US20080085757A1 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

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; select at least one of the variable display sections; assign the selected 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• The present application is based upon and claims priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-276167, filed on Oct. 10, 2006, the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• 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
• 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 3×3 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.
• 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 gamers 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).
• 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.
• 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
• One of objects of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing moderate payouts while it increases the expectation for acquisition of a great quantity of coins like conventional “Mystery Odds” and provides a surprise for unexpected awards.
• 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; select at least one of the variable display sections; assign the selected 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.
• According to a second 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; allow the player to select at least one of the variable display sections assign the selected variable display sections as a special variable display section; and provide a special award to the player based on the special variable display section, the special award being advantageous to the player.
• According to a third 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 lottery for determining the stop symbols to be displayed in the plurality of variable display sections; a determination means for determining whether or not the stop symbols displayed in 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 means; an award providing means for providing an award corresponding to the winning combination when the determination means determines that the stop symbols displayed in the plurality of variable display sections include the symbol combination forming the winning combination; a selection means for selecting at least one of the variable display sections; an assignment means for assigning the selected variable display section 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.
• According to a fourth 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 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 variable display sections selected by a player as a special variable display section; and a special advantage awarding means for providing a special advantage advantageous to a player on the basis of the special variable display section assigned by the assignment means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the accompanying drawings:
• 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;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the slot machine showing the configuration of its internal control system as an example;
• FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a video controller of the slot machine showing its internal configuration as an example;
• 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;
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operational flow of a base game process;
• FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a stop table as an example;
• FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a game screen displayed in the slot machine;
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a special variable display section assigning process;
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the special variable display section assigning process;
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the special variable display section assigning process;
• FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a first example of a special advantage process;
• FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second example of the special advantage process;
• FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a third example of the special advantage process;
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of the special advantage process;
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a bonus game process as an example;
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a base game process including a stop symbol replacement process;
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the stop symbol replacement process;
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a special variable display section number determination process;
• FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged diagram of a screen displayed on a main display in a base game process;
• FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in a status that a scroll process is started after the status shown inFIG. 19;
• FIG. 21 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;
• FIG. 22 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 inFIG. 21 is performed;
• FIG. 23 shows an example of a screen in the second example of the special advantage process;
• FIG. 24 shows an example of a screen in the third example of the special advantage process;
• FIG. 25 shows an example of a screen in the fourth example of the special advantage process;
• FIG. 26 is an example of a screen in which a scroll process is performed on the basis of the result of a re-lottery process;
• FIG. 27 is an example of a screen in a case where a special variable display section is assigned by the player's input;
• FIG. 28 is an example of a screen following the screen shown inFIG. 27 in which a frame indicating a special variable display section is displayed;
• FIG. 29 is an example of a screen in a case where the special variable display sections are assigned by both the main CPU and the player;
• FIG. 30 is an example of a screen in a case where the stop control process is completed in a status that the two special variable display sections are assigned; and
• FIG. 31 is an example of screen display after a symbol code substituting process is performed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• 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.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of aslot machine1. Theslot machine1 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. Theslot machine1 has a base game mode in which a base game (a base game according to an embodiment of the present invention) 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. Theslot machine1 is configured to be able to perform a variable display game additionally in the bonus game mode.
• Theslot machine1 has amain display3 including a liquid crystal device on the front side of acasing2. In addition, theslot machine1 has asub-display4 including a liquid crystal device likewise above themain display3.
• In the approximately center of the screen of themain display3, avariable display area30 is provided. Thisvariable display area30, as shown inFIG. 7 to be described later, has a plurality of variable display sections (in the embodiment, total ninevariable display sections3A,3B,3C,3D,3E,3F,3G,3H, and3I 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 thevariable display sections3A to3I included in thevariable display area30 of themain display3 in both the base game mode and the bonus game mode.
• As shown inFIG. 7, since theslot machine1 has ninevariable display sections3A to3I, total of eight pay lines L1 to L8 including six lines constituted by three vertical columns and horizontal three rows of thevariable display sections3A to3I and two diagonal lines of the 3×3 matrix are set.
• On thesub-display4, various information related to the game (for example, a description of game rules, an award table, description of a game) are displayed.
• In theslot machine1, apedestal portion11 having substantially horizontal surface is provided at a position lower than themain display3 is provided. Thepedestal portion11 is provided with acoin insertion slot6, abill insertion slot7, aspin button8, a 1-BET switch9, and a MAX-BET switch10.
• Thecoin insertion slot6 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 sensor6S (seeFIG. 2) for transmitting a signal indicative of coin insertion. Thebill insertion slot7 is provided for reception of bills inserted by the player, and has a bill insertion sensor7S (seeFIG. 2) for transmitting a signal indicative of bill insertion. Thespin button8 is provided for the player to perform an operation to start a slot game by displaying scrolling display images of the symbols in thevariable display sections3A to3I, and has aspin switch8S (seeFIG. 2) for indicating detection of press-down of thespin button8.
• The 1-BET button9 is provided for placing a bet of one coin in a single operation, and has a 1-BET switch9S (seeFIG. 2) indicating detection of press-down of the 1-BET button9. The MAX-BET button10 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 switch10S (seeFIG. 2) indicating detection of press-down of the MAX-BET button10.
• In addition, theslot machine1 includes acoin payout opening13 and acoin receiving tray14 for receiving coins paid out which are provided on a lower side of thecasing2. Furthermore,speakers12L and12R are provided on the left and right sides of thecoin payout opening13.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of theslot machine1 showing its internal control system as an example. Theslot machine1 includes a plurality of components with amicrocomputer31 serving as a core.
• Themicrocomputer31 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit)32, a RAM (Random Access Memory)33, and a ROM (Read Only Memory)34. Themain CPU32 operates as various means featuring the invention based on a program stored in theROM34, transmits/receives signals to/from the other components via an I/O port39, and controls operations of theentire slot machine1. TheRAM33 stores data and programs which are used when theMAIN CPU32 is in operation. For example, theRAM33 temporarily retains random number values sampled by asampling circuit36 to be described later, after the game starts. TheROM34 stores programs to be executed by themain CPU32 and permanent data.
• Theslot machine1 includes arandom number generator35, thesampling circuit36, a clockpulse generating circuit37, and afrequency divider38. Therandom number generator35 operates in accordance with an instruction from themain CPU32 and generates random numbers in a predetermined range. Thesampling circuit36, in accordance with an instruction from themain CPU32, extracts an arbitrary random number from among the random numbers generated by therandom number generator35 and inputs the extracted random number to themain CPU32. The clockpulse generating circuit37 generates a reference clock for operating themain CPU32, and thefrequency divider38 inputs a signal obtained by dividing the reference clock by a fixed frequency to themain CPU32.
• In addition, theslot machine1 includes atouch panel3a, alamp driving circuit59, alamp60, aLED driving circuit61, anLED62, ahopper driving circuit63, ahopper64, a payoutcompletion signal circuit65, and acoin detecting unit66. In addition, theslot machine1 includes avideo controller71 and asound controller72.
• Here, although thetouch panel3a, thespin switch8S, the 1-BET switch9S, the MAX-BET switch10S, the coin insertion sensor6S, and the bill insertion sensor7S are directly connected to the I/O port39 for performing input/output (transmission/reception) operations of signals, a subsidiary circuit board (door PCB (Printed Circuit Board)) may be inserted therebetween (between thetouch panel3aor the like and the I/O port39) so as to identify a source of a signal such as thetouch panel3aor the like and the signal may be input/output (transmitted/received) to/from themain CPU32 by theIO port39. Similarly, a main circuit board (main PCB (Printed Circuit Board)) may be inserted between thevarious circuits59,61,63,65,71, and72 disposed on the main body side and the I/O port39. In such a case, since only signals in use from among signals output from various switches and circuits are transmitted to the main CPU through the I/O port39, it is possible to reduce a processing load of themain CPU32 and increase the transmission speed of signals.
• Thetouch panel3ais provided so as to cover a display screen of themain display3. Thetouch panel3adetects 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 themain CPU32. Thelamp driving circuit59 outputs a signal for turning thelamp60 on to thelamp60, and thereby blinking thelamp60 in the game. By the blinking of thelamp60, various effects pertaining to the game is performed. TheLED driving circuit61 generates a driving control signal for controlling the blinking of theLED62 and outputs the driving control signal to theLED62. TheLED62 displays the number of credits, the number of acquired credits, or the like in accordance with the driving control signal output from theLED driving circuit61. Thehopper driving circuit63 drives ahopper64 in accordance with the control of themain CPU32. Thehopper64 performs an operation for paying out awarded coins and pays out the coins to thecoin receiving tray14 from the payout opening. Thecoin detecting unit66 counts the number of coins paid out by thehopper64 and inputs data for the counted number of coins to the payoutcompletion signal circuit65. The payoutcompletion signal circuit65 receives the data for the number of coins input from thecoin detecting circuit66. Then, the payoutcompletion signal circuit65 inputs a signal indicative of completion of coin payout to themain CPU32 when the number of the coins reaches a predetermined number.
• Thevideo controller71 controls image display operations of themain display3 and thesub display4 and displays various images such as variable display images of a plurality of symbols, a sub game preparing screen, or the like on themain display3 and thesub display4.
• FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of thevideo controller71 showing its configuration as an example.
• As shown inFIG. 3, thevideo controller71 includes animage control CPU71a, awork RAM71b, aprogram ROM71c, animage ROM71d, avideo RAM71e, and a VDP (Video Display Processor)71f. Theimage control CPU71a, based on a parameter set by themicrocomputer31, 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 themain display3 and thesub display4 in accordance with an image control program (regarding the display on themain display3 and the sub display4) stored in theprogram ROM71cin advance. Thework RAM71bis configured as a temporary storage to be used at a time when theimage control CPU71aexecutes the image control program.
• Theprogram ROM71cstores the image control program, various selection tables, and the like. Theimage ROM71dstores 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. Thevideo RAM71eis configured as a temporary storage used for theVDP71fto form an image. TheVDP71fincludes acontrol RAM71g. TheVDP71fforms images on the basis of the images to be displayed on themain display3 and thesub display4 which have been determined by theimage control CPU71a, and outputs the formed images to themain display3 and thesub display4.
• The description of the configuration of theslot machine1 will now be continued with reference back toFIG. 2.
• Thesound controller72 outputs a sound signal, which is used for outputting a sound from thespeakers12L and12R, to thespeakers12L and12R. From thespeakers12L and12R, for example, a sound is output to add excitement to the game at an appropriate time after the game starts.
• The operation of theslot machine1 having the aforementioned configuration will now be described with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 4.
• 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 theslot machine1. InFIG. 4 and thereafter, the term “Step” is abbreviated as “S”.
• In theslot machine1, themain CPU32 operates as a game progress controller so as to control the progress of a game. When theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, starts the main process as shown inFIG. 4, in the start of the game, a start accepting process (S1) is performed at the start of the game in Step S1, a base game process (S2) is performed in the subsequent Step S2 while a base game mode is maintained as a gaming mode, and the process proceeds to Step S3. In Step S3, after receiving a result of a base game lottery process (FIG. 5; S10), to be described later, in the base game process of Step S2, themain CPU32 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 theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines that the transition condition is satisfied (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to a bonus game process of Step S4, and then, the process proceeds to a payout process of Step S5. On the other hand, when it is determined that the transition condition is not satisfied in Step S3 (S3: No), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, proceeds the process to the payout process of Step S5 without performing the bonus game process of Step S4. In the payout process of Step S5, when a wining combination is generated in the base game or the bonus game, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a coin payout process (a process of instructing thehopper driving circuit63 to payout coins corresponding to the number of paying-out coins performed by themain CPU32, and a process of paying out the coins performed by thehopper64, and a process of inputting a signal from the payout completion signal circuit65) in accordance with the wining combination and then ends the main process.
• Hereinafter, the above-described Steps will be described in detail.
• When the process proceeds to the start accepting process of Step S1, first, theslot machine1 accepts an operation for start of the game from the player in accordance with control of themain CPU32. Since theslot machine1 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 thecoin insertion slot6 or operates the 1-BET button9 or the MAX-BET button10 in a case where there are remaining credits. Thereafter, the player performs an operation of the spin button8 (hereinafter, referred to as a start operation). By performing the start operation, a start signal output from thespin switch8S which has detected the press-down of thespin button8 is input to themain CPU32.
• Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step S2, and theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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 toFIG. 5.
• When the process proceeds to the base game process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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, themain CPU32 is operated as a symbol determination means and performs a process of determination of the symbol. In this symbol determination process, themain CPU32 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 in thevariable display sections3A to3I. Whether the stop symbols satisfy a wining combination depends on whether the stop symbols on the pay lines L1 to L8 form predetermined combinations.
• Themain CPU32 of theslot machine1 instructs thevideo controller71 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 thesub display4.
• In the base game lottery process, when detecting the player's start operation on the basis of the start signal, theCPU32 instructs therandom number generator35 to generate random numbers in a predetermined range in accordance with the detection (that is, in accordance with the start of the game). Then, themain CPU32 instructs thesampling circuit36 to extract an arbitrary random number from among the random numbers generated by therandom number generator35. When the random number is extracted, themain CPU32 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 theROM34 by using the random number as a search key.
• Next, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, searches for stop symbols to be stopped for being displayed in thevariable display sections3A to3I with reference to a stop table90 shown inFIG. 6 using the acquired code number as a search key.
• Now, the configuration of the stop table90 will be described with reference toFIG. 6. The stop table90, as shown inFIG. 6, includes acode number area90afor storage of code numbers of the symbols and afirst symbol area90band asecond symbol area90cwhich 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 table90 is configured such that symbols for thevariable display sections3A to3I can be found by searching thecode number area90ausing the code number as the search key.
• In thefirst symbol area90band thesecond symbol area90c, symbols (or codes of the symbols) are registered in correspondence with code numbers of “0” to “31”. In thefirst symbol area90b, stop symbols to be displayed invariable display sections3A to3D and3F to3I other than a centervariable display section3E are registered. In thesecond symbol area90c, stop symbols (or codes of the stop symbols) to be stopped for being displayed in the centervariable display section3E are registered. In the embodiment, a symbol (Wild Joker92) corresponding to a code number “0” of thesecond symbol area90cis configured as a beneficial symbol. This “Wild Joker”92 indicates a symbol more beneficial than any other symbol to the player and, as shown inFIG. 6, is composed of an image representing a doll's face and a text string of “Wild”.
• Theslot machine1 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 table90 for each of thevariable display sections3A to3I. 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 thevariable display sections3A to3I are determined.
• When the stop symbols for thevariable display sections3A to3I are determined, themain CPU32, 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 theROM34. 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.
• Since, the code number pattern corresponding to the stop symbols has been determined, themain CPU32 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.
• Then, a winning state determination process in which themain CPU32 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.
• When the winning state determination process is completed, the base game lottery process (S10) ends.
• 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).
• The base game process will now be described with reference back toFIG. 5.
• After the base game lottery process (S10) is performed, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a scroll process (S11).
• FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a game screen according to an embodiment of the present invention as an example. On themain display3 of theslot machine1, the game screen as shown inFIG. 7 is displayed. On themain display3, the above-described ninevariable display sections3A to3I are formed. The ninevariable display sections3A to3I constitute thevariable display area30. Above thevariable display area30, atitle display unit83 including a text string for displaying “BONUS-SPIN” and a description of the game is displayed. In addition, below thevariable display area30, ameter display unit84 having a BETnumber display section84a, a PAIDnumber display section84b, a coin insertion andpayout display section84c, and a CREDIT (credit)number display section84dis displayed. In addition, eight BETnumber display sections82afor displaying the BET numbers for each pay line are disposed so as to surround thevariable display sections3A to3I.
• After the game is started, the scroll process, in which symbols are changed to be displayed on thevariable display sections3A to3I of themain display3 as if reels having symbol arrays on their peripheries rotate, is performed in accordance with an instruction of themain CPU32.
• Now, the description of the base game process will be continued with reference back toFIG. 5.
• After the scroll process is performed (S11), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, serving as assignment means according to an embodiment of the present invention performs a special variable display section assigning process (S12). In the special variable display section assigning process, one or a plurality of variable display sections from among thevariable display sections3A to3I are assigned.
• The assigned variable display section becomes a special variable display section (also called “Mystery Position”). When there is the special variable display section, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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.
• For the variable display section assignment, any from among three modes of (1) a mode in which theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section, (2) a mode in which the player assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section, and (3) a mode in which both theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, and the player assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section, may be employed.
• First, the variable display section assignment process in a case where (1) a mode in which theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section is used will now be described. Theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, randomly assigns or determines the variable display section as the special variable display section by performing a lottery using random numbers.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the special variable display section assigning process when themain CPU32 assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section.
• When the special variable display section assigning process (S12) is started, first, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a set number determination process (S21). The set number determination process is a process for determining that how many variable display sections from among the totalvariable display sections3A to3I will be assigned as the special variable display sections in a round of game that is in execution. In this example, a number from among one to nine is selected by using a random number, but the number may be selected by using a different method.
• Next, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, serving also as selection means according to an embodiment of the present invention performs a lottery for determining that which variable display section is assigned as the special variable display section (S22). In this lottery, one variable display section from among thevariable display sections3A to3I is determined on the basis of a random number, for example, extracted from therandom number generator35 and thesampling circuit36, and the variable display section is assigned as the special variable display section. This lottery is repeated until the number of determined special variable display sections reaches the number determined in the above-described set number determination process.
• Finally, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, stores the variable display sections, which have been assigned as the special variable display sections in the above-described lottery process (S22), in theRAM33 or the like (S23). For example, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, stores ID numbers of the variable display sections that become the special variable display sections in a predetermined area of theRAM33. Themain CPU32 can recognize the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections with reference to a content stored in this area.
• Accordingly, the variable display section assigning process ends, and the main CPU returns the process back to the original base game process (FIG. 5).
• Next, the variable display section assignment process (S12) in a case where (2) a mode in which the player assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section is used will now be described. In the variable display section assignment process (S12), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, serving also as assignment means according to an embodiment of the present invention 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, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, displays a message of “PLEASE TOUCH A REEL DESIRED TO BE A MYSTERY POSITION” or the like on themain display3 or thesub-display4. 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, thetouch panel3adetects a touched position and transmits the detected touched position to theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32. Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, recognizes the assigned variable display section.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the special variable display section assigning process when themain CPU32 have the player assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section.
• When the variable display section assigning process (S12) is started, first, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a set number determination process (S31). Since this set number determination process is the same as the set number determination process (S21) shown inFIG. 8, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
• Next, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs an assignment input receiving process (S32) in which the main CPU urges the player to assigns the variable display section and then receives the player's input. For example, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, urges the player's input by displaying “X VARIABLE DISPLAY SECTIONS CAN BE ASSIGNED AS SPECIAL VARIABLE DISPLAY SECTIONS. PLEASE TOUCH A REEL DESIRED TO BE A SPECIAL VARIABLE DISPLAY SECTION” on themain display3 or thesub display4. Then, when the player touches his finger on thetouch panel3ain accordance with this message, position information output from thetouch panel3ais transmitted to themain CPU32. Accordingly, the assignment input receiving process (S32) ends.
• Next, themain CPU32 performs a assigned variable display section determination process for determining variable display sections that have been assigned as the special variable display section on the basis of the player's input (S33). For example, themain CPU32 determines the variable display sections that have been assigned as the special variable display sections by the player on the basis of the position information output from thetouch panel3a.
• Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a assigned variable display section storing process for storing the variable display sections, which have been assigned as the special variable display sections in the above-described assigned variable display section determination process (S33), in theRAM33 or the like (S34). For example, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, stores ID numbers of the variable display sections that become the special variable display sections in a predetermined area of theRAM33. Themain CPU32 can recognize the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections with reference to a content stored in this area.
• Next, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines whether a set time has elapsed (S35). The set time is a period during which theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs the assignment input receiving process (S32). For example, the set time is a period from the start of the special variable display section assigning process until a predetermined time (for example, ten seconds) elapses. In order to determine the elapse of the set time, themain CPU32 measures the elapse time from the start of the special variable display section assigning process by using means having a time measuring function such as a counter (not shown in the figure) or a clock (not shown in the figure) that is included in themicrocomputer31.
• When it is determined that the set time has elapsed (S35: Yes) in the set time elapse determination process (S35), the assignment input receiving process thereafter is not performed, and accordingly, themain CPU32 ends the special variable display section assigning process and moves the control to the original base game process (FIG. 5).
• On the other hand, when it is determined that the set time has not elapsed (S35: No) in the set time elapse determination process (S35), themain CPU32 determines (S36) whether the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections is smaller than the number (set number) determined in the set number determination process (S31).
• When themain CPU32 determines that the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections is not smaller than the set number (S36: No) in Step S36, the assignment of the special variable display sections corresponding to the set number is completed, and accordingly, themain CPU32 ends the special variable display section assigning process and returns the process back to the original base game process (FIG. 5). On the other hand, when themain CPU32 determines that the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections is smaller than the set number (S36: Yes) in Step S36, the number of assigned special variable display sections has not reached the set number, and accordingly, themain CPU32 returns the process back to Step S32 and receives assignment of another special variable display section.
• Accordingly, the variable display section assigning process ends, and themain CPU32 returns the process back to the original base game process (FIG. 5).
• Next, the variable display section assignment process (S12) in a case where (3) a mode, in which both theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, serves as assignment means according to an embodiment of the present invention and the player assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section, is used will now be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the special variable display section assigning process when both themain CPU32 and the player assigns a variable display section as the special variable display section.
• When the special variable display section assigning process (S12) is started, first, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a set number determination process (S41). In this variable display section assigning process, different from the previous two examples, the number (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU set number) of the special variable display sections assigned by themain CPU32 and the number (hereinafter, referred to as a player set number) of the special variable display sections assigned by the player are determined. However, both the set numbers are not necessarily determined, and a method in which the total number of the special variable display sections is determined, one of the set numbers is determined, and then the other set number is determined by subtracting the one set number from the total number may be used.
• Then, themain CPU32 performs a lottery (S42) for determining the special variable display sections corresponding to the CPU set number determined in the previous set number determination process (S41). For example, when the CPU set number is three, three from among ninevariable display sections3A to3I are determined as the special variable display sections by performing a lottery.
• Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, stores the variable display sections, which have been assigned as the special variable display sections in the above-described lottery process (S42), in theRAM33 or the like (S43).
• Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs an assignment input receiving process in which themain CPU32 urges the player to assigns the variable display section as the special variable display section and then receives the player's input (S44). This process is the same as the above-described assignment input process (S32), and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
• Then, themain CPU32 performs a assigned variable display section determination process for determining variable display sections that have been assigned as the special variable display section on the basis of the player's input (S45). This process is the same as the above-described assigned variable display section determination process (S33), and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
• Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, stores the variable display sections, which have been assigned as the special variable display sections in the above-described assigned variable display section determination process (S45), in theRAM33 or the like (S46). This process is the same as the above-described assigned variable display section storing process (S34), and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
• Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines whether a set time has elapsed (S47). When it is determined that the set time has elapsed (S47: Yes) in the set time elapse determination process (S47), the assignment input receiving process thereafter is not performed, and accordingly, themain CPU32 ends the special variable display section assigning process and moves the control to the original base game process (FIG. 5). On the other hand, when it is determined that the set time has not elapsed (S47: No) in the set time elapse determination process (S47), themain CPU32 determines (S48) whether the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections is smaller than the player set number determined in the set number determination process (S31).
• When themain CPU32 determines that the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections is not smaller than the player set number (S48: No) in step S48, the assignment of the special variable display sections corresponding to the player set number is completed, and accordingly, themain CPU32 ends the special variable display section assigning process and returns the process back to the original base game process (FIG. 5). On the other hand, when themain CPU32 determines that the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections is smaller than the player set number (S48: Yes) in Step S48, the number of the special variable display sections assigned by the player has not reached the player set number, and accordingly, themain CPU32 returns the process back to Step S44 and receives assignment of another special variable display section.
• Accordingly, the variable display section assigning process ends, and themain CPU32 returns the process back to the original base game process (FIG. 5).
• One between the CPU set number and the player set number may be set to zero.
• The base game process will now be described with reference back toFIG. 5.
• When the process proceeds to Step S13 after special variable display section assigning process is performed (S12), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs the stop control process (S13). The stop control process stops the stop symbols, corresponding to the result of the base game lottery process (S10), to be displayed in thevariable display sections3A to3I while a predetermined representation process such as a process of reducing the speed of scrolling the symbols performed in the above-described scroll process (S11) is performed. When the stop symbols are displayed after the scroll process is completed, the stop control process (S13) ends, and themain CPU32 moves the control to a special advantage process (S14).
• The special advantage process is performed by themain CPU32 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.
• FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a first example of the special advantage process.
• In the example shown inFIG. 11, a symbol role changing process (S51), 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 and is treated as a substitute for all the other symbols.
• In such a case, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, substitutes the stop symbol “cherry” with the “Wild Joker” in the symbol role changing process (S51) 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.
• The predetermined symbol may be fixedly predetermined or may be changeable. 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, theslot machine1 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 (S11).
• After the symbol role changing process (S51) is performed, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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, themain CPU32 determines a corresponding award (S52).
• As described above, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the special advantage process, and returns the process back to the base game process (seeFIG. 5). When the process is returned back to the base game process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the base game process, and returns the process back to the main process (seeFIG. 4).
• Hereinafter, a second example of the special advantage process (S14) will be described.
• 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).
• FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the second example of the special advantage process.
• In the second example of the special advantage process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines whether the special variable display section is located on (included in) the pay line on which a winning combination is satisfied (S61). When it is determined that the special variable display section is not located on the pay line on which the winning combination is satisfied (S61: No), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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 (S61: Yes), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, provides a predetermined award (S62). 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.
• Thereafter, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the special advantage process, and returns the process back to the base game process (seeFIG. 5). When the process is returned back to the base game process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the base game process, and returns the process back to the main process (seeFIG. 4).
• 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).
• Hereinafter, a third example of the special advantage process will be described.
• 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.
• FIG. 13 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.
• In the third example of the special advantage process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines whether the plurality of special variable display sections are adjacent to each other (S71). Here, “being adjacent” means to be adjacent to each other in a horizontal, a vertical, or a diagonal direction.
• When it is determined that the plurality of the special variable display sections are not adjacent (S71: No), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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 (S71: Yes), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, sets a special pay line (S72). 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 thevariable display sections3A,3E, and3C, having a letter “V” shape.
• Theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs the win determination process, the winning combination determination process, and the winning state determination process for the special pay line (S73). When the winning combination is satisfied, themain CPU32 of theslot machine1 determines a corresponding award.
• When completing the win determination process and the like (S73), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the special advantage process, and returns the process back to the base game process (seeFIG. 5). When the process is returned back to the base game process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the base game process, and returns the process back to the main process (seeFIG. 4).
• 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.
• Hereinafter, a fourth example of the special advantage process will be described.
• 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.
• The variable display of thevariable display sections3A to3I ends by performing the above-described scroll process (S12) and stop control process (S13), and thereby stop symbols are displayed on thevariable display sections3A to3I. However, in this fourth example, the stop of the variable display of thevariable display sections3A to3I is not necessarily performed simultaneously, and the time for the variable display of each of thevariable display sections3A to3I 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 thevariable display sections3A to3I are performed simultaneously, in the stop control process (S13), thevariable display section3B is firstly brought into a stop display state, next, thevariable display section3F is brought into a stop display state, and finally, thevariable display section3A is brought into a stop display state. As a result, the wholevariable display sections3A to3I 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.
• 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.
• (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.
• (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).
• (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).
• 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.
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the fourth example of the special advantage process.
• In the fourth example of the special advantage process, first, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines whether the stop sequence of the special variable display sections satisfies a predetermined condition (S81).
• Next, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs the above-described re-lottery process (S82).
• Finally, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs the win determination process, the winning combination determination process, and the winning state determination process (see S82) for each pay line on the basis of the stop symbols of thevariable display sections3A to3I that have been determined in the re-lottery process (S82). Then, when the winning combination is satisfied, a corresponding award is determined (S83). 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 (S82) can be acquired.
• When the win determination process and the like (S83) is completed, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the special advantage process, and returns the process back to the base game process (seeFIG. 5). When the process is returned back to the base game process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, ends the base game process, and returns the process back to the main process (seeFIG. 4).
• Alternatively, the re-lottery process (S82) may be modified as follows.
• (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.
• (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 (S82) and the win determination processes and the like (S83) 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.
• (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 somevariable display sections3A to3I 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.
• 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 thevariable display sections3A to3I except for the special variable display sections right before the re-lottery process is performed. For example, when the stop symbols displayed on thevariable display sections3A to3I 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 thevariable display sections3A to3I may be performed such that a reel having a symbol array including only the “Wild Joker” symbols and empty symbols rotates.
• The variable display sections that perform the variable display and stop display processes by using the re-lottery reel may not be the wholevariable display sections3A to3I and may be limited to the variable display sections assigned by the player or randomly determined by theslot machine1.
• Now, the description of the main process will be continued with reference back toFIG. 4.
• When the base game process (S2) ends, the process proceeds to Step S3, and theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, operates as transition determination means. Theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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 re-lottery process (S82).
• When theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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 thevariable display section3E is “Wild Joker”92. Alternatively, the transition condition may be satisfied by a combination of predetermined symbols.
• 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 thevariable display section3E and an image representing a message of “GET THE SPECIAL BONUS!!” are displayed on themain display3. In addition, themain CPU32 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 toStep4, and a bonus game process (S4) is performed.
• FIG. 15 shows a flowchart representing an example of the bonus game process.
• 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 theslot machine1 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.
• When the bonus game process (S4) is started, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, sequentially performs a bonus game lottery process (S91), a bonus game scroll process (S92), a special variable display section assigning process (S93), a bonus game stop control process (S94), and a special advantage process (95). By performing the processes from the bonus game lottery process (S91) to the special advantage process (S95), performing of the free game for one time is completed.
• Since the bonus game lottery process (S91), the bonus game scroll process (S92), the special variable display section assigning process (S93), the bonus game stop control process (S94), and the special advantage process (95) are the same as the base game lottery process (S10), the scroll process (S11), the special variable display section assigning process (S12), the stop control process (S13), and the special advantage process (S14) of the base game process (S2), detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.
• After the special advantage process (S95) is performed, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, determines whether free games are performed a predetermined number of times (S96). When it is determined that the free games are performed for the predetermined number of times (S96: Yes), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, 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 (S96: No), theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, returns the process back to the bonus game lottery process (S91) 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.
• In the embodiment, the base game process (seeFIG. 5) may be modified as follows.
• When a plurality of special variable display sections are assigned, a stop symbol replacement process for substituting the stop symbols of the special variable display sections may be performed as a part of the base game process.
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a base game process including the stop symbol replacement process.
• The base game process including this stop symbol replacement process is basically the same as the base game process shown inFIG. 5. However, in the base game process including this stop symbol replacement process, a stop symbol replacement process (S13A) is performed between the stop control process (S13) and the special advantage process (S14), which is different from the base game process shown inFIG. 5. To the same process as that in base game process shown inFIG. 5, the same reference sign is attached, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
• After performing processes from the base game lottery process (S10) to the stop control process (S13), theslot machine1, and more particularly themain CPU32 serving as replacement means according to an embodiment of the present invention performs the stop symbol replacement process (S13A). The stop symbol replacement process (S13A) is a process for substituting stop symbols of the special variable display sections (hereinafter, referred to as a selected special variable display section) selected from among the special variable display sections by themain CPU32 and/or the player. For example, it is assumed that the selected special variable display sections are avariable display section3A and a variable display section3I and the stop symbol of thevariable display section3A is “cherry” and the stop symbol of the variable display section3I is “single bar”. In such a case, when the stop symbol replacement process is performed, the stop symbol of thevariable display section3A is changed from “cherry” to “single bar” and the stop symbol of the variable display section3I is changed from “single bar” to “cherry”. By performing the substitution of the stop symbols, the winning combination achievement determination, the special advantage awarding on the basis of the special variable display sections, and a winning condition after the bonus game are determined on the basis of the stop symbol after the symbol replacement process. As a result, theslot machine1 can provide a special advantage, in addition to an ordinary award on the basis of the winning combination achievement on the pay lines L1 to L8, to the player.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the stop symbol replacement process. When the stop symbol replacement process is started, themain CPU32, first, performs an replacement target determination process (S101). The replacement target determination process is a process for determining selected special variable display sections whose stop symbols are to be replaced. The selected special variable display sections may be determined by themain CPU32, the player, or both themain CPU32 and the player.
• When the selected special variable display sections are to be determined by themain CPU32, themain CPU32 selects two or more special variable display sections as the selected special variable display sections by using random numbers. When the selected special variable display sections are to be determined by the player, themain CPU32 displays a message like “PLEASE TOUCH SPECIAL VARIABLE DISPLAY SECTIONS WHOSE SYMBOLS ARE TO BE REPLACED” for urging the player to select a special variable display section. Then, when the player touches a special variable display section desired to be substituted in accordance with the message, themain CPU32 determines the selected special variable display section on the basis of the position information output from thetouch panel3a. When the selected special variable display sections are to be determined by both themain CPU32 and the player, themain CPU32 determine one selected special variable display section by using a random number, then urges the player to select a special variable display section, and determines another selected special variable display section on the basis of the user's input. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the selected special variable display sections may be selected by using any other method.
• After the replacement target determination process (S101) is performed, themain CPU32 performs an replacement combination determination process (S102). The replacement combination determination process is a process for determining a method by which the replacement of the stop symbols is performed in the replacement target determination process (S101). For example, when three specialvariable display sections3A,3B, and3C are selected as the selected special variable display sections whose stop symbols are to be replaced, there are various combinations of the substitution. For example, a combination in which the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3B after substitution is changed to the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3A, the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3C after substitution is changed to a stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3B, and the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3A after substitution is changed to a stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3C may be used. Alternatively, a combination in which the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3C after substitution is changed to the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3A, the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3A after substitution is changed to the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3B, and the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3B after substitution is changed to the stop symbol of the selected specialvariable display section3C may be used. Themain CPU32 determines a combination from among a plurality of the combinations, which can be achieved, to be used for the substitution of the stop symbols. When the number of the special variable display sections to be substituted is two or less, one combination is determined, and accordingly, the substitution combination determination process (S102) is not performed.
• After the replacement combination determination process is performed, themain CPU32 performs a symbol code substituting process (S103). The symbol code substituting process is a process for substituting a symbol code of a stop symbol of a selected special variable display section with a symbol code of a stop symbol of another selected special variable display section in accordance with the combination determined in the replacement combination determination process. As an example, it is assumed that three specialvariable display sections3A,3B, and3C are selected as the selected special variable display sections whose stop symbols, are to be replaced. In this state, when a combination in which the stop symbol of thevariable display section3B after replacement is changed to the stop symbol “cherry” of thevariable display section3A, the stop symbol of thevariable display section3C after replacement is changed to a stop symbol “single bar” of thevariable display section3B, and the stop symbol of thevariable display section3A after replacement is changed to a stop symbol “double bar” of thevariable display section3C is determined, themain CPU32 changes the code number of the stop symbol of thevariable display section3A to the code number of “double bar”, changes the code number of the stop symbol of thevariable display section3B to the code number of “cherry”, and changes the code number of the stop symbol of thevariable display section3C to the code number of “double bar”
• Then, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs an win determination process and a winning state determination process, as in the above-described base game lottery process (S10). When a winning combination is achieved, themain CPU32 determines an award thereof (S104). These determination processes are performed on the basis of the stop symbols that have been changed after the symbol code substituting process is performed. As a result, after the stop symbol replacement process is performed, if a combination of the symbols that achieves a winning combination on the pay lines L1 to L8 is formed, the player can acquire an award corresponding to the achieved winning combination.
• Here, the description of the symbol replacement process is completed.
• In the above-described special variable display section assigning process (S11), the set number that is the number of the special variable display sections has been described to be determined by themain CPU32 by using a random number (see S21 shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 9, and S41 shown inFIG. 10). However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration for determination of the set number, and the set number may be configured to increase each time a predetermined condition is satisfied.
• When the above-described configuration in which the set number increases is used, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, changes the method of determining the set number to a method using a random number (see S21 shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 9, and S41 shown inFIG. 10) and performs a special variable display section number determination process described below. The special variable display section number determination process is a process for determining the number of the variable display sections assigned as the special variable display sections.
• In the special variable display section number determination process, although the number of the special variable display sections is configured to be increased by one each time the predetermined condition is satisfied, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the special variable display sections may be increased by a randomly determined number.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the special variable display section number determination process. Hereinafter, the special variable display section number determination process will be described with reference toFIG. 18.
• When the control proceeds to the special variable display section number determination process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, serving as special variable display section number determination means according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, determines whether a counter clear condition is satisfied (S111).
• Here, the counter is means for storing the number of the special variable display sections, and, for example, a predetermined storage area of theRAM33. The number stored in the counter is increased by one when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When a counter clear condition is satisfied, the counter is reset to a predetermined number (for example, “0” or “1”).
• The counter clear condition is a condition under which the number stored in the counter is reset. The counter clear condition is not limited to a specific condition, and any condition that can be determined by themain CPU32 may be set as the counter clear condition. As an example of the counter clear condition, achievement of a predetermined winning combination, elapse of a predetermined number of times of games, stop display of a predetermined symbol on a predetermined variable display section (or special variable display section), or the like may be set.
• In the counter clear condition determination process (S111), when themain CPU32 determines that the counter clear condition is satisfied (S111: Yes), themain CPU32 clears the value stored in the counter to be zero (S113). When the value stored in the counter is zero, any variable display section is not assigned as a special variable display section in the special variable display section assigning process (S11 shown inFIG. 5), that is, assignment of the special variable display section is not performed. After the counter is cleared (S113), themain CPU32 ends the special variable display section number determination process, and returns the process back to original base game process (FIG. 5).
• On the other hand, when themain CPU32 determines that the counter clear condition is not satisfied (S111: No) in the counter clear condition determination process (S111), themain CPU32 determines whether an increasing condition is satisfied (S112). The increasing condition is a condition under which the number of the special variable display sections is increased, and may be any condition that can be determined by themain CPU32. Examples of the increasing condition are achievement of a predetermined winning combination, elapse of a predetermined number of times of games, stop display of a predetermined symbol on a predetermined variable display section (or special variable display section), or the like
• In the increasing condition determination process (S112), when themain CPU32 determines that the increasing condition is satisfied (S112: Yes), themain CPU32 increases (increments) the value stored in the counter by one (S114). When the value stored in the counter is increased by one, one more variable display sections are assigned as the special variable display sections in the variable display section assigning process performed thereafter. After performing the increase in the value of the counter (S114), themain CPU32 ends the special variable display section number determination process and returns the process back to the original process.
• On the other hand, when themain CPU32 determines that the increasing condition is not satisfied (S112: No) in the increasing condition determination process (S112), themain CPU32 immediately ends the special variable display section number determination process without performing any process and returns the process back to the original process.
• Next, an example of a screen displayed on themain display3, and more particularly, an example of display on thevariable display sections3A to3I will be described as a description of an example of the operation of theslot machine1.
• FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged diagram of a screen (seeFIG. 7) displayed on themain display3 in the base game process and shows avariable display area30. The screen shown inFIG. 19 is an example of display of thevariable display area30 after the previous game is over and before the scroll process (FIG. 5: S12) thereafter is started. On this screen, the stop symbols in the previous game remain to be displayed on thevariable display sections3A to3I.
• FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the screen in a status in which the scroll process (S12) is started after the status shown inFIG. 19. In the variable display sections, variable display (scroll display) of symbols is performed. Arrows illustrated in thevariable display sections3A to3I indicates that the screen is in the process of variable display (scroll display).
• FIG. 21 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, thevariable display section3A is assigned as the special variable display section. On themain display3, in order to notify that thevariable display section3A is assigned as the special variable display section, aframe1501 surrounding thevariable display section3A is displayed. By thisframe1501, 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 theframe1501 is illustrated to be performed after the scroll process (FIG. 5: S12) is started, inFIGS. 19 to 21, the display of theframe1501 may be performed before the scroll process (FIG. 5: S12) is started.
• FIG. 22 shows an example of the screen in which the stop symbols are displayed on thevariable display sections3A to3I after the stop control process (FIG. 5: S13) following the scroll process shown inFIG. 21 is performed.
• In the example shown inFIG. 22, 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 (seeFIG. 11) of the special advantage process (FIG. 5: S14), since a symbol “cherry” of thevariable display section3A, which is the special variable display section, is treated as the almighty symbol “Wild Joker” by the symbol role changing process (S51), 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.
• Next, an example of a screen in the above-described second example (seeFIG. 12) of the special advantage process will be described.FIG. 23 shows an example of a screen in the second example (seeFIG. 12) of the special advantage process and is an example of a screen displayed on themain display3 after the status shown inFIG. 21.
• In this example, the symbol stopped to be displayed on thevariable display section3A, 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.
• 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, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a predetermined award awarding (see S62 inFIG. 12) 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”.
• Next, an example of a screen in the above-described third example (seeFIG. 13) of the special advantage process will be described.FIG. 24 shows an example of a screen in the third example of the special advantage process.
• In the third example of the special advantage process shown inFIG. 24, two special variable display sections are assigned. In other words, avariable display section3A and avariable display section3B are selected as the special variable display sections and are displayed to be surrounded byframes1501 and1502 indicating the special variable display sections.
• 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, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a special pay line setting process (S72 inFIG. 13). In the example shown inFIG. 24, a special pay line L9, which has a letter “V” shape, passing through thevariable display sections3A,3E, and3C 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. Theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs an win determination process and the like (S73) and pays out an award corresponding to the winning combination of “Double Bar:Double Bar:Double Bar” achieved on the special pay line L9.
• 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 thevariable display sections3A,3C, and3E 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 fourvariable display sections3A,3B,3C, and3E are selected as the special variable display sections, two special pay lines including a special pay line formed by the specialvariable display sections3A,3B, and3C and a special pay line formed by thevariable display sections3A,3E, and3C may be set.
• Next, an example of a screen in the above-described fourth example (seeFIG. 14) of the special advantage process will be described.FIG. 25 shows an example of a screen in the fourth example of the special advantage process and is an example of a screen displayed on themain display3 after the status shown inFIG. 21.
• In the example shown inFIG. 25, display of stop symbols except for thevariable display section3A, which is selected as the special variable display section, is completed, and a scroll display process is continued for thevariable display section3A selected as the special variable display section. Then, display of a stop symbol on thevariable display section3A 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 thevariable display section3A selected as the special variable display section is finally performed, is the same as the screen shown inFIG. 22.
• As described above, in the fourth example of the special advantage process, theslot machine1, more particularly, themain CPU32, performs a re-lottery process (S82 inFIG. 14) when the stop sequence of the special variable display sections satisfies a predetermined condition.FIG. 26 is an example of a screen in which a scroll process is performed on the basis of the result of the re-lottery process (S82). In this example, it is shown that the scroll display is performed on thevariable display sections3B to3I other than thevariable display section3A 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 thevariable display sections3B to3I, an win determination process and the like are performed on the basis of the stop symbols (S83), and the corresponding award is paid out in a case where a winning combination is achieved.
• Next, an example of a screen used in the special variable display section assigning process will be described.
• In the examples shown inFIGS. 19 to 26, themain CPU32 is described to assigns the special variable display sections in the special variable display section assigning process (S12). Hereinafter, examples of screens used in the special variable display section assigning process (S12) in a case (the special variable display section assigning process shown inFIG. 9) where the special variable display sections are assigned by a player and in a case (the special variable display section assigning process shown inFIG. 10) where the special variable display sections are assigned by themain CPU32 and the player will be described.
• FIG. 27 is an example of a screen used in the special variable display section assigning process shown inFIG. 9, that is, in a case where the special variable display section is assigned by the player.FIG. 27 shows a case where the special variable display section assigning process (S12) is performed after the scroll process (S11) is performed. On thevariable display sections3A to3I, the symbols are in the process of scroll display (denoted by arrows in the figure). The player touches an area of thevariable display section3A with his/her finger F so as to assigns thevariable display section3A as a special variable display section. The contact position of the finger F is detected by thetouch panel3aand themain CPU32 determines that thevariable display section3ais assigned as the special variable display section on the basis of the contact position.
• FIG. 28 is an example of a screen following the screen shown inFIG. 27 in the special variable display section assigning process. As shown inFIG. 28, themain CPU32 that determines that thevariable display section3A has been assigned as the special variable display section newly displays aframe1501 around thevariable display section3A on thevariable display area30 of the main display. Thisframe1501 serving to notify the player that thevariable display section3A is the special variable display section.
• FIG. 29 is an example of a screen in a case (the special variable display section assigning process shown inFIG. 10) where the special variable display sections are assigned by both themain CPU32 and the player. Prior to the display state shown inFIG. 29, as shown inFIG. 28, it is assumed that the player touched an area of thevariable display section3A with his/her finger F so as to assigns thevariable display section3A as a special variable display section. In addition, it is assumed that themain CPU32 assigned thevariable display section3F as the special variable display section by performing a lottery (S42 shown inFIG. 10) prior to the touch of the area of thevariable display section3A.
• In the example shown inFIG. 29, frames1501 and1502 indicative of the special variable display sections are displayed for thevariable display section3A assigned as the special variable display section by the player and thevariable display section3F assigned as the special variable display section by themain CPU32. At this moment, the symbols are in the process of scroll display, and variable display of the symbols is continued on thevariable display sections3A to3I. Thereafter, there is a possibility that a special advantage is provided for thevariable display sections3A and3F that are the special variable display sections.
• Next, an example of screen display used in the stop symbol replacement process shown inFIG. 17 will now be described.
• FIG. 30 is an example of a screen in a status in which the stop control process (S13) is completed in the base game process (FIG. 16). In this example, twovariable display sections3A and3F are assigned as the special variable display sections. Here, themain CPU32 performs the stop symbol replacement process (S13A shown inFIG. 17).
• The stop symbol of thevariable display section3A that is one of the special variable display sections is “triple bar”, and the stop symbol of thevariable display section3F that is the other one of the special variable display sections is “double bar”. The symbol combination of the stop symbols on the pay line L2 is “triple bar”, “double bar”, and “double bar”, whereby a winning combination is not achieved.
• In the above state, themain CPU32 performs the stop symbol replacement process for thevariable display sections3A and3F that are the special variable display sections. In accordance with a result of this process, themain CPU32 performs the symbol code substituting process (S103) such that the code number of the stop symbol of thevariable display section3A is changed from “triple bar” to “double bar” and the code number of the stop symbol of thevariable display section3F is changed from “double bar” to “triple bar”.
• FIG. 31 is an example of screen display after the symbol code substituting process (S103) is performed. In this example, in accordance with the result of the symbol code substituting process (S103), the stop symbol of thevariable display section3A is changed to be displayed from “triple bar” to “double bar”, and the stop symbol of thevariable display section3F is changed to be displayed from “double bar” to “triple bar”.
• As a result of the symbol code substituting process (S103), the stop symbols shown inFIG. 31 are determined. Although a winning combination is not achieved on the pay line L2 before the symbol code substituting process is performed, after the symbol code substituting process (103) is performed, the combination of the stop symbols is “double bar”, “double bar”, and “double bar”, whereby a winning combination of “double bar” is achieved.
• Although the symbol code substituting process does not always achieve a winning combination, it may achieve a winning combination, as shown inFIG. 31, depending on the stop symbols. Accordingly, a special advantage advantageous to the player can be awarded.
• The above described embodiment may be modified as follows.
• (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).
• (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).
• 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.
• 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 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; select at least one of the variable display sections; assign the selected 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.
• There is also 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 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; allow the player to select at least one of the variable display sections; assign the selected variable display sections as a special variable display section; and provide a special award to the player based on the special variable display section, the special award being advantageous to the player.
• As described in the above with reference to the embodiment, as a first aspect, 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 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; a selection means (for example, a main CPU) for selecting at least one of the plurality of variable display sections; an assignment means (for example, a main CPU) for assigning the at least one of the plurality of variable display sections selected by the selection means as a special variable display section (for example, a Mystery Position); and a 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.
• The gaming machine that has conventional activated pay lines can provide a player a change for acquiring a special advantage (a special award or an increase in winning probability, or the like) on the basis of the special variable display section in addition to an award determined on the basis of the activated pay lines. Thus, enthusiasm of the player for the game increases, and accordingly, it is possible to increase the operating ratio of the gaming machine.
• There is also provided, as a second aspect, 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 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 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, a hopper driving circuit, and a payout completion signal circuit) for assigning a variable display section selected by a player as a special variable display section; 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.
• While the gaming machine according to the first aspect determines the special variable display section by using the selection means included in the gaming machine, in the gaming machine according to the second aspect, the player freely determines the special variable display section, which is different from a case where the gaming machine according to the first aspect is used.
• In this gaming machine, the player plays the game while planning disposition of the special variable display sections for acquiring the special advantage, and accordingly, it is possible to add excitement due to the special variable display section in addition to excitement due to the base game.
• There is also provided, as a third aspect, 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 have determined that the stop symbols displayed on the plurality of variable display sections include the symbol combination forming the winning combination; a selection means (for example, a main CPU) for selecting at least one of the plurality of variable display sections; an assignment means for assigning the at least one of the plurality of variable display sections selected by the selection means and a variable display section selected by a player as special variable display sections; and a 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.
• In the gaming machine according to the third aspect, the special variable display sections are determined by both the selection means included in the gaming machine and the player, which make it different from the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect.
• In this gaming machine, in order to acquire the special advantage on the basis of the special variable display section, the player should select a special variable display section while predicting or assuming the assignment of the special variable display section performed by the selection means, and accordingly, it is possible for the player to enjoy a strategic and thrilling game.
• The gaming machine may further include replacement means (for example, a main CPU) that replaces the stop symbols of the special variable display section. In this gaming machine, the stop symbols of the special variable display sections are replaced with each other, and thus, a winning combination may be achieved after replacement even though the winning combination has not been achieved before the replacement, and accordingly, the player can have another chance for acquiring an award. In addition, since a winning combination may be achieved after the replacement depending on the assignment of the special variable display section, the determination of the special variable display section improves the excitement of the game.
• In the gaming machine, the special advantage awarding means may award the special advantage when the assignment means assigns a plurality of the special variable display sections and the plurality of the special variable display sections that have been assigned are in a predetermined positional relationship (for example, located on a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line).
• In this gaming machine, the player should assigns variable display sections as the special variable display sections such that the plurality of the special variable display sections have the predetermined relationship, while predicting or assuming the assignment of the special variable display section performed by the selection means, and accordingly, it is possible for the player to enjoy the game in selecting the special variable display sections in addition to playing the base game.
• According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, 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.
• The present invention may be applied to any kind of gaming machines that variably displays a plurality of symbols, such as a slot machine, a pachinko machine, or other gaming machines.

Claims (14)

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;

select at least one of the variable display sections;

assign the selected 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 toclaim 1, wherein the processor further operates to allow the player to select at least one of the variable display sections.

3. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein the processor further operates to perform a replacement of the stop symbol displayed in the special variable display section.

4. The gaming machine according toclaim 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.

5. 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;

allow the player to select at least one of the variable display sections;

assign the selected variable display sections as a special variable display section; and

provide a special award to the player based on the special variable display section, the special award being advantageous to the player.

6. The gaming machine according toclaim 5, wherein the processor further operates to perform a replacement of the stop symbol displayed in the special variable display section.

7. The gaming machine according toclaim 5, 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.

8. 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 lottery for determining the stop symbols to be displayed in the plurality of variable display sections;

a determination means for determining whether or not the stop symbols displayed in 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 means;

an award providing means for providing an award corresponding to the winning combination when the determination means determines that the stop symbols displayed in the plurality of variable display sections include the symbol combination forming the winning combination;

a selection means for selecting at least one of the variable display sections;

an assignment means for assigning the selected variable display section 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.

9. The gaming machine according toclaim 8, wherein the assignment means assigns the variable display section selected by the selection means and at least one of the variable display sections selected by the player as the special variable display section.

10. The gaming machine according toclaim 8 further comprising a replacement means for replacing the stop symbols of the special variable display section.

11. The gaming machine according toclaim 8, 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 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

12. 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 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 variable display sections selected by a player as a special variable display section; and

a special advantage awarding means for providing a special advantage advantageous to a player on the basis of the special variable display section assigned by the assignment means.

13. The gaming machine according toclaim 12 further comprising a replacement means for replacing the stop symbols of the special variable display section.

14. The gaming machine according toclaim 12, 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 are in a predetermined positional relationship.

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