Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine having an advantageous section capable of enhancing a player's interest in a game.SOLUTION: AT control means can control a game state to a normal state, a specific state more advantageous than the normal state, and a second AT state more advantageous than the normal state and the specific state in an advantageous section. In a game in which the advantageous section is stared, the game state can be controlled to the specific state in a case where a shift to the second AT state is not determined and the advantageous section is started. The AT control means executes a specific CZ lottery for determining whether or not to shift to the specific CZ state to shift to the second AT state by ending in the specific state. The specific state is continued until a shift to the specific CZ state is determined in the specific CZ lottery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gaming machine (rotary gaming machine, slot machine) provided with a plurality of reels having symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain gaming value to gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls, and performs a game for obtaining such gaming media. Further, this type of gaming machine performs an internal lottery and starts the rotation of a plurality of reels upon a rotation start operation by a player, and controls to stop the plurality of reels in a manner corresponding to the result of the internal lottery upon a stop operation by 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 assist effect for assisting the winning of a combination, a configuration is known in which the winning probability of the combination is varied and it becomes easier to obtain a gaming value by shifting to an assist time state (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] In recent years, gaming machines have been required to prevent excessive payouts of game value by limiting the period during which various control processes related to instruction functions, including prize-winning assistance control during the assist time state, can be executed to a specific period (advantageous period). This has made it difficult to enhance players' enjoyment of the game in gaming machines that have an advantageous period.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can improve the player's enjoyment of the game in a gaming machine that has a favorable period. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention comprises multiple reels, Multiple stop buttons, An internal lottery method for conducting an internal lottery, A control means that controls the normal section and the advantageous section, and performs control related to the instruction function in the advantageous section, A counter capable of updating the value stored by the control means, A performance control means that performs control related to the performance, Equipped with, The control means can control the normal state, the first advantageous state (e.g., a specific state, paragraph

[0119] , Figure 4), and the second advantageous state (e.g., a specific CZ state, paragraph

[0123] , Figure 4) within the advantageous interval. The first advantageous state is a state that is more advantageous than the normal state. The second favorable state is a state that is more favorable than the normal state and the first favorable state. In the game in which the aforementioned advantageous period has begun, the transition to the second advantageous state has not been determined. When the aforementioned advantageous period begins, it is possible to control the system to the first advantageous state. The control means performs a transition lottery (for example, a specific CZ lottery, paragraph

[0120] ) in the first advantageous state to determine whether or not to transition to the second advantageous state, The first advantageous state continues until the transition to the second advantageous state is determined by the transition lottery. death , The aforementioned performance control means executes a specific performance when the advantageous period ends and the normal period begins, based on the value stored in the counter. The aforementioned specific performance is performed in the normal section and the first advantageous state when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section and being controlled to the first advantageous state based on the start of the advantageous section. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can improve the player's enjoyment of the game in a gaming machine that has a favorable period. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functional block of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the winning areas in the internal lottery of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the winning combinations included in each winning area. [Figure 4] (A) is a state transition diagram of the game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a transition diagram relating to the normal section and the advantageous section controlled by the AT control means, and the performance state during the advantageous section. [Figure 5] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a minor role is hit in a non-RT state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a small win is hit during the internal RBB (Real Big Bonus) state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows the game results for each turn when a winning area containing a small win is hit in the RBB state of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the process for setting the upper limit of the number of payouts in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a table summarizing the winning combinations for each game state in a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10](A) is a flowchart showing control processing related to an advantageous section when a specific condition is satisfied, which is executed by the AT control means in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a flowchart showing control processing related to a specific continuous effect, which is executed by the effect control means. [Figure 11] (A) is a diagram showing a state where a result effect is being executed in the gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, (B) is a diagram showing a state where a specific continuous effect has started, and (C) is a diagram showing a state where the effect state has shifted to a specific CZ state while executing the specific continuous effect.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential constituent elements of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the side of the player (front) is described as "front", and the opposite side is described as "rear".

[0011] 1. Outline of the Configuration of the Gaming Machine FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called rotary drum type gaming machine, and regarding the gaming value that can be used by the player for gaming, it is provided outside the slot machine 1 and has a configuration for lending and settling electronic medals that become gaming values by an electromagnetic method. Based on a lending signal output from an external device and a dedicated unit SU (see FIG. 2) as a specific unit, it records gaming values by an electromagnetic method and is composed of a so-called medal-less gaming machine. The slot machine 1 stores information on the number of recorded electronic medals as the number of gaming medals and is configured to be able to transmit the stored number of gaming medals to the dedicated unit SU. The dedicated unit SU settles the electronic medals by recording the number of gaming medals received from the slot machine 1 on a recording medium such as an IC card and discharging it.

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

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

[0014] The front upper door UD and the front lower door DD are provided to be individually openable and closable. The front upper door UD is equipped with a display device 410, which serves as a display means for displaying various videos and images to assist or enhance the gameplay. The display device 410 has a display area 410a for displaying images, and a specific area 410b facing the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is made of a transparent liquid crystal display, allowing the rotation and stopping states of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to be observed through the display device 410. When the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 are stopped, three symbols (upper, middle, and lower) 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 device 410.

[0015] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each reel is provided with upper, middle, and lower display positions for observing the symbols through the display device 410, and an active line L1 is set for the combination of display positions on each reel. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of electronic tokens required for one game, the so-called specified number (specified number), is set to 3 tokens (first specified number) or 2 tokens (second specified number), and when the specified number of electronic 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. If the combination of symbols on the active line L1 corresponds to a predetermined winning combination, that combination is considered to have been won, and control corresponding to the winning combination is executed.

[0017] The front lower door DD is equipped with various operating means. These operating means include a max bet button MB, which is an insertion operation means for setting the electronic medals stored in the slot machine 1 to the insertion state; a start lever SL, which is a game start operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation to start the game by rotating the left reel R1 to the right reel R3; stop buttons B1 to B3, which are stop operation means for allowing the player to perform an operation to stop the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, which are rotated by stepping motors; a counting button KB, which is a counting operation means for transmitting the number of game medals stored in the slot machine 1 to a dedicated unit SU; and a settlement button AB, which is a settlement operation for releasing the insertion state and returning the electronic medals set to the insertion state to the medal counter 311 (see Figure 2).

[0018] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a main control display device 10D controlled by the CPU of the main control board 10 (see Figure 2). The main control display device 10D consists of a 7-segment display and other components, and displays various game information such as information on the winning combination in the current game, and information (notification display) indicating how to press stop buttons B1, B2, and B3, which are related to the payout of electronic tokens. The notification display shown on the main control display device 10D corresponds to the winning combination command, which is a control signal created based on the winning combination information in the current game when a specified number of electronic tokens are inserted and the start lever SL is operated.

[0019] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with a game token count display device MD controlled by the token count control CPU 31 (see Figure 2). The game token count display device MD consists of a 7-segment display and functions as a conceptual container by displaying the number of game tokens stored in the slot machine 1.

[0020] Furthermore, the front lower door DD is equipped with multiple sound devices 420 for sound-based effects. The sound devices 420 output various sounds to assist or enhance the gameplay.

[0021] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a main control board 10, a sub-control board 20, and a medal count control board 30 as control boards. The main control board 10 has a main control CPU 11 (game control means) that controls the progress of the game by controlling the game played using game value. The sub-control board 20 has a sub-control CPU 21 that controls the effects related to the game. The medal count control board 30 has a medal count control CPU 31 that manages electronic medals and is configured to communicate with a dedicated unit SU to perform control related to the number of game medals.

[0022] The main control CPU 11 functions as a setting change means 100, an input acceptance means 105, a random number generation means 110, an internal lottery means 120, a reel control means 130, a prize determination means 140, a payout control means 150, a game state transition control means 160, an assist time control means (AT control means) 170, and a complete control means 180. Each means constituting the main control CPU 11 reads and executes the respective control program pre-stored in the main memory means 190 when executing each control process.

[0023] The setting change means 100 performs control (setting change control) to change the setting value stored in the setting value storage means 191 of the main memory means 190. The setting change means 100 operates when a setting key is inserted into the setting key cylinder KC provided on the main control board 10 and the setting key is turned, causing the setting change switch SS provided inside the setting key cylinder KC to turn ON. When the setting change switch SS is ON and the power is turned on, the setting change means 100 transitions to a setting change permission state, which allows setting changes. On the other hand, the setting change means 100 is configured not to transition to the setting change permission state if the setting change switch SS is ON while the power is on.

[0024] The setting change means 100, in the setting change permission state, receives an input signal output when the setting change button BS on the power supply is operated, and cyclically changes the setting value in the order of setting 1 → setting 2 → ... → setting 6 → setting 1 → ..., and confirms the setting value based on the reception of a start signal output when the start lever SL is operated. In the slot machine 1, the probability of winning in some of the winning areas among the winning areas that can be won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is changed according to the setting value confirmed in the setting value storage means 191. In other words, the setting change means 100 is configured to change the setting value, which is a value that can change the probability of winning a role in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0025] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the setting change control by the setting change means 100 is executed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 170 are initialized, the game state is set to the non-replay time state (hereinafter, replay time is also referred to as "RT"), and the control related to auxiliary games that the AT control means 170 was executing before the setting change is also initialized and the normal section is set. On the other hand, in the slot machine 1, when the power supply to the main control CPU 11 is cut off (power out) and then the power supply is resumed, the control related to the game state executed by the game state transition control means 160 and the control related to the advantageous section executed by the AT control means 170 are restarted from the state before the power outage, and the control related to auxiliary games that the AT control means 170 was executing before the power outage is also maintained in the state before the power outage.

[0026] The input receiving means 105, during the input receiving period for accepting the insertion of electronic tokens, receives an input signal output when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 (described later) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. Based on this, it sets the electronic tokens stored in the token counter 311 to the insertion state, up to a predetermined number set for each game state, and activates the game start operation on the start lever SL based on the fact that the electronic tokens corresponding to the predetermined number have been set to the insertion state.

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

[0028] Furthermore, the input receiving means 105, during the period between when the electronic tokens are set to the input state and when the start lever SL is started, receives an input signal output when the settlement button AB is operated, thereby releasing the input state and adding the same number of electronic tokens that were set to the input state to the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311, thereby settling the electronic tokens that were set to the input state.

[0029] The random number generation means 110 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery. In this embodiment, "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in a mathematical sense, but also values ​​that, even if their generation is regular, can function as effectively random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0030] The internal lottery means 120 is a means for performing an internal lottery to determine whether a winning combination is achieved based on a start signal output when a player performs a start operation on the start lever SL, and performs lottery table selection processing, random number determination processing, lottery flag setting processing, etc.

[0031] 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).

[0032] 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.

[0033] In the random number determination process, a random number (random number for drawing) is obtained for each game based on the start signal output when the start lever SL is started. The obtained random number is then compared with the internal drawing table selected in the drawing table selection process, and a determination is made based on the comparison result as to whether or not a winning combination has been achieved.

[0034] In the lottery flag setting process, based on the result of the random number determination process, the lottery flag corresponding to the winning combination is set from a non-established state (first flag state, OFF state) to an established state (second flag state, ON state). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, if two or more combinations are won simultaneously, the lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more combinations that were won simultaneously is set to an established state. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are lottery flags that can be carried over to subsequent games until a win is achieved (carry-over flags) and lottery flags that are reset to a non-established state without being carried over to subsequent games regardless of whether a win is achieved (carry-over non-carry-over flags). The lottery flag setting information is stored in the lottery flag storage means 193 of the main memory means 190.

[0035] The reel control means 130 starts the rotation drive of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 and performs reel rotation control to control the rotation pattern of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 based on the player performing a start operation on the start lever SL and outputting a start signal. Furthermore, when the rotation state of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 reaches a state of steady rotation at a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 rpm), the reel control means 130 performs control to activate the stop operation by operating the stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to each reel. Then, when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and a reel stop signal is output, the reel control means 130 performs control (reel stop control) to stop each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 corresponding to the stopped stop buttons B1 to B3.

[0036] In the following description, when the reel control means 130 starts the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, and the player operates the valid stop buttons B1 to B3 respectively, the first operation will be referred to as the first stop operation, the second operation as the second stop operation, and the third operation as the third stop operation.

[0037] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the rotating reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within a predetermined period of 190 ms (milliseconds, msec) from the time the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed. In the following description, pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 will also be referred to as the operation. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 may be configured to output a stop signal not only when the stop buttons B1 to B3 are pressed, but also, for example, when the operation of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 and then releasing the pressed stop buttons B1 to B3 is performed.

[0038] In this case, if the spinning reels are to be stopped within 190ms from the time the stop button is pressed, the stopping position of each spinning reel is configured such that, based on the diameter and rotation speed of each reel, it is possible for the reels to rotate a maximum of 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until they stop. Therefore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, for the left reel R1 to the right reel R3, the range in which symbols can be drawn onto the active line L1 (draw-in range) is a total of 5 frames from the frame displayed on the active line L1 at the time the stop button is pressed until it rotates 4 frames.

[0039] When reel stop control is executed, the reel control means 130 performs a logic calculation process to determine the stopping position of the rotating reel based on a predetermined priority order, which includes a pull-in process that stops the rotating reel so that as many winning combinations as possible with the lottery flag set to the "established" state can be awarded, and a kick-off process that stops the rotating reel so that winning combinations with the lottery flag set to the "not established" state cannot be awarded, and a table reference process that determines the stopping position of the rotating reel by referring to the stop control table stored in the reel control data storage means 194 of the main memory means 190, thereby stopping the rotating reel and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 (hereinafter, stopping the rotating reel by reel stop control and displaying a symbol on the active line L1 is also referred to as "stop display").

[0040] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when multiple types of small wins are won in the internal lottery, there are two methods for determining the priority of candidate stopping positions: one is to determine the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the active line L1 (quantity priority control), and the other is to determine the priority according to the number of electronic medals dispensed based on the predetermined payout for each small win (coin priority control). However, when executing coin priority control, if the same small win with the same payout is won multiple times, the priority of candidate stopping positions that can award each of these small wins is treated as the same.

[0041] 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".

[0042] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, each process is executed based on the result of the prize determination means 140 in the prize determination process. As for each process executed based on the result of the prize determination, for example, if a small prize is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to determine the number of game tokens to be dispensed as electronic tokens; if a replay is won, the payout control means 150 is instructed to execute a process that will allow the next game to be played without consuming electronic tokens; and if a prize that triggers a transition to a game state such as a bonus is won, the game state transition control means 160 is instructed to transition to a game state.

[0043] The payout control means 150 performs payout processing related to the payout of electronic tokens according to the game result. Specifically, when a minor win occurs, it determines the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game based on the predetermined payout for each win, and virtually controls the payout by adding the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0044] Furthermore, the payout control means 150, when it is determined by the winning determination means 140 that a combination of symbols indicating the winning of one of the multiple types of replay symbols described later has stopped and is displayed on the active line L1, performs a replay process (re-play process) to set the machine to a ready state that allows the next game to be played without requiring the insertion of electronic tokens. In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a replay is won, an automatic insertion process is performed in which a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted without using the electronic tokens held by the player, and the machine waits for the start operation of the next start lever SL with the same active line L1 as the previous game set.

[0045] In slot machine 1, the system is configured so that even if the settlement buttons A and B are operated during the period from when a replay is awarded until the start of the next game, that is, during the period when a predetermined number of electronic tokens are automatically inserted due to the replay process and the game has not yet started, the same number of game tokens as the predetermined number will not be added to the token counter 311.

[0046] The game state transition control means 160 performs the process of transitioning game states between multiple game states, and the process of activating and terminating bonuses. Here, the transition conditions for each game state may be defined as one condition or multiple conditions. If multiple conditions are defined, the game state can be transitioned to another game state based on the fulfillment of any one of the multiple predetermined conditions, or on the fulfillment of all of the multiple predetermined conditions.

[0047] The AT control means 170 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 instruction functions, including auxiliary games that display notifications assisting in winning specific roles on the main control display device 10D, can be executed, and a normal section (non-advantageous period, non-advantageous section), which is a section (period) in which control related to auxiliary games (control related to instruction functions) based on the results of internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 cannot be executed, using data stored in the AT control data storage means 196, thereby performing control related to the normal section, advantageous section, and auxiliary games.

[0048] The AT control data storage means 196 stores data used in various controls related to multiple types of performance states, including the normal state and the AT state, which are executed within the advantageous period (various flags, counters, etc., which are set to the ON state or OFF state in a predetermined control process).

[0049] The AT control means 170 sets the performance state to the AT state (assist time state) under predetermined conditions during the advantageous section, and provides operation notification to assist in winning specific roles by displaying information (an example of operation instruction information) corresponding to the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the winning of specific roles on the main control display device 10D, which consists of a 7-segment display. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, when operation notification by the AT control means 170 is executed, the performance control means 200, described later, executes a navigation performance that displays an indicator corresponding to the correct sequence of hits on the display device 410. In this way, in the slot machine 1, in the AT state, the operation patterns of stop buttons B1 to B3 are notified through operation notification and navigation performance assistance, thereby executing an advantageous auxiliary game (AT game, notification game) for the player.

[0050] The AT control means 170, when a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous period, as will be described in more detail later, is met, executes a predetermined termination process that ends the advantageous period and starts the normal period from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process that initializes various flags, numerical values, and other information related to the advantageous period that were set within the advantageous period.

[0051] The AT control means 170 performs an update process (advantageous section difference in tokens update process) that cumulatively records the difference (difference in tokens, number of tokens acquired) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed from the game in which the advantageous section started by the number of electronic tokens inserted into the advantageous section counter 196a. When the AT control means 170 is in an advantageous section, it performs an advantageous section difference in tokens update process that cumulatively updates the value stored in the advantageous section counter 196a to a value equivalent to the difference in electronic tokens, regardless of the game state.

[0052] Furthermore, in the process of updating the difference in the number of tokens in the advantageous section, the AT control means 170 subtracts the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a when the number of electronic tokens dispensed in the game is less than a specified number, and if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes less than "0", the AT control means 170 also sets the result of the subtraction to the advantageous section counter 196a. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to be able to set a negative value to the advantageous section counter 196a.

[0053] The AT control means 170 determines that a specific termination condition has been met as a predetermined termination condition for ending the advantageous section when more than 2400 electronic medals are acquired during the advantageous section, that is, when the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", and executes a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous section and start the normal section from the next game. For example, in slot machine 1, if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a was a negative value of "-900" before transitioning to a performance state in which electronic medals can be acquired, a total of 3301 electronic medals can be acquired: 900 medals until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes "0", and 2401 medals until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a becomes "2401" or more.

[0054] The AT control means 170 initializes all information used in various control processes during the advantageous period, such as each flag set to the ON state during the advantageous period and values ​​set during the advantageous period, during a predetermined initialization process. The AT control means 170 can also terminate the advantageous period if a predetermined termination condition (normal termination condition) other than the specific termination condition is met, and executes the predetermined initialization process and predetermined termination process when the normal termination condition is met. Details of the normal termination conditions set by the AT control means 170 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0055] The complete control means 180 controls the slot machine 1 to activate a complete function, which stops the game when the cumulative number of electronic tokens acquired since the slot machine 1 was powered on reaches a predetermined value (for example, 19,000 tokens). The complete control means 180 performs an update process (complete acquired number update process) in which the difference (difference in tokens, acquired number) obtained by subtracting the number of electronic tokens dispensed in each game from the number of electronic tokens inserted after the slot machine 1 is powered on is cumulatively recorded in the token acquired counter 197a of the complete storage means 197. However, the complete control means 180 does not update the stored value of the token acquired counter 197a when a replay is awarded.

[0056] In the complete medal acquisition update process, which updates the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, the complete control means 180 subtracts the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a when the number of electronic medals dispensed in the game is less than a predetermined number, and if the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a becomes less than "0", the complete control means 180 sets the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a to "0". As a result, the complete control means 180 can fix the value of the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a to "0" when it reaches its lowest point, eliminating the need to change the threshold value for judgment according to the specific numerical value at the lowest point in the control process using the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a, thereby reducing the load on the control process using the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a.

[0057] The complete control means 180 determines that the conditions for activating the complete function have been met when the number of medals acquired from the lowest point of the number of electronic medals paid out after the slot machine 1 is powered on reaches 19,000, that is, when the stored value of the medal acquisition counter 197a reaches the value "19,000".

[0058] The complete control means 180 activates the complete function when none of the following are activated: the regular bonus (RB) as a first-class special feature, the regular big bonus (RBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the first-class special feature, and the challenge big bonus (CBB) as a continuous feature activation device related to the second-class special feature. Based on the fulfillment of the conditions for activating the complete function, the complete function is activated in the game in which the conditions are met, after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped.

[0059] On the other hand, if RB, RBB, or CBB is active, the complete control means 180 activates the complete function after the stop buttons B1 to B3 are stopped and the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 have stopped in a game where the active RB, RBB, or CBB has finished.

[0060] The complete control means 180 sets the complete function activation flag stored in the complete flag storage means 197b of the complete storage means 197 to the ON state when activating the complete function. When the complete function activation flag is set to the ON state, the slot machine 1 enters a stop state, and no further play can be performed until the complete function activation flag is set to the OFF state. The complete function activation flag, which is set to the ON state, is reset to the OFF state when the front upper door UD of the slot machine 1 is opened and the setting change button BS located inside is operated to initialize it. Due to this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured so that when the complete function is activated, the complete function cannot be deactivated by the player's operation.

[0061] The sub-control CPU 21 functions as a performance control means 200. Each means constituting the sub-control CPU 21 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the sub-storage means 210 when executing each control process.

[0062] The performance control means 200 controls game-related effects based on performance data stored in the performance control data storage means 211 of the sub-storage means 210, such as image and video effects using the display device 410 and sound effects using the sound device 420. Specifically, when a player operates various components of the slot machine 1, such as the max bet button MB, start lever SL, stop buttons B1 to B3, and counting button KB, or when a game event occurs, such as a change in the game state, the performance control means 200 controls the execution of effects that enhance the game, assist the game, or notify the player that an operation has been performed, by lighting or flashing lamps and LEDs, outputting sound from the sound device 420, etc. Furthermore, the performance control means 200 causes each component of the performance device 400 to execute effects based on each performance state.

[0063] Furthermore, when the performance control means 200 performs control related to images and video, it draws to the corresponding layer among the multiple layers provided in the sub-storage means 210. The performance control means 200 superimposes the images drawn on the multiple layers onto the frame buffer 213 provided in the sub-storage means 210 to create a single image, and displays the superimposed image in the display area 410a of the display device 410. When the performance control means 200 draws images to the frame buffer 213, it draws the images drawn on the lower layers first, so that the images drawn on the higher layers are displayed in the display area 410a with priority over the images drawn on the lower layers.

[0064] The medal count control CPU 31 functions as a medal count control means 300. Each means constituting the medal count control CPU 31 reads and executes the control program pre-stored in the medal count storage means 310 when executing each control process.

[0065] The medal count control means 300 is configured to transmit signals to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and to receive signals transmitted from the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40. The medal count control CPU 31 stores the total number of electronic medals that can be used for playing games in the slot machine 1, which is the number of game medals, using the medal count counter 311, and displays the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 on the game medal count display device MD.

[0066] The medal count control means 300 primarily updates (adds or subtracts) the number of game medals stored (held) in the medal count counter 311 in response to commands received from the main control board 10, notifications received from the dedicated unit SU, or operations on the counting button KB which has a built-in counting switch 126. The medal count control means 300 also displays the updated number of game medals on the game medal count display device MD.

[0067] Specifically, the medal count control means 300, when the counting button KB is operated while the game is playable, transmits a value corresponding to the number of game medals stored in the medal count counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the number of medals corresponding to the transmitted value from the medal count counter 311. Here, "while the game is playable" means that the game machine and the dedicated unit SU are electrically connected, power is supplied to both the game machine and the dedicated unit SU, neither the game machine nor the dedicated unit SU is undergoing maintenance, and no error has occurred that would prevent the game from being played. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is controlled so that the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is not subtracted by operation of the counting button KB when it is not connected to the dedicated unit SU, thereby preventing a situation in which the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted but no signal is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU.

[0068] If the counting button KB is pressed for less than 500ms, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "1" equivalent to one medal to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "1". If the counting button KB is pressed for 500ms or more, the medal count control means 300 transmits a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40 at the counting timing after 500ms have elapsed, and subtracts the stored value of the medal count counter 311 by the value of "50". Thereafter, every 300ms that elapse while the counting button KB is pressed, a value of "50" equivalent to 50 medals is transmitted to the dedicated unit SU via the lending device connection terminal board 40, and the stored value of the medal count counter 311 is subtracted by the value of "50". Furthermore, when 500ms or more have elapsed since the counting button KB was pressed, if the stored value of the medal counter 311 is less than "50", the medal count control means 300 transmits a value corresponding to the stored value of the medal counter 311 to the dedicated unit SU via the dispensing device connection terminal board 40, and subtracts the stored value of the medal counter 311 by the value corresponding to that stored value, thereby setting the stored value of the medal counter 311 to "0".

[0069] The medal count control means 300 determines that a medal overflow has occurred when the stored value of the medal count counter 311 exceeds the value "16369", which is set as the limit of 16368 medals to be stored in the slot machine 1. Based on the determination that a medal overflow has occurred, the slot machine 1 issues a medal overflow error, and when the counting button KB is operated and the stored number of medals in the medal count counter 311 is counted, the stored value of the medal count counter 311 becomes "16368" or less, the medal overflow error is cleared.

[0070] When the coin count control means 300 is powered on while the coin count clear button CL, which is located inside the gaming machine, is pressed, it initializes the coin count counter 311 and clears (initializes) the coin count, setting the stored value of the coin count counter 311 to "0". As a result, the slot machine 1 can initialize the information on the number of coins that remained in the coin count counter 311 before the power was turned off when the power is turned on.

[0071] 2. Configuration of the gaming machine in this embodiment Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 11, the details of each component of the slot machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0072] <Control related to the specified number via input acceptance means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, during the insertion acceptance period in which the insertion acceptance means 105 accepts the insertion of electronic tokens, when the max bet button MB is operated (bet operation) while the number of game tokens stored in the token counter 311 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the same number of input signals as the predetermined number set for each game state are output. Each time an input signal is received, the insertion acceptance means 105 adds a value of "1" corresponding to one electronic token to the insertion count storage means 198 of the main storage means 190, and continues to add values ​​to the insertion count storage means 198 up to the predetermined number set for each game state.

[0073] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of specified coins is set to 3 (first specified number) for the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and the number of specified coins is set to 2 (second specified number) for the RBB state.

[0074] In other words, when the game state is not RT state or RBB internal state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "3" in the coin insertion count storage means 198 based on the fact that the input signal is received three times when the Max Bet button MB is operated with three or more game tokens stored in the medal count counter 311. Also, when the game state is RBB state, the coin insertion receiving means 105 stores the value "2" in the coin insertion count storage means 198 based on the fact that the input signal is received twice when the Max Bet button MB is operated with two or more game tokens stored in the medal count counter 311.

[0075] <Winning areas subject to internal lottery> Figure 3 shows the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, and the winning numbers and winning combinations associated with each winning area. In addition, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has an RBB as a bonus, which is a continuous activation device for a special first-class bonus.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the winning areas that are subject to internal lottery include the winning area "All Small Wins", the winning area "All Single Wins", the winning area "Replay 1", the winning area "Replay 2", the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", the winning area "Rare Win", the winning area "RBB & Single Win", and the winning area "RBB", and the winning numbers 1 to 11 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 player does not win (lose).

[0077] Here, "batting order" refers to the sequence in which operations are performed on stop buttons B1 through B3. Furthermore, in the following description, the timing at which stop buttons B1 through B3 are operated will also be referred to as "operation timing."

[0078] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the order in which the three stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated consists of six types of stop orders, from stop order 1 to stop order 6. Stop order 1 is a stop order called "sequential pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B2 → stop button B3. Stop order 2 is a stop order called "scissors pressing," in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B1 → stop button B3 → stop button B2. Stop order 3 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B1 → stop button B3. Stop order 4 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B2 → stop button B3 → stop button B1. Stop order 5 is a stop order in which the stopping operations are performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B1 → stop button B2. Furthermore, batting order 6 is a so-called reverse batting order, where the stopping operation is performed in the order of stop button B3 → stop button B2 → stop button B1.

[0079] 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 11 and moving towards the losing area associated with winning number 0.

[0080] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, there are small wins 1 to 9 that can be won when selected by internal lottery, and there are replays 1 and 2 that can be won by internal lottery. Each small win and each replay is associated with each winning area in the combinations shown in Figure 3. Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the slot machine 1, the winning area "RBB&1-coin win" is set as a winning area that includes both bonuses and small wins, and the winning area "RBB" is set as a winning area that includes only bonuses.

[0081] In slot machine 1, the winning probability for the "Replay 2" area is set lower than that for the "Replay 1" area. Also, in slot machine 1, the winning probability for the "Rare Role" area is set lower than that for each of the winning areas, including the "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" areas and the "RBB & 1-Coin Role" area.

[0082] In this embodiment of the slot machine 1, the carry-over flag is associated with the RBB, while the minor role and replay are associated with the non-carry-over flag. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, if the internal lottery hits a winning area including the RBB, the state in which the RBB lottery flag is established is carried over until the RBB is won. At this time, the internal lottery means 120 also performs an internal lottery to determine whether the minor role and replay are won, even in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over. That is, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game where the RBB lottery flag's established state has been carried over, if a minor role or replay is won, the lottery flags corresponding to two or more roles, consisting of the already won RBB lottery flag and the minor role or replay lottery flag won in the internal lottery, are set to the established state.

[0083] <Internal Lottery Table> In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 stores in the internal lottery table storage means 192 three internal lottery tables used in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120: an internal lottery table used in the non-RT state (general mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table A), an internal lottery table used in the RBB internal mode (internal mode) (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table B), and an internal lottery table used in the RBB state (hereinafter referred to as internal lottery table C). In each of the internal lottery tables A to C, a lottery value is associated with each winning area that is the target of the lottery.

[0084] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery table A has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following: winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4", winning area "Rare Role", winning area "Replay 1", winning area "Replay 2", winning area "RBB & 1-Coin Role", and winning area "RBB", and is configured so that in the internal lottery, the player will win either a small role, a replay, or a bonus.

[0085] Furthermore, the internal lottery table B has 65,536 lottery values, each corresponding to one of the following winning areas: "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", "Rare Role", "Replay 1", "Replay 2", or "RBB & 1-Coin Role". The internal lottery is configured to result in winning either a small role, a replay, or a bonus.

[0086] Internal draw table A and internal draw table B are such that the number of draw values ​​associated with the winning area "RBB" in internal draw table A is associated with the winning area "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. The probability of winning for each winning area other than "Replay 2" and "RBB" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning for each winning area other than "Replay 2" in internal draw table B. Specifically, for example, the probability of winning for winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" in internal draw table A is the same as the probability of winning for winning areas "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4" in internal draw table B.

[0087] Internal lottery table C has 65,536 lottery values, each associated with either the winning area "all minor roles" or the winning area "all single roles," and is configured to result in winning a minor role in the internal lottery. Furthermore, in the internal lottery using internal lottery table C, the probability of winning each of minor roles 1 through 9 is higher than the probability of winning each of minor roles 1 through 9 in the internal lottery using internal lottery table A and internal lottery table B.

[0088] Given this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that it will not result in a loss (failure) in any of the internal lotteries during the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, or the RBB state.

[0089] <Random number generation process> In this embodiment, the internal lottery means 120, in the random number determination process, sequentially subtracts the random number obtained from the random number generation means 110 by the number of lottery values ​​associated with each winning area in the internal lottery table obtained from the internal lottery table storage means 192. If the result of the subtraction is a negative value, it is determined that the player has won in the winning area corresponding to the number of lottery values ​​that was subtracted. Furthermore, if the result of the subtraction is a positive value after subtracting by all the number of lottery values ​​stored in the internal lottery table, it is determined that the player has not won any role and is therefore unsuccessful.

[0090] <Reel control means> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, regardless of the game state, the priority order for the winning combinations to be stopped on the active line L1 in the reel stop control is set to "Replay > Small Win > Bonus". In other words, when a bonus and a small win or a bonus and a replay are both won, the reel control means 130 executes a stop control that prioritizes the small win or replay over the bonus.

[0091] Furthermore, as described above, the reel control means 130 is configured to rotate up to 4 frames from the time the stop button is pressed until the reel stops. Therefore, it is configured to stop and display on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of pressing the stop buttons B1 to B3 for symbols arranged at intervals of 4 frames or less among the symbols arranged on the left reel R1 to the right reel R3.

[0092] Furthermore, the reel control means 130 is configured to receive a start signal output from the start switch built into the start lever SL when the start lever SL detects a start operation, and to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 to start one game, and then set a waiting time (approximately 4.1 seconds), generally called a wait (or wait time), in the wait timer (not shown) of the main memory means 190 based on the start of rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3. Then, if the reel control means 130 receives a start signal from the start switch within the period from the setting of the waiting time until the waiting time has elapsed, it is configured to start the rotation of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 after the waiting time has elapsed. With this configuration, the reel control means 130 can start a game after a minimum game time (approximately 4.1 seconds) has elapsed between the start of one game and the start of the next game.

[0093] <Payouts for minor roles> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the payouts for minor wins 1 to 9 are set for both cases: when the game is started with 3 electronic tokens as the first predetermined number (3-token bet), and when the game is started with 2 electronic tokens as the first predetermined number (2-token bet).

[0094] Small win 1 has the same payout when betting 3 coins as when betting 2 coins, and is set at 15 coins, which is more than the first specified number. Small win 2 has the same payout when betting 3 coins as when betting 2 coins, and is set at 3 coins, which is the same as the first specified number. Small wins 3 to 9 have the same payout when betting 3 coins as when betting 2 coins, and is set at 1 coin, which is less than the first specified number.

[0095] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment sets the same payout for all small wins from small win 1 to small win 9, whether the game is played with a 3-coin bet or a 2-coin bet. As a result, there is no need to set a predetermined number of parameters for the data related to setting the payouts, and there is no need to set the payouts for 3-coin bets and 2-coin bets separately. Therefore, the data capacity of the data related to small wins in the area of ​​the main memory means 190 that stores various data can be reduced.

[0096] <Setting the number of payouts> In the payout process for dispensing electronic tokens according to the game result, the payout control means 150, when a minor win is achieved, stores a value corresponding to a predetermined payout for each win in the payout number storage means 199 (see Figure 2) of the main storage means 190.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a game with two bets is played, the payout control means 150 compares the upper limit of the number of payouts that can be paid out with the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 during the payout process. If the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 is greater than the upper limit, the payout for that game is set to the upper limit to determine the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in that game, and the number of game tokens corresponding to the determined payout is added to the token counter 311 to virtually pay out the tokens. Details of the process that references the upper limit of the number of payouts that can be paid out when a game with two bets is played will be described later.

[0098] <Game state transition control means> Figure 4(A) is a state transition diagram showing the game states that can be transitioned from each game state in the control related to the transition of game states performed by the game state transition control means 160 of this embodiment.

[0099] As shown in Figure 4(A), the non-RT state is the initial state among several types of game states (initial game state, normal game state), and is a non-bonus state in which no bonus is activated or established. In the non-RT state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to perform an internal lottery using internal lottery table A, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8978 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). In slot machine 1, when the game state is the non-RT state, the game can be started by setting a first predetermined number (3) of electronic tokens to the insertion state.

[0100] The RBB internal state is a game state that is entered when, in an internal lottery during a non-RT state, either the winning area "RBB & 1-coin win" or the winning area "RBB" is selected, and the RBB is set to the established state. In the RBB internal state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using internal lottery table B, in which the probability of winning a replay is set to 8982 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 7.3). In slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB internal state, the game can be started when the first specified number (3 coins) of electronic tokens are set to the insertion state.

[0101] The RBB state is a game state that is entered when an RBB is won and the RBB is activated. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 determines that the RBB termination condition has been met when more than a predetermined number of electronic tokens (for example, 12 tokens) have been dispensed, terminates the operation of the RBB, and transitions the game state to the non-RT state. In the RBB state, the game state transition control means 160 causes the internal lottery means 120 to execute an internal lottery using the internal lottery table C. In slot machine 1, when the game state is the RBB state, the game can be started when a second predetermined number (2 tokens) of electronic tokens are set to the insertion state. Details of the gameplay in the RBB state will be described later.

[0102] <AT Control Means> FIG. 4(B) is a state transition diagram showing details of a normal section and an advantageous section controlled by the AT control means 170 of the present embodiment, and a production state controlled during the advantageous section.

[0103] As described above, the normal section is a period in which control related to the auxiliary game based on the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120 is not executed. In the game within the normal section, the AT control means 170 executes an advantageous section lottery, which is a lottery for determining whether to end the normal section and start the advantageous section based on the winning area won in the internal lottery by the internal lottery means 120.

[0104] In the advantageous section lottery, the AT control means 170 first acquires an advantageous section transition lottery table, which is a data table in which "start of advantageous section" and "loss (non-winning)" are associated with each of a plurality of random numbers, from the AT control data storage means 196. Then, the AT control means 170 acquires a random number from the random number generation means 110, compares the acquired random number with the advantageous section transition lottery table, and determines whether to start the advantageous section based on the comparison result.

[0105] The AT control means 170 executes the advantageous section lottery so that the probability obtained by multiplying the winning probability of the winning area won in the internal lottery by the winning probability of "start of advantageous section" in the advantageous section lottery is 1 / 17500 or more.

[0106] The AT control means 170 of the present embodiment executes the advantageous section lottery when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4", the winning area "rare combination", and the winning area "replay 1" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, and when winning in the winning areas "RBB & single combination" and "RBB" in the internal lottery in the non-RT state, and is configured not to execute the advantageous section lottery when winning in other winning areas. In addition, the AT control means 170 executes an advantageous section lottery with a high probability of winning "start of advantageous section" at about 1 / 1.5.

[0107] In the advantageous period, the AT control means 170 has states (performance states) related to the instruction function, namely a first start state, a second start state, a normal state, a specific state, a normal CZ state, a specific CZ state, and an AT state having a first AT state and a second AT state. In the normal state, specific state, normal CZ state, and specific CZ state, the system is configured not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4". In the AT state, the system is configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4". Furthermore, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the proportion of time spent in the advantageous period during the overall gameplay can be 70% or more.

[0108] The first starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is not in an RT state and is in a normal section, and the player is selected as a target for the advantageous section lottery and is selected as a winning area including RBB, specifically the winning area "RBB&1-coin win" or the winning area "RBB" through an internal lottery, resulting in a transition from the normal section to an advantageous section. In the first starting state, the AT control means 170 terminates the first starting state and transitions the performance state to the normal state after one game has been played.

[0109] The second starting state is a performance state that is set when the game state is a non-RT state or RBB internal state and is in a normal section, and the player transitions from the normal section to the advantageous section through an advantageous section lottery based on winning in an internal lottery in one of the winning areas that are set as targets for the advantageous section lottery and do not include RBB, namely winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to winning area "Bat Order Bell 4", winning area "Rare Role", or winning area "Replay 1".

[0110] In the second start state, the AT control means 170 refers to the game state at the time the second start state is initiated. If the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is a non-RT state, the AT control means 170 terminates the second start state after one game is played and transitions the performance state to the normal state. Also, if the game state at the time the second start state is initiated is an RBB internal state, the AT control means 170 decides to execute a specific state after the second start state ends, terminates the second start state after one game is played, and transitions the performance state to the specific state.

[0111] With this configuration, in slot machine 1, during gameplay in the normal section (first game), if the game transitions from the normal section to the advantageous section, the performance state is set to either the first start state or the second start state by a control process that sets the performance state by the AT control means 170 during the first game. Next, in slot machine 1, during gameplay following the first game (second game), the game is played with the performance state set to either the first start state or the second start state. If the performance state is the first start state, the game transitions to the normal state. If the performance state is the second start state, the performance state transitions to either the normal state or a specific state depending on the gameplay state in the second game.

[0112] The normal state is the performance state that corresponds to the normal state among several types of performance states (normal performance state), which is set when the player has not transitioned to any other performance state. When the AT control means 170 transitions from the first start state, the second start state, or the AT state to the normal state, it sets the value "700" as an initial value to the AT transition game counter (not shown), which is a counter that counts the number of games played until the transition to the AT state is made. Each time a game is played in either the normal state or the normal CZ state, the AT control means 170 performs a decrement update, subtracting "1", a value equivalent to 1 game, from the stored value of the AT transition game counter. When the stored value of the AT transition game counter becomes "0", the AT control means 170 determines that the conditions for transitioning to the AT state (AT transition conditions) have been met, and transitions the performance state from the normal state to the first AT state.

[0113] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a normal CZ lottery in which, in a game in which a winning area that does not include RBB is selected in the internal lottery in the normal state, a lottery is held to determine whether or not to proceed to the normal CZ state. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured to perform a CZ lottery when the winning area "Rare Role" is selected in the internal lottery, in which the probability of "not winning (losing)" is lower and the probability of "progressing to the normal CZ state" is higher than when other winning areas are selected.

[0114] The normal CZ state is configured such that, as a control related to auxiliary gameplay, when a control is executed to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state, it is possible to transition to the AT state with a higher probability than the normal state, making it a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 sets a value (for example, 10 games) corresponding to the number of games in which the normal CZ state can be continued in the CZ game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of the normal CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played by subtracting the stored value of the CZ game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0115] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a normal CZ AT lottery in each game played in the normal CZ state to determine whether or not to transition to the AT state. If the "transition to AT state" is selected in the normal CZ AT lottery, the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the normal CZ state to the first AT state after 10 games have been played from the start of the normal CZ state.

[0116] The AT control means 170, when the player wins the "transition to AT state" lottery during the normal CZ and during the game until the normal CZ state ends, executes a lottery to determine whether or not to add (add) the number of times the first AT state is executed for one set of the first AT state to which the player transitions from the normal CZ state.

[0117] On the other hand, if the AT control means 170 does not win the "transition to AT state" in the AT lottery during the normal CZ and 10 games are played in the normal CZ state, the normal CZ state is terminated and the performance state is returned to the normal state.

[0118] The AT control means 170 is configured to execute lotteries related to auxiliary games performed in the normal CZ state (AT lottery during normal CZ, lottery for adding sets during normal CZ) regardless of the results of the internal lottery. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, with respect to lotteries related to auxiliary games performed in the normal CZ state, if the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (losing)" is lower than if other winning areas are won, resulting in a more favorable outcome for the player (in the case of AT lottery during normal CZ, the probability of "transitioning to AT state" is higher). Specifically in this embodiment, in the AT lottery during normal CZ, if the winning area "rare role" is won, there is approximately a 50% chance of "transitioning to AT state", and if a winning area different from the winning area "rare role" is won, there is approximately a 30% chance of "transitioning to AT state".

[0119] The specific state is configured to perform control as an auxiliary gameplay control, determining whether or not to transition the performance state to a specific CZ state, and is a performance state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 performs a specific CZ lottery in each game played in the specific state to determine whether or not to transition the performance state to a specific CZ state. The AT control means 170 is configured to continue the specific state until it transitions to a specific CZ state if the conditions for ending the advantageous section are not met.

[0120] In this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured to determine a transition to a specific CZ state with a probability of approximately 1 / 4 during the specific CZ lottery. Furthermore, in the slot machine 1, the transition to the AT state is not determined at the point when the performance state transitions to a specific state.

[0121] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a specific addition lottery in each game in a specific state, to determine whether or not to add (add) the duration of the second AT state when the game transitions to the second AT state, and to perform an addition process in which the determined value is 1 or greater, by adding the determined value to the second AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that in the specific addition lottery when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of winning a larger value is higher than when other winning areas are won.

[0122] The AT control means 170 is configured such that, in the specific CZ lottery when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of "not winning (miss)" is lower than when other winning areas are won, and the probability of "transitioning to a specific CZ state" is higher.

[0123] The specific CZ state is configured as a control related to auxiliary gameplay, and the transition to the second AT state is determined based on the end of the specific CZ state, making it a favorable state for the player. The AT control means 170 sets a value (for example, 30 games) corresponding to the number of games in which the specific CZ state can be continued in the CZ game counter (not shown) at the start of the specific CZ state, and performs a decrement update each time a game is played, subtracting the stored value of the CZ game counter by a value "1" which corresponds to 1 game.

[0124] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a specific bonus lottery in each game played in a specific CZ state, and if the value determined by the specific bonus lottery is 1 or greater, it performs a bonus process in which the determined value is added to the second AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that in the specific bonus lottery when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of winning a larger value is higher than when other winning areas are won.

[0125] The AT control means 170 transitions the performance state from the specific CZ state to the second AT state after 30 games have been played from the start of the specific CZ state. In other words, the AT control means 170 is configured to transition the performance state to the second AT state based on the end of the specific CZ state, regardless of the control content in the specific CZ state.

[0126] The AT state is configured to enable assistance in winning small role 1 when winning in the winning areas "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4", and is a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state. The AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to set the performance state to the first AT state when the AT state is started. The AT control means 170 is also configured to initialize the stored value of the AT transition game count counter to the value "0" when the AT state is started.

[0127] The first AT state is a performance state whose duration is managed by the number of games played. The AT control means 170 sets an initial value (for example, 50 games) corresponding to the number of games that can continue one set of the first AT state in the first AT game counter (not shown) of the AT control data storage means 196 at the start of one set 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 of "1" which corresponds to one game. In this embodiment, one set of the first AT state is configured from the time the initial value is set in the first AT game counter until the stored value of the first AT game counter becomes "0".

[0128] The AT control means 170, when it wins the winning area "Replay 1" in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, executes a lottery to determine whether or not to increase (add) the number of times the first AT state of one set is executed. If the AT control means 170 decides to increase the number of sets in the lottery to increase the number of sets, it adds the value "1" to the first AT set counter 196b (see Figure 2) of the AT control data storage means 196.

[0129] Furthermore, if the AT control means 170 wins the winning area "rare role" in the internal lottery conducted by the internal lottery means 120, it executes a second AT lottery to determine whether or not to transition the performance state to the second AT state after the end of one set of the first AT state. If the AT control means 170 wins the "transition to the second AT state" in the second AT lottery, it transitions the performance state to the second AT state after the end of one set of the first AT state.

[0130] Each time a set of first AT states is initiated, the AT control means 170 adds a value of "1" to the first AT continuation set counter 196c (see Figure 2) of the AT control data storage means 196, which corresponds to the initiation of one set of first AT states.

[0131] When 50 games have been played in one set of the first AT state and the stored value of the first AT game counter becomes "0", the first set of the first AT state has ended, and a transition to the second AT state has not been determined, the AT control means 170 refers to the stored value of the first AT continuation set counter 196c. If the stored value of the first AT continuation set counter 196c is "10", that is, when 10 sets of the first AT state have been executed in a series of AT states, the AT control means 170 determines that a specific condition has been met and determines that the AT state has ended. More details about the control processing related to the advantageous section when a specific condition is met, which is performed by the AT control means 170, will be described later.

[0132] Furthermore, if one set of the first AT state has ended, and the stored value of the first AT continuation set counter 196c is 9 or less, and a transition to the second AT state has not been decided, the AT control means 170 refers to the stored value of the first AT set counter 196b. If the stored value of the first AT set counter 196b is 1 or greater, a new set of the first AT state is started.

[0133] Then, if one set of the first AT state has ended, and the stored value of the first AT continuation set counter 196c is 9 or less, and the stored value of the first AT set counter 196b is 0, and a transition to the second AT state has not been decided, the AT control means 170 performs a first AT continuation lottery to determine by lottery whether or not to start a new set of the first AT state.

[0134] The AT control means 170 subtracts the value of the first AT set counter 196b by 1 and adds the value of 1 to the value of the first AT continuation set counter 196c when the stored value of the first AT set counter 196b is 1 or greater, when the first AT continuation lottery determines to "execute one set of the first AT state", and when a new set of the first AT state is started. On the other hand, if the first AT continuation lottery determines to "end the AT state", the AT control means 170 ends the first AT state and transitions the performance state to the normal state.

[0135] The second AT state is a performance state in which the duration of continuation is managed by the number of games played. The AT control means 170 is configured to add a value to the second AT game counter at the start of the second AT state that is larger than the number of games required to continue one set of the first AT state (for example, 300 games), as a value corresponding to the number of games required to continue the second AT state. In other words, the second AT state is configured as a performance state that is more advantageous to the player than the first AT state. Each time a game is played in the second AT state, the AT control means 170 performs a decrement update, subtracting the stored value of the second AT game counter by a value of "1" which corresponds to one game.

[0136] The AT control means 170 is configured to perform a second AT bonus lottery in each game played in the second AT state to determine whether or not to add (add) the duration of the second AT state, and to perform a bonus process in which the determined value is 1 or greater, and adds the determined value to the second AT game counter of the AT control data storage means 196. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured such that when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery, the probability of winning a larger value in the second AT bonus lottery is higher than when other winning areas are won.

[0137] In this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured to execute a second AT bonus lottery with a probability of approximately 30% of winning a value of "10" or more when transitioning from the first AT state to the second AT state. Furthermore, when transitioning from a specific CZ state to the second AT state, the AT control means 170 executes a second AT bonus lottery with a probability of approximately 70% of winning a value of "10" or more. In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured such that the expected value of the winnable value in a single second AT bonus lottery is higher when performing a second AT bonus lottery in a second AT state transitioning from a specific CZ state than when performing a second AT bonus lottery in a second AT state transitioning from the first AT state.

[0138] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a first AT state and a second AT state which is more advantageous than the first AT state. It is possible to transition to the second AT state from either the first AT state or the specific CZ state. Furthermore, the duration of the second AT state tends to be longer when transitioning from the specific CZ state to the second AT state than when transitioning from the first AT state, which is advantageous for the player. Therefore, it is possible to improve the player's enjoyment of the game when the second AT state is started via the specific CZ state.

[0139] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, by transitioning to the second AT state, the AT state continues as long as the stored value of the second AT game counter does not reach the value "0", and the AT state can be continued until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400". In addition, when transitioning from a specific CZ state, a second AT bonus lottery is performed with a probability of winning a value of "10" or more with approximately 70% probability, and the second AT state is configured to continue until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" with an extremely high probability.

[0140] The AT control means 170 decides to continue the second AT state until the value stored in the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds 2400, when the number of games played in the second AT state exceeds 500 games. The performance control means 200, when the AT control means 170 has decided to continue the second AT state until a specific termination condition of the advantageous section is met, switches the performance to be executed from the performance that is performed in accordance with the progress of the game in the second AT state (performance during the second AT) to the performance that continues until the advantageous section ends (ending performance).

[0141] The AT control means 170 determines that the termination condition for the second AT state has been met when the stored value of the second AT game counter becomes "0", or when the specific termination condition for the advantageous section is met, which is met when the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds "2400". The AT control means 170 determines that the specific condition has been met if, at the time the termination condition for the second AT state has been met, the number of games played in the AT state has exceeded 500. Then, when the stored value of the second AT game counter becomes "0" and the specific condition has been met, the AT control means 170 executes control processing related to the advantageous section when the specific condition is met, which will be described in more detail later.

[0142] On the other hand, when the stored value of the second AT game counter becomes "0", if the number of games played in the AT state is 500 or less, the AT control means 170 terminates the AT state based on the condition for terminating the second AT state being met, and transitions the performance state to the normal state.

[0143] 3. Gameplay in each game state Next, the gameplay characteristics of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment in each game state will be described.

[0144] <Game results in each game state> Figure 5 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a small win is selected in the internal lottery during a non-RT state. Figure 6 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a small win is selected in the internal lottery during an RBB internal state. Figure 7 shows the game results for each operation method of stop buttons B1 to B3 when a winning area including a small win is selected in the internal lottery during an RBB state.

[0145] As shown in Figure 5, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected during a non-RT state, it is possible to win one of the small wins 3 to 8, which are set to pay out 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game, regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated.

[0146] In other words, in slot machine 1, when not in RT mode, even if you win in the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to "Batting Order Bell 4", which are winning areas that include small win 1 with a payout of 15 coins in a 3-coin bet game, small win 1 cannot be won.

[0147] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, in slot machine 1, when the player wins in the winning area "Beat Order Bell 1" to "Beat Order Bell 4" during the RBB internal state, the stop buttons B1 to B3 are set to allow the player to win small prize 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 3-coin bet game, with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0148] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when a player wins in the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" during a non-RT state or RBB internal state, minor prizes 3 and 4 are awarded with a probability of 1 / 1 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for winning, and minor prizes 5 to 8 are awarded with a probability of 1 / 2 when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a batting order that allows for winning.

[0149] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the winning area "Rare Role" is selected in a non-RT state or RBB internal state, the stop button B3 is stopped at the timing when small role 2 can be awarded, and small role 2, which is set to pay 3 coins in a 3-coin bet game, is awarded, with an award probability of approximately 1 / 1.3. In slot machine 1, if the winning area "Rare Role" is selected but small role 2 is not awarded, it is considered a missed win (non-award).

[0150] Furthermore, if the winning area "RBB & 1-coin payout" is selected while in a non-RT state or RBB internal state, regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated, the small payout 9, which is set to 1 coin in a 3-coin bet game, will be awarded with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0151] As shown in Figure 7, in slot machine 1, when the winning area "All Small Wins" is hit in RBB state, if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 and turn 2, either small win 2, which has a payout of 3 coins in a 2-coin bet game, or small win 9, which has a payout of 1 coin in a 2-coin bet game, will be awarded with a probability of 1 / 1. If stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 3 to turn 6, small win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins in a 2-coin bet game, will be awarded with a probability of 1 / 1.

[0152] The winning symbol combinations for minor role 2 and minor role 9 include a common symbol in the symbols on the left reel R1 and the middle reel R2. In addition, the winning symbol combinations for minor role 2 and minor role 9 consist of different symbols on the right reel R3. The symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for minor role 2 are symbols that have a pull-in range of 15 out of 20 frames on the right reel R3, while the symbols on the right reel R3 that make up the winning symbol combination for minor role 9 are symbols that are arranged to be stoppable on the active line L1 regardless of the timing of operation of stop button B3.

[0153] Given this configuration, in slot machine 1, if the winning area "All Small Wins" is won and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 and turn 2, if stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols on the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 2 can be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, small win 2 is awarded. If stop button B3 is operated at a timing when the symbols on the right reel R3 that constitute the winning symbol combination for small win 2 cannot be stopped and displayed on the active line L1, small win 9 is awarded.

[0154] In slot machine 1, if you win the "All 1-coin payout" area while in RBB state, regardless of the order in which you press stop buttons B1 to B3, there is a 1 / 1 probability that you will win the small payout 9, which is set to pay 1 coin in a 2-coin bet game.

[0155] In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set an upper limit on the number of electronic tokens that can be paid out when a game is played with a two-coin bet. When a winning combination with a payout equal to or greater than this upper limit is achieved, the number of payouts is set to this upper limit, and electronic tokens are paid out. Specifically, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the upper limit on the number of electronic tokens that can be paid out to one when a game is played with a two-coin bet.

[0156] <Processing to set the upper limit of the number of payouts> Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process by which the slot machine 1 sets an upper limit on the number of payouts. The process shown in Figure 8 is executed in the payout process by the payout control means 150, which is performed when a winning combination is achieved, after the payout value set for the winning combination has been stored in the payout storage means 199.

[0157] As shown in Figure 8, the payout control means 150 first obtains the payout amount stored in the payout amount storage means 199 (S1). In this process, the payout control means 150 obtains the stored value of the payout amount storage means 199, which stores the payout values ​​set for the winning combinations in the current game.

[0158] Next, the payout control means 150 confirms the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted for the current game (S2). In this process, the payout control means 150 can determine whether the current game is a 2-coin bet game or a 3-coin bet game by checking the value stored in the number of tokens inserted storage means 198.

[0159] Next, the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted in the current game was 2 (S3). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether the stored value of the inserted number storage means 198, which was confirmed in step S2, was the value "2". By executing the process in step S3, the payout control means 150 can determine whether the current game was played in an RBB state with a second predetermined number (2 tokens) set.

[0160] In step S3, if it is determined that the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted for this game is 2 (YES), the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of tokens to be paid out for this game is 2 or more (S4). In this process, the payout control means 150 determines whether the number of tokens to be paid out stored in the payout number storage means 199 obtained in step S1 is 2 or more.

[0161] In step S4, if it is determined that the number of payouts for this game is 2 or more (YES), the payout control means 150 sets the number of payouts to 1 (S5). In this process, the payout control means 150 sets the number of payouts for this game to 1 by changing the value of 2 or more stored in the payout number storage means 199 to the value "1".

[0162] This process in step S5 constitutes a process that sets the upper limit of the number of electronic tokens that can be dispensed to a specific number (1 token) less than the second specified number (3 tokens) when the game starts with a second specified number (2 tokens) of electronic tokens inserted.

[0163] After executing the process in step S5, if in the process of step S3 it is determined that the number of electronic tokens set to be inserted in this game is 3 (NO), or if in the process of step S4 it is determined that the number of tokens to be paid out in this game is 1 (NO), the payout control means 150 executes the process of paying out electronic tokens (S6) and terminates the payout process. In this process, the payout control means 150 determines the value stored in the payout number storage means 199 as the number of electronic tokens to be paid out in the game, and adds the number of electronic tokens corresponding to the determined payout number to the token counter 311.

[0164] <Dispensing of electronic tokens in each game state> As shown in Figure 5, slot machine 1 is configured so that, in the non-RT state, no payout is awarded based on the winning of small role 1, which is set to have a payout greater than the first specified number. For this reason, the payout rate in the non-RT state is configured to be less than 50% regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated.

[0165] The payout rate is the ratio of the total number of electronic tokens paid out during a predetermined number of games (e.g., 17,500 games) to the total number of electronic tokens inserted during that predetermined number of games, assuming that the effects of temporary probability biases are sufficiently ignored.

[0166] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, in slot machine 1, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 or turn 2 during the RBB internal state, small win 1, which is set to have a payout greater than the first specified number, will not be awarded. However, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 3 to turn 6, small win 1 becomes possible to win. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB internal state is configured to be less than 50% when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 or turn 2, and more than 50% when they are operated in any of turn 3 to turn 6. Also, when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random turn order during the RBB internal state, the payout rate is configured to be less than 50%.

[0167] As shown in Figure 8, the payout control means 150 is configured to skip steps S4 and S5 from step S3 and proceed to step S6 when a game with a 3-coin bet is played. The payout control means 150 determines the value stored in the payout number storage means 199, which stores the value set as the payout for the winning combination in the game, as the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game, and adds the number of electronic medals corresponding to the determined payout number to the medal counter 311.

[0168] Due to this configuration, slot machine 1 is set up so that in non-RT state and RBB internal state, the same number of electronic tokens as the payout set for the winning combination are dispensed. In other words, in slot machine 1, in non-RT state and RBB internal state where the specified number is set to the first specified number (3 tokens), if the winning combination 1 is achieved, a payout exceeding the first specified number is executed.

[0169] On the other hand, the payout control means 150 is configured to proceed to step S6 after executing the process in step S5 if a game with a 2-coin bet is played and a small win with a payout of 2 or more coins is awarded in the game with a 2-coin bet. Regardless of the value set as the payout for the small win awarded in the game, the value stored in the payout number storage means 199, which is set to the value "1", is determined as the number of electronic medals to be paid out in the game, and the number of electronic medals (1) corresponding to the determined payout is added to the medal counter 311.

[0170] As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the RBB state which is set to a predetermined number of 2 coins, if the winning area "All Small Wins" is won in the internal lottery, and stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 1 and turn 2, small win 2, which is set to pay 3 coins in a 2-coin bet game, can be won, and if stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in turn 3 to turn 6, small win 1, which is set to pay 15 coins in a 2-coin bet game, can be won. However, when the payout control means 150 shown in Figure 8 performs the process of setting the upper limit of the number of payouts, the number of electronic tokens paid out in a game in which small win 1 is won is set to 1.

[0171] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game is played with a 3-coin bet and a game is played with a 2-coin bet, if a minor role 1 or minor role 2, which has the same payout and a payout of more than 1 coin, is won, a payout of 1 coin will be made, which is less than the set payout and less than the prescribed number (2 coins) in the RBB state.

[0172] Furthermore, as mentioned above, when a game is played with two bets, the payout for minor wins 3 through 9 is set to one coin.

[0173] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the game transitions to an RBB state where the number of specified coins is set to 2, and a winning area including a minor role is hit, a payout of 1 coin is executed regardless of which minor role is hit. To put it another way, in the slot machine 1, when the number of specified coins is set to the second specified number (2 coins) in an RBB state, if minor role 1 is hit, a payout of less than the second specified number is executed.

[0174] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in slot machine 1, during the internal lottery in the RBB state where the internal lottery table C is used, the machine is configured to win either the "all small wins" area or the "all single wins" area.

[0175] In other words, in this embodiment, when a game is started with a first predetermined number of game values ​​inserted into the slot machine 1, it is possible to pay out game values ​​exceeding the first predetermined number. When a game is started with a second predetermined number of game values, which is less than the first predetermined number, the upper limit of the number of game values ​​that can be paid out is set to a specific number less than the second predetermined number.

[0176] With this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when in the RBB state, two electronic tokens are set to be inserted and one electronic token is dispensed. Therefore, the payout rate in the RBB state can be reduced to 50%, and the performance of acquiring game value when the RBB is not active can be designed, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0177] Furthermore, as mentioned above, slot machine 1 is configured such that, in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the payout rate when stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated in a random order is less than 50%, and the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state is lower than the payout rate in the RBB state (50%).

[0178] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment does not have a lower payout rate in the RBB state than in the non-RT state where RBB is not operating or in the RBB internal state, and the performance of the RBB state does not deteriorate excessively, thus ensuring sufficient performance of the gaming machine.

[0179] <Winning combinations available in each game state> Next, using Figure 9, we have a table summarizing the small wins that are awarded based on winning in each game state of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment: non-RT state, RBB internal state, and RBB state.

[0180] As shown in Figure 9, the small win 1, which has a payout of 15 coins for both the 3-coin bet and the 2-coin bet, is configured not to award a prize if won in a non-RT state, but to award a prize based on whether it was won in the RBB internal state or in the RBB state.

[0181] Furthermore, the small win 2, which is set to pay out 3 coins for both 3-coin bets and 2-coin bets, is configured to award based on whether it is won in a non-RT state, an RBB internal state, or an RBB state.

[0182] Furthermore, regarding the payouts for both the 3-coin bet and the 2-coin bet, among the minor roles 3 to 9, which are set to 1 coin each, minor role 9 is awarded based on winning in the non-RT state, the RBB internal state, and the RBB state, while minor roles 3 to 8 are not awarded if won in the RBB state, but are awarded based on winning in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0183] As described above, in slot machine 1, in the RBB state where the game starts with the second specified number (2) of electronic tokens inserted, even if a small win with a payout of 2 or more tokens is achieved, the payout limit setting process shown in Figure 8 is executed, resulting in a payout of 1 token.

[0184] In other words, in slot machine 1, when small wins 1 and 2 are set to pay out more than 1 coin each, both when 3 electronic coins are inserted and the game starts, the payout will be different from when 3 electronic coins are inserted and the game starts.

[0185] In other words, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that when each of the minor role 1 and minor role 2 is won in the RBB state, which is set to insert two electronic tokens and the game starts, the payout amount is different from when the game starts with three electronic tokens inserted. Furthermore, both minor role 1 and minor role 2 are configured to be awarded when the game state is the RBB state, based on whether they have been won.

[0186] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved, and these multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations that belong to a predetermined group. The predetermined group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out differs depending on whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value, which is less than the first predetermined number. Each minor winning combination in the predetermined group is awarded based on being won in the internal lottery, regardless of whether the game is started with a first predetermined number of game value or with a second predetermined number of game value.

[0187] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the minor roles included in a predetermined group include a first minor role (minor role 1) and a second minor role (minor role 2). The first minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a first operation pattern (batting order 3 to batting order 6) when it is won in an internal lottery during a game started with a second predetermined number of game values ​​inserted. The second minor role can be won by operating multiple stop buttons in a second operation pattern (batting order 1, batting order 2) different from the first operation pattern when it is won in an internal lottery during a game started with a second predetermined number of game values ​​inserted.

[0188] With this configuration, in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number set to a first specified number in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of electronic medals paid out when small win 1 and small win 2 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when they are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, because the machine is awarded based on the fact that both small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, it is possible to prevent the performance of small win 1 and small win 2 from being excessively reduced and to sufficiently guarantee the performance of the gaming machine.

[0189] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, in slot machine 1, the payout when three electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts is set to 1 token, and the payout when two electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts is also set to 1 token. For small wins 3 to 9, which pay out the same amount when a win occurs in the RBB state when two electronic tokens are inserted and the game starts when three electronic tokens are inserted, the machine is configured to award a win based on whether it is won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, in the RBB state, while small win 9 is awarded based on whether it is won, small wins 3 to 8 are configured not to award a win regardless of how stop buttons B1 to B3 are operated when they are won.

[0190] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the internal lottery determines whether multiple types of winning combinations are achieved. These multiple types of winning combinations include minor winning combinations in a first group and minor winning combinations in a second group. The first group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is the same whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value (which is less than the first predetermined amount). The second group consists of minor winning combinations for which the amount of game value paid out is different whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value. The minor winning combinations in the first group include those for which no win is achieved when the game is started with a second predetermined amount of game value, regardless of the operation mode of the multiple stop buttons.

[0191] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the RBB state, where the number of electronic medals paid out does not change when a win occurs in the RBB state compared to when a win occurs in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of wins for minor roles 3 to 8 does not occur in the RBB state. This eliminates the need to pre-store stop control data related to reel stop control that enables wins for minor roles 3 to 8 in the reel control data storage means 194, thereby reducing the data capacity related to stop control data in the RBB state.

[0192] These minor roles 1 and 2 constitute a second group of minor roles and a predetermined group of minor roles, each having a different payout amount based on whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value. Minor roles 3 to 9 constitute a first group of minor roles, each having the same payout whether the game is started with a first predetermined amount of game value or with a second predetermined amount of game value (which is less than the first predetermined amount).

[0193] <Summary of gameplay in each game state> As described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the number of specified coins is fixed to the first specified number (3 coins) in the first game state, which is the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, when the RBB is not operating, and in the second game state, which is the RBB state, when the RBB is operating, the number of specified coins is fixed to the second specified number (2 coins). Furthermore, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate in the RBB state is higher than the payout rate in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. In addition, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the probability of winning each small win is higher in the RBB state than in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state.

[0194] Furthermore, slot machine 1 is configured such that when a win occurs in the RBB state, which is set to insert a second predetermined number of electronic tokens and the game starts, the payout for small wins 1 and 2 will be different from when the game starts with inserting a first predetermined number of electronic tokens. The slot machine is configured to award prizes based on the win when the game state is RBB.

[0195] Then, in the RBB state, when slot machine 1 is set to insert the second specified number of electronic tokens and gameplay begins, the payout limit setting process is executed, so that the maximum number of electronic tokens that can be paid out in that game is set to a specific number (1 token) which is less than the second specified number. Therefore, even if small win 1 or small win 2 is achieved, 1 token will be paid out.

[0196] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can reduce the payout rate in the RBB state to less than 100% (50% in this embodiment), and the performance in the RBB state can be designed to acquire game value in the state when the RBB is not operating while adhering to the performance required for a gaming machine, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0197] In other words, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the machine transitions to the RBB state with a predetermined number of 2 coins, and a winning area including a minor role is hit, the payout limit setting process (see Figure 8) is executed, so that 1 coin is paid out regardless of which minor role is hit. As a result, the payout rate in the RBB state is reduced to 50%, and the performance of acquiring game value in the state when the RBB is not activated can be designed, thereby dramatically improving the design freedom of the slot machine 1.

[0198] Furthermore, in the RBB state, where the specified number is set to a second specified number, which is different from the specified number set to a first specified number for the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of electronic medals paid out when small win 1 and small win 2 are won is less than the number of electronic medals paid out when they are won in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state. However, because the machine is awarded based on the fact that both small win 1 and small win 2 are won in the RBB state, it is possible to prevent the performance of small win 1 and small win 2 from being excessively reduced and to sufficiently guarantee the performance of the gaming machine.

[0199] Furthermore, in the RBB state, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that, in the RBB state, where the number of electronic medals paid out does not change when a win occurs in the RBB state compared to when a win occurs in the non-RT state and the RBB internal state, the number of wins for minor roles 3 to 8 does not occur in the RBB state. This eliminates the need to pre-store stop control data related to reel stop control that enables wins for minor roles 3 to 8 in the reel control data storage means 194, thereby reducing the data capacity related to stop control data in the RBB state.

[0200] Furthermore, as mentioned above, slot machine 1 is configured such that the payout rate becomes 50% when the RBB state is set to a second specified number (2 coins) which is different from the first specified number (3 coins) as the specified number, by executing a process to set the upper limit of the number of payouts.

[0201] Here, as a gaming machine that suppresses the payout rate in the bonus state and allows medals to be won by executing AT game in a game state different from the bonus state (for example, a non-bonus state where the bonus is not activated, such as a bonus-established state), conventionally, there are multiple types of first specific small wins in which multiple types of first specific small wins, which are set to pay out more than the number of game value inputs required to start the game, do not overlap with each other but overlap with second specific small wins different from the first specific small wins, and a third type of first specific small wins in which multiple types of first specific small wins overlap and are won, and the internal lottery means is in the normal game state, bonus state It is known that a machine is configured such that, in the standing state, an internal lottery is conducted so that there are multiple types of first winning patterns, and in the bonus state, an internal lottery is conducted so that there is a third winning pattern, and the probability of winning the third winning pattern in the internal lottery in the bonus state is lower than the probability of winning any of the multiple types of first winning patterns in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus state, and the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery in the bonus state is higher than or equal to the probability of winning each of the small roles in the internal lottery in the normal game state and the bonus state.

[0202] In a gaming machine with such a configuration, while compressing the probability of winning the first specific minor winning combination in the bonus state to the reciprocal of the number of types of the first specific minor winning combination (for example, 1 / 4 in a configuration having 4 types of the first specific minor winning combination), ensuring the performance of the bonus state as sufficient performance required for the gaming machine, and in the non-bonus state, by executing winning assistance for the first specific minor winning combination, increasing the winning probability of the first specific minor winning combination compared to the case where winning assistance is not executed, and enabling the acquisition of medals in AT games, it is necessary to have a plurality of types of the first specific minor winning combination.

[0203] In a gaming machine, regarding the minor winning combination that can acquire medals by winning, although it is common to stop and display a specific symbol (for example, a bell symbol) in a visible form to the player, when each of the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 is configured to be visible in three frames in a specific area where the left reel R1 to the right reel R3 can be made visible, since the patterns for displaying a specific symbol in a row are limited to 5 patterns, when the number of types of the first specific minor winning combination exceeds 5 types, it becomes necessary to display it in a display mode different from the display mode for displaying in a row within the specific area.

[0204] Also, in a gaming machine, regarding the method of determining the priority of the stop position candidates when a plurality of types of minor winning combinations are won in an internal lottery, there are a method of determining the priority according to the number of symbol combinations that can be displayed on the effective line L1 (number priority control) and a method of determining the priority according to the number of medals paid out based on the payout predetermined for the minor winning combination (number of medals priority control).

[0205] Therefore, in a gaming machine, when setting the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that enable the first specific minor winning combination to win and the operation mode of the stop buttons B1 to B3 that disable the first specific minor winning combination and enable the second specific minor winning combination to win, in order to enable the second specific minor winning combination to win, it is necessary to enable the second specific minor winning combination by number priority control.

[0206] Because of these limitations, in gaming machines, the more you try to increase the number of types of the first specific small win and compress the payout rate in the bonus state, the more types of the second specific small win also need to be increased. Furthermore, the arrangement of symbols required to make the second specific small win possible also needs to be increased. As a result, compressing the payout rate in the bonus state increases the amount of data related to the small wins, and the difficulty of design tends to increase.

[0207] In contrast, in a slot machine 1 configured such that the payout rate becomes 50% when the payout limit setting process is executed in an RBB state where the number of specified tokens is set to a second specified number (2 tokens) different from the first specified number (3 tokens), even if the machine is configured to have one small win with a payout greater than the first specified number when the first specified number of tokens are inserted and the game starts, the performance of the RBB state can be guaranteed to be sufficient for the performance required of a gaming machine, while the payout rate in the RBB state can be sufficiently reduced.

[0208] With this configuration, slot machine 1 can reduce the payout rate in the RBB state and prevent an increase in the data capacity related to small wins when designing the medal acquisition performance when the RBB is not activated. This reduces the data capacity related to small wins and improves the design freedom related to the arrangement of symbols. Furthermore, by reducing the data capacity related to small wins, data capacity can be allocated to various data used in other control processes executed by the main control CPU 11, thereby improving the design freedom of the gaming machine.

[0209] 4. Details of gameplay related to specific states Next, we will describe the details of the gameplay related to the specific state controlled by the AT control means 170 of this embodiment.

[0210] <Gameplay using specific states> In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the performance state is configured to transition to a specific state in two cases: when the game state at the time when the advantageous period begins and the second starting state begins is in the RBB internal state, and when a specific condition is met at the end of the AT state and the advantageous period continues due to control processing related to the advantageous period.

[0211] As mentioned above, the specific state is configured such that a specific CZ lottery is held in each game, and the player can transition to the specific CZ state by winning the "transition to the specific CZ state" lottery.

[0212] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to perform a special CZ (Chance Zone) bonus lottery in each game played in a specific CZ state to determine whether or not to add (add) the duration of the second AT state, and is configured so that the duration of the second AT state can be added by transitioning to a specific CZ state. The AT control means 170 is configured to transition to the second AT state, which is more advantageous than the first AT state, based on the fact that 30 games of gameplay have been played and the specific CZ state has ended.

[0213] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to transition from the specific state to the specific CZ state and then to the second AT state, rather than transitioning to the normal state while the advantageous period continues after the end of the AT state. This is because when the AT state ends due to the end of the advantageous period and the advantageous period starts again, the player can transition to the specific state and then to the second AT state. By transitioning to the specific CZ state, the player can start the second AT state after the end of the AT state and acquire electronic medals, thereby increasing the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0214] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the duration of the specific state is not fixed, but rather an indefinite period until the player wins the "transition to the specific CZ state" in the specific CZ lottery. In other words, in slot machine 1, the number of games played from the end of the AT state and the start of the advantageous period again until the transition to the second AT state via the second start state, specific state, and specific CZ state is not fixed, but rather changes depending on the number of games played until the player wins the "transition to the specific CZ state" in the specific CZ lottery.

[0215] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the advantageous period begins, it is controlled to either the first starting state or the second starting state. If it is controlled to the second starting state and the game state is in the RBB internal state, it is possible to control it to a specific state via the second starting state based on the start of the advantageous period. In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in a game where the advantageous period has begun, it is controlled to either the first starting state or the second starting state. Even when the performance state transitions to a specific state via the second starting state, the transition to the second AT state is not yet determined. The transition to the second AT state is determined when the player wins the "transition to a specific CZ state" in the specific CZ lottery and transitions to the specific CZ state.

[0216] With this configuration, in this embodiment, the number of games played between the end of an advantageous period (based on the number of electronic tokens acquired in a series of advantageous periods exceeding 2400) and the start of the AT state changes each time an advantageous period begins. Furthermore, the transition to the second AT state is determined by transitioning from a specific state after going through the second start state to a specific CZ state. This prevents the number of games played between the end of the AT state and the determination of the start of the AT state again from becoming excessively small, thus preventing the electronic token acquisition performance from becoming excessively high and reducing the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0217] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the advantageous period begins and the player transitions from the second starting state to a specific state, the transition to the second AT state has not been determined. As a result, the normal period that begins after the advantageous period ends does not function as a state advantageous to the player. Therefore, while maintaining the functions of both the normal period, where control related to the instruction function cannot be executed, and the advantageous period, where control related to the instruction function can be executed and has a limited period during which it can be continued, the player transitions from the specific state to a specific CZ state, and the second AT state begins based on the end of the specific CZ state, thereby improving the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0218] This AT control means 170 constitutes the control means in this embodiment, and upon termination, it is possible to transition to a specific CZ state which transitions to a second AT state. The specific state which continues until transitioning to the specific CZ state constitutes a first advantageous state which is more advantageous than the normal state in this embodiment, and the second AT state constitutes a second advantageous state which is more advantageous than the normal state and the specific state in this embodiment. Furthermore, the specific CZ lottery, which is a lottery performed in the specific state that determines whether or not to transition to the specific CZ state which transitions to a second AT state upon termination, constitutes the transition lottery in this embodiment.

[0219] <Control processing related to the advantageous period when specific conditions are met> Furthermore, as described above, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, in the second AT state transitioned from a specific CZ state, a lottery for additional wins during the second AT is performed with each game, resulting in a configuration that has an extremely high probability of continuing the AT state until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value of "2400".

[0220] In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the advantageous section counter 196a is configured to be able to be set to a negative value, and the advantageous section can be continued until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400". For example, if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is a negative value when the second AT state is started, and the AT state continues until the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400", then it is possible to acquire more than 2400 electronic medals in a series of AT states.

[0221] Furthermore, as described above, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to determine that specific conditions have been met and terminate the AT state when 10 sets of the first AT state have been executed in a series of AT states, or when the second AT state has ended after transitioning from the first AT state to the second AT state and the number of games played in the AT state has exceeded 500 games. The slot machine 1 is configured to transition from the normal state or the normal CZ state to the first AT state, and in the normal state, no assistance for winning small role 1 is performed when winning in the winning areas "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 4". Therefore, if the machine transitions from the first AT state to the normal state multiple times before the specific conditions are met in a series of advantageous sections, the memory value of the advantageous section counter 196a may become a negative value, such as "-3000", even if 2400 electronic medals are acquired in the AT state, when the first set of the first AT state begins.

[0222] Therefore, in slot machine 1, if, for example, 10 sets of the first AT state are executed, or if the game transitions from the first AT state to the second AT state and the second AT state ends after the number of games played in the AT state exceeds 500, and the game is configured to end the advantageous section based on the fulfillment of a specific condition regardless of the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a, then even if the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is a negative value at the time the specific condition is fulfilled and the AT state ends, the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a will be initialized by a predetermined initialization process based on the end of the advantageous section. As a result, even if the game transitions from the normal section to the advantageous section and the second AT state is started after going through the second start state, specific state, and specific CZ state, the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a at the time the second AT state is started will be a value close to "0", resulting in a configuration where only about 2400 electronic medals can be obtained in the second AT state.

[0223] Given this configuration, the AT control means 170 of this embodiment is configured to execute control processing related to the advantageous period when a specific condition is met, and to determine whether or not to terminate the advantageous period based on the meeting of the specific condition.

[0224] Figure 10(A) is a flowchart showing the control process related to the advantageous section that the AT control means 170 executes when a specific condition is met. As shown in Figure 10(A), the AT control means 170 first determines whether the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is less than or equal to the value "0" (S11). In this process, the AT control means 170 determines whether the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is a positive value by determining whether the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is less than or equal to the value "0".

[0225] In the process of step S11, if it is determined that the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is less than or equal to the value "0" (YES), the AT control means 170 transitions the performance state to a specific state (S12) and terminates the control processing related to the advantageous section when the specific condition is met. In this process, the AT control means 170 transitions the advantageous section to a specific state, then transitions from a specific state to a specific CZ state, and in the second AT state to which it transitions based on the end of the specific CZ state, it is possible to acquire more than 2400 electronic medals, so it transitions the performance state to a specific state while continuing the advantageous section.

[0226] On the other hand, in the process of step S11, if it is determined that the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a is greater than the value "0" (NO), the AT control means 170 performs a predetermined termination process to end the advantageous section and start the normal section from the next game, and a predetermined initialization process to initialize various flags, numerical values, and other information related to the advantageous section that were set within the advantageous section (S13), and terminates the control process related to the advantageous section when a specific condition is met. In this process, the AT control means 170, at the time of executing the control process related to the advantageous section when a specific condition is met, determines that if the advantageous section is continued and the player transitions to a specific state, the player will transition from the specific state to a specific CZ state, and in the second AT state to which the player transitions based on the termination of the specific CZ state, the number of electronic medals that can be acquired is less than 2400, and therefore terminates the advantageous section and initializes the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a.

[0227] With this configuration, in the AT state, when a specific condition is met and the advantageous period can be terminated, if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is 0 or less and includes a negative value, the advantageous period is continued and the performance state is transitioned to a specific state, which then transitions to a specific CZ state. In the second AT state, which is transitioned to based on the termination of the specific CZ state, it is possible to acquire more than 2400 electronic medals, thereby improving the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0228] Furthermore, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a specific condition is met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is greater than the value "0", i.e., a positive value, the advantageous period is continued and the performance state is transitioned to a specific state, which transitions from the specific state to a specific CZ state, and in the second AT state which is transitioned to based on the termination of the specific CZ state, it is possible to acquire less than 2400 electronic medals. Therefore, the advantageous period is terminated and the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is initialized and the normal period is started, and the player transitions from the normal period to the advantageous period, which starts a second starting state, and then transitions to a specific state, which transitions from the specific state to a specific CZ state, and in the second AT state which is transitioned to based on the termination of the specific CZ state, it is possible to acquire approximately 2400 electronic medals, thereby improving the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0229] This advantageous section counter 196a is a counter that counts the difference in the number of tokens, which is the number of tokens dispensed minus the number of tokens inserted during a series of advantageous sections in this embodiment. The AT state constitutes a predetermined state and when the advantageous section begins, the specific state, specific CZ state, and second AT state, which are transitioned to via the second start state, constitute the benefits that can be granted when the advantageous section begins in this embodiment.

[0230] <Control processing related to specific continuous performance> The performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute a specific continuation performance that has continuity in its performance content across multiple games, from the transition from a specific state to a specific CZ state, until the transition to the second AT state based on the end of the specific CZ state.

[0231] Figure 10(B) is a flowchart showing the control processing related to a specific continuous performance executed by the performance control means 200. In this embodiment, the performance control means 200 executes the control processing related to the specific continuous performance shown in Figure 10(B) when the AT state ends.

[0232] As shown in Figure 10(B), the performance control means 200 first determines whether the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" (S21). In this process, the performance control means 200 determines whether the advantageous section ends and the normal section begins based on whether the conditions for ending the advantageous section have been met, by determining whether the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400".

[0233] In the process of step S21, if it is determined that the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a does not exceed the value "2400" (NO), the performance control means 200 determines whether or not the performance state will transition to a specific state (S22). In this process, the performance control means 200 determines whether or not the advantageous section will continue after the end of the AT state and transition to a specific state. If it is determined that the transition to a specific state will not occur (NO), it decides not to start the specific continuation performance and terminates the control processing related to the specific continuation performance.

[0234] If, in the process of step S21, it is determined that the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" (YES), or if, in the process of step S22, it is determined that a specific state will be entered (YES), the performance control means 200 decides to execute a specific continuation performance (S23), and terminates the control processing related to the specific continuation performance.

[0235] Thus, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute a specific continuation performance when the advantageous period ends based on the acquisition of more than 2,400 electronic medals in a series of advantageous periods, and when the performance state transitions to a specific state while the advantageous period continues.

[0236] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the progression of images displayed on the display device 410 when a specific continuation performance is executed. Figure 11(A) shows the state in which a result performance displaying the game result (result) in AT state is being executed. Figure 11(B) shows the state when the specific continuation performance has started. Figure 11(C) shows the state when the performance state has transitioned to a specific CZ state while the specific continuation performance is being executed.

[0237] As shown in Figure 11(A), in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a result animation is performed, a result image 414 displaying the game result in AT state is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410, approximately in the center in the left-right direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and above a specific area 410b. In the example shown in Figure 11(A), the AT state continued for 500 games, and 1500 electronic tokens were acquired during the AT state, so the result image 414 displays "RESULT 500G 1500 tokens".

[0238] As shown in Figure 11(B), in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a specific continuation performance is executed, a character image 415a composed of images of a human-shaped character is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410, approximately in the center in the left-right direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front, and above the specific area 410b. In addition, in the slot machine 1, when a specific continuation performance is executed, a continuation game count image 415b indicating the duration of the continuation performance is displayed in the display area 410a of the display device 410, on the right side in the left-right direction and on the upper side in the up-down direction when the display device 410 is viewed from the front.

[0239] As described above, the performance control means 200 is configured to start a specific continuation performance when the stored value of the advantageous section counter 196a exceeds the value "2400" and the advantageous section ends, and when the performance state transitions to a specific state while the advantageous section is continuing. Furthermore, the AT control means 170 is configured so that the period for continuing the specific state consists of an indefinite period, and even when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section, the normal section continues until the advantageous section lottery is won for "transition to the advantageous section". In addition, the AT control means 170 is configured so that when the performance state transitions to a specific CZ state, the specific CZ state ends based on the fact that 30 games of gameplay have been performed in the specific CZ state, and the performance state transitions to the second AT state.

[0240] Given this configuration, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when a specific continuation performance is initiated, the duration for which the specific continuation performance continues until the performance state transitions to a specific CZ state varies depending on the results of the advantageous section lottery and the specific CZ lottery.

[0241] Therefore, in the case where the specific continuation performance shown in Figure 11(B) has started, that is, when the advantageous section has ended and the normal section has started, or when a specific state has started after transitioning while the advantageous section is continuing, the performance control means 200 of this embodiment displays "??G" on the continuation game count image 415b to indicate that the duration of the specific continuation performance is unknown.

[0242] As shown in Figure 11(C), in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, when the performance state transitions to a specific CZ state while a specific continuation performance is being executed, the period for which the specific continuation performance continues coincides with the period for which the specific CZ state continues. Therefore, the same value as the period for which the specific CZ state continues is displayed in the continuation game count image 415b. In the example shown in Figure 11(C), since the point in time when the specific CZ state begins is shown, the continuation game count image 415b displays "30G", which corresponds to the initial value of 30 games for the period during which the specific CZ state can be continued.

[0243] As described above, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a performance control means (performance control means 200) for controlling performances, and the performance control means is capable of executing a specific performance (specific continuation performance), and the specific performance is configured to be executed when a predetermined state ends and the advantageous period ends, and when a predetermined state ends and the advantageous period continues and the first advantageous state begins.

[0244] With this configuration, the slot machine 1 of this embodiment can start a specific continuation performance in either the state of a normal period that has started after the advantageous period has ended, or the state in which a specific state has started after transitioning while the advantageous period is continuing. This prevents the player from determining whether the advantageous period has ended when the AT state ends after executing 10 sets of the first AT state, and prevents the player from determining the number of electronic medals that can be obtained in the next second AT state, thereby increasing the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0245] 5. Summary of this embodiment As described above, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 ends the advantageous period based on the number of electronic medals acquired in a series of advantageous periods exceeding 2400, and the number of games played before the AT state is restarted changes each time an advantageous period begins. Furthermore, the transition to the second AT state is determined by transitioning from a specific state after going through the second starting state to a specific CZ state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of games played from becoming excessively small between the end of the AT state due to the end of the advantageous period and the determination of restarting the AT state, thereby preventing the electronic medal acquisition performance from becoming excessively high and reducing the marketability of the gaming machine.

[0246] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the advantageous period begins and the player transitions from the second starting state to a specific state, the transition to the second AT state has not been determined. As a result, the normal period that begins after the advantageous period ends does not function as a state advantageous to the player. Therefore, while maintaining the functions of both the normal period, where control related to the instruction function cannot be executed, and the advantageous period, where control related to the instruction function can be executed and has a limited period during which it can be continued, the player transitions from the specific state to a specific CZ state, and the second AT state begins based on the end of the specific CZ state, thereby improving the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0247] 6. Variations In this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to perform a specific CZ lottery for each game played in a specific state, and to transition to a specific CZ state with a continuation period of 30 games when the "transition to a specific CZ state" is won in the specific CZ lottery, but is not limited to this. For example, the slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to transition from a specific state to a second AT state, and the specific state may be configured as a first advantageous state that is more advantageous than the normal state in which there is no direct transition to the second AT state.

[0248] In this configuration, the AT control means 170 may, for example, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected in the internal lottery in a specific state, execute an auxiliary game (for example, an award assistance that notifies the main control display device 10D of the first stop operation of stop button B2 or stop button B3, and a navigation effect that prompts the first stop operation by displaying "×??" etc. on the display device 410 at the positions corresponding to stop buttons B2 and B3) and when small win 1 is awarded, the transition to the second AT state is determined based on the fact that small win 1 was awarded when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to "Bat Order Bell 4" was selected in the specific state, and the transition to the second AT state may not be determined at the time of transitioning to the specific state.

[0249] Furthermore, in this configuration, the performance control means 200 may be configured not to display the continuous game count image 415b in the specific continuous performance, since the duration of the specific state is unknown.

[0250] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured such that, when the winning area "rare role" is won in the internal lottery in a specific state, the probability of "not winning (losing)" is lower and the probability of "transitioning to a specific CZ state" is higher than when other winning areas are won, but it is not limited to this. The AT control means 170 may also be configured so that, regardless of which role is won in the internal lottery in a specific state, the specific CZ lottery will determine "transitioning to a specific CZ state" with a probability of approximately 1 / 4.

[0251] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured to perform a specific bonus lottery in each game in a specific state and a specific CZ state, but is not limited to this. For example, the AT control means 170 may be configured not to perform a specific bonus lottery in the specific state because the transition to the second AT state has not been determined, and to perform a specific bonus lottery in each game after transitioning to the specific CZ state.

[0252] Furthermore, the AT control means 170 may be configured to, for example, execute a first specific bonus lottery in each game in a specific state to determine whether or not to add (add) the duration of the second AT state when transitioning to the second AT state, and to execute a second specific bonus lottery in each game in a specific CZ state, which determines whether or not to add (add) the duration of the second AT state and has a higher probability of winning a larger value than the first specific bonus lottery. Alternatively, the first specific bonus lottery may be configured to have a higher probability of winning a larger value than the second specific bonus lottery.

[0253] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to be able to transition from the first AT state to the second AT state, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured not to transition from the first AT state to the second AT state, but only to transition to the second AT state when a specific CZ state, which is transitioned from a specific state, ends. In other words, the slot machine 1 may be configured so that the second advantageous state can only be transitioned from the first advantageous state, and is an advantageous state for the player in terms of the performance of acquiring electronic medals compared to other performance states.

[0254] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the AT control means 170 is configured not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected in the internal lottery in the normal CZ state and the specific CZ state, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 by determining by lottery whether or not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected in the internal lottery in the normal CZ state. Also, the slot machine 1 may be configured to perform assistance for winning small role 1 by determining by lottery whether or not to perform assistance for winning small role 1 when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected in the internal lottery in the specific CZ state.

[0255] In at least one of the normal CZ state and the specific CZ state, if the slot machine 1 is configured to perform assistance in awarding small win 1 when the winning area "Batting Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Batting Order Bell 4" is selected by lottery, it is preferable that the payout rate in the performance state in which the award assistance is performed by lottery does not exceed 100%.

[0256] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition from a specific state to a specific CZ state, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, to transition from a specific state to a normal CZ state. In such a configuration, the AT control means 170 may be configured to win a "transition to AT state" with 100% probability when performing an AT lottery during a normal CZ state after transitioning from a specific state, based on the fact that it has transitioned from a specific state.

[0257] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the second AT state is more advantageous than the first AT state because the period during which it can be sustained is longer than that of the first AT state, but it is not limited to this. For example, in the first AT state, the slot machine 1 is configured such that, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected by internal lottery, it is determined by lottery whether or not to perform assistance for winning small role 1, and in the second AT state, when the winning area "Bat Order Bell 1" to the winning area "Bat Order Bell 4" is selected by internal lottery, assistance for winning small role 1 is performed without lottery, thereby creating a difference in the performance of acquiring electronic medals between the first AT state and the second AT state, and the second AT state is configured to be more advantageous to the player than the first AT state.

[0258] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to start a favorable period and transition to a specific state via a second starting state, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured so that when a favorable period starts, the performance state is set to the normal state.

[0259] In this configuration, the slot machine 1 is configured to transition from the normal state to the second AT state. Although no advantageous benefits are granted to the player at the start of the advantageous period, if certain conditions are met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, and the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is greater than the value "0", i.e., a positive value, the advantageous period can be terminated. In the normal state, which is set up to restart the advantageous period, even if the player transitions to the second AT state after a very short period of time such as a few games, it is possible to acquire approximately 2400 electronic tokens in the second AT state, thereby increasing the player's enjoyment of the game.

[0260] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to determine whether to continue the advantageous period when a specific condition is met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, based on whether the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is positive or negative, and if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is less than or equal to the value "0", the advantageous period is continued and the performance state transitions to a specific state, but the machine is not limited to this. For example, if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is negative, the slot machine 1 may be configured such that the smaller the negative value, the higher the probability of transitioning to a specific CZ state in the transitioned specific state, and the degree of advantage of the benefits granted may change depending on the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a.

[0261] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to terminate the advantageous period when a specific condition is met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, and the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is a positive value, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured, for example, to continue the advantageous period and transition to a specific state when a specific condition is met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, and the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is a positive value.

[0262] In this configuration, when a specific condition is met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, the slot machine 1 is configured to continue the advantageous period if the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is a positive value within the range of the average number of electronic medals consumed in the specific state and the specific CZ state (for example, if the average number of electronic medals consumed in the specific state and the specific CZ state is about 50, then when a specific condition is met in the AT state and the advantageous period can be terminated, the stored value of the advantageous period counter 196a is between value "1" and value "50", and the advantageous period continues. If the value exceeds this range, the advantageous period is terminated. This configuration reduces the opportunities to perform predetermined termination processing and predetermined initialization processing based on the termination of the advantageous period, thereby reducing the load on the control processing performed by the main control CPU 11.

[0263] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to manage the duration of each of the first AT state and the second AT state by the number of games played, but is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured to manage the duration of each of the first AT state and the second AT state by the difference in the number of tokens won, or it may be configured to manage the duration by the number of times small win 1 is achieved.

[0264] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the performance control means 200 is configured to display the number of games played in the AT state and the number of electronic medals acquired in the result performance, but is not limited to this. The performance control means 200 may also be configured to display, for example, the number of sets in which the first AT state was executed, or it may be configured to display the number of sets in which the first AT state was executed instead of the number of games played in the AT state.

[0265] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured such that the duration of the second AT state is managed by the number of games played, but it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may also be configured such that the number of games that can be played is managed using the number of sets, in substantially the same way as the first AT state.

[0266] In this configuration, slot machine 1 may be configured such that the probability of continuing one set of second AT states when no playable sets of second AT states are stocked is higher than the probability of continuing one set of first AT states when no playable sets of first AT states are stocked.

[0267] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a game with a two-coin bet is played, the slot machine 1 is configured to set the upper limit of the payout to one coin, so that regardless of the number of coins paid out for the winning combination, one coin is paid out. However, it is not limited to this. The slot machine 1 may be configured such that, for example, the payout for all combinations from combination 1 to combination 9 is set to one coin when a game with a two-coin bet is played, so that one electronic token is paid out when a game with a two-coin bet is played.

[0268] With this configuration, slot machine 1 does not need to perform a process to set an upper limit on the number of payouts (upper limit setting process) in order to pay out 1 coin when a small win occurs in the RBB state where the prescribed number is set to 2 coins. Therefore, the amount of data required for the program to perform the upper limit setting process for the number of payouts can be reduced.

[0269] In addition, when configured as described above, in the RBB state, for minor winning combinations where the payouts when a three-coin bet game is executed are different from the payouts when a two-coin bet game is executed, it is necessary to be configured such that the stop buttons B1 to B3 can be won by operating them in a predetermined operation mode when winning in a predetermined winning area.

[0270] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 includes medal number control means 300 of medal number control CPU 31 as management control means for managing electronic medals and being communicable with the dedicated unit SU, and is configured to include main control CPU 11 as game control means for controlling games using electronic medals, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured not to include the medal number control board 30, and may be configured such that various functions mounted on the medal number control board 30 are realized by various functions mounted on the main control board 10, so that the main control CPU 11 may be configured to function as management control means for managing electronic medals and being communicable with the dedicated unit SU.

[0271] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured not to notify whether it is an advantageous section, but is not limited thereto. The slot machine 1 may be configured to notify that it is an advantageous section, for example, when the expected value of obtaining electronic medals becomes 1 or more by assisting the winning of minor winning combinations.

[0272] Also, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 1 has left reels R1 to right reels R3 as a plurality of reels, and has stop buttons B1 to B3 corresponding to the left reels R1 to right reels R3 as a plurality of stop buttons, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may have a fourth reel and a stop button corresponding to the fourth reel.

[0273] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 has a max bet button MB for inserting a prescribed number of electronic medals. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in addition to the max bet button MB, the slot machine 1 may be configured to have a single bet button for inserting one electronic medal.

[0274] When configured in this way, the slot machine 1 may be configured to be able to start a game when the number of inserted electronic medals is set to either the first prescribed number or the second prescribed number in the non-RT state and the RBB internal middle state. When configured in this way, when the game state is the non-RT state or the RBB internal middle state, if the max bet button MB is operated, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the first prescribed number of electronic medals to the inserted state, and if the single bet button is operated twice, the slot machine 1 may be configured to set the second prescribed number of electronic medals to the inserted state.

[0275] In addition, in this embodiment, the slot machine 1 is configured to set a value as an initial value to the stored values of each counter and storage means, and execute a decrement update that subtracts 1 each time a game is executed, or an increment update that adds 1 each time a game is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the update method of each counter and storage means may be configured to execute multiplication, division, etc., and is not particularly limited.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0276] 1 Slot machine (gaming machine) 120 Internal lottery means 170 AT control means (control means) B1 Stop button B2 Stop button B3 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, A control means that controls the normal section and the advantageous section, and performs control related to the instruction function in the advantageous section, A counter capable of updating the value stored by the control means, It comprises a performance control means for performing performance control, The control means is capable of controlling the normal state, the first advantageous state, and the second advantageous state within the advantageous interval. The first advantageous state is a state that is more advantageous than the normal state. The second favorable state is a state that is more favorable than the normal state and the first favorable state. In a game in which the aforementioned advantageous period has begun, the transition to the second advantageous state has not been determined. When the aforementioned advantageous period begins, it is possible to control the system to the first advantageous state. The control means performs a transition lottery in the first advantageous state to determine whether or not to transition to the second advantageous state. The first advantageous state continues until the transition to the second advantageous state is determined by the transition lottery. The aforementioned performance control means executes a specific performance when the advantageous period ends and the normal period begins, based on the value stored in the counter. The aforementioned specific performance is performed in the normal section and the first advantageous state when transitioning from the normal section to the advantageous section and being controlled to the first advantageous state based on the start of the advantageous section. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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