GAMING MACHINE, METHOD OF PROVIDING GAME, AND PROGRAM

A gaming machine includes an operation unit, a display unit configured to partially display a plurality of reels each having a series of symbols including credit symbols, the credit symbols being associated with predetermined credit values, and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes a processor programmed to spin and stop the plurality of reels; and provide an award based on symbol arrangements, wherein the processor is further programmed to remove all specific symbols from the display unit after stopping the plurality of reels to display the plurality of symbols on the display unit; move subsequent symbols following the removed symbols with respect to a spin direction of the reel to fill positions of the removed symbols, and provide the award based on the credit value associated with the credit symbols displayed on the display unit after moving the subsequent symbols.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-162244, filed on Oct. 7, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine, a method of providing a game, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,407 discloses an update process of symbol arrangements in which symbols constituting a winning combination are removed from the symbol arrangements and new symbol arrangements are formed. According to such update processing of symbol arrangements, a player can continue to hold expectations for winning even after the reel is stopped, and the player's interest in the game result is maintained for a long time.

SUMMARY

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,407, in a gaming machine in which the update process of symbol arrangements is adopted, symbols constituting a winning combination are removed from the symbol arrangements, and thus the types of symbols left without constituting a winning combination are only averagely distributed. In particular, only symbols having low ranks may remain when symbols having high ranks constitute a winning combination. Due to such circumstances, the player may not have great expectations for new symbol arrangements formed after symbols are removed, and the player's interest in the game result may be reduced. Therefore, an update process of symbol arrangements that can maintain and/or improve the player's interest even after symbols have been removed is expected.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gaming machine, a method of providing a game, and a program capable of providing a new game that maintains or improves the player's interest.

A gaming machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an operation unit configured to receive an operation of a player; a display unit configured to partially display a plurality of reels each having a series of symbols including credit symbols, the credit symbols being associated with predetermined credit values; and a control unit connected to the operation unit and the display unit, the control unit including a processor programmed to: spin and stop the plurality of reels in response to operating the operation unit by the player; and provide an award based on symbol arrangements formed on the display unit by the stopped plurality of reels, wherein the processor is further programmed to: remove all specific symbols from the display unit after stopping the plurality of reels to display the plurality of symbols on the display unit; move subsequent symbols following the removed symbols with respect to a spin direction of the reel to fill positions of the removed symbols; and provide the award based on the credit value associated with the credit symbols displayed on the display unit after moving the subsequent symbols.

A method of providing a game on a gaming machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the gaming machine including an operation unit configured to receive an operation of a player, a display unit configured to partially display a plurality of reels each having a series of symbols including credit symbols, the credit symbols being associated with predetermined credit values, and a control unit connected to the operation unit and the display unit, wherein the control unit includes a processor programmed to spin and stop the plurality of reels in response to the operation of the operation unit by the player and provide an award based on symbol arrangements formed on the display unit by the stopped plurality of reels, the method includes: spinning the plurality of reels in response to a player's operation of the operation unit; stopping rotation of the plurality of reels and displaying a plurality of symbols on the display unit; removing all specific symbols from the display unit; moving subsequent symbols following the removed symbols with respect to a spin direction of the reel to fill positions of the removed symbols; and providing an award based on the credit value associated with the credit symbols displayed on the display unit after moving the subsequent symbols.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer according to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the computer including an operation unit configured to receive an operation of a player, a display unit configured to partially display a plurality of reels each having a series of symbols including credit symbols, the credit symbols being associated with predetermined credit values, and a control unit connected to the operation unit and the display unit, wherein the control unit includes a processor programmed to spin and stop the plurality of reels in response to the operation of the operation unit by the player and provide an award based on symbol arrangements formed on the display unit by the stopped plurality of reels, the program causes the processor to: spin the plurality of reels in response to a player's operation of the operation unit; stop rotation of the plurality of reels and displaying a plurality of symbols on the display unit; remove all specific symbols from the display unit; move subsequent symbols following the removed symbols with respect to a spin direction of the reel to fill positions of the removed symbols; and provide an award based on the credit value associated with the credit symbols displayed on the display unit after moving the subsequent symbols.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a gaming machine, a method of providing a game, and a program capable of providing a new game that maintains and/or improves a player's interest.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. Here, the gaming machine is a device that receives a wager such as a cash, a medal, or a token from a player, starts a game, and pays a prize, an award, or a payout to the player according to a randomly determined game result. Such a gaming machine is designed and manufactured in accordance with local regulations, and is installed as a device in a licensed facility such as a casino after obtaining authorization by an authorization agency. A gaming machine10shown inFIG.1may receive a predetermined game value from the player, generate a game result, and provide a payout to the player in response to the game result and a pay table. The gaming machine10provides a video slot game as an example. The video slot game includes, for example, a normal game, a free game, and a feature game. The normal game, the free game, and the feature game are provided when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the normal game, the free game, and the feature game, symbols displayed in the display area constitute a combination of symbols as a game result, and a winning is determined by the combination.

As shown inFIG.1, the gaming machine10includes a display16(an example of a display unit) and a cabinet12. The cabinet12also houses a control unit22(seeFIG.2) for controlling the components of the gaming machine10.

The display16is a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. The display16is controlled via the control unit22to provide a game screen to the player. An illumination36may be provided around the display16to provide decorative lighting.

The cabinet12is disposed below the display16. A control panel18is provided on the front surface of the cabinet12so as to project forward. The control panel18is provided with a player tracking unit20, speakers26, a bill/ticket identification unit28, a printer unit30, and an operation unit32.

The player tracking unit20includes a card reader for recognizing a player identification card, a display for presenting a data to the player, and a keypad for receiving input by the player. The player tracking unit20cooperates with the control unit22or an external system to read information recorded on the player identification card inserted into the card reader by the player and display the information and/or information acquired by communicating with the external system on a display. Furthermore, input from the player is received by the keypad, the display is changed according to the input, and communication with an external system is performed as necessary.

The speakers26are provided on the left and right of the control panel18. The speakers26are controlled via the control unit22to provide sound to the player.

The bill/ticket identification unit28may be housed in the cabinet12with the insertion opening exposed through which the bill/ticket is inserted. An identification part for identifying bill/ticket by various sensors is provided inside the insertion port. A bill/ticket storage part is provided on the output side of the identification part. The bill/ticket identification unit28accepts bill/tickets (including vouchers and coupons) that are the gaming value, identifies them as the gaming value, and notifies the control unit22.

The printer unit30may be accommodated in the cabinet12in a state where a ticket output port through which the ticket is output is exposed. A printing part for printing predetermined information on a printing paper is provided inside the ticket output port, and a housing part for housing the printing paper is provided on the paper inlet side of the printing part. The printer unit30, under control of the control unit22, prints information on paper and outputs a ticket from the gaming machine10according to credit payout processing. The output ticket may be inserted into the bill/ticket identification unit28of another gaming machine to use the payout credit for game play, or may be exchange for cash by a kiosk terminal inside of the casino or casino cage.

The operation unit32receives an operation of the player. The operation unit32includes a group of buttons for receiving various instructions from the player on the gaming machine10. The operation unit32, for example, may include a group of spin buttons and setting buttons. The spin button receives an instruction to start an instance of a game (start rotation of reel). The group of setting buttons includes a group of line-designation buttons, a group of bet buttons, a cash-out button and the like. The group of bet buttons receives an instruction operation related to a credit amount of a bet (bet amount) from a player. The cash-out button receives an instruction operation for instructing payout of credit accumulated in the gaming machine10.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a gaming machine. The gaming machine10includes the control unit22. The control unit22includes a central processing unit (CPU)38including a processor constituting the control unit22, an interface unit40, a memory42, a storage44, and the like. The control unit22may be housed inside the cabinet12as a control board. The control unit22is configured to be able to communicate with each unit via the interface unit40, and controls the operation of each unit by executing a program recorded in the memory42(an example of a storage unit) and/or the storage44(an example of a storage unit) of CPU38to provide a game to the player.

The interface unit40includes a chipset that provides communication functions of CPU38, such as a memory bus connected to the CPU38, various expansion buses, a serial interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an Ethernet interface (registered trademark) and the like.

The memory42may include a random-access memory (RAM) that is a volatile storage medium, a read only memory (ROM) that is a nonvolatile storage medium, and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) that is a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium. The storage44provides the control unit22with a function as an external storage device, and can use a reading device such as a memory card and a magneto-optical disk which are removable storage media, and can also use a hard disk.

The bill/ticket identification unit28, the printer unit30, a player tracking unit20, a graphic controller (GPU: Graphics Processing Unit)50, an input controller52, a sound controller53, and an illumination controller54are connected to the interface unit40. The graphic controller50, the input controller52, the sound controller53, and the illumination controller54may be housed inside cabinet12as control boards.

The control unit22is connected to the display16via the graphic controller50. The control unit22is connected to the operation unit32via the input controller52. The control unit22is connected to the illumination36via the illumination controller54.

The control unit22controls each unit by executing programs stored in the memory42and the storage44, and provides the game to the player. Here, for example, the program and data of the operating system and subsystem providing basic functions of the control unit22may be stored in the EEPROM of the memory42, and the program and data of the application providing the game may be stored in the storage44. According to such a configuration, the game can be easily changed or updated by exchanging the storage44. Furthermore, the control unit22may have a multiprocessor configuration including a plurality of CPUs.

Hereinafter, each block connected to the control unit22will be described. The bill/ticket identification unit28accepts the bill/ticket at the insertion port and notifies the control unit22of identification information corresponding to the assortment of bills or payout processing of credit. The control unit22increases the credit amount usable in the game according to the notified contents. The printer unit30prints information corresponding to payout processing of credit from the gaming machine10on a ticket and output under the control of the control unit22which receives the operation of a cash-out button included in the operation unit32.

The player tracking unit20cooperates with the control unit22to transmit and receive player information and the like to and from the casino management system. The graphic controller50controls the display16under control of the control unit22to display a display image including various graphics data. The sound controller53drives the speakers26under the control of the control unit22to provide various sounds such as announcements, sound effects, BGM and the like. The illumination controller54performs lighting control of the illumination36under the control of the control unit22.

The interface unit40includes various communication interfaces for communicating with the exterior of the gaming machine10. The interface unit40may communicate with external networks by Ethernet58,60and a serial interface62, as examples.FIG.2shows an example of communication with other the gaming machine10, a known server-side gaming network (Server-Based gaming), a G2S network (Game to system), and a slot information system (Slot Data System).

FIG.3is a diagrammatic illustration of a display area of the gaming machine inFIG.1. As shown inFIG.3, a game screen having a symbol display area64for displaying a slot game is displayed on the display16by the control unit22executing a predetermined program. The symbol display area64is displayed in an area below the game screen as an example. An area65on which information related to the game is displayed are prepared above the symbol display area64.

The symbol display area64includes a grid68capable of displaying symbols. By using such a display area, the gaming machine10operates as a slot machine that performs a winning determination according to a combination of symbols displayed on the grid68in the symbol display area64and provides a payout.

The display16displays a plurality of symbols in the grid68. The grid68includes a plurality of rows and columns. The grid68is constituted by a plurality of a cell70which are stop positions of symbols.FIG.3illustrates a game screen including a plurality of cells arranged in a 5×3 grid pattern. The number of columns and the number of rows of the grid are not particularly limited, and may be another configuration such as 5×4, 3-4-4-4-3, 6×3, 6×4, or 3-3-3-5-5, or may be a configuration that increases or decreases according to the game development and/or the bet amount. One symbol is stopped and displayed on each of a plurality of the cell70in the symbol display area64.

The symbol arranged in each of the plurality of cells70is determined by using a virtual reel strip for displaying a virtual reel66.FIGS.4A and4Bare figures showing a virtual reel set employed in a normal game and a free game. The virtual reel set includes a plurality of virtual reel strips, and the virtual reel strip includes symbol arrangements indicating the order of symbols displayed in the display area. As shown inFIG.4A, on each the cells70of the grid68, symbols are displayed based on symbol arrangements of the virtual reel66including a virtual reel strips72,74,76,78, and80which form a virtual reel set82. That is, the cells70of the grid68correspond to the virtual reel strips72to80by column, and the symbols arranged in predetermined parts of each virtual reel strips72to80are displayed. Furthermore, by moving (scrolling or spinning) each symbol by column based on the symbol arrangement of the virtual reel strips72to80, the symbols displayed in the cells70of the grid68change, and by stopping the movement (scrolling or spinning) by columns, the symbols are stopped. Here, the virtual reel strips72to80are data where the control unit22uses a program having the memory42or the storage44, and data showing the symbol arrangement (i.e., the order of symbols on each reel) regulated by each cell column. The virtual reel set82is a general term for such virtual reel strips72to80.

The virtual reel strips72to80illustrated inFIG.4Aare constituted by symbols in each symbol position86, and these symbols are arranged in an order defined for each reel. The number of symbols forming the virtual reel strips72to80is not limited thereto, and may be a desired number. The number of symbols forming the virtual reel strips72to80may be the same or may be different from each other.

FIG.5is a detail of the symbols84shown inFIG.4A. Each of the virtual reel strips72to80includes symbols selected from a symbol set88of various the symbol84shown inFIG.5. The symbol set88includes card symbols (“9”, “10”, “J”, “Q”, “K”, and “A”) imitating playing cards as regular symbols, and picture symbols (“Pic-A”, “Pic-B”, “Pic-C”, “Pic-D”, and “Pic-E”) indicating a pattern.

The symbol set88includes a wild symbol (“Wild”) that is substituted as another symbol when a winning combination is determined, a scatter symbol (“Scatter”) that triggers a free game in response to the appearance of a predetermined number of symbols when a winning combination is determined, and a credit symbol (“Credit”) to which a predetermined credit value is provided at the time of winning. Since the credit symbol urges the player to directly understand the credit that can be acquired and to directly understand the chance by the appearance of the credit symbol with which the high credit is associated, the player's interest can be maintained or improved. The credit symbol can be, for example, a predetermined picture symbol such as coin on which the associated credit amount is displayed. Furthermore, the credit amount may not be displayed on the credit symbol while the symbol is changed, and the credit amount may be displayed after the symbol is stopped, or the credit amount may be displayed when winning occurs after the symbol is stopped.

A plurality of virtual reel sets may be prepared according to the game content. For example, the virtual reel set used in the normal game may be different from the virtual reel set used in the free game. The virtual reel set in the free game may include more picture symbols or wild symbols than the virtual reel set in the normal game. It is possible to increase the winning probability during the free game, and it is possible to provide the player with a valuable free game.

FIG.4Bis a figure showing a virtual reel set employed in a feature game. The virtual reel set shown inFIG.4Bis different from the virtual reel set shown inFIG.4Ain that it includes symbols removed after the symbols are stopped and displayed, and is the same in other respects. As will be described later, in the feature game, picture symbols, wild symbols, and scatter symbols are removed after the symbols are stopped and displayed. The card symbols displayed in gray does not contribute to award although it is not removed after the symbols are stopped and displayed. In the feature game, award is provided based on the credit values associated with the credit symbols that are stopped and displayed. Hereinafter, symbols that are removed after being stopped and displayed are also referred to as specific symbols. The specific symbols may be a predetermined symbol such as “Pic-A” or “Pic-B”, or may be specific types of symbols such as a picture symbol or a card symbol.

The control unit22starts the game and randomly determines the stopping position of each of the virtual reel strips72to80. The virtual reel strips72to80displayed on the display16moves (scrolls or spins) from the current position and stops based on the stopping position to represent the game result. Therefore, in the display16or the grid68, the symbols included in the virtual reel strips72to80fluctuate in accordance with continuous movement (scrolling or spinning) of the virtual reel strips72to80in the vertical direction of the symbol display area64, and are displayed such that one symbol is stopped in one cell70according to the order of the symbols defined in the virtual reel strips72to80.

The control unit22may be configured to change a plurality of symbols displayed on the display16by the above-described method in accordance with the operation of the player received by the operation unit32, stop the symbols in a predetermined order, and provide a payout in accordance with the symbols stopped in the symbol display area64.

Pay lines are set for the symbol display area64. For example, pay line is set so as to extend from cell in the leftmost column to the rightmost column. An example of the pay line can be composed of any cell in the leftmost column, any cell in the second column from the left, any cell in the third column from the left, any cell in the fourth column from the left, and any cell in the fifth column from the left (rightmost column). In the 5×3 matrix, 243 (3 to the 5th power) types of pay lines can be set, however, 40 types or 50 types of pay lines may be set. Such a pay line is activated by being selected by the player, and becomes a winning line. The winning line is a line for determining winning by combining a plurality of the cells70. The number of winning lines can be selected by operating a group of line-designation buttons included in a group of setting buttons of the operation unit32for a player. Alternatively, all of the set pay lines may be set as winning lines regardless of the player's selection. With respect to the game result which is a combination of symbols, the control unit22determines winning when the same symbols are aligned on a winning line in excess of a predetermined number, and provides a payout to the player in accordance with the type and number of symbols.

The gaming machine10according to the present embodiment provides three kinds of game, for example, normal game (also referred to as a main game or a prime game) provided when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and first and second special games provided when the predetermined condition is satisfied. The first special game is a feature game, and a feature function advantageous to the player, which will be described later, is applied when a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied. The second special game is a free game, and a predetermined number of times of free games not consuming a game value are provided when a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied.

In the normal game, the first special game, and the second special game, symbols displayed in the symbol display area64among symbol arrangements being game results are subject to winning determination. That is, the control unit22that has started the game randomly determines a stopping position for each of the virtual reel strips72to80shown inFIG.4A or4B, and expresses an operation in which the virtual reel strips72to80moves from the current position and stops at the stopping position using the display16. Accordingly, in the symbol display area64, the symbols arranged on the virtual reel strips72to80continuously move (scroll) in the vertical direction, and stop so that one symbol is displayed on one the cell70while maintaining continuity.

However, in the present embodiment, at the time of the feature game, the feature function described below is applied, and as a result, the symbol arrangements once displayed in the symbol display area64are updated to different symbol arrangements. Hereinafter, an update process of symbol arrangements applied in the feature game will be described with reference toFIGS.6to16.

As an example, a case where the control unit22spins and stops the virtual reel strips72to80and displays symbol arrangements shown inFIG.6on the symbol display area64of the display16will be described. First, it is assumed that the trigger condition of the feature game is satisfied. The trigger condition of the feature game is, for example, a case where symbol arrangements displayed in the normal game or the free game include one or more credit symbols and a random number acquired at the start of the game is within a predetermined range.

When the trigger condition for the feature game is satisfied, the control unit22causes the display16to display a message notifying the player of the start of the feature game (seeFIG.7), and starts the feature game. Then, the control unit22removes all of the picture symbols, the wild symbols, and the scatter symbols as specific symbols among the symbols displayed on the symbol display area64of the display16. To be more specific, the control unit22removes the picture symbol “Pic-B” in upper row regarding the virtual reel strip72, the scatter symbol “Scatter” in middle row regarding the virtual reel strip74, the picture symbol “Pic-B” in upper row regarding the virtual reel strip76, the wild symbols “Wild” in middle and lower rows regarding the virtual reel strip76, the picture symbols “Pic-E” and “Pic-C” in upper and lower rows regarding the virtual reel strip78, the scatter symbol “Scatter” in middle row regarding the virtual reel strip78, and the wild symbol “Wild” in upper row regarding the virtual reel strip80.

Before removing the specific symbols, the control unit22may add target marks to the specific symbols to notify the player of the removal of the symbols. In addition, as shown inFIG.8, the control unit22may display an animation in which the symbol with the target marks are destroyed by a gunshot, so that the player can easily understand that the removed symbols are invalidated. When the control unit22removes the card symbols, the cell in which the card symbols had been displayed becomes blank cells in which no symbol is displayed.

The control unit22then fills the blank cells with subsequent symbols following the removed specific symbols. More specifically, the subsequent symbols are symbols displayed on the symbol display area64subsequent to the removed card symbols during rotation of the virtual reel strip, and are symbols positioned above the removed specific symbols inFIGS.4B and8. As shown inFIGS.9and10, the control unit22fills the blank cells by moving the subsequent symbols downward.FIG.9shows a state in which the subsequent symbols displayed on the symbol display area64move downward.FIG.10shows a state in which subsequent symbols outside the area that are not displayed in the symbol display area64move into the area. The control unit22fills all blank cells as shown inFIG.11by moving subsequent symbols to display symbols in all cells the symbol display area64of the display16.

In the present embodiment, the control unit22pays out the total amount of displayed credit symbols when the credit symbols are newly displayed as a result of performing the update processing of the symbol arrangements described above (i.e., removing specific symbols and moving subsequent symbols). For example, inFIG.11, by updating the symbol arrangements shown inFIG.7, new credit symbols are displayed in the upper row of a reel76and the middle row of a reel78, so that the total amount of displayed credit symbols is paid out. Then, the control unit22repeats the update processing of the symbol arrangements described above until no specific symbols newly occur in the symbol display area64of the display16.

For example, inFIG.11, after the update processing of symbol arrangements, picture symbol “Pic-A” in the upper row regarding the virtual reel strip72, wild symbol “Wild” in the middle row regarding the virtual reel strip72, wild symbol “Wild” regarding the upper row of the virtual reel strip74, scatter symbol “Scatter” in the middle row regarding the virtual reel strip76, and picture symbol “Pic-A” in the upper row regarding the virtual reel strip78are still present as specific symbols. For this reason, the control unit22further repeats the update process to remove those specific symbols. That is, as shown inFIG.12, in the control unit22, the specific symbols are removed, and the cells at the positions where the specific symbols are displayed are made blank cells.

The control unit22then fills the blank cells with subsequent symbols following the removed specific symbols. As shown inFIGS.13and14, the control unit22fills the blank cells by moving the subsequent symbols downward.FIG.13shows a state in which the subsequent symbol displayed on the symbol display area64moves downward.FIG.14shows a state in which subsequent symbols outside the area that are not displayed in the symbol display area64move into the area. The control unit22fills all blank cells as shown inFIG.15by moving subsequent symbols to display symbols in all cells in the symbol display area64of display16.

InFIG.15, the specific symbols do not exist in the symbol display area64of the display16. Therefore, the control unit22does not perform the update processing of the symbol arrangements and finalizes the symbol arrangements of the symbol display area64. In addition, since the credit symbol is not newly displayed, processing for paying out the total amount of the displayed credit symbol is not executed.

Finally, the control unit22displays a message notifying the player of the end of the feature game on the display16(seeFIG.16), and ends the feature game. The control unit22may display the total amount won in the feature game.

The control unit22may highlight the credit symbols and the specific symbols, and weaken the display by graying out or reducing the brightness of the other symbols. As a result, since only the symbols contributing to award are highlighted, the player can more intuitively understand the game.

The control unit22may determine symbols served as specific symbols or the types of symbols by a lottery using random numbers. In this case, since only the symbol “Pic-B” becomes the specific symbol in a certain feature game or the card symbol becomes the specific symbol in the next feature game, a feature game with a change can be provided. In another embodiment, all of the picture symbols may become the specific symbols when the control unit22determines those type of symbols served as the specific symbols.

The control unit22may remove the symbols displayed at the determined display positions (specific display positions) as specific symbols. The determined display positions are determined by a lottery using random numbers from among display positions other than the display positions displaying the credit symbols, for example. In this case, in a certain feature game, the symbol in the upper row regarding the virtual reel strip72becomes the specific symbol in a certain feature game, or the symbol in the lower row regarding the virtual reel strip80becomes the specific symbol in the next feature game, it is possible to provide a more varied feature game.

The control unit22performs the update process of symbol arrangements when the specific symbols are present in the symbol display area64of the display16, but is not limited thereto. The control unit22may execute the update process in a case where the symbol arrangements formed on the display16by stopping a plurality of reels include specific symbols equal to or greater than a predetermined number, or may execute the update process in a case where the symbol arrangements include predetermined symbols, for example, scatter symbols. In this manner, the control unit22may remove specific symbols when symbol arrangements formed on the display16due to the plurality of reels stopping satisfy a predetermined condition. Alternatively, when the control unit22is determined by a lottery using random numbers, the specific symbols may be removed.

The control unit22may enlarge the symbol display area64described above at the beginning of the feature game. In the control unit22, the symbol display area64is enlarged along the extending direction of the columns so that the number of symbols forming at least one column is increased in the symbol display area64in which symbols are displayed in a plurality of columns. That is, the symbol display area64is enlarged by enlarging the display area corresponding to the virtual reel strips72to80in the extending direction of the virtual reel strips. In the virtual reel strips72to80, the display areas corresponding to some virtual reel strips may be enlarged, or the display areas corresponding to all virtual reel strips may be enlarged. The enlarged size of the display area may be different for each of the virtual reel strips72to80or may be the same for all the virtual reel strip72to80. Since the probability that the credit symbol is newly displayed by the update processing of the symbol arrangements is increased by enlarging the symbol display area64, the player can expect high award by the enlargement of the symbol display area64.

FIG.17shows an example in which the symbol display area64with 5×3 matrix is changed to the symbol display area64A with 5×5 matrix. InFIG.17, since the symbol display area64is enlarged, the credit symbol is newly displayed at the most upper row regarding the virtual reel strip78. The control unit22may pay out the total amount of the displayed credit symbol even when the credit symbol is newly displayed due to the enlargement of the symbol display area64. In this case, the player can intuitively understand the merit of the enlargement of the symbol display area64, and can expect the payout process when the symbol display area64is enlarged, so that the player's interest can be further maintained or improved.

FIGS.18and19are a directory configuration diagram and a block diagram showing a program and data stored in the memory ofFIG.2.FIG.20is a block diagram of the game application program ofFIG.19.FIG.21is a block diagram of the system application program shown inFIG.19. In the embodiments shown inFIGS.18to21, the memory42stores a game application program92including computer-executable instructions, and processing of the game is performed by executing these computer-executable instructions in CPU38, and the game screen is displayed on the display16in the gaming machine10. Also, in one embodiment, the game application program92includes a program code94and a program object data96that includes computer-executable instructions for implementing a game using the algorithms shown inFIGS.22and23.

In an exemplary embodiment, the memory42stores the game application program92and a system application program98including computer-executable instructions that are executed in the CPU38to process the game and display a game screen on the display16of the gaming machine10. The game application program92provides a game specific/front-end function by executing on the CPU, and the system application program98provides a generic/back-end function. In the illustrated embodiment, the game application program92and the system application program98are implemented on the same operating system. However, it should be noted that these programs may be implemented on different operating system and/or by different processors.

In one embodiment, the game application program92includes a plurality of software modules including a bet/payline button listener module100, a start button listener module102, a credit balance manager module104, a sampling manager106, random number generator (RNG)108, a comparison manager110, a game result generator112, a win evaluator114, a game presentator116, a game graphics presentator118, a game sound presentator120, a win indicator122, an award provider124, an application manager126, and an external communicator128. The game application program92may also include a pay table130, a reel strip data132, and a stop position table134.

The bet/payline button listener module100is a software module for receiving a signal from a bet button34or a line-designation button33of the operation unit32, the signal is generated by buttons when the player operates the buttons to select bet amount or the number of pay lines to activate. In response to receiving the signal, the bet/payline button listener module100communicates the occurrence of the signal to the application manager126for changing the configuration of the activated pay line or betting the game.

The start button listener module102is a software module for receiving a signal from a start button, which is generated when the player operates the button to start a game. In response to receiving the signal, the start button listener module102communicates the occurrence of the signal to the application manager126to initiate the game.

In response to receiving a signal from the start button listener module102, the application manager126requests the sampling manager106to obtain the required number of random numbers from the random number generator108.

The random number generator108is a software module for generating random numbers based on predetermined algorithm of computational random generation method. The random number generator108may be a pseudorandom generator. The random number generator108returns the random numbers in response to a request from the sampling manager106. The random number generator108may be implemented in part or in whole as integrated circuits or wired logic.

The comparison manager110compares the current state of the game and/or each random number with the reel strip data132and the stop position table134, and specifies the stopping position of the corresponding reel strip based on each random number.

The reel strip data132has virtual reel strips for normal games, free games, and special games. The comparison manager110described above queries the application manager126to identify the current state of the game and selects virtual reel strips.

The stop position table134includes a range of random numbers associated with each stopping position of the virtual reel strip. The comparison manager110determines the stopping position of each reel based on the corresponding random number and the stop position table134.

The game result generator112generates a game result based on the selected reel layout, the stopping position of each reel, the stopping position of the inner symbol, and the attribute to be added. In one embodiment, the game result generator112may apply a modification on the game result when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The win evaluator114evaluates the game result with reference to the pay table130. To be specific, the winning evaluation is performed based on whether a symbol defined as a winning combination in the pay table130stops on a pay line set as a winning line in the symbol display area64.

The game presentator116utilizes the game graphics presentator118and the game sound presentator120to provide a game presentation process consisting of video animation and sound to eventually form a predetermined game result.

The game sound presentator120provides a sound presentation process by using the sound controller53and speakers26. The win indicator122indicates a winning combination and a payment condition of prize symbols formed in the game result. The award provider124provides award credit to the win meter based on the win evaluation.

The application manager126administrates the operation and state of each software module. In addition, the application manager126administrates the configuration, progress and states of the game application program92. The application manager126refers to a gaming state storage unit127, determines the size of the symbol display area64based on the stored game state, and provides the game. The external communicator128communicates instructions and data with the system application program98.

The credit balance manager module104executes a process for decrementing the credit balance according to the bet amount and incrementing the credit balance based on the total amount of winnings displayed on the winning meter. The pay table130includes a payout amount or award amount associated with each winning combination.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system application program98provides back ground processing and functions other than game specific functions. The system application program98includes a plurality of software modules including a system manager142, a security manager144, a slot management module146, a denomination manager148, a data logger150, a communications manager152, a bill acceptor manager154, a metering module156, and a cashout manager158.

The system application program98may include a game recall file160, an accounting log162, and a meter164. The system manager142is a software module for administrating all of the back-ground processing and functions other than game specific functions conducted by the system application program98.

The security manager144is a software module for administrating game verification, door security and monitoring security sensors. The slot management module146is a software module for administrating data accumulation and communicating with an external slot information system.

The denomination manager148is a software module for establishing the denomination setting of the gaming machine10. The denomination setting may include 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 25 cents, 1 dollar, 5 dollars and the like. The data logger150is a software module for logging the results of each game in a game recall. In addition, the data logger150stores error events, bill logs, cashout logs, ticket logs, and the like in an accounting log.

The game recall file160is an accumulated data including the results of each game. The game recall file160is stored in non-volatile memory. The accounting log162is an accumulated data including error events, bill logs, cashout logs, ticket logs and the like. The accounting log162is stored in non-volatile memory.

The communications manager152is a software module for administrating communication between the game application program92and the system application program98. The communications manager152also administrates network communications between the system application program98and other the gaming machine10, external network such as slot management system network, G2S network, gaming server for server-based gaming network or VLT system network.

The bill acceptor manager154is a software module for managing bill acceptors, and accepts bill information inserted in the bill acceptor. In response to receiving the information from the bill acceptor, the bill acceptor manager154communicates with the metering module to increment the credit balance based on the inserted bill.

The metering module156is a software module for adjusting the value of the meter164in response to communication with the game application program92via the communications manager152, the bill acceptor manager154or the cashout manager158. The meter164includes a credit meter to indicate the current credit balance of the gaming machine and a win meter to indicate the total amount of wins for the current gaming session. The meter further includes background meters, such as coin-in, coin-out, total drop, attendant paid jackpot and/or bill-in. These meters may be implemented as a data on non-volatile memory or hardware meters.

The cashout manager158is a software module for administrating a cashout procedure. In response to the player's operation on the cashout button, the cashout manager158is activated and the gaming machine pays the total amount of credit meters in cash or a voucher.

FIGS.22and23are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the gaming machine. The algorithm (gaming method) of the operation of the gaming machine is implemented in the game application program92and is embodied by the CPU38executing the game application program92. The operation of the gaming machine includes a plurality of steps. Each step may be performed independently or may be performed in combination with other steps.

In step S10, upon receiving a game start operation by the player and receiving an operation of the spin button from the player, the control unit22subtracts the set total bet amount from credit and acquires a predetermined number of random numbers required to provide the game. The random numbers are generated internally in the random number generator108in the control unit22. The control unit22may acquire the random numbers from a random number generator provided separately from the control unit22, or may acquire the random numbers from devices such as servers provided outside the gaming machine10.

In step S12, the control unit22determines the credit amount or jackpot tier associated with each credit symbol. The control unit22determines the credit amount or jackpot tier based on the random number obtained in step S10. The jackpot tier is a level corresponding to the magnitude of the winning award, such as MINI, MAJOR, MAXI, or MEGA.

In steps S14and S16, the control unit22starts and stops the spinning of the plurality of reels. As a result, a plurality of symbols is displayed on the symbol display area64, the displayed symbols change, and a symbol combination is displayed on the symbol display area64as a game result.

In step S18, the control unit22determines whether the symbol combination displayed as the game result on the symbol display area64matches a winning combination. As an example, the control unit22determines a winning based on the symbol combination displayed in the symbol display area64, the winning combination, and the set payline. When it is determined that there is a win (step S18: YES), the control unit22awards an amount corresponding to the prize as step S20. For example, the control unit22adds an amount corresponding to the win to the held credit.

When it is determined that there is no win (step S18: NO) or when the provision of awards (step S20) is completed, the control unit22determines whether the trigger condition is satisfied as step S22. For example, when the symbol combination displayed on the symbol display area64includes one or more credit symbols and the random number acquired in step S10is within a predetermined range, it is determined that the trigger condition is satisfied. The control unit22may change the predetermined range of random numbers in accordance with the number of credit symbols displayed on the symbol display area64. For example, the control unit22may expand the predetermined range of random numbers as the number of credit symbols displayed on the symbol display area64increases. Accordingly, the trigger condition is more likely to be satisfied as the number of displayed credit symbols is larger.

When it is determined that the trigger condition is satisfied (step S22: YES), the control unit22provides the feature game (step S24). When the provision of the feature game (step S24) is ended or when it is determined that the trigger condition is not satisfied (step S22: NO), the flowchart illustrated inFIG.22is ended.

As illustrated in step S30ofFIG.23, when the feature game is started, the control unit22expands the symbol display area64based on the random number acquired in step S10.

Subsequently, in step S32, the control unit22removes all the specific symbols displayed on the symbol display area64of the display16, and makes the cell displaying the specific symbols blank cell (blank white) (seeFIG.8). Next, in step S34, the control unit22moves the subsequent symbols of the specific symbols present in the area of the symbol display area64downward (seeFIG.9). Furthermore, the control unit22moves the subsequent symbols existing outside the area of the symbol display area64downward (seeFIG.10). As a result, all blank cells are filled as shown inFIG.11, and symbols are displayed in all cells in the symbol display area64of the display16.

Subsequently, in step S36, the control unit22determines whether a new credit symbol appears in the symbol display area64of the display16. When it is determined that a new credit symbol has appeared (step S36: YES), the control unit22pays the total amount of all displayed credit symbols as step S38. When it is determined that the new credit symbol does not appear (step S36: NO), the control unit22determines whether it is immediately after the start of the feature game as step S40. When it is determined that it is immediately after the start of the feature game (step S40: YES), the control unit22pays the total amount of all displayed credit symbols as step S38. In this way, even if the credit symbol is not newly displayed, the total value of the credit symbols is paid only immediately after the trigger. Thus, the payment is guaranteed for the credit symbol when the trigger condition is satisfied. When the payment of the total amount of credit symbols (step S38) is completed, or when it is determined that it is not immediately after the start of the feature game (step S40: NO), the control unit22determines whether or not specific symbols exist in the symbol display area64of the display16as step S42. When it is determined that the specific symbols exist in the symbol display area64of the display16(step S42: YES), the process returns to step S32, and the processes of steps S32to S40are performed again. That is, the processes of steps S42to S32are repeated until no specific symbols newly occur in the symbol display area64of the display16by the determination process of step S40. When the specific symbols do not exist in the symbol display area64of the display16(step S42: NO), the feature game is ended.

As described above, in the gaming machine10, since the process of changing the symbol arrangements is displayed by the stepwise animation in the feature game, the player can enjoy the process of generating the high payout. In addition, since the gaming machine10changes and updates symbols according to the arrangement of virtual reel strips even in the feature game, it is possible to give the player a sense of fairness that is not an arbitrary game result.

The gaming machine10may be client computing devices, in which case the game is delivered from a network-server computer system to one or more client computing devices via a communication network. The processor of the client computing devices may be programmed to function as the control unit22of the gaming machine10.

When the gaming machine10is used as a client computing device, 1) a rich client system may be used in which most of the processing involved in game execution is performed on the client side and results are transmitted to the server, 2) a thin-client system may be used in which only minimum processing is performed on the client side and main processing is performed on the server side, and 3) a zero client system may be used in which most of data storage and processing is performed on the server side and client specializes in input and output. In this case, the software configuration described in the embodiment is implemented and implemented in the client and the server.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the virtual reel strips72to80are associated with each column of cells of the grid68, however, it is also possible to associate an independent reel with each of the cells. In the feature game in this case, for example, the same reel may be respun for the removed symbol positions, or the symbols may be removed together with the reel, the reel may be moved to an empty cell, and a spare reel may appear on a blank white. In the latter scenario, a new reel could appear from the outside of the symbol display area64in the blank cell at the end of the symbol display area64.

The function of the control unit22of the gaming machine10described above can also be realized by executing a program by a computer. That is, it is possible to create a program that causes one or more computers to function in the same manner as the control unit22described above. The program may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a ROM or a semiconductor memory. Such a program may be divided into a plurality of modules.

Additionally, various modifications can be made to the operation in each embodiment. For instance, a mode could be adopted where a necessary number of random numbers are acquired in advance to determine the reel stop positions. Once the winning of the special game and the determination of the presence or absence of winning are completed, the contents are sequentially displayed on the display. Moreover, for instance, the control unit22could collectively acquire a necessary number of random numbers at the start of the game. Each random number could then be stored in a storage area of the memory42or the storage44, which is not erased even when there is a power source anomaly. In this scenario, even if a power failure or similar event occurs during the game, the control unit22can reproduce the game's progress. This is done by acquiring the random number, which was obtained at the start of the game before the power failure, from the memory42or the storage44when resuming the game after power restoration. For instance, if a power supply abnormality occurs just before the formation of a game result in which a high payout is obtained, a problem could arise if the same game does not proceed after power restoration. However, by collectively acquiring all random numbers at the start of the game and storing these numbers in the memory42or the storage44as described above, it is possible to reproduce the game's progress similar to that before the power source abnormality occurred, after power recovery. This way, such a problem can be avoided.

Additionally, in the described embodiment, a bill or a ticket represents the game value. The bill or ticket is received by the bill/ticket identification unit, and the ticket is output by the printer unit. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this setup. The game value concept includes tangible objects like coins, bills, medals, or tickets, as well as electronic data such as virtual credits or virtual currencies with equivalent value. For instance, a coin acceptor could accept coins and dispense coins from a coin hopper. One mode could involve identifying a player and using credits accumulated in a server account, with credits being paid out to the account. Alternatively, a mode could be adopted where credit information recorded on a storage medium like a magnetic card or an IC card is read and used, with credits being paid out by writing the information back to the storage medium. Furthermore, credits could be electronically transferred to and from a smartphone or a wearable device.