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0192] The winning symbol combinations for 3-coin combinations A, B, E, and F are arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 at intervals of no more than 4 frames, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for 3-coin combinations A, B, E, and F on the active line L1, the reels are configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0193] The winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination C is "RP-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-Red 7(BAR)". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination C on the active line L1, the stop button B3 is configured to stop and display either the Red 7 symbol "Red 7" or the BAR symbol "BAR" when pressed within a pull-in range of 6 out of 20 frames that can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0194] The winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination D is "RP-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-BK". When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combination for the 3-symbol combination C on the active line L1, the stop button B3 is configured to stop and display the blank symbol "BK" when pressed within a pull-in range of 15 out of 20 frames on the active line L1.

[0195] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the winning symbol combinations for single-coin wins A and B are arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 at intervals of no more than 4 frames. When reel stop control is performed to stop and display the winning symbol combinations for single-coin wins A and B on the active line L1, the reels are configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0196] The winning symbol combinations for single-coin combinations C to S consist of the symbol combinations shown in Figures 12 and 13. Details regarding the winning symbol combinations for single-coin combinations C to S and the reel stop control related to single-coin combinations C to S will be described later.

[0197] <Probability of winning small prizes depending on the operation method> Figure 14 shows the winning combinations that can be obtained when a winning area containing a small win is hit in a non-RT state, depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0198] First, let's explain the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8". In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8", the control content of the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 is changed according to the game state so that different winning combinations can be won. In the non-RT state, regardless of the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, bells A to D, which are set to pay more than the specified number of coins (8 coins), will not be won, and 1-coin combinations A to N, which are set to pay less than the specified number of coins (1 coin), will be won with the probabilities shown in Figure 14.

[0199] Using the example of winning in the "Batting Order Bell 1" area, we will explain the details of the winning probabilities for single-coin combinations A through N. As shown in Figure 9, in the "Batting Order Bell 1" area, Bell A, single-coin combination A, single-coin combination C, single-coin combination F, and single-coin combination K can all be won at the same time.

[0200] When the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 1 or batting order 2, the reel control means 130 executes a number-priority control as reel stop control based on the fact that stop button B1 has been performed as the first stop operation. In slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected, there are two symbol combinations that can be displayed when the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", cherry A symbol "CHA", and cherry B symbol "CHB" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and there are four symbol combinations that can be displayed when the bell symbol "BL", watermelon A symbol "WMA", and watermelon B symbol "WMB" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0201] The reel control means 130 determines that the number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 is the same when the bell symbol "BL", watermelon A symbol "WMA", and watermelon B symbol "WMB" are stopped and displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1. Therefore, it is not possible to assign priority among the bell symbol "BL", watermelon A symbol "WMA", and watermelon B symbol "WMB" by quantity priority control. Thus, the reel stop control means 130 determines to stop and display the bell symbol "BL" on the active line L1 by using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194. As a result, the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed on the lower part of the left reel R1 that constitutes the active line L1, and the winning combinations that can be won in this game are limited to the 1-coin combination A, which can be won regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0202] If the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 3 or batting order 4, the reel control means 130, based on the fact that stop button B2 has been pressed as the first stop operation, executes a coin-priority control as reel stop control and stops and displays the bell symbol "BL" which is common to the winning symbol combinations of bell A "red 7 (white 7) - BL - red 7 (white 7)", the winning symbol combinations of 1-coin combination C "WMA (WMB) - BL - WMA (WMB)", and the winning symbol combination of 1-coin combination F "CHA (CHB) - BL - CHA (CHB)" on the active line L1.

[0203] If the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected and the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed in the middle position of the middle reel R2 which constitutes the active line L1, then in slot machine 1, whether the second stop operation is performed on stop button B1 or on stop button B3, the reel stop control will be performed with a priority control of the number of symbols.

[0204] When the second stop operation is performed on stop button B1, in slot machine 1, regardless of whether the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the lower row of the left reel R1, there are 2 possible symbol combinations to display. Therefore, due to the number priority control, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the white 7 symbol "White 7", and watermelon Since it is not possible to assign a priority order to the A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", and the cherry B symbol "CHB", the reel stop control using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194 determines whether to stop and display one of the watermelon A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", or the cherry B symbol "CHB" on the active line L1.

[0205] When the second stop operation is performed on stop button B3, in slot machine 1, regardless of whether the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB" is stopped and displayed on the active line L1 on the upper row of the right reel R3, there are 2 possible symbol combinations to display. Therefore, due to the number priority control, the red 7 symbol "Red 7", the white 7 symbol "White 7", and watermelon Since it is not possible to assign a priority order to the A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", and the cherry B symbol "CHB", the reel stop control using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194 determines whether to stop and display one of the watermelon A symbol "WMA", the watermelon B symbol "WMB", the cherry A symbol "CHA", or the cherry B symbol "CHB" on the active line L1.

[0206] As described above, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the left reel R1 and the right reel R3 are set to have non-overlapping ranges for the pull-in range in which the watermelon A symbol "WMA" or the watermelon B symbol "WMB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and for the pull-in range in which the cherry A symbol "CHA" or the cherry B symbol "CHB" can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and each range is set to be 10 out of 20 frames.

[0207] Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 3 or batting order 4, the winning combinations that can be won in that game are limited to either a single-coin combination C consisting of the winning symbol combination "WMA(WMB)-BL-WMA(WMB)" or a single-coin combination F consisting of the winning symbol combination "CHA(CHB)-BL-CHA(CHB)".

[0208] In slot machine 1, if the third stop operation is performed within the range of 10 out of 20 possible symbols that make up either the winning combination of single-coin combination C or single-coin combination F, then either single-coin combination C or single-coin combination F will be awarded, resulting in a 1 / 2 probability of either single-coin combination C or single-coin combination F being awarded. However, in slot machine 1, if the third stop operation is performed at a timing when neither single-coin combination C nor single-coin combination F is awarded, a symbol combination different from the winning combinations of either combination will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed win (non-winning).

[0209] When the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in batting order 5 or batting order 6, the reel control means 130 executes a number-priority control as reel stop control based on the fact that stop button B3 has been performed as the first stop operation. In slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" is selected, there are two symbol combinations that can be displayed when the red 7 symbol "Red 7", white 7 symbol "White 7", watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", and cherry B symbol "CHB" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1, and there are four symbol combinations that can be displayed when the bell symbol "BL" and replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed on the active line L1.

[0210] The reel control means 130 determines that the number of winning symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 is the same when the bell symbol "BL" and the replay symbol "RP" are stopped and displayed on the upper part of the right reel R3. Therefore, since priority cannot be given to the bell symbol "BL" and the replay symbol "RP" by quantity priority control, the reel stop control means 130 determines to stop and display the bell symbol "BL" on the active line L1 by using the stop control table stored in the stop control table storage means 194. As a result, the bell symbol "BL" is stopped and displayed on the upper part of the right reel R3 which constitutes the active line L1, and the winning combinations that can be won in this game are limited to the single-coin combination K.

[0211] In slot machine 1, the single-coin payout K is awarded when the second and third stop operations are performed within a range of 10 out of 20 possible symbols that make up the winning symbol combination "WMA(WMB)-WMA(WMB)-BL". Therefore, there is a 1 / 4 probability of winning the single-coin payout K. However, in slot machine 1, if the second or third stop operation is performed at a timing when the single-coin payout K is not awarded, a symbol combination different from any of the winning symbol combinations will be displayed on the active line L1, resulting in a missed payout (non-winning).

[0212] By performing reel stop control using such quantity priority control and stop control table, slot machine 1 is configured such that when a win occurs in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 8" during a non-RT state, single-coin wins A, C, and N can be awarded according to the order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 14.

[0213] Next, we will explain the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4". In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in one of the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4", the control content of the reel stop control by the reel control means 130 is changed according to the state of play, so that different winning combinations can be won. In the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" and "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 2", if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 3 or 4, the reel stop control is performed with priority given to the number of coins, resulting in a 3-coin win A. In addition, in the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 3" and "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4", if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 5 or 6, the reel stop control is performed with priority given to the number of coins, resulting in a 3-coin win B.

[0214] In slot machine 1, if a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 4" and presses stop buttons B1 to B3 in a batting order that does not result in winning 3-coin payouts A and B, the reel stop control is performed using a number priority control and stop control table similar to that used for winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8," so that 1-coin payouts A and G to N can be won with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 14.

[0215] Next, we will explain the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 4". As shown in Figure 14, in the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 4", when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a batting order that is capable of awarding 15-coin payouts B and C, there is a 1 / 4 probability that 15-coin payouts B and C will be awarded, and a 3 / 4 probability that 1-coin payout A will be awarded.

[0216] As mentioned above, the 15-coin payout B consists of the winning symbol combination "Red 7 (White 7) - BAR - Red 7 (White 7)". The 15-coin payout B can be won when the first stop operation is performed on stop button B2 within 5 of the 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the middle reel R2 can be pulled in. Therefore, there is a 1 / 4 probability of winning the 15-coin payout B, and within the 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the middle reel R2 cannot be pulled in. If the first stop operation is performed on stop button B2 within a range of 15 frames, one of the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination for single-coin payout A, "BL-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-RP", namely watermelon A symbol "WMA", watermelon B symbol "WMB", cherry A symbol "CHA", or cherry B symbol "CHB", will stop and be displayed in the middle position of the middle reel R2, making it possible to win single-coin payout A. Therefore, there is a 3 / 4 probability of winning single-coin payout A.

[0217] Furthermore, the 15-coin payout C consists of the winning symbol combination "BL-BL-BAR". If the first stop operation is performed on stop button B3 within the range of 5 out of 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the right reel R3 can be pulled in, the 15-coin payout C can be won, resulting in a 1 / 4 probability of winning the 15-coin payout C. If the first stop operation is performed on stop button B3 within the range of 15 out of 20 frames in which the BAR symbol "BAR" on the right reel R3 cannot be pulled in, the replay symbol "RP" which makes up the winning symbol combination "BL-WMA(WMB,CHA,CHB)-RP" for the 1-coin payout A will stop and be displayed in the middle of the right reel R3, making the 1-coin payout A possible to win, resulting in a 3 / 4 probability of winning the 1-coin payout A.

[0218] In slot machine 1, if a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 4" and presses stop buttons B1 to B3 in a batting order that does not result in winning 15-Coin Payouts B and C, the reel stop control is performed using a number priority control and stop control table similar to that used for winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8," so that 1-Coin Payouts A, C to F, R and S can be won with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 14.

[0219] In the winning areas "Rare Role 1", "Rare Role 2", "Common 9-Coin Role", "RBB & Rare Role 3", and "RBB & Common 1-Coin Role", the winning combinations are awarded according to the winning probabilities shown in Figure 14.

[0220] Figure 15 shows the winning combinations that can be awarded when a winning area containing a small win is hit during a bonus-established state, depending on the operation of stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0221] In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a bonus is established and the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1" to "Beat Order Bell 8" is selected, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct order, the reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of coins, making it possible to win bells A to D, which are set to pay out more than the specified number of coins (8 coins). If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in an incorrect order different from the correct order, the reel stop control is performed by prioritizing the number of coins and using a stop control table, making it possible to win 1-coin combinations A, C to N with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 15.

[0222] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when a bonus is triggered and the player wins in one of the winning areas "3-coin payout 1" to "3-coin payout 4", if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in one batting order that allows for the winning of 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B (for example, batting order 3 if the winning area is "3-coin payout 1"), 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B, which are set to have the same payout (3 coins) as the specified number of coins, will be made available for winning. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in any other batting order, reel stop control using quantity priority control and a stop control table will be executed, so that 1-coin payouts A, 1-coin payouts C to 1-coin payouts N, which are set to have a payout (1 coin) less than the specified number of coins, will be available for winning with the winning probabilities shown in Figure 15.

[0223] In other words, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a random order when the winning area "3-coin payout 1" to "3-coin payout 4" is won, the frequency of winning 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B is higher in the non-RT state where there are two types of batting orders that allow for winning 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B than in the bonus state where there is one type of batting order that allows for winning 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B.

[0224] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that the winning combinations that can be won in the winning areas "Bat Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Win 4", "Rare Win 1", "Rare Win 2", "Common 9-Coin Win", "RBB & Rare Win 3", and "RBB & Common 1-Coin Win" do not change between the non-RT state and the bonus state.

[0225] <Probability of winning a minor role in a non-bonus state and probability of winning a minor role in a bonus state> Next, we will explain in detail the relationship between the probability of winning a small role in the non-RT state and the bonus state when the bonus is not activated (non-bonus state) and the probability of winning a small role in the bonus state in the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment.

[0226] As shown in Figure 9, in the internal lottery table C, random numbers are associated with the following winning areas: "All Small Wins" where all small wins (15-coin wins A to 15-coin wins C, bells A to bells E, 3-coin wins A to 3-coin wins F, and 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S) are won simultaneously; "All 8-Coin Wins" where all small wins (bells A to bells E, 3-coin wins A to 3-coin wins F, and 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S, excluding 15-coin wins A to 15-coin wins C) are won simultaneously; "All 3-Coin Wins" where 3-coin wins A to 3-coin wins F and 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S are won simultaneously; and "All 1-Coin Wins" where 1-coin wins A to 1-coin wins S are won simultaneously.

[0227] In the bonus state where internal lottery table C is selected, the probability of winning the "All Small Wins" area is 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2), the probability of winning the "All 8-Coin Wins" area is 2440 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 26.9), the probability of winning the "All 3-Coin Wins" area is 18200 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 3.6), and the probability of winning the "All 1-Coin Wins" area is 33315 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 2.0). Therefore, the probability of winning the "All Small Wins", "All 8-Coin Wins", "All 3-Coin Wins", or "All 1-Coin Wins" area is 56555 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2).

[0228] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the probability of winning in either the winning area, including small wins, in the internal lottery table selected in the non-bonus state, namely internal lottery table A or internal lottery table B, is 56554 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 1.2).

[0229] Therefore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the probability of winning a small prize in the bonus state is configured to be higher than the probability of winning a small prize in the non-bonus state.

[0230] Furthermore, in bonus mode, the 15-coin combinations A through C are included in the winning area "All Small Combinations," and the winning probabilities for each of the 15-coin combinations A through C are 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2). In non-bonus mode, the 15-coin combination A is included in the winning area "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 1," the 15-coin combination B is included in the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 1" and "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 2," and the 15-coin combination C is included in the winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 3" and "Batting Order 15-Coin Combination 4." As a result, the winning probability for the 15-coin combination A is 1300 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 50.4), and the winning probabilities for the 15-coin combinations B and C are 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2). Therefore, the probability of winning the 15-coin combination A in bonus mode is higher than the probability of winning the 15-coin combination A in non-bonus mode, while the probability of winning the 15-coin combination B and C in bonus mode is the same as the probability of winning the 15-coin combination B and C in non-bonus mode.

[0231] In other words, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the probability of winning at least one predetermined small win in the bonus state is configured to be higher than the probability of winning the predetermined small win in the non-bonus state.

[0232] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, the probability of winning either the 15-coin payout B or 15-coin payout C, which are set to pay 15 coins in a non-bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probabilities for 15-coin payout B and 15-coin payout C, is 5200 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 12.6), which is the sum of the winning probabilities for the winning areas "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 4". This is a higher winning probability than the probability of winning either the 15-coin payout B or 15-coin payout C in a bonus state, that is, the winning probability for the winning area "All Small Payouts", which is 2600 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 25.2).

[0233] Also, the probability of winning any one of Bells A to E set for the eight payouts in the non-bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probabilities of each of Bells A to E, is the sum of the winning probabilities of the winning areas "Batter Bell 1" to "Batter Bell 8", the winning probability of the winning area "Common 9-Win Combination", and the winning probability of the winning area "Rare Combination 3", which is 20488 / 65536 (about 1 / 3.2), and is higher than the sum of the winning probabilities of any one of Bells A to E in the bonus state, that is, the sum of the winning probability of the winning area "All Small Combinations" and the winning probability of the winning area "All 8-Win Combinations", which is 5040 / 65536 (about 1 / 13.0).

[0234] Therefore, for the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, regarding the bonus state, the expected value of the medal acquisition rate is less than 100%.

[0235] Also, for the winning areas "Batter 15-Win Combination 1" to "Batter 15-Win Combination 4" and the winning areas "Batter Bell 1" to "Batter Bell 8" of the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, when the prize assistance is not executed and the operation modes of the stop buttons B1 to B3 are appropriate, 15-Win Combination B, 15-Win Combination C, and Bells A to D can be won. When the prize assistance is executed, a game according to the prize assistance is executed, so that 15-Win Combination B, 15-Win Combination C, and Bells A to D can be surely won.

[0236] Thus, in the second embodiment, the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a small combination with a payout set higher than the specified input number in the bonus state is compressed compared to the probability of obtaining a winning mode including a small combination with a payout set higher than the specified input number in a game state other than the bonus state. After lowering the lower limit of the medal acquisition rate in the bonus state to less than 100%, the medal acquisition performance regarding the AT game can be designed, so that the design freedom of the slot machine 1 equipped with the AT function can be significantly improved.

[0237] <Prize Assistance in the AT State> In the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 performs prize-winning assistance by notifying the batting order that makes it possible to win Bell A to Bell D, 3-coin payout A, and 3-coin payout B when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" or the winning area "Batting Order 3-coin payout 1" to "Batting Order 3-coin payout 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state. Furthermore, the AT control means 200 performs prize-winning assistance by notifying the batting order that makes it possible to win 15-coin payout B and 15-coin payout C, and the timing for pressing the first stop operation when the winning area "Batting Order 15-coin payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin payout 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state.

[0238] The performance control means 180 executes an award-winning support performance by displaying on the display device 330 the batting order that makes it possible to win Bell A to Bell D, 3-coin A, and 3-coin B when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" or the winning area "Batting Order 3-coin 1" to "Batting Order 3-coin 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state. The performance control means 180 also executes an award-winning support performance by displaying on the display device 330 the batting order that makes it possible to win 15-coin B and 15-coin C, and the timing for pressing the first stop operation when the winning area "Batting Order 15-coin 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin 4" is won in the CZ state or AT state.

[0239] In the prize-winning support performances for 15-coin combination B and 15-coin combination C, the performance control means 180 displays an image having a design similar to the BAR symbol "BAR" on the display device 330 as a stop button to execute the first stop operation and a first prize-winning support performance indicator to notify the timing of pressing the stop button.

[0240] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured not to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the normal state or pre-announcement state. On the other hand, the AT control means 200 is configured to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" or "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 4" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" in the normal state or pre-announcement state.

[0241] 2. Payout rate in each game state Next, we will explain the payout rates for each operation mode (gameplay method) of stop buttons B1 to B3 in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1. Figure 16 is a table summarizing the payout rates for each gameplay method in each gameplay state.

[0242] Of the game methods shown in Figure 16, batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) are game methods in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed at random timings within a single batting order. Batting order 1 (precise timing) to batting order 6 (precise timing) are game methods in which, within a single batting order, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in a batting order that allows for the winning of 15-coin payouts B and C, the first stop operation is performed by pressing the buttons at a timing that allows for the winning of 15-coin payouts B and C, and also by pressing stop button B3 at a timing that allows for the winning of 3-coin payout C.

[0243] Random play is a gameplay method in which the order and timing of pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 are randomized. AT (Aimed Stop) is a gameplay method in which, when a winning area is reached in the winning areas "Ball Order Bell 1" to "Ball Order Bell 8", "Ball Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Ball Order 3-Coin Payout 4", or "Ball Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Ball Order 15-Coin Payout 4", the game is played according to the prize-winning assistance, resulting in the winning of 15-Coin Payout B, 15-Coin Payout C, Bell A to Bell D, 3-Coin Payout A, and 3-Coin Payout B.

[0244] When stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed during batting order 1 and batting order 2, the probability of winning the 3-coin combination C when the winning area "Rare Combination 1" is hit is higher when batting order 1 is played with precise timing and batting order 2 is played with precise timing than when batting order 1 is played with random timing and batting order 2 is played with random timing. Therefore, the payout rate is higher when batting order 1 is played with precise timing and batting order 2 is played with precise timing than when batting order 1 is played with random timing and batting order 2 is played with random timing.

[0245] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of slot machine 1, when played randomly during normal play (non-RT state), the payout rate is set to an extremely low 49.6%. However, as shown in Figure 9, in the second embodiment of slot machine 1, the probability of winning one of the winning areas (winning area "RBB & Rare Replay", winning area "RBB & Rare Role 3", winning area "RBB & Common 1-Coin Role", winning area "RBB") in the non-RT state is 7304 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 9.0). Therefore, the configuration has a high probability that the number of plays performed from the non-RT state to the bonus-establishing state will be extremely small.

[0246] Furthermore, when playing with batting order 1 (skill-based stopping) and batting order 2 (skill-based stopping), the payout rate is slightly higher when a bonus is established than when the game is not in RT (Replay Time) mode. This is because, as shown in Figure 9, when a bonus is established, the probability of winning in the "Normal Replay 2" area increases.

[0247] The slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that, in the non-RT state, the highest payout rate is approximately 73.6% when playing in order 3 (skill stop) to order 6 (skill stop), and is lower than the payout rate of approximately 74.5% in the bonus state.

[0248] In the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in a non-RT state, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) are set to approximately 55.2%, and the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 57.2%.

[0249] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in a bonus-established state, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random) is set to approximately 55.2%, while the payout rates for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) are set to approximately 76.4%.

[0250] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, the payout rate when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) during the bonus state is set to approximately 74.5% regardless of which batting order (random) is selected.

[0251] <Relationship between winning area and payout rate for each game method> As shown in Figures 14 and 15, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8", the winning area "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 3-Coin Payout 4", or the winning area "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 4", regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state or bonus state, pressing stop buttons B1 to B3 in Bat Order 1 or Bat Order 2 will result in a 1-coin payout A being awarded with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0252] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 16, can set the payout rate to 55% or more when the game is played in turn 1 or turn 2, and can set the payout rate to 60% or more (approximately 64.5% for the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment) when the game is played randomly. This prevents excessive consumption of tokens when the game is played for a long period of time, such as 17,500 games or more, and enables the machine to achieve performance that complies with the standards for the performance of gaming machines related to the acquisition of game tokens.

[0253] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8", in the non-RT state, reel stop control is performed so that bells A to D, which are set to pay out more than the prescribed number of coins (8 coins), do not enter the winning area regardless of the batting order in which stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the bonus state, reel stop control is performed so that bells A to D enter the winning area if stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct batting order.

[0254] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Payout 4", in non-RT state, reel stop control is performed so that 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B, which are set to pay the same number of coins as the specified number of coins, can be won with multiple batting orders. In the bonus state, reel stop control is performed so that 3-coin payouts A and 3-coin payouts B can be won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed with one of the pre-set batting orders.

[0255] Furthermore, in slot machine 1, for the winning areas "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Payout 4", regardless of whether the game state is non-RT state or bonus state, if the batting order and the timing of pressing the first stop operation are appropriate, a reel stop control is executed that makes it possible to win 15-coin payouts B and C, which are set to have a specified number of coins and a larger payout (15 coins).

[0256] With this configuration, as shown in Figure 16, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can be configured such that, in both the non-RT state and the bonus state, the payout rates when playing with batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) are higher for batting order 3 (random), batting order 4 (random), batting order 5 (random), and batting order 6 (random) than for batting order 1 (random) and batting order 2 (random). This configuration ensures that even when the game state transitions from the non-RT state to the bonus state, the degree of advantage for the player does not change depending on the game method. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, when the slot machine 1 is in the bonus state, the payout rates for batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) are all the same, so the degree of advantage for the player does not change regardless of which batting order is used in the bonus state.

[0257] Therefore, even if the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment is configured to perform control to adjust the difference between the payout rate when the game is played in turn 1 or turn 2, based on the state (performance state) related to the instruction function controlled by the AT control means 200 when the game is played in turn 3 to turn 6 (for example, not performing a decrement update of the normal game counter 197c when the game is played in turn 3 to turn 6 in the normal state), there is no risk of the player suffering an unfair disadvantage due to the game state, and control can be performed according to the game method while maintaining the fairness of the game.

[0258] The probability of winning Bell A to Bell D (first small win) in the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" is set to a payout (8 coins) greater than the prescribed number of coins, and the probability of winning is set to be higher when in the bonus state (second game state) than when in the non-RT state (first game state), and the probability of winning 3-coin win A and 3-coin win B (second small win) in the winning areas "Batting Order 3-coin win 1" to "Batting Order 3-coin win 4" is set to the same payout (3 coins) greater than the prescribed number of coins, Multiple second winning patterns are configured such that the probability is higher when in a non-RT state (first game state) than when in a bonus-established state (second game state), and multiple third winning patterns are configured such that the probability of winning 15-coin payouts B and C (third small payouts), where the winning areas "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-coin Payout 4" are set to pay more than the prescribed number of coins (15 coins), is the same when in a non-RT state (first game state) and when in a bonus-established state (second game state).

[0259] Furthermore, batting orders 3 through 6, which allow for the winning of the first, second, and third small prizes, constitute the first operation mode, while batting orders 1 and 2, which do not result in the winning of the first, second, and third small prizes, constitute the second operation mode.

[0260] Furthermore, the first winning probability, which is the probability of winning one of the multiple first winning patterns, the second winning probability, which is the probability of winning one of the multiple second winning patterns, and the third winning probability, which is the probability of winning one of the multiple third winning patterns, are configured such that the payout rate when the game is played using the first operation pattern in the first game state is higher than the payout rate when the game is played using the second operation pattern in the first game state, and the payout rate when the game is played using the first operation pattern in the second game state is higher than the payout rate when the game is played using the second operation pattern in the second game state.

[0261] Furthermore, as described above, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment includes winning patterns that include small wins with payouts greater than the prescribed number of spins, where, when a bonus is established and stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed in the correct spinning order, bells A to D, which are set to pay out 8 coins, can be won in winning areas "Spinning Order Bell 1" to "Spinning Order Bell 8", and when the first stop operation is performed at a timing that allows the BAR symbol "BAR" to be pulled in with a predetermined spinning order (specific spinning order) and with a pull-in range set to 5 out of 20 frames, 15-coin wins B and 15-coin wins C, which are set to pay out 15 coins, can be won. The game has winning areas "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Payout 4" where prizes can be awarded. When prize assistance is performed, the gameplay involves consciously timing the button press to stop the BAR symbol "BAR" on the active line L1, and there is a difference in the payout rate depending on whether or not this timing is performed. (When the game is played according to prize assistance and timing is performed, resulting in the winning of 15-coin payouts B and 15-coin payouts C, the payout rate is approximately 176.4%, while when the game is played according to prize assistance but timing is not performed and 15-coin payouts B and 15-coin payouts C are not won, the payout rate is approximately 156.1%).

[0262] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment can prevent the payout rate from becoming excessively high when the game is played in accordance with the prize-winning assistance and without the player performing a stop-and-reach motion, and when the 15-coin payouts B and C are not won, thereby reducing the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0263] Furthermore, as described above, in the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured not to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 8" in the normal state or pre-announcement state. On the other hand, the AT control means 200 is configured to transmit information (selection group information) to the performance control means 180 indicating which of the winning areas "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 3-Coin Win 4" was won when the winning area is "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Batting Order 15-Coin Win 4" in the normal state or pre-announcement state.

[0264] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to perform any effects using the selection group information when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8" during the normal state or pre-announcement state, and thus does not perform prize-winning assistance using the main control display device 500. On the other hand, the slot machine 1 is configured to perform prize-winning assistance using the main control display device 500 when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order 3-Coin Win 1" to "Bat Order 3-Coin Win 4" and "Bat Order 15-Coin Win 1" to "Bat Order 15-Coin Win 4" during the normal state or pre-announcement state, and thus does perform any effects using the selection group information.

[0265] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of the second embodiment does not perform prize-winning assistance when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 8" in the normal state or pre-announcement state. This prevents the payout rate from becoming excessively high, as it becomes possible to win Bells A to Bell D even in the normal state or pre-announcement state. This improves the medal acquisition performance after transitioning to the CZ state or AT state, that is, after AT gameplay has started, thus improving the marketability of the slot machine 1 equipped with AT functionality.

[0266] [Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the main control unit 10 is configured to execute an effect using the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 of the first body effect to the third body effect based on the start of a specific freeze as the main control effect, but is not limited thereto. For example, the main control unit 10 may be configured to start a specific freeze while the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are rotating steadily and execute a freeze effect that invalidates pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 as the main control effect.

[0267] Also, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the AT control means 200 is configured to be able to execute three types of controls as specific controls: "stocking of one set of the first AT state", "transition to the second CZ state", and "continuation of the first CZ state", but is not limited thereto. For example, the AT control means 200 may be configured to be able to execute only one type of control, "stocking of one set of the first AT state", as a specific control, and when winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" in the first CZ state, the specific control is executed. When a game of a predetermined number of game times (for example, 3 games) is executed without winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" in the first CZ state, it may be configured to end the first CZ state and start the second CZ state without executing the specific freeze and the specific control.

[0268] That is, the slot machine 1 only needs to be configured to be able to execute at least one type of control based on winning in the winning areas "batter bell 1" to "batter bell 12" for the specific control, and may also be configured to be able to execute three types and a plurality of types of controls.

[0269] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the AT control means 200 is configured to execute specific controls such as "stocking one set of first AT states," "transitioning to the second AT state," and "transitioning to the CZ state during AT," but is not limited thereto. The AT control means 200 may also be configured to execute a specific control such as adding (increasing) the number of games played while the first AT state continues, and the specific configuration of the specific control is not limited to the first and second embodiments.

[0270] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 has left result displays 330a to right result displays 330c by the performance control means 180 as first to third notification performances, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to execute the first to third notification performances using a display device controlled by the main control unit 10 (which may be a main control display device 500, or a configuration having another display device).

[0271] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to execute a prize-winning assistance animation at the timing when the reel vibration animation ends and the reel start animation begins, when a specific freeze is initiated. However, it is not limited to this configuration. The slot machine 1 may be configured to execute a prize-winning assistance animation at the timing (a predetermined timing) when a specific freeze is initiated, the reel vibration animation and the reel start animation end, a random delay is performed so that the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 begin to rotate steadily, and the pressing of stop buttons B1 to B3 is activated.

[0272] In this configuration, the sub-control unit 20 starts timing with the performance timer 183 based on the receipt of a specific command, and is configured to use the performance timer 183 to measure the time elapsed until the specific freeze ends, the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 start rotating at a steady rate, and the pressing of stop buttons B1 to B3 becomes effective.

[0273] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the freeze control means 600 is configured to start a specific freeze when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is selected in the internal lottery during the first CZ state, but it is not limited to this. For example, the freeze control means 600 may be configured to perform a lottery to determine whether or not to start a specific freeze when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 12" is selected in the internal lottery during the first CZ state, and to start a specific freeze if the lottery results in "Start of specific freeze", and not start a specific freeze in that game if it does not result in a win.

[0274] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 is associated with a first winning area where the stop button B1 is first stopped as the correct batting order, batting order 1 and batting order 2 are set; a second winning area where the stop button B2 is first stopped as the correct batting order, batting order 3 and batting order 4 are set; and a third winning area where the stop button B3 is first stopped as the correct batting order, batting order 5 and batting order 6 are set. However, the machine is not limited to this embodiment. Slot machine 1 may, for example, have a first winning area where the correct batting order is set to batting order 1 and batting order 2, in which stop button B1 is the first to be stopped, and a winning area where the correct batting order is set to batting order 3 and batting order 4, in which stop button B2 is the first to be stopped, and a second winning area where the correct batting order is set to batting order 3 and batting order 4, in which stop button B2 is the first to be stopped, and a winning area where the correct batting order is set to batting order 5 and batting order 6, in which stop button B3 is the first to be stopped, and a third winning area where the correct batting order is set to batting order 5 and batting order 6, in which stop button B3 is the first to be stopped, and a winning area where the correct batting order is set to batting order 1 and batting order 2, in which stop button B1 is the first to be stopped.

[0275] In other words, the predetermined operation mode set for the first winning area includes the first operation mode, the predetermined operation mode set for the second winning area includes the second operation mode, and the predetermined operation mode set for the third winning area includes the third operation mode. In addition to the first to third operation modes, each of the first to third winning areas may also include other operation modes.

[0276] In this configuration, the freeze control means 600 may be configured to perform the following actions at time t1 shown in Figure 6: if the first winning area is selected, it will start rotating the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2; if the second winning area is selected, it will start rotating the middle reel R2 and the right reel R3; and if the third winning area is selected, it will start rotating the left reel R1 and the right reel R3.

[0277] Furthermore, in this configuration, the AT control means 200 and the specific controls associated with the first to third winning areas may be configured such that the first specific control is associated with the first winning area, the second specific control with the second winning area, and the third specific control with the third winning area, that is, each of the first to third specific controls is associated with each of the first to third winning areas without overlap.

[0278] Furthermore, in this configuration, the AT control means 200 may be configured such that the first specific control and the second specific control are associated with the first winning area to the third winning area, the second specific control and the third specific control are associated with the second winning area, and the first specific control and the third specific control are associated with the third winning area, that is, multiple controls are associated with the first winning area to the third winning area, and the combination of multiple controls is arranged so that it is not exactly the same. In this configuration, the AT control means 200 must consist of controls that can be executed simultaneously, such as the first specific control to the third specific control being composed of "a stock of one set of first AT states", "a transition to the second CZ state", and "a stock of one set of second AT states".

[0279] Furthermore, in this configuration, the performance control means 180 may be configured to perform, as a first notification performance, a performance that notifies a specific control associated with a specific winning pattern in which the first operation pattern is included as a predetermined operation pattern; as a second notification performance, a performance that notifies a specific control associated with a specific winning pattern in which the second operation pattern is included as a predetermined operation pattern; and as a third notification performance, a performance that notifies a specific control associated with a specific winning pattern in which the third operation pattern is included as a predetermined operation pattern.

[0280] Furthermore, in this configuration, the performance control means 180 may be configured to perform predetermined performances when a winning area "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12" is won, such as: when a first winning area is won, an performance is performed to notify that batting orders 5 and 6 are not in a predetermined operation pattern; when a second winning area is won, an performance is performed to notify that batting orders 1 and 2 are not in a predetermined operation pattern; and when a third winning area is won, an performance is performed to notify that batting orders 3 and 4 are not in a predetermined operation pattern. In other words, the predetermined performance may be configured to perform an performance that notifies only operation patterns different from a predetermined operation pattern.

[0281] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slot machine 1 has winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 12" where, as a specific winning pattern, bells A to F, which are set to pay out more than a predetermined number of spins, can be won when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in the correct order, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 has winning areas "Bat Order Replay 1" to "Bat Order Replay 3" where, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a predetermined operation pattern, a specific replay different from replay A and replay B can be won, and when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in an operation pattern different from the predetermined operation pattern, replay A can be won, and winning areas "Bat Order Replay 1" to "Bat Order Replay 3" may be set as a specific winning pattern.

[0282] In this configuration, the AT control means 200 may be configured to notify the main control display device 500 of a predetermined operation that enables the winning of a specific replay when the winning area "Batting Order Replay 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Replay 3" is selected. Alternatively, the slot machine 1 may be configured to notify the player of a predetermined operation that enables the winning of a specific replay through prize-winning assistance by the AT control means 200 when the winning area "Batting Order Replay 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Replay 3" is selected, by displaying the predetermined operation on the display device 330 through prize-winning assistance performance by the performance control means 180, rather than notifying the main control display device 500 of a predetermined operation that enables the winning of a specific replay through prize-winning assistance.

[0283] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in the non-RT state differs depending on the batting order, as shown in Figure 16, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that, for example, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random) in the non-RT state is approximately the same regardless of the batting order. Similarly, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that the payout rate is approximately the same regardless of the batting order even when a bonus is established.

[0284] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate does not change regardless of the gameplay method used during the bonus state, but is not limited to this. For example, if the slot machine 1 has a difference in payout rate depending on the batting order, such as from batting order 1 (random) to batting order 6 (random), in at least one of the non-RT state and the bonus state, the slot machine 1 may also be configured so that the payout rate differs depending on the batting order during the bonus state.

[0285] If the slot machine is configured such that there is a difference in the payout rate depending on the order of batting in at least one of the game states, the non-RT state and the bonus state, and in the bonus state, then the slot machine 1 must be configured so that the relative magnitudes of the payout rates for each batting order do not change between the non-RT state and the bonus state, and in the bonus state. Specifically, if the slot machine 1 is configured such that in the bonus state, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) = payout rate for batting order 2 (random) < payout rate for batting order 3 (random) = payout rate for batting order 4 (random) = payout rate for batting order 5 (random) = payout rate for batting order 6 (random), then in the bonus state, the payout rate for batting order 1 (random) = payout rate for batting order 2 (random) < payout rate for batting order 3 (random) = payout rate for batting order 4 (random) = payout rate for batting order 5 (random) = payout rate for batting order 6 (random).

[0286] Also, in the second embodiment, the slot machine 1 has winning areas "Batted 15-symbol combination 1" to "Batted 15-symbol combination 4" where 15-symbol combination B and 15-symbol combination C can win when the pressing timing of the first stop operation is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be drawn onto the active line L1 in the preset batting order, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to have, for example, a winning area "15-symbol combination 1" where 15-symbol combination B wins alone and a winning area "15-symbol combination 2" where 15-symbol combination C wins alone.

[0287] When configured in this way, in the slot machine 1, when the winning area "Batted 15-symbol combination 1" wins, if the pressing timing of the stop button B2, regardless of the batting order, is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be drawn, 15-symbol combination B wins, and if the pressing timing of the stop button B2 is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" cannot be drawn, a combination different from any winning symbol combination will be displayed on the active line L1 as a miss (non-winning). When the winning area "Batted 15-symbol combination 2" wins, if the pressing timing of the stop button B3, regardless of the batting order, is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" can be drawn, 15-symbol combination C wins, and if the pressing timing of the stop button BC is such that the BAR symbol "BAR" cannot be drawn, a combination different from any winning symbol combination will be displayed on the active line L1 as a miss (non-winning).

[0288] Also, in the first and second embodiments, the slot machine 1 is configured to set a value as an initial value for the stored values of each counter and storage means and perform decrement updates that subtract 1 each time a game is executed, or increment updates that add 1 each time a game is executed. However, it is not limited thereto, and the update method for each counter and storage means may be configured to perform multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0289] 1 Slot machine (gaming machine) 10 Main Control Unit 20 Sub-control Unit 120 Internal drawing method 180 Performance control means 183 Timer for performance 330a Left result display (first notification presentation) 330b Intermediate result display (second notification presentation) 330c Right-hand result display (3rd notification presentation) 600 Freeze control means B1 Stop button (1st stop button) B2 Stop button (second stop button) B3 Stop button (3rd stop button) R1 Left reel R2 Middle Reel R3 Right reel

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, Control means capable of executing control related to the instruction function, It comprises a performance control means for controlling the performance, The aforementioned plurality of reels include a first reel, a second reel, and a third reel. The subject of the lottery in the aforementioned internal lottery includes specific winning patterns. The aforementioned specific winning pattern includes the first payout prize and the second payout prize, The aforementioned first dividend is set at a higher dividend than the aforementioned second dividend. For each of the multiple types of specified winning patterns, a correct operation pattern is set as the operation pattern of the multiple stop buttons. The operation mode in which the first reel is stopped first is not set as the correct operation mode in any of the aforementioned specific winning modes. The invention has a specific winning pattern in which the operation pattern in which the second reel is stopped first is the correct operation pattern, and a specific winning pattern in which the operation pattern in which the third reel is stopped first is the correct operation pattern, and does not have a specific winning pattern in which the operation pattern in which the first reel is stopped first is the correct operation pattern, and does not have a specific winning pattern in which, when the plurality of stop buttons are operated in the operation pattern in which the first reel is stopped first, the second payout small prize may not be awarded. In the case where the aforementioned internal lottery results in the selection of the specific winning pattern, When the multiple stop buttons are operated in the correct operation mode described above, the first prize is awarded. If the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode different from the correct operation mode described above, specifically in an operation mode that stops the first reel first, then in any of the multiple types of specific winning modes, the second payout prize will be awarded. If, among the operation modes different from the correct operation mode described above, the multiple stop buttons are operated in an operation mode in which the second reel or the third reel is stopped first, and the second payout small win is awarded with a predetermined probability, and if the second payout small win is not awarded, then no win is awarded. The control means is capable of controlling a first state and a second state as states related to the instruction function. Based on the fact that the specific winning pattern was selected in the internal lottery in the first state, it is possible to transition from the first state to the second state. The performance control means is capable of executing a performance that suggests a transition from the first state to the second state when the internal lottery in the first state results in the selection of the specific winning pattern. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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