Patent Publication Number: US-10332333-B2

Title: Game machine, method of controlling computer, and storage medium

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/801,487, filed Jul. 16, 2015 (now allowed), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/686,233, filed Nov. 27, 2012 (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,117,333 on Aug. 25, 2015), which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2011253830, filed Dec. 5, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a game machine etc. providing a game opportunity that uses a lottery region containing a plurality of cells as positions where the symbols should be arranged, and changes the symbols to be arranged on each cell. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There exist game machines that provide a game opportunity in which a plurality of cells is arranged so that a predetermined number of rows and a predetermined number of columns form a shape of a matrix, and in which a benefit is offered when each symbol arranged in each cell forms a prize winning pattern. As one of such game machines, there is known a game machine in which each symbol moves on a path containing a curve or the like and is arranged on each cell (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,455). Also, as one of game machines which use symbol columns arranged on each of cell columns, and change each symbol arranged on each cell by moving these symbol columns along the each cell column and stopping the movement, there is also known a game machine which determines each symbol constituting the symbol column by lottery (see, for example, U.S Pub. No. US2010/0113129). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a game machine according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,455, it is tried to achieve prevention of the player&#39;s boredom by changing the path before the symbols are arranged on each cell. However, in such a game machine, the symbols arranged on each cell are determined by lottery in same probability. Therefore, an expectation of the player is equalized. In contrast, in the game machine according to U.S. Pub. No. US2010/0113129, there can be caused a bias to an expectation for the symbol arranged on each cell since each symbol constituting the symbol column is determined by lottery. However, the symbol column merely moves in one direction after the symbols constituting the symbol column have been determined by lottery. Therefore, it is easy to predict the symbol which may be arranged on each cell. That is, there is room to further utilize the bias to an expectation caused by lottery. 
     Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine which can make a prediction of a game result more difficult, a method of controlling a computer, and a storage medium. 
     In order to solve the above problems, a game machine according to the present invention is a game machine using a lottery region containing cells as positions where symbols should be arranged, and providing a game opportunity that changes at least a portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by causing at least a portion of symbols of a symbol group to appear on at least a portion of the cells, wherein the game machine comprises: a symbol lottery device that determines by lottery, at least a portion of the symbols which should constitute the symbol group; a symbol arrangement control device that causes at least the portion of the symbols constituting the symbol group to appear in the lottery region based on a lottery result of the symbol lottery device so as to change at least the portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by moving the symbol group including the symbol determined by the lottery result along the cells on a movement path containing two directions and stopping the symbol group so that at least the portion of the symbols of the symbol group is arranged on the cells; and a prize winning determination device that determines whether a combination of the symbols arranged on a cell group of a determination target forms a prize winning pattern based on the symbols arranged on the cells by the symbol group. 
     According to the present invention, the symbol group moves along each cell on the movement path containing two directions. That is, the symbol group changes the direction at least once. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the cell on which the symbol is finally arranged by symbol group. Thus, it is possible to betray the prediction relevant to the cell on which the symbol is finally arranged by symbol group. Also, at least the portion of the symbols constituting the symbol group is determined by lottery. That is, it is difficult to predict each symbol constituting the symbol group in advance. Therefore, the prediction what kind of symbols are finally arranged by the symbol group can be made more difficult. Further, the bias to an expectation for the symbol arranged on each cell can be caused. Herewith, the prediction of the game result can be made more difficult. 
     Also, in order to solve the above problems, a method of controlling a computer according to the present invention is a method of controlling a computer of a game machine using a lottery region containing cells as positions where symbols should be arranged, and providing a game opportunity that changes at least a portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by causing at least a portion of symbols of a symbol group to appear on at least a portion of the cells, the game machine including a display device and the computer that controls a display of the display device, wherein the method of controlling the computer comprises the steps; a symbol lottery step that determines by lottery, at least a portion of the symbols which should constitute the symbol group; a symbol arrangement control step that causes at least the portion of the symbols constituting the symbol group to appear in the lottery region based on a lottery result of the symbol lottery step so as to change at least the portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by moving the symbol group including the symbol determined by the lottery result along the cells on a movement path containing two directions and stopping the symbol group so that at least the portion of the symbols of the symbol group is arranged on the cells; and a prize winning determination step that determines whether a combination of the symbols arranged on a cell group of a determination target forms a prize winning pattern based on the symbols arranged on the cells by the symbol group. 
     Also, in order to solve the above problems, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium according to the present invention stores a computer program for a game machine using a lottery region containing cells as positions where symbols should be arranged, and providing a game opportunity that changes at least a portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by causing at least a portion of symbols of a symbol group to appear on at least a portion of the cells, the game machine including a display device and the computer that controls a display of the display device, wherein the computer program is configured to make the computer serve as: a symbol lottery device that determines by lottery, at least a portion of the symbols which should constitute the symbol group; a symbol arrangement control device that causes at least the portion of the symbols constituting the symbol group to appear in the lottery region based on a lottery result of the symbol lottery device so as to change at least the portion of the symbols arranged on the cells by moving the symbol group including the symbol determined by the lottery result along the cells on a movement path containing two directions and stopping the symbol group so that at least the portion of the symbols of the symbol group is arranged on the cells; and a prize winning determination device that determines whether a combination of the symbols arranged on a cell group of a determination target forms a prize winning pattern based on the symbols arranged on the cells by the symbol group. By executing the method of controlling the computer or the computer program stored in the storage medium of the present invention, it is possible to realize the game machine of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating an example of a game screen; 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of the game machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen when a bonus game occurs; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a game screen after a predetermined time passes from the state in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a game screen after the predetermined time further passes from the state in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a game screen after the predetermined time further passes from the state in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram for describing another example of the movement direction of a bonus reel; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram for describing a configuration of lottery data; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of content of a symbol table; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow chart of a slot game routine; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow chart of a stop position lottery routine; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow chart of a prize winning determination routine; and 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow chart of a bonus lottery routine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is an external view of a game machine according to an embodiment of the invention. The game machine  1  is configured as a game machine of a slot machine type. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the game machine  1  has a chassis  2 . On a front surface of the chassis  2 , there is provided a display device  3 . For example, a liquid crystal display device is applied as the display device  3 . 
     A control panel  4  is provided below the display device  3 . A slot  5  of coins and an operation device  6  are provided on the control panel  4 . The operation device  6  includes operation members for performing various operations such as betting operation or the like. Also, a payout port  7  of the coins is provided below the control panel  4 . 
     In the game machine  1 , a slot game is provided as a game opportunity in exchange for consumption of a predetermined value. In the display device  3 , there is displayed a game screen  10  used by the slot game.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating an example of the game screen  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the game screen  10  includes a first game region  10 A and a second game region  10 B. The first game region  10 A is used for staging of the game etc. In the example of  FIG. 2 , a dragon DR is displayed near the center of the first game region  10 A as a character used for staging of the game. As an example of staging of the game, the dragon DR is used for staging of a bonus game during the game. More specifically, the dragon DR functions as a bonus reel during a bonus game. Details of the bonus game will be described later. 
     In contrast, the second game region  10 B is used for executing the slot game. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the second game region  10 B includes a lottery region  12 . In the lottery region  12 , cells  13  are arranged in a predetermined arrangement (predetermined positional relationship). Specifically, as the predetermined arrangement, the cells  13  are located so as to be arranged in a matrix in longitudinal and transverse directions on a screen of the display device  3 . In the example in  FIG. 2 , virtual lines La that separate the cells  13  arranged in the longitudinal direction are shown by the two-dot chain lines. In addition, in an actual game screen  10 , the virtual lines La will not be displayed. 
     In contrast, the cells  13  arranged in the transverse direction are separated by separating lines Lb. In the example in FIG. 2 , there are arranged  3  rows of the cells  13  in the longitudinal direction and  5  columns of the cells  13  in the transverse direction, in total  15  cells  13 . One cell column  15  is configured by the cells  13  arranged linearly in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, in the lottery region  12 , five cell columns  15  are arranged so as to be parallel to each other in the transverse direction. In addition, the virtual lines La and the separating lines Lb in the  FIG. 2 , that is, the boundary lines for separating the cells  13  may be displayed according to an aspect where a player can visually recognize the lines, or may not be displayed. 
     The individual cell columns  15  correspond to five virtual reels  16  which are serves as symbol columns. In the lottery region  12 , there is displayed only a portion of each virtual reel  16  that overlaps the lottery region  12 . The virtual reels  16  are configured by predetermined number of symbol regions  19  which are arranged in one direction. The total length of the virtual reel  16  is sufficiently longer than that of the cell column  15 . The size of one symbol region  19  is the same as that of the cell  13 . 
     In each symbol region  19  which is included in the virtual reel  16 , any one of kinds of symbols  17  is fixedly disposed. As one example of the symbol  17 , a numeral, a character, or a figure such as a turtle, hats, or coins is appropriately adopted. In addition, the number of symbol regions  19  that are included in the virtual reel  16  may be appropriately determined. Also, the arrangement of the symbols  17  in each of the five reels  16  may be the same with or be different from each other. 
     An arrangement direction of each cell  13  included in the cell column  15  in the lottery region  12  is matched with an arrangement direction of symbols  17  in the virtual reel  16 . In the lottery region  16 , one symbol  17  on the virtual reel  16  is displayed to be allocated to one cell  13 . In addition, ideally, the virtual reel  16  is configured in a cylindrical shape, similar to a mechanical reel that symbols are arranged on an outer circumference of a cylindrical body. 
     If a game starts, the virtual reel  16  is scrolled from top to the bottom along the sell column  15 . The scrolling is performed so as to virtually represent the movement of the symbols when a physical reel rotates by replacing the movement by image display. At predetermined stop time, each virtual reel  16  stops so that one symbol  17  appears in one cell  13 . That is, a stop position of the scroll of the virtual reel  16  (which may be simply called a stop position of the virtual reel  16 ) is controlled in one cell unit. And, the virtual reel  16  changes the symbol  17  appearing on each cell  13  by the scroll and the stop. 
     The configuration of the game machine  1  will be further described with reference to the  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of the game machine. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a control unit  20  is provided inside the chassis  2  of the game machine  1 . The control unit  20  is configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and other peripheral devices, such as a main storage device needed for the operation thereof and the like. An external storage device  21  is connected to the control unit  20 . 
     As the external storage device  21 , there is used a storage medium which is capable of holding storage without feeding of power, for example, magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium such as a DVD-ROM and a CD-ROM, or a nonvolatile semi conductor memory device such as an EEPROM. 
     The external storage device  21  stores a game program  22  and a game data  23 . The game program  22  is a program that is needed to cause the game machine  1  to execute a game. The game data  23  is various kinds of data that is used when the game program  22  is executed. The game program  22  is appropriately read and is executed by the control unit  20 . Also, the game date  23  is appropriately read and is referred by the control unit  20 . 
     The game data  23  includes a reel data  23   a  and a lottery data  23   b . The reel data  23   a  is data describing the type of the symbol  17  of each symbol region  19  on the virtual reel  16 . The lottery data  23   b  is used to cause a bonus reel as a symbol group used by a bonus game to appear. More specifically, the lottery data  23   b  is used when each symbol  17  to be arranged in bonus reel is determined by a lottery. Details of the lottery data  23   b  will be described later. In addition, the game program  22  includes various program modules needed to play a game, however an illustration thereof is omitted. Similarly, the game data  23  also includes various kinds of data such as sound effect data and dividend data, however an illustration thereof is omitted. 
     The operation device  6  and the display device  3  described above are connected to the control unit  20 . The operation device  6  outputs a signal in accordance with a player&#39;s operation to the control unit  20 . The display device  3  displays an image in accordance with an image signal output from the control unit  20 . The control unit  20  executes the game in a predetermined procedure according to the game program  22  by referring to an output signal from the operation device  6 . Accordingly, the control unit  20  causes the display device  3  to display a game screen in accordance with a situation of the game. The game screen includes, for example, an image showing the above lottery region  12 , images of a portion that should be caused to appear in the lottery region  12  (that is, the symbol  17  that should be caused to appear in each of the cells  13 ) of the virtual reels  16 , and an image of the bonus reel. 
     As an input device or an output device that is needed to execute the game, a coin input device  24  and a payout device  25  are further connected to the control unit  20 . The coin input device  24  receives a deposit of coins as a value for playing a game through the slot  5  of coins. And, the coin input device  24  outputs a signal according to a deposit amount of coins to the control unit  20 . 
     The payout device  25  executes a payment of coins as a dividend of the game to the player according to an instruction from the control unit  20 . The payment of coins is executed through the payout port  7 . In addition, receiving the value for playing the game and the dividend to the player are not limited to coins. For example, as alternative currency, medals, tokens or the like may be used. Also, a right to play the game may be used. The right to play the game is quantitatively expressed in a unit referred to as a credit. Or, a settlement method that enables an exchange of a game value (including a currency value) through an exchange of electronic information such as an electronic currency or the like may be used. In this case, an information communication device that exchanges the electronic information mutually, a storage medium that stores information which is exchanged, or the like may be used instead of the slot  5  of coins and the payout port  7 . 
     In the control unit  20 , there are provided a random number generator  26 , a lottery unit  27 , and a prize winning determining unit  28 . The random number generator  26  generates random numbers of a predetermined digit numbers. The random number generator  26  is a logical device that is realized by a combination of a microprocessor and software. In addition, the random number generator  26  may be a physical device where is combined with electronic circuits. 
     The lottery unit  27  acquires random numbers from the random number generator  26  and chooses the stop position of the virtual reel  16  by a lottery. The prize winning determining unit  28  determines whether or not the prize winning is present, when the virtual reels  16  are stopped. Also, the prize winning determining unit  28  determines whether or not a bonus condition for generating the bonus game is met. The lottery unit  27  and the prize winning determining unit  28  are logical devices that are realized by a combination of the microprocessor and the software. In the control unit  20 , there are appropriately provided other logical devices or physical devices that are needed to execute a slot game, however they are not illustrated in the drawings. 
     Next, the slot game played by the game machine  1  will further be described. More specifically, details of the bonus game that can be generated during the slot game will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 8 . The game machine  1  provides the slot game in exchange for consumption of coins of the predetermined value. Specifically, when a signal indicating that coins of the amount necessary for a game have been put in is output from the coin input device  24  to the control unit  20 , a bet operation via the operation device  6  is enabled. Then, when coins of a suitable amount are bet by the bet operation, the slot game is provided through the game screen  10  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     When the slot game is started, as described above, the virtual reel  16  is scrolled and then stops in such a way that one symbol  17  appears in one cell  13 . Also, for example, as illustrated by a one-dot chain line in  FIG. 2 , a prize-winning determination line HL is set in the lottery region  12  in accordance with the bet amount. The prize-winning determination line HL is set, for example, so that the number increase with increasing bet amount. The prize-winning determination line HL is formed by binding target cell groups used to determine whether or not any prize is won. And, if a prize-winning pattern is formed by each symbol  17  on the prize-winning determination line HL when scrolling stops, a dividend is paid as a benefit. For example, as a prize-winning pattern, there is adopted a pattern in which the same symbol  17  is continuously arranged at three cells on the prize-winning determination line HL. In addition, the cell group of a determination target is not limited to the prize-winning determination line HL forming a straight line. As the cell group of the determination target, there is adopted various embodiments such as each cell included in a curved prize-winning determination line, every other cell or the like. 
     On the other hand, if a bonus condition is met during the game, a bonus game occurs. For example, the bonus condition is met if a predetermined bonus pattern is formed by each symbol  17  on the prize-winning determination line HL. Also, as the bonus pattern, for example, a prize-winning pattern formed by the specific symbol  17  is adopted. In addition, a pattern that is different from the prize-winning pattern may be adopted as the bonus pattern. Further, in addition to the bonus pattern, for example, game conditions such as a predetermined number of play times or the like may be adopted as the bonus condition. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen  10  when the bonus game occurs. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the bonus game occurs, the dragon DR in the first game region  10 A starts to move toward the second game region  10 B. Moreover, a special symbol region  19 S is arranged on the back of the dragon DR. The special symbol region  19 S is classified into a region in which each symbol  17  is arranged and a region in a blank state in which none of the symbols  17  is arranged. In the example of  FIG. 4 , the 15 special symbol regions  19 S corresponding to the number of the cells  13  included in the lottery region  12  are arranged on the back of the dragon DR. Also, the symbol  17  is not arranged in each of special symbol regions  19 Sc,  19 Sg,  19 Sj,  19 Sl in the third, seventh, tenth, and twelfth positions from the head of the dragon DR. That is, the special symbol regions  19 Sc,  19 Sg,  19 Sj,  19 Sl in these positions are in a blank state. And, a star figure “⋆” is arranged as the symbol  17  in special symbol regions  19 Sa,  19 Sb,  19 Sd,  19 Se,  19 Sf,  19 Sh,  19 Si,  19 Sk,  19 Sm,  19 Sn,  19 So in positions other than the above positions. In addition, the positions of the special symbol regions  19 S contained in the bonus reel may be fixed. Also, the positions of the special symbol regions  19 S may be changed to the back side of the dragon DR, the front side of the dragon DR, or both of them and so on, in accordance with a predetermined condition such as the type of the symbols  17  forming the bonus pattern or a predetermined order. Or, the positions of the special symbol regions  19 S may be determined by the lottery. This also applies to the number, the size, or the like of the special symbol regions  19 S. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a game screen after a predetermined time passes from the state in  FIG. 4 . The dragon DR in the first game region  10 A once disappears from the game screen  10 . Then, the dragon DR reappears in the second game region  10 B. The dragon DR that has reappeared in the second game region  10 B moves, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , along each of the cells  13 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the dragon DR reappears from the left edge of the second game region  10 B and moves in an arrangement direction of cell columns  15  along each of the cells  13  arranged in the top position of the cell columns  15 . The display of the back of the dragon DR is omitted, and, the special symbol regions  19 S, the symbols  17  arranged therein, and a trajectory K of the movement are displayed. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a game screen after the predetermined time further passes from the state in  FIG. 5 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the dragon DR moves along each of the cells  13  so that all the special symbol regions  19 S arranged on the back thereof are arranged in each of the cells  13 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , after reappearing on a cell  13 Aa in the top position of a cell column  15 A at the left edge, the dragon DR moves in the arrangement direction of the cell columns  15  along the cells  13  in the order of each cell  13  in a middle position of the cell columns  15  and each cell  13  in a bottom position. That is, the dragon DR moves in such a way that all the cells  13  in the lottery region  12  are passed while changing direction of the arrangement direction of the cell columns  15  and the arrangement direction of the cells  13 . As a result of such movement, there is displayed the trajectory K from the cell  13 Aa in the top position of the cell column  15 A at the left edge to a cell  13 Ec in the bottom position of a cell column  15 E at the right edge. And, each special symbol region  19 S is arranged in each of the cells  13  on the trajectory K in turn from the cell  13 Ec in which the special symbol region  19 Sa in the first position is arranged to the cell  13 Aa in which the special symbol region  19 So in the 15th position is arranged. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a game screen after the predetermined time further passes from the state in  FIG. 6 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , each symbol  17  on each special symbol region  19 S stopped in each cell  13  is displayed in each cell  13  on the trajectory K of the dragon DR. That is, the special symbol regions  19 S are arranged on the symbol regions  19  displayed in each cell  13  by the stop of scrolling, and each symbol  17  displayed in each cell  13  changes from the symbols  17  of the symbol regions  19  to that of special symbol regions  19 S. However, if the special symbol region  19 S is in a blank state, the symbols  17  of the symbol regions  19  are displayed unchanged. In the example of  FIG. 7 , figures etc. (see  FIG. 4 ) of the symbols  17  displayed when the bonus game occurs have changed to the star figures “⋆” arranged on the special symbol regions  19 S. In the cells  13  corresponding to the special symbol regions  19 Sc,  19 Sg,  19 Sj,  19 Sl in the blank state, there are displayed the same symbols  17  at the occurrence time of the bonus game. 
     When the bonus game occurs, if the prize-winning pattern is formed by the symbols  17  changed by the dragon DR, the benefit is provided. That is, the symbol  17  of each special symbol region  19 S arranged in each cell  13  is used for the formation of a prize-winning pattern. Here, the symbol  17  of the star figure “⋆” means a wild symbol. That is, this figure functions as any of other figures adopted as the symbol  17 . Thus, if a prize-winning pattern containing a predetermined number of the same symbol  17  or more in the cell group of the determination target is adopted, the probability of winning a prize increases by containing this figure in each cell. 
     In a bonus game, as described above, the dragon DR arranges the special symbol regions  19 S in the cells  13 . Accordingly, the symbols  17  arranged in the special symbol regions  19 S are displayed in each cell  13 . That is, in a bonus game, the dragon DR functions as the bonus reel separated from the virtual reel  16  arranged in each of the cell columns  15 . The movement direction of the dragon DR is not limited to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 7 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram for describing another example of the movement direction of a bonus reel (dragon DR). As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the dragon DR moves on each of the cells  13  of each of the cell columns  15  by moving in the longitudinal direction. The dragon DR also moves in the transverse direction to move between cells. Thus, the dragon DR (bonus reel) may move on each of the cells  13  in directions combining the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction in this manner. Moreover, for example, the movement direction of the dragon DR may contain a diagonal direction of the cells  13 . Further, various directions such as a rotation direction may be contained in the movement direction of the dragon DR (bonus reel). That is, any movement path containing at least a direction crossing the scroll direction of the virtual reel  16  may be adopted as the movement path of the dragon DR (bonus reel). 
     Next, details of the lottery data  23   b  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The lottery data  23   b  is used for lottery of the symbol  17  to be arranged in each of the special symbol regions  19 S of the bonus reel (dragon DR).  FIG. 9  is a diagram for describing a configuration of the lottery data  23   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the lottery data  23   b  contains symbol tables  33  as symbol data. The symbol table  33  is provided for each position of each of the special symbol regions  19 S constituting the bonus reel. More specifically, a first position symbol table  33   a  is provided as the symbol table  33  corresponding to the special symbol region  19 Sa in the first position of the special symbol regions  19 S constituting the bonus reel and a second position symbol table  33   b  is provided as the symbol table  33  corresponding to a special symbol region  19 Sb in the second position of it. This also applies to subsequent positions. Moreover, a plurality of tables corresponding to the same position may be provided as the symbol tables  33  for each position such as the first position symbol table  33   a  and the second position symbol table  33   b.    
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of content of the symbol table  33 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the symbol table  33  contains information of each of the symbols  17  as a candidate symbol (or information associated with each of the symbols  17 ). Overlapping information may be contained as information of each of the symbols  17 . The information of each of the symbols  17  contained in the symbol table  33  is used for lottery via, for example, a unique number attached to each position. That is, the symbols  17  to be arranged in the special symbol regions  19 S are selected by lottery from the information of the symbols  17  contained in the symbol table  33 . Therefore, if information of an overlapping symbol  17  exists, the probability that its symbol  17  is arranged in the special symbol region  19 S increases. 
     In the example of  FIG. 10 , the information of the symbol  17  indicating “9” exists with overlapping in the first position symbol table  33   a , and information of the symbol  17  indicating “A” and “K” exists with overlapping in the second position symbol table  33   b . It is assumed, for example, that information corresponding to the 10 symbols  17  is contained in the first position symbol table  33   a  as a whole. Further, the information of the symbols  17  does not exist with overlapping (that is, the information of the symbols  17  is not repeated) other than information of the symbol  17  indicating “9”. In such a case, while the probability that any of the other symbols  17  is selected is 1/10, the probability that the symbol  17  of “9” is selected is 2/10. That is, if the first position symbol table  33   a  is used, the probability that “9” is arranged in the special symbol region  19 S in the first position is two times greater than the probability that any of the other symbols  17  is arranged. Similarly, if the second position symbol table  33   b  is used, the probability that “A” or “K” is arranged is higher than the probability that any other symbol is arranged. Further, in the example of  FIG. 10 , information of the symbol  17  contained in the third position symbol table  33   c  is “W” only. This “W” functions as information associated with the symbol  17  functioning as the wild symbol. And, in the example of FIG. 4  or the like, the star figure of “⋆” is adopted as the wild symbol. That is, in the example of FIG. 4  or the like, if the third position symbol table  33   c  is used, the symbol  17  of “⋆” functioning as the wild symbol is reliably arranged at the third position of the special symbol region  19 S. 
     Thus, as the symbol table  33  for each position, there are prepared the tables having mutually different probabilities that each of the symbols  17  appears. In addition, as the plurality of the symbol tables  33  corresponding to the same position, there may be prepared a plurality of tables having mutually different probabilities of appearance of the symbols  17 . The probability of appearance with respect to at least one symbol only needs to be different between the symbol tables  33 . Or, the symbol tables may contain symbol tables that all lottery candidates of the symbols are same and at least a portion of the lottery probabilities of each lottery candidates of the symbols differs from each other. In this case, it is possible to realize a lottery that the lottery candidates of the symbols are same and probability of the symbols arranged differs from each other. Herewith, it is possible to realize an arrangement of more various variations. Further, the symbol table  33  may contain information corresponding to the blank state in order to make the special symbol region  19 S into the blank state in which none of the symbols  17  are arranged. If, in such a case, the information is selected by lottery, the special symbol region  19 S corresponding to the position becomes the blank state. On the other hand, the position to become the blank state may be fixed in advance. 
     With only the symbol tables  33  used for lottery of each position, it is difficult to adjust the whole symbols  17  of the special symbol regions  19 S such as arranging the wild symbol in all the special symbol regions  19 S. Thus, in order to fill such a need, the lottery data  23   b  may contain a table capable of adjusting all the symbols  17  to be arranged in each of the special symbol regions  19 S. That is, a table in which the arrangement of the whole special symbol regions  19 S is determined in advance may be prepared. Also, for example, for at least two positions of the special symbol regions  19 S lying next to each other, there may be used symbol tables  33  that the probability choosing same symbols is higher than the probability choosing different symbols from each other. In this case, it is possible to improve the expectation of the prize winning since same symbols are arranged on the two positions lying next to each other. For example, as like this symbol tables  33 , there may be used same symbol tables  33  that the probability choosing the wild symbol is high. In addition, the special symbol region  19 S with high probability that the same symbol are arrange as the symbols lying next to each other is not limited the embodiment that the symbols lie next to each other on the special symbol region  19 S. For example, the lottery with high probability that the same symbol is arranged may be executed as the lottery of special symbol regions  19 S lying next to each other when the dragon DR stops, that is, when the symbols of the special symbol regions  19 S are arranged on each cell  13 . 
     Next, a slot game routine executed by the control unit  20  will be described.  FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow chart of a slot game routine executed by the control unit  20 . The control unit  20  executes, for example, the routine in  FIG. 11  whenever a game start condition is met. As the game start condition, for example, there may be adopted a condition when coins of a suitable amount are bet or an operation to start a game is performed thereafter. 
     If a routine of the  FIG. 11  is started, in step S 11 , the control unit  20  executes a subroutine that chooses the stop positions of the virtual reels  16  by the lottery. The contents of this subroutine will be described in detail below. Next, in step S 12 , the control unit  20  starts the scrolling of each virtual reel  16 . Next, in step S 13 , the control unit  20  stops each virtual reel  16  at the stop position determined in step S 11 . Then, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 14  and executes a subroutine for the prize winning determination. The contents of this subroutine will be described below. 
     Next, in subsequent step S 15 , the control unit  20  determines whether or not the bonus pattern is formed by using the prize winning determination unit  28 . More specifically, the control unit  20  determines whether or not the bonus pattern is formed by using a processing result of a subroutine for the prize winning determination. If the determination result thereof is a positive result, that is, if the control unit  20  determines that the bonus pattern is formed, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 16 . In step S 16 , the control unit  20  executes a bonus lottery subroutine to identify the symbols  17  to be arranged in the special symbol regions  19 S of the bonus reel and each cell where each of the symbols  17  should be stopped. The content of this subroutine will be described later. 
     In step S 17  that follows, the control unit  20  controls the movement and the stop of the bonus reel. More specifically, the control unit  20  causes the bonus reel in which each symbol is arranged in each of the special symbol regions  19 S to appear in a predetermined position and to move on a predetermined movement path along each of the cells  13  based on a processing result of the bonus lottery subroutine. Then, the control unit  20  stops the movement of the bonus reel so that each symbol of the bonus reel is arranged in each of the cells  13  obtained by the processing result of the bonus lottery subroutine. When the process in step S 17  is finished, the control unit  20  returns to step S 14 , and, executes the subsequent processes including step  14 . 
     In contrast, when the result of the determination in the step S 15  is a negative result, that is, when the control unit  20  determines that the bonus pattern is not formed, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 18 . In step S 18 , the control unit  20  determines whether or not the prize is won by using the prize winning determination unit  28 . Specifically, the prize winning is determined by using the processing result of the subroutine for the prize winning determination. If the determination result of this is negative, the control unit  20  skips subsequent processes, and terminates the present bonus game routine. Meanwhile, if the determination result of this is a positive result, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 19 . In step S 19 , the control unit  20  provides a predetermined dividend according to content of the prize winning, that is, according to the formed prize winning pattern and a number of it, and terminates the present routine. Herewith, the slot game and the bonus game is provided, and the dividend according to its result is provided to the player. 
     In contrast,  FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a stop position lottery routine which is executed by the control unit  20 . The subroutine of the  FIG. 12  is called and executed at step S 11  in the routine of the  FIG. 12 , as a subroutine process with respect to the slot game routine. If the control unit  20  starts the stop position lottery routine of  FIG. 12 , first, in step S 21 , an initial value  1  is set to a variable N to specify a column number of the lottery target cell columns  15 . In this case, for an example, a number which increases in order of 1, 2 . . . from the column  15  of the left end of the lottery region  12  is used as the column number. 
     Next, in step S 22 , the control unit  20  chooses the stop position of the virtual reel  16  in the lottery target cell column (N-th cell column)  15  by the lottery. The lottery is executed so that the lottery unit  27  acquires the random numbers from the random number generator  26 . From the lottery result, a relationship between the symbol  17  and cell  13  where the symbols  17  is positioned in which the scroll of the virtual reel  16  needs to be stopped is determined. For example, in the virtual reel  16  of the  FIG. 2 , when a number is attached to each symbol region  19  from the upper end in the order of 1, 2, . . . , whether the scroll of the virtual reel  16  needs to be stopped when the symbol region  19  of any number is positioned at the cell  13  of the upper end of the cell column  15  can be determined according to the lottery result. If a number of the symbol regions  19  stopped in any cell  13  is determined, numbers of the symbol regions  19  that are stopped in another cells  13  in the same cell column  15  are also determined. 
     Next, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 23 . In step S 23 , the control unit  20  determines the symbols  17  to be displayed on the three cells  13  which is included in the lottery target cell column  15 , referring to the stop position of the virtual reel  16  chosen in step S 22  and the arrangement of the symbol  17  specified by the reel data  23   a . And, the control unit  20  stores the kinds of the symbols  17  to be displayed on the three cells  13  in the main storage device of the control unit  20 . Then, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 24 . 
     In step S 24 , the control unit  20  determines whether or not the variable N reaches 5. If the variable N does not reach 5 yet, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 25 . In step S 25 , the control unit  20  adds 1 to the variable N, and then, returns to the process of the step S 22 . On the other hand, in step S 24 , if the variable N reaches 5, the control unit  20  terminates the stop position lottery routine, and returns to the routine of the  FIG. 11 . By executing the above described subroutine, all symbols  17  to be displayed on the cells  13  are determined, and stored. 
     Also,  FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a prize winning determination routine which is executed by the control unit  20 . The subroutine of the  FIG. 13  is called and executed at step S 14  in the routine of the  FIG. 11 , as a subroutine process with respect to the slot game routine. This process is executed using the prize winning determination unit  28 . 
     If the prize winning determination routine in  FIG. 13  is started, in step S 31 , the control unit  20  selects one of the prize-winning determination lines HL. The prize-winning determination line HL is appropriately set, as described above, in accordance with the number of bets or the like. In step S 32  that follows, the control unit  20  determines whether or not the prize winning is won for the selected prize-winning determination line HL. More specifically, the control unit  20  determines whether or not the prize-winning pattern is formed by each of the symbols  17  arranged in the five cells  13  positioned on the selected prize-winning determination line HL. Further, this determination also includes a determination whether or not the predetermined bonus pattern is formed. That is, in step S 32 , the control unit  20  determines whether or not the prize-winning pattern is formed and also whether or not the bonus pattern is formed. 
     Next, in step S 33 , the control unit  20  stores results of the prize winnings and the bonus determination (including the determination of whether or not the bonus pattern is formed) in step S 32  and then, proceeds to step S 34 . In step S 34 , the control unit  20  determines whether the determination of the presence or absence of the prize winnings and bonus has been made for all the prize-winning determination lines HL set to the lottery region  12 . If the determination result is a negative result, that is, if the non-determined prize-winning determination line remains, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 31 , and selects the new prize-winning determination line HL. In addition, if the number of the prize-winning determination lines HL set to the lottery region  12  is one, the determination result in step S 34  is always a positive result. 
     On the other hand, if the determination result in step S 34  is a positive result, that is, if the prize winning determinations have been made for all the prize-winning determination lines HL set to the lottery region  12 , the control unit  20  terminates the prize winning determination routine this time, and returns to the routine in  FIG. 11 . Then, in step S 15  in  FIG. 11 , the control unit  20  determines whether or not a bonus pattern is formed based on the determination result stored in step S 33  in  FIG. 13 . Similarly, in step S 18  in  FIG. 11 , there is determined the presence or absence of the prize winnings. 
     Also,  FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow chart of a bonus lottery routine executed by the control unit  20 . The subroutine in  FIG. 14  is called and executed at step S 16  in  FIG. 11  as a subroutine process with respect to the slot game routine. 
     If the bonus lottery routine in  FIG. 14  is started, in step S 41 , the control unit  20  selects one of the special symbol regions  19 S contained in the bonus reel. This selection is executed in sequence, for example, from the front (head of the dragon DR) in the direction of travel of the bonus reel. In addition, if the positions of the special symbol regions  19 S change depending on the predetermined condition, in step S 41 , the control unit  20  may identify the positions where the special symbol regions  19 S is arranged based on the predetermined condition. And, in step S 41 , the selection only has to be executed based on each identified position. 
     In step S 42  that follows, the control unit  20  acquires the symbol table corresponding to the position of the lottery target. More specifically, if, for example, the position of the lottery target is the first position from the front, that is, the lottery target is the special symbol region  19 S in the first position from the front, the first position symbol table  33   a  is acquired. In addition, if a plurality of the symbol tables  33  corresponding to one position is prepared, one of the symbol tables  33  may be selected in a predetermined order, by lottery, or the like. 
     In step S 43  that follows, the control unit  20  selects by lottery the symbol  17  to be arranged at the position of a lottery target from the special symbol regions  19 S based on the symbol table  33  acquired in step S 42 . The lottery is executed so that the lottery unit  27  acquires a random number from the random number generator  26 . More specifically, the symbol  17  in the symbol table  33  associated with the random number is selected through the random number. Accordingly, the symbol  17  to be arranged (or no arrangement of the symbol  17 ) at the position of the lottery target in the special symbol region  19 S is determined. 
     In step S 44  that follows, the control unit  20  identifies the stop position where the special symbol region  19 S of the lottery target should be stopped. That is, the control unit  20  identifies the cell  13  where the symbol  17  arranged in the special symbol region  19 S of the lottery target should be arranged. This identification is carried out, for example, as follows. First, the control unit  20  identifies the movement path of the bonus reel. The movement path of the bonus reel is switched, for example, in a predetermined order. That is, a plurality of paths is switched in turn. In such a case, the movement path of the bonus reel is identified based on the predetermined order. Then, the position of the cell where each special symbol regions  19 S associated with the identified movement path should be arranged is identified. Accordingly, the stop position of the special symbol region  19 S of the lottery target is identified. In addition, the movement path may be determined, like the position of the special symbol region  19 S, based on the predetermined condition or by lottery. 
     In step S 45  that follows, the control unit  20  stores the symbol  17  selected by lottery in step S 43  and the stop position identified in step S 44  in the main storage device. Then, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 46 . In step S 46 , the control unit  20  determines whether the symbols  17  for all the special symbol regions  19 S contained in the bonus reel have been selected by lottery. If the determination result is a negative result, that is, the non-selected special symbol region  19 S remains, the control unit  20  proceeds to step S 41 , and selects a new position of the special symbol regions  19 S. If the number of the special symbol region  19 S contained in the bonus reel is one, the determination result in step S 46  is always a positive result. 
     On the other hand, if the determination result in step S 46  is a positive result, that is, if all symbols  17  to be arranged in the special symbol regions  19 S contained in the bonus reel have been selected by lottery, the control unit  20  terminates the bonus lottery routine this time, and returns to the routine in  FIG. 11 . Then, at step S 17  of the routine in  FIG. 11 , the movement display of the bonus reel is started based on the symbols  17  (or the blank state) and the stop positions stored at step S 45  of the routine in  FIG. 14  and each of the symbols  17  etc. in each of the special symbol regions  19 S is stopped at the stop position on the cells. 
     As described above, according to a game machine in this embodiment, the bonus reel occurs as the bonus game when bonus condition is met. The bonus reel arranges the special symbol region  19 S on the symbol region  19  stopped in each of the cells  13 . The symbols  17  may be arranged in the arranged special symbol regions  19 S, which are used to determine whether any prize is won. That is, the symbol  17  arranged in each of the cells  13  can be changed by using the bonus reel. Accordingly, if the bonus condition is met, changes of each symbol of each cell due to rotation of the virtual reel  16  and changes of each symbol of each cell due to movement of the bonus reel can be combined until the determination of whether any prize is won is executed. 
     The movement path of the bonus reel changes the direction of travel variedly along the cells  13 . And, the movement path of the bonus reel includes directions crossing the rotation direction of the virtual reel  16 , that is, the arrangement direction of each cell  13  (the direction along each cell column  15 ). Thus, it is difficult for a player to predict the position where each of the symbols  17  in the special symbol regions  19 S is arranged. That is, the prediction of whether or not the prize is won by the player can be betrayed and therefore, the prediction of the game result can be made more difficult. Accordingly, the player&#39;s boredom can be prevented and thus, the interest of the game can thereby be improved. 
     Further, the symbols  17  arranged in the special symbol regions  19 S are determined by lottery using the tables having different lottery probabilities of the symbols  17  for each position. That is, it is difficult to predict each symbol  17  arranged on the special symbol regions  19 S in advance. Accordingly, the prediction whether or not the prize is won can be made more difficult. Also, by determining the symbols  17  arranged on the special symbol regions  19 S based on the tables that the lottery probabilities differ from each other, positions having higher probabilities that a portion of the symbols  17  will be arranged, or the like can be created. That is, with respect to the probability that each symbol  17  will be arranged, a bias can be provided for each position. Thus, it is possible to cause a bias for each position to an expectation of the player. 
     In the above embodiment, the control unit  20  functions as a symbol lottery device by executing the routine in  FIG. 14  and as a prize winning determination device by executing the routine in  FIG. 13 . Also, the control unit  20  functions as a symbol arrangement control device by executing the slot game routine in  FIG. 11 . Moreover, the external storage device  21  functions as a symbol data storage device by storing the lottery data  23   b.    
     The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in suitable embodiment. In the above embodiment, a special symbol column is formed by the special symbol regions  19 S being arranged in a row. However, the special symbol column is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the special symbol column may be formed so that symbols are arranged in two rows or branches off to two rows or more on the way. Alternatively, the special symbol column may be formed by symbols being arranged in a circular shape. Further, the special symbol column is not limited to the embodiment in which a plurality of symbols is contained. That is, the special symbol column may be formed so that the special symbol column contains the only one special symbol region  19 S and only one symbol is arranged. And, special symbol column is not limited to the embodiment moving in a fixed arrangement. For example, the symbol column may be transformed from a circular shape into a row on the movement path (for example, in the lottery region). Also, the present invention is not limited to an embodiment that all symbol regions  19 S which constitutes the special symbol column and the symbols displayed on it are displayed. For example, only a portion of the symbol regions  19 S (including one symbol region  19 S) which constitutes the special symbol column and the symbols displayed on it may be displayed. Further, the present invention is not limited to an embodiment that all displayed symbols of the special symbol column changes the symbols on each cell. For example, only a portion of the displayed symbols of the special symbol column may change the symbols on each cell. 
     In the above embodiment, the game machine  1  contains the display device  3  and the control unit  20 , and provides a game opportunity by using the game screen  10 , however the present invention is not limited to such a embodiment. A slot game may be realized by using a physical lottery device and physical symbols. Also in this case, for example, there may be provided a physical guidance path capable of guiding a physical special symbol column that lengthens so that a direction crossing the movement direction of the symbol column is included, separately from a physical reel for arranging symbols in each cell. And, this guidance path may be formed so that the direction changes once or more. 
     In the above embodiment, each of the symbol tables  33  having different lottery probabilities of symbols is used for lottery of symbols to be arranged in the bonus reel. However, the present invention is not limited to such a embodiment. For example, each symbol to be arranged in each of the symbol regions  19  of the virtual reel  16  may be selected by lottery based on each of the symbol tables  33  having different lottery probabilities of symbols. That is, each symbol  17  arranged on each symbol region  19  included in the virtual reel  16  may function as the symbol group of the present invention. In such a case, the range in which the bias can be provided to the expectation of the player can be extended. 
     Further, in the above embodiment, the selection by lottery having different lottery probabilities of symbols is executed based on the symbol table  33  for each position contained in the lottery data  23   b . However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, for the lottery having different lottery probabilities of symbols, there may be used a physical lottery device having mutually different lottery probabilities relevant to at least one symbol. Such a lottery may be executed by using, for example, a plurality of physical lottery media groups divided into two groups or more and containing physical lottery media so that lottery probabilities relevant to at least one symbol are mutually different.