Gaming machine for executing battle game between gaming terminals

The present invention makes players willing to play games next to each other, so as to increase the use ratio. When a game result of a basic game corresponding to a payout occurs, a gaming machine determines whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied, and when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, adjacent gaming terminals are set as battle opponents. When battle opponents join the battle game, the battle game in which the battle opponents compete to win is executed, and the battle opponent winning the battle game obtains some profits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine for executing a battle game between gaming terminals, and a game control method thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In prior art, for gaming machines, a plurality of gaming terminals are usually arranged in a row. In addition to basic games, sometimes battle games are executed among the plurality of gaming terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Currently, players at adjacent gaming terminals play next to each other. When playing a game at adjacent gaming terminals, players sometimes are distracted by the game conditions nearby, so many players are unwilling to play a game next to another player. Particularly, when a gaming terminal between gaming terminals that already give many payouts is vacant, in order not to be distracted by the gaming terminals next to it, players are strongly inclined to avoid playing games at the vacant gaming terminal. This leads to some gaming terminal easily remaining vacant, which is a problem because the use ratio of the gaming machines is thus low.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in a way that makes players want to play games next to each other to increase the use ratio and a game control method of the gaming machine.

Technical Means to Solve the Problem

The present invention provides a gaming machine, which includes: a basic game execution unit, for executing a basic game; a payout awarding unit, for awarding payouts on the basis of a game result of the basic game; a battle game condition determination unit, for determining whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied when a game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs; a battle opponent setting unit, for setting adjacent gaming terminals as battle opponents when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied; a battle game execution unit, for executing (automatically, or manually by a player) the battle game that the battle opponents compete to win when the battle opponents join in the battle game; and a profit obtaining unit, for obtaining some profits when a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents.

According to the present invention, in the gaming terminal where a game result corresponding to the payout occurs in a basic game, it is determined whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied. When it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, adjacent gaming terminals are set as battle opponents. When the battle opponents join the battle game, the battle game is executed between the adjacent gaming terminals. When a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents, some profits can be obtained. Therefore, when the basic game is executed through adjacent gaming terminals, in a gaming terminal, some profits may be obtained through a battle game based on a game condition of the other gaming terminal, so the players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent gaming terminals. As a result, the gaming terminals will unlikely stay vacant.

The battle game condition in the present invention is at least one of a condition based on a payout awarding amount, a condition based on an accumulated payout awarding amount, and a condition based on a balance amount obtained by subtracting a game fee required for executing the basic game from the payout awarding amount.

According to the present invention, as battle game conditions can be selected in free combinations from a plurality of conditions, the battle game frequency can be easily and freely set.

The present invention further includes a payout-awarding control unit, for controlling the payout awarding unit in such a way that, when a player loses the battle game, the payout-awarding control unit transfers a part of the payout to his/her battle opponent and awards him/her the remaining payout; the payout-awarding control unit may also enable the transferred part of the payout to be included in the profits.

According to the present invention, in the adjacent gaming terminals, even though the game result of the basic game not related to the payout continuously occurs, the profits including a part of the payout is also obtained for winning the battle game. Therefore, players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent gaming terminals. As a result, the gaming terminals will unlikely stay vacant.

The payout-awarding control unit in the present invention may also receive a transferred predetermined battle participation fee from the battle opponent when winning in the battle game, and enable the battle participation fee to be included in the profits.

According to the present invention, as long as winning in the battle game, even the player who has been awarded the payout can still be transferred a battle participation fee from a losing battle opponent and be awarded the payout with the battle participation fee added, so both players at the adjacent gaming terminals have the possibility to obtain profits as long as they participate in the battle game as opponents and win.

The present invention may further include a battle game permitting unit, for randomly permitting and forbidding execution of the battle game by the battle game execution unit when the game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs.

According to the present invention, when the game result of a special payout occurs, the players of the gaming terminals adjacent to the gaming terminal awarding the payout are made to wonder whether they can join the battle game so as to obtain a part of the special payout.

The present invention may also include a battle game rejecting unit for refusing to join the battle game through an external operation when being set as a battle opponent.

According to the present invention, the gaming machine can select whether to join in the battle game according to the intention of the player as a battle opponent, so the battle game between adjacent gaming terminals can be processed more freely.

The battle opponent setting unit in the present invention may also have a battle opponent resetting unit for resetting the battle opponent to a preprogrammed computer when the battle opponent does not join the battle game.

According to the present invention, even when the battle game at the adjacent gaming terminals is not implemented, the battle game with the computer as battle opponent can be executed, so as to keep the player interested.

The present invention provides a gaming machine, which includes a basic game execution unit, for executing a basic game; a payout awarding unit, for awarding a payout on the basis of a game result of the basic game; a battle game condition determination unit, for determining whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied when a game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs; a battle opponent setting unit, for setting gaming terminals capable of data communication as battle opponents when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied; a battle game execution unit, for executing the battle game in which the battle opponents compete to win when the battle opponents are set; and a profit obtaining unit, for obtaining some profits when a player wins the battle game that players join in as battle opponents.

According to the present invention, in a gaming terminal where a game result corresponding to the payout occurs in a basic game, it is determined whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied. When it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, more than one gaming terminal capable of data communication is set as a battle opponent. Further, the battle game is executed between the gaming terminals. When a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents, some profits are obtained. Therefore, when the basic game is executed between the gaming terminals capable of data communication, even if the game result of the payout does not occur, the possibility of obtaining some profits through battle games still exists, so the players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent gaming terminals capable of data communication.

The present invention provides a game control method of a gaming machine, which includes: executing a basic game; awarding a payout on the basis of a game result of the basic game; determining whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied when a game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs; setting adjacent gaming terminals as battle opponents when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied; executing the battle game that the battle opponents compete to win when the battle opponents join in the battle game; and obtaining some profits when a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents.

According to the present invention, in a gaming terminal that a game result corresponding to the payout occurs in a basic game, it is determined whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied. When it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, adjacent gaming terminals are set as battle opponents. When the battle opponents join in the battle game, the battle game is executed between the adjacent gaming terminals. When a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents, some profits can be obtained. Therefore, when the basic game is executed between adjacent gaming terminals, in a gaming terminal, some profits may be obtained through a battle game based on a game condition of the other gaming terminal, so the players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent gaming terminals. As a result, the gaming terminals will unlikely stay vacant.

Effect of the Invention

The present invention is to make players enthusiastic about playing games next to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(General Description of Gaming Machine)

The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 1, in an embodiment, during execution of a basic game, if a battle game start condition is satisfied, the gaming machine1determines adjacent gaming terminals, i.e., slot machines2, and executes a battle game start process. Further, the present invention is structured to make possible a battle game in which adjacent gaming terminals compete with each other to win, and the battle game is repeatedly executed until the battle game is won, and some profits are obtained by the winning slot machine2. Although in this embodiment the slot machine2is described as a gaming terminal, the present invention is not limited thereto.

(General Description of Gaming Machine: Functional flow)

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2, the gaming machine1is structured for multiple players, and multiple slot machines2are connected to a central controller6(external control device) in a manner capable of data communication therebetween, and the slot machines2are connected in a manner capable of data communication with each other. The central controller6has functions of remote operation and remote monitoring of processing such as modification of operation status of the slot machines2or various game setting values. Further, the gaming machine1can execute a basic game such as a slot game separately in each slot machine2, and execute a battle game such as a life game at the same time between adjacent slot machines2•2.

In addition, the connection between the slot machines2or the connection between the slot machines2and the central controller6can be either wired or wireless, and can also be a combination of wired and wireless connection. Also, in the slot game or battle game, a unit of a bet amount may be a national or regional currency such as the US dollar, the Japanese Yen and the Euro, or a game point passable only at a hall where the gaming machine1is installed or the industry related to the gaming machine1.

Further, the gaming machine1includes a dice device4and a common display3. The dice device4is structured to cast a physical dice43to make the physical dice43roll randomly, and is capable of telling the score of the dice43when it stops. One common display3is disposed for 2 slot machines2•2arranged in parallel. The detailed description of the dice device4and the common display3will be provided later.

The slot machine2includes a terminal controller21, a BET button2023connected to the terminal controller21, a spin button2024, and a receiving and transmitting unit2025. Further, the slot machine2has a sound and light output unit213and a display output unit212. The sound and light output unit213has a function of driving a speaker or a lamp and the like to produce sound and/or light effects. The display output unit212serves to display a variety of display data on a display panel.

The terminal controller21includes a slot game execution unit211. The slot game execution unit211has a basic game execution unit2111and a bonus game execution unit2112. The basic game execution unit2111has a function of executing a basic game. The bonus game execution unit2112has a function of executing a bonus game.

Here, the “basic game” refers to a game executed with a bet of a game value as a condition and awarding game values of amounts corresponding to rearranged symbols101. That is to say, the so-called “basic game” refers to a game which is executed on the premise of consuming game values. The so-called “bonus game” has the same meaning as a special game. The bonus game may also be any game provided that bonus game has an advantageous game status over the basic game. The so-called “rearrangement” refers to a state in which the symbols101are arranged again after the previous arrangement of the symbols101is dismissed. The so-called “arrangement” refers to a state in which the symbols101are allowed to be visible to a player.

Further, the terminal controller21includes: a payout awarding unit215, for awarding a payout on the basis of a game result of the basic game; a battle game condition determination unit214, for determining whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied when a game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs; a battle opponent setting unit218, for setting adjacent slot machines2as battle opponents when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied; a battle game execution unit217, for executing the battle game that the battle opponents compete to win when the battle opponents join in the battle game; and a profit obtaining unit221, for obtaining some profits when a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents.

Accordingly, in a slot machine2where a game result corresponding to the payout occurs in a basic game, it is determined whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied. When it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, adjacent slot machines2are set as battle opponents. When the battle opponents join in the battle game, the battle game is executed between the adjacent slot machines2•2. When a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents, some profits can be obtained. Therefore, when the basic game is executed between the adjacent slot machines2•2, in a slot machine2, some profits may be obtained through a battle game based on a game condition of the other slot machine2, so the players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent slot machines2•2. As a result, the slot machines2will unlikely stay vacant.

Here, the “battle game condition” can be at least one of a condition based on a payout awarding amount, a condition based on an accumulated payout awarding amount, and a condition based on a balance amount obtained by subtracting a game fee required for executing the basic game from the payout awarding amount. Further, the “battle game condition” can be any one of direct payouts and indirect payouts as long as it is at least related to the payout. For example, the “battle game condition” can also be a case of winning a bonus or a jackpot as a game result of a basic game. At this time, as the battle game conditions can be selected in free combinations from a plurality of conditions, the battle game frequency can be easily and freely set.

Further, the terminal controller21has a payout-awarding control unit216for transferring a part of the payout to the battle opponent and controlling the payout awarding unit215to award a remaining payout when losing in the battle game, in which the profit obtaining unit221has a function of enabling the transferred part of the payout to be included in the profits. Accordingly, for the gaming machine1, in the adjacent slot machines2•2, even if the game results of the basic game not related to the payout occur continuously, the profits including a part of the payout can be obtained for winning the battle game. Therefore, players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent slot machines2•2. As a result, the slot machines2will unlikely stay vacant.

Further, the payout-awarding control unit216in the terminal controller21has functions of receiving a transferred predetermined battle participation fee from the battle opponent when winning in the battle game and enabling the battle participation fee to be included in the profits. Accordingly, the gaming machine1is configured so that even though the players are awarded the payout, as long as winning in the battle game, can still be transferred a battle participation fee from a losing battle opponent, and receive the payout with the battle participation fee added, so both players at the adjacent slot machines2•2have the possibility to obtain profits as long as they participate in the battle game as opponents and win.

Further, the terminal controller21has a battle game permitting unit219, for randomly permitting or forbidding execution of the battle game by the battle game execution unit217when the game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs. Accordingly, when the game result of the special payout occurs, the gaming machine1can make the players of the slot machines2next to the slot machine2making the payout wonder whether they can join the battle game so as to obtain a part of the special payout.

Further, the terminal controller21has a battle game rejecting unit220for refusing to join the battle game through an external operation when being set as a battle opponent. Accordingly, the gaming machine1can select whether to join the battle game according to the intention of the player as a battle opponent, so the battle game between adjacent slot machines2•2can be processed more freely.

Further, the battle opponent setting unit218in the terminal controller21has a battle opponent resetting unit2181for resetting the battle opponent to a preprogrammed computer when the battle opponent does not join the battle game. Accordingly, in the gaming machine1, even when the battle game with the adjacent slot machines2is not implemented, the battle game with a computer as the battle opponent of can be executed, so as to keep the player interested.

The functional blocks of the terminal controller21having such a structure are implemented through information processing devices including an operation unit, a memory unit or an interface unit mounted on the circuit board. Accordingly, the terminal controller21has a structure programmed in a manner to execute a variety of function processes. That is to say, the terminal controller21of the slot machine2is programmed in a manner to perform the processes in Steps (a1) to (a6), so as to have the battle game executed on the adjacent slot machines2•2. That is to say, the slot machine2comprises the terminal controller21which have the battle game executed on the adjacent slot machines2•2. Accordingly, the slot machine2implements a game control method in which Steps (a1) to (a6) are performed.

In Step (a1), a basic game is executed. In Step (a2), a payout is awarded based on a game result of the basic game. In Step (a3), when a game result of the basic game corresponding to the payout occurs, it is determined whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied. In Step (a4), when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, adjacent slot machines2(gaming terminals) are set as battle opponents. In Step (a5), when the battle opponents join the battle game, the battle game in which the battle opponents compete to win is executed. In Step (a6), when a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents, some profits are obtained.

(Mechanical Structure of Slot Machine2)

A slot machine2having a variety of the functions, as shown inFIG. 3, includes a cabinet201, a main door203provided to a front of the cabinet201, and a display door204disposed at an upper part of the main door203. The display door204is provided with a symbol display device205. The symbol display device205comprises a transparent liquid crystal panel capable of changing all or any part thereof into a transparent state.

The symbol display device205, as shown inFIG. 4, has a display window2051at a central part. The display window2051is formed of 15 display blocks2051ain 5 columns and 3 rows. 3 display blocks2051ain each column form virtual reels2052ato2052e. The virtual reels2052ato2052ecan be rearranged as follows: the 3 display blocks2051aare enabled to integrally change speeds while moving downward to be displayed, so the symbols101displayed in all display blocks2051astop after spinning in a vertical direction.

Further, pay line generation columns2053a•2053bare symmetrically arranged at the left side and the right side of the display window2051. The pay line generation columns2053a•2053bat the two sides each have a plurality of pay line generation units. The pay line generation units at each side may together form an activated pay line. The pay lines are activated by connecting the pay line generation units at the two sides. Otherwise, the pay lines are inactived. The number of paylines L to be activated is determined based on a bet amount. In such a case where a MAXBET indicating the maximum amount of bet allowed, the maximum number of paylines L are activated. Various winning combinations of symbols501are formed along activated paylines L.

On the front of the symbol display device205, a touch panel206is provided. A player can input a variety of operation data through the touch panel206. As shown inFIG. 3, below the symbol display device205, a PTS terminal206and a control panel202are arranged in sequence.

The PTS terminal206is a unit comprising an LCD2061, a microphone, or a human detection camera, and includes various devices having a microphone function or a camera function, a speaker function, and a display function. The PTS terminal206can receive and transmit various game related data such as credit data through mutual communication with the terminal controller21and a management server, which is not shown. Further, the control panel202has various buttons such as the BET button2023inFIG. 2, and has a coin insertion slot2021for inserting a coin into the cabinet201or a bill insertion slot2022for inserting a bill.

Further, a role unit5is disposed at a rear side of the symbol display device205(an internal side of the cabinet201). As shown inFIG. 4, the role unit5includes visible objects51such as three-dimensional dummies or dolls, a movement mechanism52making the visible objects51to move left and right, and an accommodation body53for supporting the visible objects51and the movement mechanism52and having an opening in front. Accordingly, the visible object51can be seen from outside through a transparent part of the symbol display device205.

As shown inFIG. 5, two slot machines2are arranged in a parallel state. Above the slot machines2•2, a common display3is provided. The common display3comprises a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, and can display a battle game picture31. The battle game is, for example, a life game, and a starting position of a game character is set near a top end of each slot machine2, and a travel route is formed from the starting position to a destination.

The travel route has a plurality of processing units and branch units where the game character travels and stops according to the dice score. The processing unit is set to perform various operations or processing. The branch unit is a unit that divides the travel route into a plurality of parts, for example, the branch direction is determined on the basis of the dice score. Further, the slot machine2with the game character first arriving at the destination wins, and the other slot machine2loses.

The score of the dice is randomly determined in the dice device4. The random determination can also be performed through a program in the computer. As shown inFIG. 6, the dice device4is provided at a position that can be seen from both slot machines2. The dice device4includes a dice accommodation body41formed of a transparent material, an air jet board42provided at a bottom surface of the dice accommodation body41, and a dice43accommodated inside the dice accommodation body41. A large amount of air jet holes42aare opened on the air jet board42, and when it is set to randomly determine the dice score, air is jetted within a predetermined time.

Further, the dice43is set to such a weight and size that the dice43can be cast by the air jetted from the air jet board42. For example, the dice43is formed of foamed styrene. A camera (not shown) for shooting the dice43is provided above the dice accommodation body41. The shooting data of the camera is used for determining the dice score, and the determined dice score is displayed on the common display3corresponding to the slot machines2•2in the battle game.

(Operation of Slot Machine2: Basic Game Execution Process)

According to the present invention, if a basic game execution process routine is executed in the terminal controller21of the slot machine2, as shown inFIG. 8, after a credit requirement process is executed (S10), it is determined whether a coin is bet (S11). When the coin is not bet (S11, NO), S10is re-executed. When the coin is bet (S11, YES), after the credit number is subtracted (S12), it is determined whether a start button is pushed through a push operation (S13).

When the start button is not pushed (S13, NO), S10is re-executed. When the start button is pushed (S13, YES), a basic game symbol determination process is executed (S14). Subsequently, a scroll-display control process is executed, and after the symbols101start scrolling, the display control is implemented (S15) to rearrange the symbols101determined in S14.

Next, it is determined whether a prize is applicable (S16). When the prize is not applicable (S16, NO (not applicable)), it is determined whether a rescue condition in which the basic game is repeated for more than a predetermined number of times is satisfied (S21). When the rescue start condition is not satisfied (S21, NO (not satisfied)), the routine is ended. When the rescue start condition is satisfied (S21, YES (satisfied)), a rescue process of awarding a predetermined payout is performed (S22), and then the routine is ended.

Further, when the prize is applicable in S16(S16, YES (applicable)), it is determined whether the prize is a bonus game (S18). When the prize is a bonus game (S18, YES), a bonus game execution process is executed, so the process is shifted from the basic game to the bonus game (S19). Subsequently, when the bonus game is ended, the routine is ended. When the prize is not a bonus game (S18, NO), a payout awarding process is executed, so a payout corresponding to the prize is awarded (S20). Next, it is determined whether a rescue condition is satisfied (S21), and if the rescue condition is satisfied (S21, YES), the rescue process is executed (S22), and then the routine is ended.

(Battle Game Condition Determination Process)

When the basic game execution process is executed in the above manners, as shown inFIG. 9, a battle game determination process is executed in a separate and parallel manner. In the battle game condition determination process, it is determined whether a prize is applicable in the basic game process (S31). If the prize is not applicable (S32, NO (not applicable)), the routine is ended to repeat S31.

When the prize is applicable (S31, YES (applicable)), it is determined whether a battle game condition is satisfied (S32). When the battle game condition is not satisfied (S32, NO (not satisfied)), the routine is ended to repeat S31. When the battle game condition is satisfied (S32, YES (satisfied)), a battle game process is executed (S33). Further, a payout awarding process is executed, so the payout is awarded on the basis of the game result in the battle game process (S34), and then the routine is ended.

In the battle game condition determination process, if the battle game process is executed (S33), as shown inFIG. 10, first, a battle game call signal is outputted to the adjacent gaming terminal, i.e., the slot machine2(S41). Subsequently, it is determined whether a battle game response signal is received (S42), and if the battle game response signal is not received (S42, NO (not received)), S42is repeated. When the battle game response signal is received (S42, YES (received)), whether to join in the battle game is determined on the basis of the battle game response signal (S43).

When data representing “join battle” is not included in the battle game response signal (S43, NO (not join)), the routine is ended. In addition, when the battle game cannot be executed through the adjacent slot machines2•2, a battle program in the central controller6can be selected as a battle opponent automatically or by a player to execute the battle game.

In contrast, when the data representing “join battle” is included in the battle game response signal (S44, YES (join)), a battle game start signal is outputted to the central controller6(S44). Accordingly, a server side battle game process is executed through the central controller6, and the battle game (life game) is executed between the adjacent slot machines2•2. Subsequently, when the battle game is ended, a battle game result signal is outputted to the two slot machines2•2from the central controller6.

During the execution of the battle game, the battle game result signal transmitted by the central controller6is accepted (S45). If the battle game result signal is received, it is determined whether a player wins the battle game (S46) on the basis of the battle game result data included in the battle game result signal. When a player loses the battle game (S46), the player is informed that he/she loses through image display, voice output, and light output (S47). Subsequently, a part of the special payout is transferred to the adjacent slot machine2(S48). For example, if a prize in which the battle game condition is a bonus game is applicable, the payout according to the result of the bonus game execution is used as the special payout, and a part of the special payout of the bonus game is transferred. Further, for example, if a prize in which the battle game condition is jackpot is applicable, the payout in the jackpot is used as the special payout, and a part of the special payout of the jackpot is transferred. In addition, the special payout can also be a preset payout, so as to enable the battle game condition to be satisfied. Next, after the remaining special payout is awarded (S49), the routine is ended.

In S46, when a player wins the battle game (S46, YES (win)), the player is informed that he/she wins (S50). After a battle participation fee is transferred from the adjacent slot machine2(S51), the special payout and the battle participation fee are awarded (S52), and the routine is ended.

The terminal controller21, as shown inFIG. 11, executes a battle game response process and the battle game process in a separate and parallel manner. First, it is determined whether a battle game call signal is received (S61), and when the battle game call signal is not received (S61, NO (not received)), the routine is ended to enter a state of waiting for receiving the battle game call signal in S61.

In contrast, when the battle game call signal is received (S61, YES (received)), as shown inFIG. 7, a battle game response picture2053having “YES” and “NO” response buttons2053a•2053bis displayed (S62). Subsequently, an operation acceptance state of the response buttons2053a•2053bis entered, and accordingly a standby state is entered, until the response buttons2053a•2053bare pushed by the player (S63).

If the response buttons2053a•2053bare operated, it is determined whether the player is joining the battle game (S64). When it is determined that the player is not joining the battle game as the “NO” response button2053b(S64, NO (not join in)) is pushed, the battle game response signal of “not join battle” is outputted to the adjacent slot machine2(S65). Subsequently, the routine is ended.

When it is determined that the player is joining the battle game as the “YES” response button2053a(S64, YES (join in)) is pushed, the battle participation fee (S66) is charged. Subsequently, the battle game response signal of “join battle” is outputted to the adjacent slot machine2(S67). Accordingly, the battle game is started through the adjacent slot machines2•2.

Next, the battle game result signal is accepted (S68). If the battle game result signal from the central controller6is received as the battle game is ended, it is determined whether the player wins the battle game on the basis of the battle game result signal (S69). If the player does not win the battle game (S69, NO (not win)), the player is informed that he/she loses (S70). Subsequently, the battle participation fee is transferred to the adjacent slot machine2(S71), and the routine is ended.

In contrast, when the player wins the battle game (S69, YES (win)), the player is informed that he/she wins (S72). Subsequently, a part of the special payout is transferred from the adjacent slot machine2(S73), the part of the special payout is awarded (S74), and the routine is ended.

(Server Side Battle Game Process)

Further, in the central controller6, as shown inFIG. 12, the server side battle game process is executed. First, it is determined whether the battle game start signal is received (S81). If the battle game start signal is not received (S81, NO (not received)), the routine is ended to enter an acceptance state of the battle game start signal due to re-execution of S81.

When the battle game start signal is received, a battle game picture is displayed in the common display3(S82). Next, by operating the dice device4, the dice43in the dice device4is randomly rolled (S83). In the rolling process and the stopping process of the dice43, the dice43is shot, and the dice point shooting data is outputted (S84). Based on the dice point shooting data of the dice43when it stops, the dice score is determined (S85). The battle game is executed on the basis of the dice score (S86).

Next, it is determined whether the result of the battle game is confirmed (S87). If the result is not confirmed (S87, NO (not confirmed)), S83is re-executed. When the result is confirmed (S87, YES (confirmed)), a battle game result picture showing which one of the slot machines2•2wins is displayed (S88). Next, the battle game result signal is outputted (S89), and the routine is ended.

Although the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, the embodiment is only exemplary, and not intended to limit the present invention, and changes can be made to the specific structures of various measures. Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, 2 slot machines2•2arranged in parallel and a common display3for the slot machines2•2are included, and the present invention is structured to execute the battle game between the adjacent slot machines2•2; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, the gaming machine1, as shown inFIG. 13, can also be structured to include more than 3 slot machines2arranged in parallel. At this time, even for the slot machine2sandwiched between the slot machines2•2, the player is willing to play the basic game due to the possibility of the battle game.

Further, the gaming machine1, as shown inFIG. 14, can also be structured to include a plurality of slot machines connected in a manner of being capable of data communication with each other, and the battle game can be executed among the slot machine2that satisfies a battle game condition, and more than one slot machine2as battle opponents. That is to say, the gaming machine1can be structured so that in the battle opponent setting unit218inFIG. 2, when it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, gaming terminals capable of data communication are set as battle opponents.

According to the present invention, in a slot machine2where a game result corresponding to the payout occurs in a basic game, it is determined whether a battle game condition related to the payout is at least satisfied. When it is determined that the battle game condition is satisfied, more than one slot machine2capable of data communication is set as battle opponents. Further, the battle game is executed between the slot machines2. When a player wins the battle game that players join as battle opponents, some profits can be obtained. Therefore, when the basic game is executed between the gaming terminals capable of data communication, even if the game result of the payout does not occur, the possibility of obtaining some profits through battle games still exists, so the players are enthusiastic about playing the basic games at adjacent gaming terminals capable of data communication.

Further, the detailed description above is mainly focused on characteristics of the present invention to fore the sake of easier understanding. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and is applicable to diversity of other embodiments. Further, the terms and phraseology used in the present specification are adopted solely to provide specific illustration of the present invention, and in no case should the scope of the present invention be limited by such terms and phraseology. Further, it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that the other structures, systems, methods or the like are possible, within the spirit of the invention described in the present specification. The description of claims therefore shall encompass structures equivalent to the present invention, unless otherwise such structures are regarded as to depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the abstract is provided to allow, through a simple investigation, quick analysis of the technical features and essences of the present invention by an intellectual property office, a general public institution, or one skilled in the art who is not fully familiarized with patent and legal or professional terminology. It is therefore not an intention of the abstract to limit the scope of the present invention which shall be construed on the basis of the description of the claims. To fully understand the object and effects of the present invention, it is strongly encouraged to sufficiently refer to disclosures of documents already made available.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS