JP2005152111A - Game machine, game server, and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a game to be executed in a gaming machine having a special game mode, and to add another game characteristic to the game to make the player's interests sustainable.
SOLUTION: A pseudo reel is variably displayed on a liquid crystal display panel 5, and a game mode is changed from a normal game mode to a special game based on a determination result of success or failure of a transition condition for shifting the game mode from a normal game mode to a special game mode. In the slot machine 1 having the communication processing unit 42 that makes a transition to the mode and communicates with the outside, the liquid crystal display panel 5 is displayed during the execution of the free game in the special game mode after shifting to the special game mode under the control of the main CPU 32. The number of times the special identification information appears is measured. The communication processing unit 42 transmits appearance number information indicating the number of appearances of the measured special identification information, and performs additional payout according to the received dividend information.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a plurality of reels are displayed as images, a gaming server capable of communicating with the gaming machine, and a gaming system having the gaming machine and the gaming server.

  Conventionally, a slot machine is known as a gaming machine that pays out a medium (hereinafter referred to as “coin”) used in a game, such as medals or coins, according to the winning content of the game. Some slot machines have a plurality of reels (mechanical reels) each having a symbol attached to the outer peripheral surface, and others have a plurality of reels displayed as images (the reels displayed in this image are shown below). "Pseudo reel"). In any case, when a player performs a predetermined operation, each reel rotates or scrolls, and when each reel stops, a combination of symbols on each reel that comes on a predetermined active line (payline) (hereinafter, a combination of symbols). (Referred to as “symbol pattern”) determines whether or not to win a game and the mode (winning mode) when winning.

  In the slot machine, the number of coins to be paid out changes depending on the winning mode. In addition to the normal gaming mode in which a normal game (also referred to as a first game) can be performed, special games (free games, bonus games, second games) May be equipped with a special game mode. This special game mode is often advantageous to the player. For example, a predetermined number of free spins involved in the game (the reel automatically rotates or scrolls without inserting a new coin, and after a certain period of time elapses. When the game is shifted to a free game in which the player can stop and perform an operation of paying out coins according to the stopped symbol pattern, more coins can be obtained than in the normal game mode depending on the game winning mode.

Conventionally, regarding a gaming machine having a special game mode in addition to the normal game mode, ranking information output means for generating evaluation information ranking a plurality of game results within a specific measurement time, and means for displaying the evaluation information There is a gaming machine in which a plurality of players can enjoy and enjoy game results such as the number of coins acquired in a bonus game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-29540 A

  However, although the above-described conventional gaming machine displays evaluation information ranking a plurality of game results by a plurality of players or the same player, the game is executed by each player alone, and the same one game Multiple players were not allowed to participate in it. Therefore, in this conventional gaming machine, each player can compare each other's skill by comparing the respective game results executed separately, and a plurality of players can be in the same game. It was impossible to participate at the same time, play against other players, and compete for game results. For this reason, it has been difficult for conventional gaming machines to maintain the interest of players, especially those who like games.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and enables a player to execute a battle game in which a plurality of players can participate in the same game at the same time, and adds another game property to the battle game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine having a configuration for making a player's interests sustainable, a gaming server capable of communicating with the gaming machine, and a gaming system having the gaming machine and the gaming server.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, determination means for determining success or failure of a transition condition for shifting a game mode from a normal game mode, and Based on the determination result of the means, there is a gaming machine having a transition means for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode, and a communication unit for communicating with the outside, wherein the transition means changes the game mode to the special game mode. After the transition, during execution of the special game in the special game mode, the appearance instruction means for causing the special identification information to appear on the variable display means, the appearance count measuring means for measuring the number of appearances of the special identification information, and the means A sending instruction means for causing the communication means to transmit the appearance number information indicating the number of appearances, and a payout indicating the payout in the special game received by the communication means based on the appearance number information. Depending on the distribution, and wherein the gaming machine and a dispense instruction means for causing a different additional payout to the payout in the special game.

  Since this gaming machine can measure the number of appearances of special identification information during execution of a special game and transmit the number of appearances as appearance number information, it compares each number of times of appearance and gives a superiority or inferiority. It becomes possible.

The appearance count measuring means can measure the number of appearances when the special identification information is close to the stopped symbol, and can prevent the appearance count from being measured when the special identification information is not close to the stopped symbol.
In this way, the special identification information displayed on the variable display means can include information that is not subject to the appearance count measurement.

Any of the above gaming machines preferably further includes a payout display means for displaying the contents of the additional payout according to the payout information.
In this way, the player can know the contents of the additional payout.

  In addition, the present invention is a gaming server connected to a plurality of gaming machines via a network, and the number of appearances of special identification information measured from each gaming machine after each gaming machine has transitioned to a special gaming mode. Means for receiving the appearance number information shown via the network, and a payout determining means for determining a payout in a special game mode of each gaming machine based on each appearance number information received by the means, and generating payout information, There is provided a gaming server having means for transmitting the payout information generated by the means to each gaming machine.

  By this game server, it is possible to compare the appearance frequency information transmitted from each gaming machine and to give the superiority or inferiority of each gaming machine.

  The present invention is a gaming system having a configuration in which a plurality of gaming machines and a gaming server are connected via a network, wherein the gaming machine variably displays a plurality of symbols, and a gaming mode. Determining means for determining success or failure of the transition condition for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode, transition means for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode based on the determination result of the means, and external And a communication means for communicating, and after the transition means shifts the game mode to the special game mode, the appearance indication means for causing the special display information to appear on the variable display means during execution of the special game in the special game mode And an appearance count measuring means for measuring the appearance count of the special identification information, and the appearance count information indicating the appearance count measured by the means, to the game server via the network. A transmission instructing means for transmitting, a payout instructing means for making an additional payout different from the payout in the special game according to the payout information indicating the payout in the special game received from the game server via the network based on the appearance number information. The gaming server determines a payout in a special gaming mode of each gaming machine based on means for receiving appearance number information from each gaming machine via the network and each appearance number information received by the means. There is provided a gaming system having a payout determining means for generating payout information and means for transmitting the payout information generated by the means to each gaming machine via a network.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to execute a battle-type game in which a plurality of players can participate in the same game at the same time, and add another game characteristic to the battle-type game. The player's interest can be sustained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
(System configuration of gaming system)
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire gaming system 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the gaming system 300, a plurality of slot machines 1 (1A, 1B,...) And a gaming server 100 are connected via a network N (LAN: Local Area Network or the Internet). The server 100 can communicate with each other.

(Overall configuration of slot machine)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine 1. Each slot machine 1 is a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and has variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols. A plurality of pseudo reels are displayed on the variable display means, and a game (hereinafter referred to as a game) (Also referred to as “game”). Each slot machine 1 can execute a special game mode in which a battle-type second game can be executed in addition to a normal game mode in which a normal game (first game) in which a plurality of pseudo reels are scroll-displayed. In the normal gaming mode, the player determines whether or not a prize can be awarded based on a combination of symbols that have come to the active line when each pseudo reel stops.

  In the slot machine 1, liquid crystal display panels 3, 4, and 5 are installed on the front surface of the housing 2 in order from the upper side. On the liquid crystal display panel 3, an image that is not directly involved in the game (for example, a three-dimensional moving image for game production that excites the game) is displayed. The liquid crystal display panel 4 displays a description such as a game execution method.

  The liquid crystal display panel 5 operates as variable display means and payout display means in the present invention. In the normal game mode, the liquid crystal display panel 5 displays a plurality of pseudo reels, and the symbols on each pseudo reel are variably displayed (scrolled). Also in the special game mode, the pseudo reel for the second game is scroll-displayed, and the contents of additional payout described later in the second game are also displayed. The details of the pseudo reel and additional payout displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5 will be described later.

  Further, the housing 2 is provided with a coin insertion slot 6 for inserting coins for betting on a game and a bill insertion slot 7 for inserting banknotes on the lower side of the liquid crystal display panel 5. Further, a spin button 8, a BET selection button 9, a line selection button 10, a stop button 11 and a payout button 12 are provided in order from the bill insertion slot 7 toward the left side.

  The spin button 8 inputs a start signal for starting the variable display of the pseudo reel on the liquid crystal display panel 5 by the player instructing the game start by the player's operation input. The BET selection button 9 inputs a BET selection signal for the player to select and set the number of coins (for example, one, two, or ten) to be BET. The line selection button 10 inputs a line selection signal for selecting and setting a desired effective line from a plurality of effective lines (not shown) by the player's operation input. The stop button 11 inputs a stop signal instructing stop of the pseudo reel that is variably displayed. The payout button 12 performs an operation of switching between the credit and payout of the coin acquired by the player, and inputs a payout signal for paying out the coin if there is a credited coin. The casing 2 is provided with a coin payout opening 13 and a coin receiving portion 14 for storing the paid out coins at the bottom.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the slot machine 1 mainly showing the internal configuration. The slot machine 1 has a plurality of components centering on a microcomputer 31.
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 according to a program stored in the ROM 34, inputs / outputs signals to / from other components via the I / O port 39, and controls the operation of the entire slot machine 1. The RAM 33 stores data and programs used when the main CPU 32 operates. For example, a random number sampled by a sampling circuit 36 to be described later is temporarily held after the game starts, and the code number and symbol of the pseudo reel are also stored. Data such as number is stored. The ROM 34 stores a program executed by the main CPU 32 and permanent data. In the case of the slot machine 1, the ROM 34 stores a winning determination table, a symbol determination table, a stop table, and a mode table, which will be described later.

  The slot machine 1 also includes a random number generator 35, a sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation circuit 37, and a frequency divider 38. The random number generator 35 operates according to an instruction from the main CPU 32 to generate a certain range of random numbers. The sampling circuit 36 extracts an arbitrary random number from random numbers generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 32, and inputs the extracted random number to the main CPU 32. The clock pulse generation 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 at a constant period to the main CPU 32.

Further, the slot machine 1 includes a communication control unit 41 and a communication processing unit 42, and includes a switch input unit 50 and a touch panel 56.
The communication control unit 41 operates in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 32 and controls connection and disconnection of a line for communicating with the game server 100. The communication processing unit 42 is a communication unit in the present invention, and operates according to an instruction from the communication control unit 41 to execute transmission / reception of data performed via the network N. The communication processing unit 42 operates as a transmitting unit that transmits appearance count information described later to each gaming server 100 and a receiving unit that receives payout information from each gaming server 100.

  The switch input unit 50 includes a start switch 51, a BET switch 52, a line switch 53, a stop switch 54 and a payout switch 55. The start switch 51 inputs a start signal to the main CPU 32 when detecting an operation input of the spin button 8. The BET switch 52 inputs a BET selection signal to the main CPU 32 when detecting an operation input of the BET selection button 9. The line switch 53 inputs a line selection signal to the main CPU 32 when detecting an operation input of the line selection button 10. The stop switch 54 inputs a stop signal to the main CPU 32 when detecting an operation input of the stop button 11. The payout switch 55 inputs a payout signal to the main CPU 32 when detecting an operation input of the payout button 12.

The touch panel 56 is provided so as to cover the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel 5, detects the position of the part touched by the player's finger, and inputs a position signal corresponding to the detected position to the main CPU 32.
Further, the slot machine 1 includes a lamp driving circuit 59, a lamp 60, an LED driving circuit 61, an LED 62, a hopper driving circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout completion signal circuit 65, and a coin detection unit 66. The slot machine 1 includes an image control circuit 71, a sound control circuit 72, and a speaker 73.

  The lamp driving circuit 59 outputs a signal for turning on the lamp 60 to the lamp 60, and blinks the lamp 60 during the execution of the game (for example, the second game). This flashing produces a game effect. The LED drive circuit 61 controls blinking display of the LED 62. The LED 62 displays the number of credits and the number of acquired credits. The hopper driving circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 in accordance with the control of the main CPU 32, and the hopper 64 performs an operation for paying out a winning coin, and pays out a coin from the payout opening 13. The coin detection unit 66 measures the number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and notifies the payout completion signal circuit 65 of data of the measured number value. The payout completion signal circuit 65 inputs data on the number of coins from the coin detection unit 66, and sends a signal to the main CPU 32 to notify the completion of coin payout when the number reaches the set number of data. input.

The image control circuit 71 controls image display on each of the liquid crystal display panels 3, 4, and 5, and displays various images such as a pseudo reel that is variably displayed on the liquid crystal display panels 3, 4, and 5.
As shown in FIG. 4, the image control circuit 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. Based on the parameters set by the microcomputer 31, the image control CPU 71a follows the image control program (related to the display on the liquid crystal display panels 3, 4, 5) stored in advance in the program ROM 71c. 5 to determine an image (pseudo reel or the like) to be displayed. The work RAM 71b is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control CPU 71a executes the image control program.

  The program ROM 71c stores an image control program, various selection tables, and the like. The image ROM 71d stores dot data for forming an image. The video RAM 71e is configured as a temporary storage unit when an image is formed by the VDP 71f. The VDP 71f has a control RAM 71g, forms an image corresponding to the display content of each liquid crystal display panel 3, 4, 5 determined by the image control CPU 71a, and displays the formed image on the liquid crystal display panels 3, 4, 4. 5 is output.

  The sound control circuit 72 inputs a sound signal for outputting sound from the speaker 73 to the speaker 73. From the speaker 73, for example, a sound for exciting the game is output at an appropriate time after the game is started.

(Game server configuration)
As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming server 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a hard disk drive 104, a communication control unit 105, and a communication processing unit 106, and is configured to be able to communicate with each gaming machine 1 via a network N. ing.

  The CPU 101 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 102 to control the operation of the entire server 100 and operates as each feature of the present invention. The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101 and permanent data. The RAM 103 stores data used when the CPU 101 operates. In the present embodiment, the RAM 103 stores machine IDs to be described later of the slot machines 1A, 1B,... Connected via the network N.

  In each gaming machine 1, a so-called progressive game can be executed, but the progressive unit 110 that controls the execution of the progressive game at that time is realized by the CPU 101, the ROM 102, the RAM 103, and the communication control unit 105. Yes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the progressive unit 110 includes a pool number calculation unit 111, a pool number storage unit 112, and a communication control unit 105. The pool number calculation unit 111 is realized by the CPU 101 and the ROM 102. The pool number storage unit 112 is realized by the RAM 103. In the progressive game, the pool number calculation unit 111 performs a calculation process for obtaining the number of coins to be pooled, and the pool number storage unit 112 stores the obtained number of coins.

  The hard disk drive 104 stores data transmitted from each gaming machine 1, in this embodiment, data including appearance frequency information, and a program. The communication control unit 105 operates in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 101 and controls connection and disconnection of a line for communicating with each gaming machine 1. The communication processing unit 106 operates in accordance with an instruction from the communication control unit 105 and executes transmission / reception of data performed via the network N. The communication processing unit 106 operates as a receiving unit that receives appearance number information from each gaming machine 1 and a transmission unit that transmits payout information to each gaming machine 1.

(First action content of game system)
Next, the first operation content of the gaming system 300 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the gaming system 300, first, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the first game is executed in each slot machine 1, and then the second game is executed under a certain condition. In the second game process, the game server 100 is interposed, so that each slot machine 1 can execute a battle game in which a plurality of players can participate simultaneously.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the main process from the start to the end of the game in each slot machine 1. 7 to 11, the step is abbreviated as S.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the main process is started, each slot machine 1 performs a start acceptance process at step 1 and a lottery process at the subsequent step 2 at the start of the game.

  First, when proceeding to the start acceptance process of step 1, each slot machine 1 accepts an operation for starting a game from the player under the control of the main CPU 32. In order to start the game and start the pseudo reel (variably display the pseudo reel), the player first inserts the number of coins bet on one game from the coin insertion slot 6 and operates the BET selection button 9. Then, the number of coins bet on one game is set, and the line selection button 10 is operated to set an effective line. Subsequently, an operation of the spin button 8 (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “start operation”) is performed. With this start operation, a start signal is input from the start switch 51 to the main CPU 32 (in the case of credit, a BET selection signal is input from the BET switch 52).

Next, the process proceeds to step 2, and a lottery process in the first game is performed. The first game is a game that does not require the participation of a plurality of players and can be executed independently by each player without playing against other players.
When the lottery process starts, the process proceeds to step 13 shown in FIG. 8, and the main CPU 32 performs a symbol determination process. In this symbol determination process, the main CPU 32 determines a symbol to be stopped on the set effective line L1 for each pseudo reel.

  In the lottery process, when the main CPU 32 detects the start operation of the player by the input signal from the start switch 51, the main CPU 32 receives the detection (that is, triggered by the start of the game) and instructs the random number generator 35 to be constant. Generate a range of random numbers. The main CPU 32 instructs the sampling circuit 36 to extract an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35. When the random number is extracted, the main CPU 32 sets the random number as a search key and refers to a not-shown symbol determination table (a table in which the code number of the symbol and the random number are stored in association with each other), The code number of the corresponding symbol is acquired.

Next, the acquired code No is set as a search key and the stop table 90 is referred to, and the corresponding symbol is searched for each pseudo reel R1 to R5.
Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the stop table 90 is a table having a code number area 90a for storing a code number (of a symbol) and a symbol area 90b for storing a symbol corresponding to each code number. By searching the code number area 90a using the code number as a search key, the corresponding symbol can be searched for each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5. In the symbol area 90b, symbols are registered in correspondence with code numbers from “0” to “10” for each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5. For example, C1 in FIG. 13 indicates a symbol pattern composed of symbols when the acquired code numbers are all “0” for each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5.

  In the slot machine 1, the random number extraction, the symbol determination table, and the stop table 90 are searched for a total of five times for each pseudo reel R1 to R5. Unlike the present embodiment, when there are nine pseudo reels, it is performed nine times. When the symbols are determined for each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5, the stop position of the reel for stopping the symbol on the effective line L1 is determined.

  When the stop position of the reel is determined, the main CPU 32 proceeds to step 14 and refers to the winning determination table 86 stored in the ROM 34 to determine whether or not a winning is possible. Here, as shown in FIG. 14A, the winning determination table 86 is associated with each combination of code Nos (hereinafter referred to as “code No pattern”) and includes symbol patterns for winning and not winning (no winning) symbol patterns. Either one is registered so that it can be distinguished. In step 13, since the code No pattern corresponding to the reel stop position is determined, this is set as a search key, and the winning determination table 86 is referred to, and whether or not a winning is determined is determined from the reference result.

  Subsequently, with reference to the mode table 91 shown in FIG. 15A, a winning mode determining process for determining a winning mode is performed (“winning mode” is also referred to as “combination”). Here, the mode table 91 is for determining the mode (winning mode) during winning, and as shown in FIG. 15A, a payout (the number of coins paid out) corresponding to each winning mode is registered. . For example, the role “F (Joker)” means a case where a specific symbol (design when the code number of each pseudo reel R1 to R5 is 0) appears. Here, a free game, that is, a second game is executed. The The combination “7-7-7-7-7” means that the symbols are aligned to “7” for each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5. In this case, the payout is 100 coins. The lottery process is completed as described above.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 3 where a first game process is performed. This first game process is performed with the game mode being the normal game mode, and includes steps 17 to 19 shown in FIG. In step 17, variable display processing is performed. In this case, the image control circuit 71 operates in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 32, and a game execution image including variable display images of a plurality of pseudo reels R1 to R5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5, as shown in FIG. The FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a game execution image in the normal game mode of the liquid crystal display panel 5. On the liquid crystal display panel 5, five pseudo reels R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are variably displayed at the center, and a linear effective line L1 extending horizontally is displayed at the center. Each pseudo reel R1 to R5 has a plurality of symbols (for example, a symbol S1 displaying "7", a symbol S2 displaying "BAR", etc.), and the symbols appear one after another in an irregular order. Is variably displayed. In the slot machine 1, five pseudo reels are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, but the number of reels is not limited to five. For example, the number may be three or nine.

  Further, a decorative figure is displayed in the upper left area E1 of each pseudo reel R1 to R5, and the credit number, the number of wins, and the BET number are displayed in the upper right area E2. Further, a description of the game content (in the present embodiment, “INSERT COIN PUSH THE BUTTON”) is displayed in the area E3 below each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5.

Although not shown, the main CPU 32 instructs the image control circuit 71 during the first game process to display a three-dimensional image for game effect on the liquid crystal display panel 3, and an image for explaining a game execution method and the like. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 4.
After step 17 ends, the process proceeds to step 18 where stop control processing is performed. Here, the pseudo reels R1 to R5 being scrolled are stopped so as to correspond to the result of the lottery process in step 2.

  Next, it progresses to step 19 and a payout process is performed. In this case, when the main CPU 32 instructs the hopper driving circuit 63 to pay out coins of the number corresponding to the search result of the mode table 91, the coins in the first game are paid out from the hopper 64. If the main CPU 32 determines that the number of coins indicated by the signal from the payout completion signal circuit 65 has been paid out, the main CPU 32 ends the payout process and proceeds to step 4.

  When proceeding to step 4, the main CPU 32 operates as a determination means, and determines whether or not a trigger for transition to the second game is established (whether or not the transition condition for transitioning the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode is satisfied). 14 is determined from the result of the winning mode determination process in FIG. Here, when the winning mode can be shifted to the special gaming mode (for example, when the symbol pattern is “F (joker)” indicated by b in FIG. 15), the main CPU 32 operates as a shifting unit, and the steps from step 4 to step 4 are performed. Proceeding to 5, the game mode is shifted to the special game mode. If the transition condition is not satisfied, step 5 is not executed and the main process is terminated. The first game may be a progressive game, and the transition condition may be satisfied when the payout number reaches a predetermined number.

(Second game processing)
In the second game process, the main CPU 32 executes the second game according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the second game process is started, the process proceeds to step 20 in FIG. 10, and whether or not the main CPU 32 has received payout information 121 (see FIG. 19) described later from the server 100 via the network N by the communication processing unit 42. Judging. If the payout information 121 has not been received, the process proceeds to step 21, and if received, the process proceeds to step 27. In each slot machine 1, steps 21 to 26 are repeated until the payout information 121 is received. If the payout information 121 is not received, the second game is not finished.

  Unlike the first game, this second game has a game content with a result when a plurality of players participate, and the players of each slot machine 1 can participate in the same game at the same time. It is a competitive game in which the number of appearances of special identification information competes with other players. In the present embodiment, this second game is a free game (a special game in the present invention) in which a predetermined number of free spins are performed, but may be a so-called progressive game in order to enhance the interest of the player.

  When proceeding to step 21, lottery and variable display processing in a free game is performed. In this case, the main CPU 32 extracts a random number from the sampling circuit 36 as in the lottery process in the first game. Then, the main CPU 32 sets the extracted random number as a search key, refers to a symbol determination table (not shown) stored in the ROM 34, and acquires the code number of the corresponding symbol. Next, the acquired code No. is set as a search key, and a corresponding symbol is searched for each pseudo reel R1 to R5 with reference to the stop table 92 shown in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, the stop table 92 has a code number area 92a and a symbol area 92b for storing symbols corresponding to the respective code numbers. When the code No area 92a is searched using as a search key, the corresponding symbol can be searched for each of the pseudo reels R1 to R5. The stop table 92 is configured so that the number of symbols attached is smaller than that of the stop table 90 and the probability of winning a free game is increased.

Next, the main CPU 32 operates and refers to the free game winning determination table 87 stored in the ROM 34 to determine whether or not a winning is possible. Here, as shown in FIG. 14B, the winning / non-winning determination table registers either a symbol pattern to be won in the free game or a non-winning symbol pattern in association with the code No pattern.
Subsequently, a winning mode determination process is performed with reference to the mode table 93 shown in FIG. The mode table 93 is for determining a winning mode (winning status) in the free game, and a payout corresponding to each winning mode is registered. This winning mode determination process determines the winning mode in the free game.

  Then, the image control circuit 71 operates according to an instruction from the main CPU 32, and a game execution image including variable display images of a plurality of pseudo reels is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5, and then each pseudo reel is stopped. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, a game execution image including a variable display image of a plurality of pseudo reels is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5 as in the case of the first game. However, in this game execution image, the displayed symbol corresponds to the stop table 92 unlike the first game.

  Further, in this game execution image, the main CPU 32 operates as an appearance instruction means according to whether or not the game is won, that is, when the game is won, and a plurality of special identification information (also referred to as special symbols) is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5. , A star mark (ASTERISK) 70 in FIG. 17 is displayed and made to appear. At this time, each special identification information 70 is displayed at a position slightly apart from the pseudo reels R1 to R5, but it moves differently from the scrolling of the pseudo reels R1 to R5 until the pseudo reels stop. Is displayed. In FIG. 17, one piece of special identification information 70 is displayed. Although this special identification information 70 is displayed immediately above the pseudo reels R1 to R5 in the liquid crystal display panel 5 immediately after display, it is then displayed so as to gradually fall downward (like a shooting star). When R1 to R5 are stopped, a case where the symbol “7” is displayed near the symbol “7” located on the left side of the uppermost stage as if it is attached to the symbol “7” is shown. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 18A, the special identification information 70 is displayed so as to fall from the upper side of the pseudo reels R1 to R5 to the lower side of the pseudo reels R1 to R5, and then moves upward. When the pseudo reels R1 to R5 are stopped, the symbols may be displayed as if they are close to the symbol located at the center of the lowermost stage and attached to the symbol. Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, during the variable display of the pseudo reels R1 to R5 from the upper side of the pseudo reels R1 to R5, the pseudo reels R1 to R1 are once approached to the symbol positioned on the left side of the uppermost stage. When the pseudo reels R1 to R5 stop at a stroke to the lower side of R5 and stop, the symbol may not be close to the symbol and displayed below the pseudo reels R1 to R5.

When these special identification information 70 is displayed, in each slot machine 1, a warning display (for example, Attention “Moving Asterisk”) that calls attention to the display of the special identification information 70 in the area E 3 of the liquid crystal display panel 5. ) Has been made. With this alert display, the player can be alerted to the special identification information 70.
Next, the process proceeds to step 22 where the number of executions of the free game is counted, information (execution number information) indicating the counted number of executions is instructed by the main CPU 32 to the communication control unit 41, and the communication processing unit 42 is operated. The data is transmitted to the game server 100 by the unit 42.

  In step 23, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not special identification information 70 has appeared on the liquid crystal display panel 5. If the special identification information 70 appears, the process proceeds to step 24, but if it does not appear, the process proceeds to step 26. Here, whether or not the special identification information 70 has appeared is not merely whether or not the special identification information 70 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5, but when the pseudo reels R1 to R5 are stopped. Is displayed in the vicinity of the symbol, as if it were attached to the symbol (when it is displayed, “appears”). Then, in the above-described case, it is determined that “appears” in the case of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18A, and that it does not appear in the case of FIG. 18B.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the displayed special identification information 70 includes information that is not subject to the appearance count measurement. Thereby, the thing which does not count to the frequency | count of appearance only by displaying the some special identification information 70 can also be included. Then, it is possible to increase the player's expectation by displaying the player's expectation that he may go well.

  In the following step 24, the main CPU 32 operates as an appearance number measuring means, counts (adds) the number of appearances of the special identification information 70, and measures the number of appearances. In step 25, the main CPU 32 operates as a transmission instruction means, instructs the communication control unit 41 to operate the communication processing unit 42, and the appearance number information indicating the measured number of appearances and the machine ID of the own machine. Notification information including (for example, S1A, S1B, etc. in the order of the slot machines 1A, 1B) is transmitted to the gaming server 100. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the respective notification information InA and InB is transmitted from the slot machines 1A and 1B to the game server 100 via the network N. It should be noted that the game server 100 executes a payout determination process to be described later with the notification information InA and InB.

  In step 26, payout processing in a free game is performed. In this case, when the main CPU 32 instructs the hopper driving circuit 63 to pay out coins of the number corresponding to the search result of the mode table 93, the hopper 64 pays out coins in the free game. If the main CPU 32 determines that the required number of coins has been paid out based on the signal from the payout completion signal circuit 65, the payout process ends, and the process returns to step 20.

  On the other hand, the process proceeds to step 27 when the payout information 121 is received from the game server 100. In this case, the main CPU 32 operates as a payout instructing means, and pays out coins corresponding to the received payout information 121 as a payout different from the payout in the free game (step 26) to the hopper driving circuit 63 ( (Hereinafter referred to as “additional payout”). Then, coins are paid out from the hopper 64 according to the battle result in the free game. When the main CPU 32 determines that the coins corresponding to the payout information 121 have been paid out based on a signal from the payout completion signal circuit 65, the payout process ends, and the second game process also ends. At the time of this additional payout, the liquid crystal display panel 5 may operate as a payout display means to display the content of the additional payout (for example, “YOU GET100 COINS”). This makes it possible for the player to know the contents of the additional payout, so that the player is attracted to the second game. This terminates the main process.

Thus, in the slot machines 1A and 1B, when special identification information appears in the free game, the number of appearances is counted, and coins are additionally paid out according to the comparison result of the number of appearances. The number of additional payouts is determined by the payout information transmitted from the server. The payout information is determined by the appearance number information transmitted from each slot machine 1 by the server 100.
At this time, in the game server 100, in order to generate the payout information 121 based on the appearance number information transmitted from each slot machine 1, the following processing is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the gaming server 100, the CPU 101 operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 102 and proceeds to step 29 to perform dummy clear on the payout information 121. Here, the payout information 121 is information indicating the payout of each slot machine 1 in the free game. As shown in FIG. 19, a machine ID 121a for setting the machine ID of each slot machine constituting the gaming system 300; A payout area 121b for setting a payout.

  Next, the process proceeds to step 30, and whether or not notification information (appearance count information) has been received from all slot machines connected to the network N (in the case of FIG. 2, slot machines 1A and 1B). to decide. Here, when the notification information is received from at least one slot machine, the process proceeds to step 31; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 32 without executing step 31. In step 31, a payout determination process is executed. This payout determination process is executed when the CPU 101 operates as a payout determination unit. That is, the CPU 101 compares the number of appearances indicated by the notification information received from each of the slot machines 1A and 1B, and pays out in descending order of the number of appearances (for example, in the order of first, second, third, and fourth). , 100, 50, 20, 5). Then, the machine ID of each slot machine 1 and the allocated payout are set in the machine ID 121a and the payout area 121b, respectively, and payout information 121 is generated for each of the slot machines 1A and 1B.

  In the subsequent step 32, it is determined whether or not the number of executions of the free game in each slot machine 1 has exceeded a predetermined number (for example, 5 times) based on the received number information, and all slot machines 1 (1A, 1B) are determined. If so, the process proceeds to step 33; otherwise, the process returns to step 30. By providing this step 32, the game server 100 accepts the appearance number information only for the time until the number of executions of the free game in each slot machine 1 reaches a predetermined number.

In step 33, the CPU 101 instructs the communication control unit 105 to operate the communication processing unit 106, transmits the respective payout information 121 to each of the slot machines 1A and 1B, and the processing is completed.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the payout information 121 is transmitted to each of the slot machines 1A and 1B. On the other hand, in each slot machine 1A, 1B, as described above, based on the payout information 121 from the game server 100, an additional payout is made according to the contents.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the second game is executed under a certain condition in each of the slot machines 1A and 1B. In the second game, the game server 100 compares the number of appearances of the special identification information in each slot machine 1A, 1B, determines the number of coins to be paid out, and receives the determination to each slot machine 1A, 1B makes an additional payout. Therefore, the second game executed in each slot machine 1A, 1B includes not only game results that can be executed independently by each player, but also game contents obtained by simultaneous participation of each player. It is. Therefore, according to the present invention, a plurality of players can participate in the same second game and battle each other, and in addition, another gameability of appearance of special identification information is added, and the player, particularly a player who likes games. You can continue your interest.

(Second operation content of game system)
In the first operation described above, the game server 100 determines the number of times of execution of the free game in each slot machine 1, but the game server 100 determines the number of times of execution of the free game in each slot machine 1 as follows. You can also avoid it. In this case, the slot machine 1 executes the second game process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, and the game server 100 executes the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  After starting the processing, the slot machine 1 proceeds to step 41, and the main CPU 32 sets the number of executions of the free game in a predetermined counter. Next, the process proceeds to step 42, and a lottery process in the free game is executed in the same procedure as in step 21. Then, the process proceeds to step 43, and the payout process is executed in the same procedure as in step 26 corresponding to the search result of the mode table 93 in step 42. Further, when proceeding to step 44, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not the special identification information 70 appears in the liquid crystal display panel 5. If the special identification information 70 appears, the process proceeds to step 45, and the number of appearances of the special identification information 70 is obtained in the same manner as in step 24. If the special identification information 70 does not appear, the process proceeds to step 46, and the free game is compared with the counter in step 41. It is determined whether or not the number of executions has reached a predetermined number. If the number of executions of the free game has reached the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 47, but if not, the process returns to step 42.

  In step 47, the main CPU 32 operates as a transmission instruction means, instructs the communication control unit 41 to operate the communication processing unit 42, and the appearance number information indicating the measured number of appearances and its own machine ID (for example, , The notification information including S1A, S1B, etc.) is transmitted to the gaming server 100 in the order of the slot machines 1A, 1B. Further, in the following step 48, the process waits until the payout information 121 is received from the gaming server 100. When the payout information 121 is received, the process proceeds to step 49, and coins corresponding to the received payout information 121 are processed in the same procedure as in step 27. The additional payout is made and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, in the gaming server 100, similarly to the case of the first operation, after executing step 29, the process proceeds to step 30, and when notification information (appearance count information) is received from all slot machines, the process proceeds to step 31 to Execute the decision process. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 33, where the CPU 101 instructs the communication control unit 105 to operate the communication processing unit 106, transmits the respective payout information 121 to each slot machine 1A, 1B, and ends the processing.
As described above, in the second operation, the game server 100 does not determine the number of executions of the free game. However, also in this case, the game server 100 determines the payout based on the appearance number information transmitted from each slot machine 1 to generate the payout information 121, and the payout information 121 is transmitted to each slot machine 1. Therefore, since the second game executed in each slot machine 1A, 1B includes game contents obtained under the simultaneous participation of the respective players, a plurality of players participate in the same second game. In addition, it is possible to continue the interest of the player, particularly a player who likes to play a game, by adding another game characteristic such as the appearance of special identification information.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a slot machine that is a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a system configuration figure showing the whole gaming system concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of a slot machine mainly showing an internal configuration. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of an image control circuit. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the internal structure of a game server. It is a block diagram of a game system when executing a progressive game. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure from the game start of a slot machine to completion | finish. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a lottery process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a first game process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a 2nd game process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a game server. It is a figure which shows the game execution image in the first game of a liquid crystal display panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the stop table used in a first game. An example of a winning determination table is shown, (a) is a diagram showing an example of a winning determination table used in the first game, (b) is used in the second game. An example of an aspect table used for determination of a winning aspect is shown. (A) is a diagram showing an example of an aspect table used in a first game and (b) is a second game. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the stop table used by a 2nd game. It is a figure which shows an example of the execution image of the 2nd game of a liquid crystal display panel. (A) is a figure which simplifies and shows the execution image of the 2nd game of a liquid crystal display panel, (b) is a figure which simplifies and shows the other execution image. It is a figure which shows the layout of dividend information. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of another 2nd game process. It is a flowchart which shows another operation | movement procedure of a game server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B ... Slot machine 3, 4, 5 ... Liquid crystal display panel 31 ... Microcomputer, 32 ... Main CPU
33,103 ... RAM, 34,102 ... ROM
41, 105 ... Communication control unit 42, 106 ... Communication processing unit 71 ... Image control circuit 90, 92 ... Stop table 100 ... Game server, 101 ... CPU
121 ... Dividend information, 300 ... Game system R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 ... Pseudo reel L1 ... Effective line

Claims (5)

A variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, a determination means for determining success or failure of a transition condition for shifting a game mode from a normal game mode to a special game mode, and a game mode based on a determination result of the means A gaming machine having transition means for shifting from a game mode to a special game mode, and communication means for communicating with the outside,
After the transition means shifts the game mode to the special game mode, appearance instruction means for causing the variable display means to appear special identification information during execution of the special game in the special game mode;
Appearance count measuring means for measuring the appearance count of the special identification information;
Transmission instruction means for causing the communication means to transmit appearance number information indicating the number of appearances measured by the means;
A game having a payout instructing means for making an additional payout different from the payout in the special game according to the payout information indicating the payout in the special game received by the communication means based on the appearance number information. Machine.   The appearance count measuring means measures the appearance count when the special identification information approaches the stopped symbol, and does not measure the appearance count when the special identification information does not approach the stopped symbol. The gaming machine according to 1.   3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a payout display means for displaying contents of additional payout according to the payout information. A gaming server connected to a plurality of gaming machines via a network,
Means for receiving, from the respective gaming machines, appearance number information indicating the number of appearances of special identification information measured after each gaming machine has transitioned to a special gaming mode via the network;
Based on each appearance number information received by the means, a payout determining means for determining a payout in the special game mode of each gaming machine and generating payout information;
And a means for transmitting the payout information generated by the means to each gaming machine. A gaming system having a configuration in which a plurality of gaming machines and a gaming server are connected via a network,
The gaming machine includes variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, determination means for determining success or failure of a transition condition for shifting a game mode from a normal game mode to a special game mode, and based on a determination result of the unit , Having a transition means for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode, and a communication means for communicating with the outside,
After the transition means shifts the game mode to the special game mode, appearance instruction means for causing the variable display means to appear special identification information during execution of the special game in the special game mode;
Appearance count measuring means for measuring the appearance count of the special identification information;
Transmission instruction means for transmitting appearance number information indicating the number of appearances measured by the means to the game server via the network;
Payout instruction means for making an additional payout different from the payout in the special game according to the payout information indicating the payout in the special game received from the game server via the network based on the appearance frequency information ,
The game server receives the appearance number information from the gaming machines via the network;
Based on each appearance number information received by the means, a payout determining means for determining a payout in the special game mode of each gaming machine and generating payout information;
And a means for transmitting the payout information generated by the means to each gaming machine via the network.

Images