Patent ID: 8544846
Filing Date: 2013-10-01
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A game machine, comprising: a game board provided with a playfield on which playing balls cascade downward; a launching-operation detector configured to detect a launching operation by a player to start launching the playing balls; an inserted-medium detector configured to detect that a predetermined inserted-medium is received into the game machine; a playing-time counter configured to start to count a predetermined time of play when said inserted-medium detector detects that a predetermined inserted-medium is received; a one-round-play execution device configured to perform one game play, at least until the predetermined time of play as counted by said playing-time counter has lapsed, when said inserted-medium detector detects that the predetermined inserted-medium is received; a launching device configured to launch the playing balls toward the playfield when the launching operation by the player is detected by said launching-operation detector under the condition that the one game play is currently performed by said one-round-play execution device; a win-hole detector configured to detect that the playing ball enters a predetermined win hole mounted on the playfield; a special electrically-movable-win-hole device being variable between an opening state in which the playing balls readily enter a special win hole provided on the playfield and a closing state for making it difficult for the playing balls to enter the special win hole; a start-up hole detector configured to detect that one of the playing balls enters a start-up hole provided on the playfield; a special game determination device configured to determine whether or not to perform a special game in which said special electrically-movable-win-hole device is driven into the opening state under the condition that said start-up hole detector has detected that one of the playing balls enters; and a special game controller configured to perform the special game under the condition that said special game determination device has determined to perform the special game; and a payout device configured to pay a payout medium different from the playing ball out whenever one of said win-hole detector and said start-up hole detector detects that the playing ball enters the predetermined win hole, wherein said one-round-play execution device continues to perform the one game play, after the predetermined time of play as counted by said playing-time counter has lapsed, when the special game controller performs the special game.