U.S. patent application number 11/907101 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE CORP.. Invention is credited to Kazunobu Sato.
Application Number | 20080085758 11/907101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39275367 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080085758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sato; Kazunobu |
April 10, 2008 |
Gaming machine
Abstract
A gaming machine includes: a display; an operation unit that
allows a player to input commands for playing a game; and a
processor that operates to: control the display to perform a
variable display of a plurality of symbols in each of a plurality
of variable display sections that are arranged in matrix, when a
start command is input through the operation unit; perform a
lottery to determine stop symbols to be displayed stopped in the
variable display sections; control the display to display the stop
symbols in the variable display sections after performing the
variable display; determine whether or not a symbol combination of
the stop symbols satisfies a winning combination; provide an award
to the player when determined that the symbol combination of the
stop symbols satisfies the winning combination; assign at least one
of the variable display sections as a special variable display
section; provide a special award to the player based on the special
variable display section, the special award being advantageous to
the player.
Inventors: |
Sato; Kazunobu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGINN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP, PLLC
8321 OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 200
VIENNA
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Assignee: |
ARUZE CORP.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39275367 |
Appl. No.: |
11/907101 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3267 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 10, 2006 |
JP |
P2006-276166 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine comprising: a display; an operation unit that
allows a player to input commands for playing a game; and a
processor that operates to: control the display to perform a
variable display of a plurality of symbols in each of a plurality
of variable display sections that are arranged in matrix, when a
start command is input through the operation unit; perform a
lottery to determine stop symbols to be displayed stopped in the
variable display sections; control the display to display the stop
symbols in the variable display sections after performing the
variable display; determine whether or not a symbol combination of
the stop symbols satisfies a winning combination; provide an award
to the player when determined that the symbol combination of the
stop symbols satisfies the winning combination; assign at least one
of the variable display sections as a special variable display
section; provide a special award to the player based on the special
variable display section, the special award being advantageous to
the player.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
operates to: provide the special award by controlling the display
to replace the stop symbol displayed in the special variable
display section into a predetermined symbol; and determine whether
or not the symbol combination includes the winning combination, the
symbol combination of the stop symbols being displayed stopped in
the variable display section and the predetermined symbol being
replaced in the special variable display section.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the
predetermined symbol is an almighty symbol that is treated as a
substitute for all the other symbols.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the processor
further operates to select the predetermined symbol from among the
plurality of symbols.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the processor
further operates to allow the player to select the predetermined
symbol from among the plurality of symbols.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
provides the special award when the stop symbol displayed in the
special variable display section is included in the symbol
combination determined to satisfy the winning combination.
7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the processor
operates to: determine whether or not a symbol combination of the
stop symbols located on a pay line satisfies a winning combination;
and provide the special award when the stop symbol displayed in the
special variable display section is included in the pay line
determined to satisfy the winning combination.
8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the processor
operates to: assign a plurality of the variable display sections as
the special variable display section; determine a number of special
variable display sections included in the pay line determined to
satisfy the winning combination; and provide the special award
having larger advantage to the player as the number of the special
variable display sections included in the pay line determined to
satisfy the winning combination increases.
9. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
operates to provide the special award when a stop state of the
variable display sections including the special variable display
section satisfies a predetermined condition.
10. The gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the processor
operates to perform, as the special award, a re-lottery to
determine stop symbols to be displayed stopped in the variable
display sections.
11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the processor
operates to perform the re-lottery for the variable display
sections excluding the special display section.
12. The gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein the processor
operates to provide the special award when a stop sequence of the
variable display sections including the special variable display
section satisfies a predetermined condition.
13. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor
operates to: assign a plurality of the variable display sections as
the special variable display section; and provide the special award
when the special variable display sections satisfy a predetermined
positional relationship with one another.
14. The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the processor
provides the special award by activating a special pay line that is
different from a pay line.
15. A gaming machine comprising: a plurality of variable display
sections that display stop symbols after variably displaying a
plurality of symbols; a lottery means for performing a lottery for
determining the stop symbols to be displayed on the plurality of
variable display sections; a determination means for determining
whether or not the stop symbols displayed on the plurality of
variable display sections include a symbol combination forming a
winning combination on the basis of the stop symbols determined by
the lottery performed by the lottery means; an award providing
means for providing an award corresponding to the winning
combination when the determination means determines that the stop
symbols displayed on the plurality of variable display sections
include the symbol combination forming the winning combination; an
assignment means for assigning at least one of the plurality of
variable display sections as a special variable display section;
and a special advantage awarding means for providing a special
advantage that is advantageous to a player on the basis of the
special variable display section assigned by the assignment
means.
16. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the special
advantage awarding means replaces the stop symbol of the special
variable display section with a predetermined symbol, and wherein
the determination means determines whether or not the predetermined
symbol and the stop symbols of the plurality of variable display
sections include the symbol combination forming the winning
combination on the basis of the predetermined symbol and the stop
symbols of the plurality of variable display sections.
17. The gaming machine according to claim 16, wherein the
predetermined symbol is selected by the player.
18. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the special
advantage awarding means provides the special advantage when the
stop symbol displayed on the special variable display section is
included in the symbol combination forming the winning combination,
in a case where the determination means determines that the stop
symbols displayed in the plurality of variable display sections
include the symbol combination forming the winning combination.
19. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the special
advantage awarding means controls the lottery means to perform a
re-lottery of the stop symbols when a symbol stop state of the
plurality of variable display sections including the special
variable display sections satisfies a predetermined condition.
20. The gaming machine according to claim 19, wherein the lottery
means performs the re-lottery of the stop symbols by using only the
stop symbols of the plurality of variable display sections
excluding the special variable display section.
21. The gaming machine according to claim 15, wherein the special
advantage awarding means provides the special advantage when the
assignment means assigns a plurality of the special variable
display sections and a plurality of the special variable display
sections that are assigned are in a predetermined positional
relationship.
22. The gaming machine according to claim 21, wherein the special
advantage awarding means provides the special advantage by
providing a special pay line that is different form a pay line.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is based upon and claims priority
from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-276166, filed on
Oct. 10, 2006, the entire content of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a gaming machine that
variably displays a plurality of symbols in each of a plurality of
variable display sections. BACKGROUND
[0003] As the popularity of gaming machines increases recently,
various types of gaming machines have been developed and emerged in
the market. Among these gaming machines, many types of gaming
machines, in which nine reels are disposed in a 3.times.3 matrix
and total of eight pay lines including three vertical pay lines,
three horizontal pay lines, and two diagonal pay lines are
provided, have been developed and emerged in the market.
[0004] Generally, gaming machines pay out awards to players when
symbol combinations stopped on pay lines satisfies winning
combinations. However, in order to further improve the enthusiasm
of players for games, gaming machines having a type of bonus (also
called "Mystery Feature"), which is awarded unexpectedly when a
predetermined condition not clarified to the garners is satisfied,
in addition to winning combinations on pay lines have been
developed (for example, JP-A-2004-057221, also published as U.S.
Pat. No. 6,893,018 B1).
[0005] As gaming machines that provide this type of bonus, in order
to diversify the games, gaming machines having a bonus (also called
"Mystery Odds") that makes an ordinary award two times to five
times when a predetermined condition is satisfied have been
proposed (for example, JP-A-2003-180908, also published as US
2003/0130027 A1). This type of gaming machines provide excellent
stimulus to the players in a relatively monotonous video slot
games, and since games having the "Mystery Odds" can improve the
expectation of the players, entertaining features of the games
become excellent, whereby the gaming machines become very
popular.
[0006] However, when the type of bonus disclosed in
JP-A-2003-180908 is provided in a gaming machine, the awards are
increased two times to five times while the occurrence probability
of the winning combinations is the same as a conventional case.
Thus, the amounts of payouts for the awards abruptly change and
games provided by the gaming machine become high-risk gambling
games, which is not appropriate for a gaming machine having
moderate payouts.
SUMMARY
[0007] One of objects of the present invention is to provide a
gaming machine capable of performing moderate payouts while
increasing the expectation for acquisition of a large quantity of
coins similar to the conventional "Mystery Odds" and provides a
surprise for unexpected awards.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine including: a display; an operation unit
that allows a player to input commands for playing a game; and a
processor that operates to: control the display to perform a
variable display of a plurality of symbols in each of a plurality
of variable display sections that are arranged in matrix, when a
start command is input through the operation unit; perform a
lottery to determine stop symbols to be displayed stopped in the
variable display sections; control the display to display the stop
symbols in the variable display sections after performing the
variable display; determine whether or not a symbol combination of
the stop symbols satisfies a winning combination; provide an award
to the player when determined that the symbol combination of the
stop symbols satisfies the winning combination; assign at least one
of the variable display sections as a special variable display
section; provide a special award to the player based on the special
variable display section, the special award being advantageous to
the player.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine including: a plurality of variable
display sections that display stop symbols after variably
displaying a plurality of symbols; a lottery means for performing a
lottery for determining the stop symbols to be displayed on the
plurality of variable display sections; a determination means for
determining whether or not the stop symbols displayed on the
plurality of variable display sections include a symbol combination
forming a winning combination on the basis of the stop symbols
determined by the lottery performed by the lottery means; an award
providing means for providing an award corresponding to the winning
combination when the determination means determines that the stop
symbols displayed on the plurality of variable display sections
include the symbol combination forming the winning combination; an
assignment means for assigning at least one of the plurality of
variable display sections as a special variable display section;
and a special advantage awarding means for providing a special
advantage that is advantageous to a player on the basis of the
special variable display section assigned by the assignment
means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the accompanying drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance
of a slot machine as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the slot machine showing the
configuration of its internal control system as an example;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a video controller of the
slot machine showing its internal configuration as an example;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main process that is an
operational flow from the start to the end of a game in the slot
machine;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operational flow of a base
game process;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a stop table as an example;
[0017] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a game screen displayed in
the slot machine;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first example of a special
advantage process;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second example of the
special advantage process;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third example of the
special advantage process;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of the
special advantage process;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a bonus game process as an
example;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged diagram of a screen
displayed on a main display in a base game process;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in a
status that a scroll process is started after the status shown in
FIG. 13;
[0025] FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen for notification of a
variable display section assigned as a special variable display
section to the player in a variable display section assigning
process;
[0026] FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen in which stop symbols
are displayed on variable display sections after a stop control
process following the scroll process shown in FIG. 15 is
performed;
[0027] FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen in the second example
of the special advantage process;
[0028] FIG. 18 shows an example of a screen in the third example of
the special advantage process;
[0029] FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen in the fourth example
of the special advantage process; and
[0030] FIG. 20 is an example of a screen in which a scroll process
is performed on the basis of the result of a re-lottery
process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described. In the following description, parts substantially the
same are denoted with same reference symbols, and redundant
explanation will be omitted.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance
of a slot machine 1. The slot machine 1 is a gaming machine
according to an embodiment of the present invention and is
configured to perform a variable display game (also referred to as
a slot game) using variable display images of a plurality of
symbols. The slot machine 1 has a base game mode in which a base
game started by default from the start of an operation thereof is
performed and a bonus game mode in which a bonus game started under
a predetermined condition after the base game is performed. The
slot machine 1 is configured to be able to perform the variable
display game also in the bonus game mode.
[0033] The slot machine 1 has a main display 3 provided with a
liquid crystal device on the front side of a casing 2. The slot
machine 1 has a sub-display 4, which is also provided with a liquid
crystal device, above the main display 3.
[0034] In the approximately center of the screen of the main
display 3, a variable display area 30 is provided. This variable
display area 30, as shown in FIG. 7 to be described later, has a
plurality of variable display sections (in the embodiment, total
nine variable display sections 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, and
3I disposed in horizontal three rows X vertical three columns). A
scrolling image (an image displayed as if a mechanical reel
rotates), in which a plurality of symbols look as if they move from
top to bottom are displayed, is configured to be displayed in the
variable display sections 3A to 3I included in the variable display
area 30 of the main display 3 in both the base game mode and the
bonus game mode.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, since the slot machine 1 has nine
variable display sections 3A to 3I, total of eight pay lines L1 to
L8 including six lines constituted by three vertical columns and
horizontal three rows of the variable display sections 3A to 3I and
two diagonal lines of the 3.times.3 matrix are set.
[0036] On the sub-display 4, various information related to the
game (for example, a description of game rules, an award table,
description of a game) are displayed.
[0037] In the slot machine 1, a pedestal portion 11, having
substantially horizontal surface is provided at a position lower
than the main display 3, is provided. The pedestal portion 11 is
provided with a coin insertion slot 6, a bill insertion slot 7, a
spin button 8, a 1-BET switch 9, and a MAX-BET switch 10.
[0038] The coin insertion slot 6 is provided for the player to
insert a game medium such as a coin, a medal, a token, a credit, or
the like (hereinafter, simply referred to as a coin) to be bet in a
game, and has a coin insertion sensor 6S (see FIG. 2) for
transmitting a signal indicative of coin insertion. The bill
insertion slot 7 is provided for reception of bills inserted by the
player, and has a bill insertion sensor 7S (see FIG. 2) for
transmitting a signal indicative of bill insertion. The spin button
8 is provided for the player to perform an operation to start a
slot game by displaying scrolling display images of the symbols in
the variable display sections 3A to 3I, and has a spin switch 8S
(see FIG. 2) for indicating detection of press-down of the spin
button 8.
[0039] The 1-BET button 9 is provided for placing a bet of one coin
in a single operation, and has a 1-BET switch 9S (see FIG. 2)
indicating detection of press-down of the 1-BET button 9. The
MAX-BET button 10 is provided for placing a bet of the maximum
number (for example, five) of coins for one game in a single
operation, and has a MAX-BET switch 10S (see FIG. 2) indicating
detection of press-down of the MAX-BET button 10.
[0040] In addition, the slot machine 1 includes a coin payout
opening 13 and a coin receiving tray 14 for receiving coins paid
out which are provided on a lower side of the casing 2.
Furthermore, speakers 12L and 12R are provided on the left and
right sides of the coin payout opening 13.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the slot machine 1 showing its
internal control system as an example. The slot machine 1 includes
a plurality of components with a microcomputer 31 serving as a
core.
[0042] The microcomputer 31 includes a main CPU (Central Processing
Unit) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and a ROM (Read Only
Memory) 34. The main CPU 32 operates as various means featuring the
invention based on a program stored in the ROM 34,
transmits/receives signals to/from the other components via an I/O
port 39, and controls operations of the entire slot machine 1. The
RAM 33 stores data and programs which are used when the MAIN CPU 32
is in operation. For example, the RAM 33 temporarily retains random
number values sampled by a sampling circuit 36 to be described
later, after the game starts. The ROM 34 stores programs to be
executed by the main CPU 32 and permanent data.
[0043] The slot machine 1 includes a random number generator 35,
the sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generating circuit 37, and a
frequency divider 38. The random number generator 35 operates in
accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 32 and generates
random numbers in a predetermined range. The sampling circuit 36,
in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 32, extracts an
arbitrary random number from among the random numbers generated by
the random number generator 35 and inputs the extracted random
number to the main CPU 32. The clock pulse generating circuit 37
generates a reference clock for operating the main CPU 32, and the
frequency divider 38 inputs a signal obtained by dividing the
reference clock by a fixed frequency to the main CPU 32.
[0044] In addition, the slot machine 1 includes a touch panel 3a, a
lamp driving circuit 59, a lamp 60, a LED driving circuit 61, an
LED 62, a hopper driving circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout
completion signal circuit 65, and a coin detecting unit 66. In
addition, the slot machine 1 includes a video controller 71 and a
sound controller 72.
[0045] The touch panel 3a is provided so as to cover a display
screen of the main display 3. The touch panel 3a detects a position
of a spot on the display screen which is touched by a finger of the
player and inputs a position signal corresponding to the detected
position to the main CPU 32. The lamp driving circuit 59 outputs a
signal for turning the lamp 60 on to the lamp 60, and thereby
blinking the lamp 60 in the game. By the blinking of the lamp 60,
various effects pertaining to the game is performed. The LED
driving circuit 61 generates a driving control signal for
controlling the blinking of the LED 62 and outputs the driving
control signal to the LED 62. The LED 62 displays the number of
credits, the number of acquired credits, or the like in accordance
with the driving control signal output from the LED driving circuit
61. The hopper driving circuit 63 drives a hopper 64 in accordance
with the control of the main CPU 32. The hopper 64 performs an
operation for paying out awarded coins and pays out the coins to
the coin receiving tray 14 from the payout opening. The coin
detecting unit 66 counts the number of coins paid out by the hopper
64 and inputs data for the counted number of coins to the payout
completion signal circuit 65. The payout completion signal circuit
65 receives the data for the number of coins input from the coin
detecting circuit 66. Then, the payout completion signal circuit 65
inputs a signal indicative of completion of coin payout to the main
CPU 32 when the number of the coins reaches a predetermined
number.
[0046] Here, although the touch panel 3a, the spin switch 8S, the
1-BET switch 9S, the MAX-BET switch 10S, the coin insertion sensor
6S, and the bill insertion sensor 7S are directly connected to the
I/O port 39 for performing input/output (transmission/reception)
operations of signals, a subsidiary circuit board (door PCB
(Printed Circuit Board)) may be inserted therebetween (between the
touch panel 3a or the like and the I/O port 39) so as to identify a
source of a signal such as the touch panel 3a or the like and the
signal may be input/output (transmitted/received) to/from the main
CPU 32 by the IO port 39. Similarly, a main circuit board (main PCB
(Printed Circuit Board)) may be inserted between the various
circuits 59, 61, 63, 65, 71, and 72 disposed on the main body side
and the I/O port 39. In such a case, since only signals in use from
among signals output from various switches and circuits are
transmitted to the main CPU 32 through the I/O port 39, it is
possible to reduce a processing load of the main CPU 32 and
increase the transmission speed of signals.
[0047] The video controller 71 controls image display operations of
the main display 3 and the sub display 4 and displays various
images such as variable display images of a plurality of symbols, a
sub game preparing screen, or the like on the main display 3 and
the sub display 4.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the video
controller 71 showing its configuration as an example.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the video controller 71 includes an
image control CPU 71a, a work RAM 71b, a program ROM 71c, an image
ROM 71d, a video RAM 71e, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 71f.
The image control CPU 71a, based on a parameter set by the
microcomputer 31, determines an image (a reel image, an image of a
stop symbol displayed at a time when the scroll display stops, or
the like) to be displayed on the main display 3 and the sub display
4 in accordance with an image control program (regarding the
display on the main display 3 and the sub display 4) stored in the
program ROM 71c in advance. The work RAM 71b is configured as a
temporary storage to be used at a time when the image control CPU
71a executes the image control program.
[0050] The program ROM 71c stores the image control program,
various selection tables, and the like. The image ROM 71d stores
dot data (bitmap data) for forming an image. In the embodiment,
symbol image data representing symbols used in the base game and
the bonus game is included in the dot data. The video RAM 71e is
configured as a temporary storage used for the VDP 71f to form an
image. The VDP 71f includes a control RAM 71g. The VDP 71f forms
images on the basis of the images to be displayed on the main
display 3 and the sub display 4 which have been determined by the
image control CPU 71a, and outputs the formed images to the main
display 3 and the sub display 4.
[0051] The description of the configuration of the slot machine 1
will now be continued with reference back to FIG. 2.
[0052] The sound controller 72 outputs a sound signal, which is
used for outputting a sound from the speakers 12L and 12R, to the
speakers 12L and 12R. From the speakers 12L and 12R, for example, a
sound is output to add excitement to the game at an appropriate
time after the game starts.
[0053] The operation of the slot machine 1 having the
aforementioned configuration will now be described with reference
to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operational flow of a main
process from the start to the end of a single round of a game (unit
game) in the slot machine 1. In FIG. 4 and thereafter, the term
"Step" is abbreviated as "S".
[0055] In the slot machine 1, the main CPU 32 operates as a game
progress controller so as to control the progress of a game. When
the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, starts the
main process as shown in FIG. 4, in the start of the game, a start
accepting process (S1) is performed at the start of the game in
Step 1, a base game process (S2) is performed in the subsequent
Step 2 while a base game mode is maintained as a gaming mode, and
the process proceeds to Step 3. In Step 3, after receiving a result
of a base game lottery process (FIG. 5; S10), to be described
later, in the base game process of Step 2, the main CPU 32
determines whether to make a transition of the gaming mode to a
bonus game mode on the basis of a transition condition set for
transition of the gaming mode to the bonus game mode (S3). When the
slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, determines that
the transition condition is satisfied (S3: Yes), the process
proceeds to a bonus game process of Step 4, and then, the process
proceeds to a payout process of Step 5. On the other hand, when it
is determined that the transition condition is not satisfied in
Step 3 (S3: No), the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main
CPU 32, proceeds the process to the payout process of Step 5
without performing the bonus game process of Step 4. In the payout
process of Step 5, when a wining combination is generated in the
base game or the bonus game, the slot machine 1, more particularly,
the main CPU 32, performs a coin payout process (a process of
instructing the hopper driving circuit 63 to payout coins
corresponding to the number of paying-out coins performed by the
main CPU 32, and a process of paying out the coins performed by the
hopper 64, and a process of inputting a signal from the payout
completion signal circuit 65) in accordance with the wining
combination and then ends the main process.
[0056] Hereinafter, the above-described Steps will be described in
detail.
[0057] When the process proceeds to the start accepting process of
Step 1, first, the slot machine 1 accepts an operation for start of
the game from the player in accordance with control of the main CPU
32. Since the slot machine 1 is a coin-operated game machine, in
order to start a game, the player first inserts the number of coins
to be bet in one round (unit) of the game into the coin insertion
slot 6 or operates the 1-BET button 9 or the MAX-BET button 10 in a
case where there are remaining credits. Thereafter, the player
performs an operation of the spin button 8 (hereinafter, referred
to as a start operation) By performing the start operation, a start
signal output from the spin switch 8S which has detected the
press-down of the spin button 8 is input to the main CPU 32.
[0058] Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step 2, and the slot
machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, performs a base game
process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the base game process as an
example. Hereinafter, the base game process will be described with
reference to FIG. 5.
[0059] When the process proceeds to the base game process, the slot
machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, which serves as a
lottery means according to an embodiment of the present invention,
first performs a base game lottery process (S10). In the base game
lottery process, the main CPU 32 is operated as a symbol
determination means and performs a process of determination of the
symbol. In this symbol determination process, the main CPU 32
determines the symbols (hereinafter, this symbols are referred to
as stop symbols) to be stopped for being displayed by stopping
variable display of the symbols on the variable display sections 3A
to 3I. Whether the stop symbols satisfy a wining combination
depends on whether the stop symbols on the pay lines L1 to L8 form
predetermined combinations.
[0060] The main CPU 32 of the slot machine 1 instructs the video
controller 71 during the base game lottery process (S10) so as to
display an image (hereinafter, referred to as a representation
image) for representation of the game in the sub display 4.
[0061] In the base game lottery process, when detecting the
player's start operation on the basis of the start signal, the CPU
32 instructs the random number generator 35 to generate random
numbers in a predetermined range in accordance with the detection
(that is, in accordance with the start of the game). Then, the main
CPU 32 instructs the sampling circuit 36 to extract an arbitrary
random number from among the random numbers generated by the random
number generator 35. When the random number is extracted, the main
CPU 32 acquires a code number of a symbol corresponding to the
extracted random number with reference to a symbol determining
table (a table in which code numbers (hereinafter, simply referred
to as numbers) of symbols linked with random numbers are stored)
stored in the ROM 34 by using the random number as a search
key.
[0062] Next, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32, searches for stop symbols to be stopped for being displayed in
the variable display sections 3A to 3I with reference to a stop
table 90 shown in FIG. 6 using the acquired code number as a search
key.
[0063] Now, the configuration of the stop table 90 will be
described with reference to FIG. 6. The stop table 90, as shown in
FIG. 6, includes a code number area 90a for storage of code numbers
of the symbols and a first symbol area 90b and a second symbol area
90c which are used for storage of symbols (or file names of the
symbols corresponding to the code numbers, addresses of file
storing places of the symbols, file paths of the symbols, or the
like). The stop table 90 is configured such that symbols for the
variable display sections 3A to 3I can be found by searching the
code number area 90a using the code number as the search key.
[0064] In the first symbol area 90b and the second symbol area 90c,
symbols (or codes of the symbols) are registered in correspondence
with code numbers of "0" to "31". In the first symbol area 90b,
stop symbols to be displayed in variable display sections 3A to 3D
and 3F to 3I other than a center variable display section 3E are
registered. In the second symbol area 90c, stop symbols (or codes
of the stop symbols) to be stopped for being displayed in the
center variable display section 3E are registered. In the
embodiment, a symbol (Wild Joker 92) corresponding to a code number
"0" of the second symbol area 90c is configured as a beneficial
symbol. This "Wild Joker" 92 indicates a symbol more beneficial
than any other symbol to the player and, as shown in FIG. 6, is
composed of an image representing a doll's face and a text string
of "Wild".
[0065] The slot machine 1 performs total of nine times of the
operation for extraction of random numbers and the operation for
search of the symbol determining table and the stop table 90 for
each of the variable display sections 3A to 3I. In other words, the
operation for search of the tables is performed the number of times
corresponding to the number of the variable display sections, and
thereby the stop symbols for the variable display sections 3A to 3I
are determined.
[0066] When the stop symbols for the variable display sections 3A
to 3I are determined, the main CPU 32, which also serves as
determination means according to an embodiment of the present
invention, determines whether an award is won with reference to a
winning determining table (not shown in the figure) stored in the
ROM 34. In the winning determining table, symbol patterns are
registered with being linked with combinations (hereinafter,
referred to as code number patterns) of code numbers such that
determination on whether a code number pattern is a winning symbol
pattern or a non-winning symbol pattern can be made for determining
award win.
[0067] Since, the code number pattern corresponding to the stop
symbols has been determined, the main CPU 32 is operated as the
determination means and refers to the winning determining table by
using the code number pattern corresponding to the stop symbols as
the search key, and determines whether a wining combination has
been satisfied in the variable display game.
[0068] Then, a winning state determination process in which the
main CPU 32 determines a winning state with reference to a state
table (not shown in the figure) is performed (the winning state is
also called a winning combination). The state table is used for
determination of a state (winning state) from among the winning
combinations. In the state table, awards for the winning
combination are registered.
[0069] When the winning state determination process is completed,
the base game lottery process (S10) ends.
[0070] The winning combination determination process and the
winning state determination process may not be performed in the
base game lottery process (S10), and may be performed in a latter
special advantage process (S14).
[0071] The base game process will now be described with reference
back to FIG. 5.
[0072] After the base game lottery process (S10) is performed, the
slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, serving as
assignment means according to an embodiment of the present
invention, performs a variable display section assigning process
(S11). In the variable display section assigning process, the slot
machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, assigns one or a
plurality of variable display sections from among the variable
display sections 3A to 3I as a special variable display
section.
[0073] The assigned variable display section becomes a special
variable display section (also called "Mystery Position"). When
there is the special variable display section, the slot machine 1,
more particularly, the main CPU 32, provides a special advantage
that makes the player beneficial for acquisition of a gaming value
in a special advantage process (S14) to be described later.
[0074] The assignment of the variable display section may be
determined by the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32. For example, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main
CPU 32, may randomly assigns or determine the variable display
section by performing a lottery using random numbers.
Alternatively, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32, may urge the player to assigns the variable display section and
assigns the variable display section on the basis of the player's
input. For example, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main
CPU 32, displays a message of "PLEASE TOUCH A REEL DESIRED TO BE A
MYSTERY POSITION" or the like on the main display 3 or the
sub-display 4. The player inputs assignment of the variable display
section by touching the variable display section desired to be
assigned in accordance with this message. Then, the touch panel 3a
detects a touched position and transmits the detected touched
position to the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32.
Then, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32,
recognizes the assigned variable display section.
[0075] Furthermore, the number of the variable display sections to
be assigned is not limited to one, as described above, and a
plurality of the variable display sections may be assigned. When
the plurality of the variable display sections are assigned, the
slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, may assigns
some variable display sections and allow the player to assigns the
other variable display sections.
[0076] After the variable display section assigning process (S11)
is performed, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32, performs a scroll process (S12).
[0077] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a game screen according to
an embodiment of the present invention as an example. On the main
display 3 of the slot machine 1, the game screen as shown in FIG. 7
is displayed. On the main display 3, the above-described nine
variable display sections 3A to 3I are formed. The nine variable
display sections 3A to 3I constitute the variable display area 30.
Above the variable display area 30, a title display unit 83
including a text string for displaying "BONUS-SPIN" and a
description of the game is displayed. In addition, below the
variable display area 30, a meter display unit 84 having a BET
number display section 84a, a PAID number display section 84b, a
coin insertion and payout display section 84c, and a CREDIT
(credit) number display section 84d is displayed. In addition,
eight BET number display sections 82a for displaying the BET
numbers for each pay line are disposed so as to surround the
variable display sections 3A to 3I.
[0078] After the game is started, the scroll process, in which
symbols are changed to be displayed on the variable display
sections 3A to 3I of the main display 3 as if reels having symbol
arrays on their peripheries rotate, is performed in accordance with
an instruction of the main CPU 32.
[0079] Now, the description of the base game process will be
continued with reference back to FIG. 5.
[0080] When the process proceeds to Step 13 after the scroll
process is performed (S12), the slot machine 1, more particularly,
the main CPU 32, performs the stop control process. The stop
control process stops the stop symbols, corresponding to the result
of the base game lottery process (S10), to be displayed in the
variable display sections 3A to 3I while a predetermined
representation process such as a process of reducing the speed of
scrolling the symbols performed in the above-described scroll
process (S12) is performed. When the stop symbols are displayed
after Step 12 is completed, the stop control process (S13) ends,
and the process proceeds to a special advantage process (S14).
[0081] The special advantage process is performed by the main CPU
32 serving as special advantage providing unit according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The special advantage process
provides a special advantage that is more advantageous in
acquisition of the gaming value on the basis of the special
variable display section. The special advantage may have various
contents so as to increase amusement of the game, achieve
continuation or increase of the player's enthusiasm for the game. A
plurality of examples of the special advantage process will be
described as follows.
[0082] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first example of the special
advantage process.
[0083] In the example shown in FIG. 8, a symbol role changing
process (S21), in which the stop symbol of the special variable
display section is treated as a predetermined symbol instead of the
stop symbol in the above-described win determination process and
the winning state determination process, is performed as the
special advantage. For example, it is assumed that the stop symbol
of a special variable display section is a "cherry" and the
predetermined symbol is a "Wild Joker". Here, the "Wild joker" is a
so-called almighty symbol that is treated as a substitute for all
the other symbols.
[0084] In such a case, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the
main CPU 32, substitutes the stop symbol with the "Wild Joker" in
the symbol role changing process (S21) and performs the win
determination process and the winning state determination process
again, as in the above-described base game lottery process (S10).
The substitution of the symbol may not be accompanied with change
of the symbol.
[0085] The predetermined symbol may be fixedly predetermined or may
be changeable. When configuring the slot machine 1 so that the
predetermined symbol to be changeable, the main CPU 32 may perform
a process to select the predetermined symbol from among the
plurality of symbols.
[0086] Furthermore, the predetermined symbol may be a desired
symbol selected by the player prior to start of the game or stop of
the variable display. For example, the slot machine 1 may allow the
player to select the symbol to be stopped for being displayed on
the special variable display section from among a plurality of
symbol candidates (for example, a cherry symbol, a seven symbol, a
bar symbol, a double bar symbol, a triple bar symbol, or the like)
during the scroll process (S12).
[0087] After the symbol role changing process (S21) is performed,
the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, performs
the win determination process and the winning state determination
process as in the above-described base game lottery process (S10).
Then, when a winning combination is satisfied, the main CPU 32
determines a corresponding award (S22).
[0088] As described above, the slot machine 1, more particularly,
the main CPU 32, ends the special advantage process, and returns
the process back to the base game process (see FIG. 5). When the
process is returned back to the base game process, the slot machine
1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, ends the base game process,
and returns the process back to the main process (see FIG. 4).
[0089] Hereinafter, a second example of the special advantage
process (S14) will be described.
[0090] In the second example of the special advantage process, a
predetermined award is provided to the player under a condition
that the special variable display section is located on (included
in) the pay line on which a winning combination is satisfied in the
previous base game lottery process (S10).
[0091] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the second example of the
special advantage process.
[0092] In the second example of the special advantage process, the
slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, determines
whether the special variable display section is located on
(included in) the pay line on which a winning combination is
satisfied (S31). When it is determined that the special variable
display section is not located on the pay line on which the winning
combination is satisfied (S31: No), the slot machine 1, more
particularly, the main CPU 32, does not perform any process and
immediately ends the special advantage process (S14). On the other
hand, when it is determined that the special variable display
section is located on the pay line on which the winning combination
is satisfied (S31: Yes), the slot machine 1, more particularly, the
main CPU 32, provides a predetermined award (S32). For example,
when the special variable display section displaying a stop symbol
of "cheery" is located on the pay line on which the winning
combination of "cherry:cherry:cherry" has been achieved, a
predetermined award (paying out additional 100 coins, doubling the
award, starting a bonus game, or the like) is provided to the
player. The "predetermined award" described above may be any type
of award that is advantageous to the player in a game such as
awarding coins, improving a winning ratio, providing a bonus game,
or providing a free game.
[0093] Thereafter, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main
CPU 32, ends the special advantage process, and returns the process
back to the base game process (see FIG. 5). When the process is
returned back to the base game process, the slot machine 1, more
particularly, the main CPU 32, ends the base game process, and
returns the process back to the main process (see FIG. 4).
[0094] In addition, when there are a plurality of the special
variable display sections, the predetermined award may be set such
that the predetermined award becomes more advantageous to the gamer
as the number of the special variable display sections located on
the pay line increases (for example, the number of coins provided
increases as the number of the special variable display sections
located on the pay line increases, or the like).
[0095] Hereinafter, a third example of the special advantage
process will be described.
[0096] In the third example of the special advantage process, when
a plurality of the special variable display sections are set or
assigned, a predetermined award is provided to the player under a
condition that the special variable display sections have a
predetermined positional relationship, for example, a condition
that the special variable display sections are adjacent. The
"predetermined positional relationship" means that there is a
predetermined positional relationship among the plurality of the
special variable display sections. For example, there may be the
positional relationship in which the plurality of the special
variable display sections are positioned on the same row, on the
same line, on a diagonal line, in adjacent locations, or the
like.
[0097] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the third example of the
special advantage process. Here, the predetermined positional
relationship in the third example of the special advantage process
is described as a relationship in which the plurality of special
variable display sections are positioned to be adjacent to each
other. Although the "predetermined award" means the same as
described in the second example of the special advantage process,
however, as an example thereof, the predetermined award is
described as setting a special pay line.
[0098] In the third example of the special advantage process, the
slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, determines
whether the plurality of special variable display sections are
adjacent to each other (S41). Here, "being adjacent" means to be
adjacent to each other in a horizontal, a vertical, or a diagonal
direction.
[0099] When it is determined that the plurality of the special
variable display sections are not adjacent (S41: No), the slot
machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, does not perform any
process and immediately ends the special advantage process. On the
other hand, when it is determined that the plurality of the special
variable display sections are adjacent (S41: Yes), the slot machine
1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, sets a special pay line
(S42). The special pay line is different from the ordinary pay
lines L1 to L8. For example, the special pay line may a pay line,
which passes through the variable display sections 3A, 3E, and 3C,
having a letter "V" shape.
[0100] The slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32,
performs the win determination process, the winning combination
determination process, and the winning state determination process
for the special pay line (S43). When the winning combination is
satisfied, the main CPU 32 of the slot machine 1 determines a
corresponding award.
[0101] When completing the win determination process and the like
(S43), the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, ends
the special advantage process, and returns the process back to the
base game process (see FIG. 5). When the process is returned back
to the base game process, the slot machine 1, more particularly,
the main CPU 32, ends the base game process, and returns the
process back to the main process (see FIG. 4).
[0102] By performing the above-described special advantage process,
since an award may be won for the special pay line in addition to
the ordinary pay lines, it is possible to enable the player to play
the game in a more advantageous state.
[0103] Hereinafter, a fourth example of the special advantage
process will be described.
[0104] In the fourth example of the special advantage process, a
predetermined award is provided to the player when a stop sequence
that is determined by time, at which the variable display of the
symbols are stopped (display of the stop symbols) on the special
variable display section, satisfies a predetermined condition.
[0105] The variable display of the variable display sections 3A to
3I ends by performing the above-described scroll process (S12) and
stop control process (S13), and thereby stop symbols are displayed
on the variable display sections 3A to 3I. However, in this fourth
example, the stop of the variable display of the variable display
sections 3A to 3I is not necessarily performed simultaneously, and
the time for the variable display of each of the variable display
sections 3A to 3I is set independently, and the stop control
process (S13) is performed such that timings of stopping the stop
symbols are not necessarily the same with each other. For example,
after the scroll display processes for the variable display
sections 3A to 3I are performed simultaneously, in the stop control
process (S13), the variable display section 3B is firstly brought
into a stop display state, next, the variable display section 3F is
brought into a stop display state, and finally, the variable
display section 3A is brought into a stop display state. As a
result, the whole variable display sections 3A to 3I are brought
into in the stop display state. Accordingly, the order of the stop
display of the variable display sections is determined. In the
fourth example of the special advantage process, a predetermined
award is awarded when a predetermined condition on the basis of the
order of this stop display processes is satisfied.
[0106] Here, the predetermined condition may be any condition that
can be determined on the basis of the order of the stop display
processes of the special variable display sections. Examples of the
predetermined condition are as follows.
[0107] (1) A condition in which the stop display of the special
variable display section is performed in the last order (when there
are a plurality of special variable display sections, the stop
display of any one of the special variable display sections is
performed in the last order.
[0108] (2) A condition in which the order of the stop display of
the special variable display section is within a predetermined
range (for example, any order from the first to the third).
[0109] (3) A condition in which the order of the stop display of
the special variable display section is a predetermined order (for
example, even, odd, (multiples of N)-th (here, N is an arbitrary
integer), or the like).
[0110] Although the "predetermined award" means any award that is
advantageous to the player as described in the second and third
examples of the special advantage process, however, the
predetermined award is regarded as performing a re-lottery process
in this example. The re-lottery process is a process in which new
stop symbols of the variable display sections are determined by
performing a lottery and the scroll process (S12) and the stop
control process (S13) are performed so as to display the determined
stop symbols on the corresponding variable display sections.
[0111] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the fourth example of the
special advantage process.
[0112] In the fourth example of the special advantage process,
first, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32,
determines whether the stop sequence of the special variable
display sections satisfies a predetermined condition (S51).
[0113] Next, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32, performs the above-described re-lottery process (S52).
[0114] Finally, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32, performs the win determination process, the winning combination
determination process, and the winning state determination process
(see S22) for each pay line on the basis of the stop symbols of the
variable display sections 3A to 3I that have been determined in the
re-lottery process (S52). Then, when the winning combination is
satisfied, a corresponding award is determined (S53). Accordingly,
the player can acquire a special advantage that an award on the
basis of the re-lottery process in addition to an award acquired
before the performance of the re-lottery process (S52) can be
acquired.
[0115] When the win determination process and the like (S53) is
completed, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32,
ends the special advantage process, and returns the process back to
the base game process (see FIG. 5). When the process is returned
back to the base game process, the slot machine 1, more
particularly, the main CPU 32, ends the base game process, and
returns the process back to the main process (see FIG. 4).
[0116] Alternatively, the re-lottery process (S52) may be modified
as follows.
[0117] (1) When a winning combination is satisfied before the
re-lottery process is performed, both an award corresponding to the
winning combination that has been achieved before the re-lottery
process and an award corresponding to the winning combination that
has been achieved after the re-lottery process may be provided to
the player. In such a case, the player does not have any
disadvantage even in a case where the award corresponding to the
winning combination that has been achieved before the re-lottery
process is higher than the award corresponding to the winning
combination that has been achieved after the re-lottery process.
Furthermore, the player may be allowed to select one between the
award corresponding to the winning combination that has been
achieved before the re-lottery process and the award corresponding
to the winning combination that has been achieved after the
re-lottery process.
[0118] (2) The number of times of the re-lottery processes
performed is not limited to one, and a plurality of times of the
re-lottery processes (S52) and the win determination processes and
the like (S53) may be performed in one special advantage process
(S14). An award may be provided at each re-lottery process.
Furthermore, the number of times of the re-lottery processes in one
special advantage process may be randomly determined by a lottery
process or any other method.
[0119] (3) When the re-lottery process is performed, the scroll
process (S12) and the stop control process (S13) may be performed
for the whole or some variable display sections 3A to 3I by using a
symbol determining table and/or a stop table other than the symbol
determining table and/or the stop table which have been used in the
base game process (S2). In other words, the re-lottery process may
be performed by using a reel (referred to as a re-lottery reel)
having a symbol array other than the symbol array used in the base
game.
[0120] For example, the scroll process (S12) and the stop control
process (S13) may be performed by using a symbol determining table
and/or a stop table which have symbol arrays constituted by only
the stop symbols displayed on the variable display sections 3A to
3I except for the special variable display sections right before
the re-lottery process is performed. For example, when the stop
symbols displayed on the variable display sections 3A to 3I except
for the special variable display sections are "Wild Joker" symbols
and empty symbols, the variable display and stop display processes
of the symbols on the variable display sections 3A to 3I may be
performed such that a reel having a symbol array including only the
"Wild Joker" symbols and empty symbols rotates.
[0121] The variable display sections that perform the variable
display and stop display processes by using the re-lottery reel may
not be the whole variable display sections 3A to 3I and may be
limited to the variable display sections assigned by the player or
randomly determined by the slot machine 1.
[0122] Now, the description of the main process will be continued
with reference back to FIG. 4.
[0123] When the base game process (S2) ends, the process proceeds
to Step 3, and the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU
32, operates as transition determination means. The slot machine 1,
more particularly, the main CPU 32, performs a transition
determination process (S3), in which whether a transition condition
for transiting the gaming mode from the base game mode to a bonus
game that is a bonus game mode is satisfied is determined, on the
basis of the result of the symbol determination process in the base
game lottery process (S10) or the special advantage process
(S52).
[0124] When the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32,
determines that the transition condition is satisfied, it
determines that transition can be made. The transition condition is
satisfied, for example, when the stop symbol of the variable
display section 3E is "Wild Joker" 92. Alternatively, the
transition condition may be satisfied by a combination of
predetermined symbols.
[0125] When it is determined that the transition condition in the
above example is satisfied (S3: Yes), an image (center Joker image)
in which "Wild Joker" 92 is displayed as the stop symbol of the
variable display section 3E and an image representing a message of
"GET THE SPECIAL BONUS!!" are displayed on the main display 3. In
addition, the main CPU 32 operates as a transition unit and shifts
the gaming mode to the bonus game mode. When the gaming mode is
transited to the bonus game mode, the process proceeds to Step 4,
and a bonus game process (S4) is performed.
[0126] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart representing an example of the
bonus game process.
[0127] Although the bonus game is described as a predetermined
number (for example, ten times) of free games in this example for
the description of the bonus game process, a bonus game provided by
the slot machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is not limited thereto, and any other game that provides
a bonus game advantageous to the player may be provided as the
bonus game.
[0128] When the bonus game process (S4) is started, the slot
machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, sequentially
performs a bonus game lottery process (S61), a variable display
section assigning process (S62), a bonus game scroll process (S63),
a bonus game stop control process (S64), and a special advantage
process (S65). By performing the processes from the bonus game
lottery process (S61) to the special advantage process (S65),
performing of the free game for one time is completed.
[0129] Since the bonus game lottery process (S61), the variable
display section assigning process (S62), the bonus game scroll
process (S63), the bonus game stop control process (S64), and the
special advantage process (S65) are the same as the base game
lottery process (S61), the variable display section assigning
process (S62), the scroll process (S63), the stop control process
(S64), and the special advantage process (S65) of the base game
process (S2), detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.
[0130] After the special advantage process (S65) is performed, the
slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, determines
whether free games are performed a predetermined number of times
(S66). When it is determined that the free games are performed for
the predetermined number of times (S66: Yes), the slot machine 1,
more particularly, the main CPU 32, ends the bonus game process and
returns the process back to the main process. On the other hand,
when it is determined that the free games are not performed for the
predetermined number of times (S66: No), the slot machine 1, more
particularly, the main CPU 32, returns the process back to the
bonus game lottery process (S61) so as to continue to perform the
bonus game process for performing the free games for the remaining
number of times, and continues to perform the bonus game
process.
[0131] Next, an example of a screen displayed on the main display
3, and more particularly, an example of display on the variable
display sections 3A to 3I will be described as a description of an
example of the operation of the slot machine 1.
[0132] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged diagram of a screen (see
FIG. 6) displayed on the main display 3 in the base game process
and shows a variable display area 30. The screen shown in FIG. 13
is an example of display of the variable display area 30 after the
previous game is over and before the scroll process (S12)
thereafter is started. On this screen, the stop symbols in the
previous game remain to be displayed on the variable display
sections 3A to 3I.
[0133] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the screen in a
status in which the scroll process (S12) is started after the
status shown in FIG. 13. In the variable display sections, variable
display (scroll display) of symbols is performed. Arrows
illustrated in the variable display sections 3A to 3I indicates
that the screen is in the process of variable display (scroll
display).
[0134] FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen for notification of a
variable display section assigned as a special variable display
section to the player in the variable display section assigning
process (S11). In this example, the variable display section 3A is
assigned as the special variable display section. On the main
display 3, in order to notify that the variable display section 3A
is assigned as the special variable display section, a frame 1501
surrounding the variable display section 3A is displayed. By this
frame 1501, the player can recognize that a variable display
section is assigned as the special variable display section and
which variable display section is assigned as the special variable
display section. Although the display of the frame 1501 is
illustrated to be performed after the scroll process (S12) is
started, in FIGS. 13 to 15, the display of the frame 1501 may be
performed before the scroll process (S12) is started.
[0135] FIG. 16 shows an example of the screen in which the stop
symbols are displayed on the variable display sections 3A to 3I
after the stop control process (S13) following the scroll process
shown in FIG. 15 is performed.
[0136] In the example shown in FIG. 16, on any of the pay lines L1
to L8, a winning combination of the symbols has not been achieved.
However, in the above-described first example (see FIG. 8) of the
special advantage process (S14), since a symbol "cherry" of the
variable display section 3A, which is the special variable display
section, is treated as the almighty symbol "Wild Joker" by the
symbol role changing process (S21), it is determined that a winning
combination of "Single Bar:Single Bar:Single Bar" has been achieved
on the pay line L2. As a result, the player can acquire an award
corresponding to the winning combination of "Single Bar:Single
Bar:Single Bar" as a special advantage.
[0137] Next, an example of a screen in the above-described second
example (see FIG. 9) of the special advantage process will be
described. FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen in the second
example (see FIG. 9) of the special advantage process and is an
example of a screen displayed on the main display 3 after the
status shown in FIG. 15.
[0138] In this example, the symbol stopped to be displayed on the
variable display section 3A, which is a special variable display
section, is "Signal Bar", and the winning combination of "Single
Bar:Single Bar:Single Bar" is achieved on the pay line L2.
[0139] Accordingly, the condition for awarding the special
advantage in which the special variable display section is located
on a pay line, on which a winning combination is achieved (won), is
satisfied. Accordingly, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the
main CPU 32, performs a predetermined award awarding (see S32 in
FIG. 9) so as to award a predetermined award (for example, payout
of 100 coins) in addition to the award for the winning combination
of "Single Bar:Single Bar:Single Bar".
[0140] Next, an example of a screen in the above-described third
example (see FIG. 10) of the special advantage process will be
described. FIG. 18 shows an example of a screen in the third
example of the special advantage process and is an example of a
screen displayed on the main display 3 after the status shown in
FIG. 15.
[0141] In the third example of the special advantage process shown
in FIG. 18, two special variable display sections are assigned. In
other words, a variable display section 3A and a variable display
section 3B are assigned as special variable display sections and
are displayed to be surrounded by frames 1501 and 1502 used for
indicating the special variable display sections.
[0142] In this example, a condition for awarding the special
advantage in the third example of the special advantage process, in
which the special variable units are adjacent to each other, is
satisfied. As a result, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the
main CPU 32, performs a special pay line setting process (S42 in
FIG. 10). In the example shown in FIG. 18, a special pay line L9,
which has a letter "V" shape, passing through the variable display
sections 3A, 3E, and 3C is set in addition to the ordinary pay
lines L1 to L8. In this example, the winning combination of "Double
Bar:Double Bar:Double Bar" is achieved on the special pay line L9.
The slot machine 1, more particularly, the main CPU 32, performs an
win determination process and the like (S43) and pays out an award
corresponding to the winning combination of "Double Bar:Double
Bar:Double Bar" achieved on the special pay line L9.
[0143] In the special pay line setting process, the special line
setting, which is special advantage awarding, may be performed when
three or more special variable display sections are achieved. As an
example, when the variable display sections 3A, 3C, and 3E are
selected as the special variable display sections, a line formed by
the three special variable display sections may be set as the
special pay line. In addition, when four variable display sections
3A, 3B, 3C, and 3E are selected as the special variable display
sections, two special pay lines including a special pay line formed
by the special variable display sections 3A, 3B, and 3C and a
special pay line formed by the variable display sections 3A, 3E,
and 3C may be set.
[0144] Next, an example of a screen in the above-described fourth
example (see FIG. 11) of the special advantage process will be
described. FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen in the fourth
example of the special advantage process and is an example of a
screen displayed on the main display 3 after the status shown in
FIG. 15.
[0145] In the example shown in FIG. 19, display of stop symbols
except for the variable display section 3A, which is selected as
the special variable display section, is completed, and a scroll
display process is continued for the variable display section 3A
selected as the special variable display section. Then, display of
a stop symbol on the variable display section 3A selected as the
special variable display section is performed finally. It is
assumed that the status of the screen, after display of the stop
symbol on the variable display section 3A selected as the special
variable display section is finally performed, is the same as the
screen shown in FIG. 16.
[0146] As described above, in the fourth example of the special
advantage process, the slot machine 1, more particularly, the main
CPU 32, performs a re-lottery process (S52 in FIG. 11) when the
stop sequence of the special variable display sections satisfies a
predetermined condition. FIG. 20 is an example of a screen in which
a scroll process is performed on the basis of the result of the
re-lottery process (S52). In this example, it is shown that the
scroll display is performed on the variable display sections 3B to
3I other than the variable display section 3A which is the special
variable display section. When the scroll display for the variable
display sections is completed, stop symbols determined on the basis
of the result of the re-lottery are displayed on the variable
display sections 3B to 3I, an win determination process and the
like are performed on the basis of the stop symbols (S53), and the
corresponding award is paid out in a case where a winning
combination is achieved.
[0147] The above described embodiment may be modified as
follows.
[0148] (1) In the above-described embodiment, although nine
variable display sections are provided, however, the number of the
variable display sections is not limited thereto and may be three
or five. In addition, the variable display sections may be
displayed in one line by being vertically aligned in one row in
accordance with the number thereof (for example, when the number of
the variable display sections is three).
[0149] (2) In the above-described embodiment, although the special
variable display section is newly assigned each time the base game
process (S2) or the bonus game process (s4) is performed, however,
the present invention is not limited thereto. A special variable
display section assigned once may be treated as the special
variable display section continuously. For example, when the base
game process is to be performed a predetermined number of times,
the same variable display section may be continuously treated as
the special variable display section. The treatment of the same
variable display section as the special variable display section
may be continued until the base game is performed a predetermined
number of times after the special variable display section is
assigned or until award win is generated a predetermined number of
times. Alternatively, the treatment of the same variable display
section as the special variable display section may be continued
until a predetermined symbol (for example, "cherry") is stopped to
be displayed a predetermined number of times (for example, three
times).
[0150] Furthermore, the number of times of the continuation may be
increased when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example,
under a condition in which a symbol of "Wild Joker" is displayed on
the special variable display section as the stop symbol, the number
of times of the continuation may be increased by 10.
[0151] As described in the above with reference to the embodiment,
there is provided a gaming machine that includes: a display; an
operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing a
game; and a processor. The processor operates to: control the
display to perform a variable display of a plurality of symbols in
each of a plurality of variable display sections that are arranged
in matrix, when a start command is input through the operation
unit; perform a lottery to determine stop symbols to be displayed
stopped in the variable display sections; control the display to
display the stop symbols in the variable display sections after
performing the variable display; determine whether or not a symbol
combination of the stop symbols satisfies a winning combination;
provide an award to the player when determined that the symbol
combination of the stop symbols satisfies the winning combination;
assign at least one of the variable display sections as a special
variable display section; provide a special award to the player
based on the special variable display section, the special award
being advantageous to the player.
[0152] As described in the above with reference to the embodiment,
there is provided a gaming machine that includes: a plurality of
variable display sections that display stop symbols by variably
displaying symbol arrays and thereafter stopping the variable
display; a lottery means (for example, a main CPU) for performing a
lottery for determining the stop symbols to be displayed on the
plurality of variable display sections; a determination means (for
example, a main CPU) for determining whether or not the stop
symbols displayed on the plurality of variable display sections
include a symbol combination forming a winning combination on the
basis of the stop symbols drawn in the lottery performed by the
lottery means; an award providing means (for example, a main CPU, a
hopper driving circuit, and a payout completion signal circuit) for
providing an award corresponding to the winning combination when
the determination means determines that the stop symbols displayed
on the plurality of variable display sections include the symbol
combination forming the winning combination; an assignment means
(for example, a main CPU) for assigning at least one of the
plurality of variable display sections as a special variable
display section (for example, a Mystery Position); and special
advantage awarding means (for example, a main CPU) for providing a
special advantage advantageous to a player on the basis of the
special variable display section assigned by the assignment
means.
[0153] According to the gaming machine thus configured, a special
advantage is provided to a player on the basis of a special
variable display section in addition to payouts for the winning
combinations of base games, and accordingly, it is possible to
further improve the enthusiasm of a player for the game.
[0154] The gaming machine may be configured that the special
advantage awarding means replaces the stop symbol of the special
variable display section with a predetermined symbol, and that the
determination means determines whether the predetermined symbol and
the stop symbols of the plurality of variable display sections
include a symbol combination forming a winning combination on the
basis of the predetermined symbol and the stop symbols of the
plurality of variable display sections.
[0155] According to the gaming machine thus configured, the stop
symbol displayed on the special variable display section is
replaced with a predetermined symbol, and it is determined whether
a winning combination is achieved for each pay line. The
predetermined symbol may be a symbol (for example, "Wild Joker"
that is an all-mighty symbol or the like) selected by the gaming
machine, or may be a symbol freely selected by a player before the
start of the game. In this gaming machine, since there is a
possibility that a winning combination can be achieved by
substitution of the stop symbol performed by the special advantage
awarding means even when a winning combination is not achieved on
the basis of the result of a lottery performed by the lottery
means, it is possible to provide a game advantageous to the
player.
[0156] The gaming machine may be configured that the predetermined
symbol is selected by the player. In the gaming machine thus
configured, since a strategy can be set on the basis of the
selection of the symbol, it is possible to further improve
amusement of the game.
[0157] The gaming machine may be configured that the special
advantage awarding means awards the special advantage when the stop
symbol displayed on the special variable display section is
included in the symbol combination forming the winning combination,
in a case where the determination means determine that the stop
symbols displayed on the plurality of variable display sections
include the symbol combination forming the winning combination.
[0158] According to the gaming machine thus configured, when a
winning combination is achieved on a pay line and the stop symbol
displayed on the special variable display section is included in
the symbol combination forming the winning combination, a special
advantage is provided to the player. For example, when a winning
combination of "cherry" formed by "cherry" symbol; "cherry" symbol;
"cherry" symbol is achieved as a result of a base game, if one of
the three "cherry" symbols is the stop symbol of the special
variable display section, a special advantage is provided to the
player.
[0159] The gaming machine may be configured that the special
advantage awarding means controls the lottery means to perform a
re-lottery of the stop symbols when a symbol stop state of the
plurality of variable display sections including the special
variable display sections satisfies a predetermined condition (for
example, when stop of scroll display of the special variable
display section is performed the last in order).
[0160] According to the gaming machine thus configured, the
attention of the player can be drawn to stop of symbols on the
variable display sections including the special variable display
section, and accordingly, it is possible to improve enthusiasm of
the player for the game.
[0161] The gaming machine may be configured that the re-lottery of
the stop symbols is performed by using only the stop symbols of the
plurality of variable display sections except for the special
variable display section.
[0162] According to the gaming machine thus configured, after the
re-lottery is performed, the scroll process and the stop control
process are performed such that a symbol array variably displayed
on the variable display sections is formed by only the stop symbols
of the variable display sections except for the special variable
display section (for example, when the stop symbols of the variable
display sections except for the special variable display section
are two types of "Wild Joker" and "Blank", then, only the two types
of "Wild Joker" and "Blank") and scroll display is performed for
the symbol array.
[0163] In thus configured gaming machine, since the probability of
winning combination achievement in the re-lottery process in
increased, compared with a conventional case, it is possible to
improve enthusiasm of the player for the game while drawing
attention of the player.
[0164] The gaming machine may be configured that the special
advantage awarding means award the special advantage when the
assignment means assigns a plurality of the special variable
display sections and the plurality of special variable display
sections that have been assigned are in a predetermined positional
relationship (for example, mutually adjacent, located in a diagonal
direction, located in the same line or column, or the like).
[0165] According to the gaming machine thus configured, since a
special advantage is provided on the basis of the position of
assignment of the special variable display section, it is possible
to improve the attention of the player and excitement of the game
for assignment of the special variable display section, in addition
to the base game.
[0166] The gaming machine may be configured that the special
advantage is to provide a special pay line other than a pay
line.
[0167] According to the gaming machine thus configured, the special
pay line is provided, and the probability of the winning
combination achievement is increased, and accordingly, it is
possible to improve -the attention of the player and excitement of
the game for setting of the special variable display section.
[0168] As described above, there is provided a gaming machine that
provides a game in which a special advantage is provided to a
player on the basis of a special variable display section in
addition to payouts for the winning combinations of base games or
the like, and accordingly, it is possible to further improve the
enthusiasm of the player for the game.
[0169] The present invention may be applicable to various types of
gaming machines including a slot machine, a pachinko machine, a
pachi-slot machine. The gaming machine may be provided with a video
reel or a mechanical reel for variably displaying the symbols in
the variable display section.
* * * * *