Patent Publication Number: US-7896738-B2

Title: Slot machine and playing method thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION (S) 
     This application is based upon and claims a priority from the U.S. provisional Patent Application No. 60/852,401 filed on Oct. 18, 2006, the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a slot machine and a playing method thereof in which an animation effect is outputted in case a repositioned symbol is dragged and dropped by a specific character. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In a conventional slot machine, a game is started by inserting gaming media such as coins or the like into a gaming machine. Once a game is started, symbol varying and displaying is carried out at respective symbol columns laid out in a predetermined region, and stop symbol varying and displaying is sequentially carried out after a lapse of a predetermined time. In case a resultant symbol combination coincides with a winning symbol combination, a prize is awarded. 
     As to the matter on whether or not a symbol combination coincides with a winning symbol combination, a judgment is generally made based on criteria such like whether or not a predetermined number of identical symbols (e.g., “CHERRY”, “7”, and the like) are positioned on a previously defined pay line. Other than the above criteria, there have conventionally been defined prizes to be awarded in case a predetermined number or more of identical symbols are displayed in certain positioning manner regardless of whether on a pay line or not. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,999B2 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0065124A1 disclose slot machines in which video reels are used and fifteen symbols are displayed in a form of 3 rows×5 columns matrix. In the conventional slot machines, when a game is started, there will be carried out the following operations: spinning of reels is started; symbols in a same column are linked and symbol varying and displaying is carried out at each of the five columns; and when spinning of the reels is stopped along a lapse of a predetermined time, three-symbol are stopped and displayed in each of the five columns. In case a symbol combination consisting of a predetermined number or more of identical symbols is stopped and displayed on a pay line, a prize is awarded. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine and play method thereof which has new entertaining factors which conventional ones did not have inherently. 
     Therefore, in order to achieve the object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot machine comprising: a display for displaying plural symbols positioned and a performance character; and a controller programmed to operate with the display (a) to reposition the plural symbols in the display, (b) to award a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols, and (c) to output an animation effect when a repositioned symbol is dragged and dropped to the performance character. 
     Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot machine comprising: a display for displaying plural symbols positioned and a performance character; and a controller programmed to operate with the display (a) to reposition plural symbols in the display, except a specific symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location, (b) to indicate at least one symbol character whose look is same as or similar to one of any symbols which can possibly be positioned in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character indistinguishable, (c) to output an animation effect when the at least one symbol character is dragged and dropped to the performance character, and to reposition the specific symbol in the predetermined location laid out in the display, and (d) to award a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols. 
     Furthermore, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot machine comprising: a display for displaying plural symbols positioned and a performance character; and a controller programmed to operate with the display (a) to reposition plural symbols in the display, except a specific symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location, (b) to indicate at least one symbol character whose look is same as or similar to one of any symbols which can possibly be positioned in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character indistinguishable, (c) to output an animation effect when the at least one symbol character is dragged and dropped to the performance character, and to indicate the at least one symbol character in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character distinguishable, (d) to move the at least one symbol character whose symbol is made distinguishable to the predetermined location, (e) to reposition the specific symbol in the predetermined location laid out in the display, and (f) to award a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols. 
     Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slot machine comprising: a display for displaying plural symbols positioned and a performance character; and a controller programmed to operate with the display (a) to carry out a lottery to decide symbols to be repositioned in the display, (b) in case a result of the lottery is to position symbols which make up a winning symbol combination to which a prize is awarded, to reposition plural symbols of the winning symbol combination in the display, except a specific symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location, (c) to indicate at least one symbol character whose look is same as or similar to one of any symbols which can possibly be positioned in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character indistinguishable, (d) to output an animation effect which differs depending on value of prize to be awarded when a specific symbol character whose look is same as or similar to the specific symbol is dragged and dropped to the performance character, and to indicate the specific symbol character in the display with a symbol of the specific symbol character distinguishable, (e) to move the specific symbol character whose symbol is made distinguishable to the predetermined location, (f) to reposition the specific symbol in the predetermined location laid out in the display, and (g) to award a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols. 
     Furthermore, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a slot machine in which a controller repeats a game to reposition plural symbols currently positioned in a display and a performance character is indicated in the display, the playing method comprising the steps of: (a) repositioning the plural symbols in the display during the game with the controller; (b) awarding a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols with the controller; and (c) outputting an animation effect with the game controller when a repositioned symbol is dragged and dropped to the performance character. 
     Furthermore, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a slot machine in which a controller repeats a game to reposition plural symbols currently positioned in a display and a performance character is indicated in the display, the playing method comprising the steps of: (a) repositioning plural symbols in the display during the game with the controller, except a specific symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location; (b) indicating at least one symbol character whose look is same as or similar to one of any symbols which can possibly be positioned in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character indistinguishable with the controller; (c) outputting an animation effect when the at least one symbol character is dragged and dropped to the performance character, and repositioning the specific symbol in the predetermined location laid out in the display with the controller, and (d) awarding a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols with the controller. 
     Furthermore, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a slot machine in which a controller repeats a game to reposition plural symbols currently positioned in a display and a performance character is indicated in the display, the playing method comprising the steps of: (a) repositioning plural symbols in the display during the game with the controller, except a specific symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location; (b) indicating at least one symbol character whose look is same as or similar to one of any symbols which can possibly be positioned in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character indistinguishable with the controller; (c) outputting an animation effect when the at least one symbol character is dragged and dropped to the performance character, and indicating the at least one symbol character in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character distinguishable with the controller; (d) moving the at least one symbol character whose symbol is made distinguishable to the predetermined location; (e) repositioning the specific symbol in the predetermined location laid out in the display with the controller; and (f) awarding a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols with the controller. 
     Furthermore, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided A playing method of a slot machine in which a controller repeats a game to reposition plural symbols currently positioned in a display and a performance character is indicated in the display, the playing method comprising the steps of: (a) carrying out a lottery to decide symbols to be repositioned in the display during the game with the controller; (b) in case a result of the lottery is to position symbols which make up a winning symbol combination to which a prize is awarded, repositioning plural symbols of the winning symbol combination in the display with the controller, except a specific symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location; (c) indicating at least one symbol character whose look is same as or similar to one of any symbols which can possibly be positioned in the display with a symbol of the at least one symbol character indistinguishable; (d) outputting an animation effect which differs depending on value of prize to be awarded when a specific symbol character whose look is same as or similar to the specific symbol is dragged and dropped to the performance character, and indicating the specific symbol character in the display with a symbol of the specific symbol character distinguishable with the controller; (e) moving the specific symbol character whose symbol is made distinguishable to the predetermined location; (f) repositioning the specific symbol in the predetermined location laid out in the display with the controller; and (g) awarding a prize in accordance with a combination of repositioned symbols with the controller. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. 
       In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to a first embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an outline construction of the slot machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view showing a symbol display frame of the slot machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view showing the symbol display frame in which symbols are positioned; 
         FIG. 5  is a prize table showing winning symbol combinations and prizes associated with the respective winging symbol combinations applied during a base game; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary block diagram showing a control system of the slot machine; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a main control program executed in the slot machine; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a main game processing program executed in the slot machine; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a character animation effect processing program executed in the slot machine; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to a second embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is another diagram for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to the second embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of a main game processing program executed in the slot machine directed to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a symbol positioning processing program in the slot machine directed to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to a third embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart of a main game processing program executed in the slot machine directed to the third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of a symbol positioning processing program in the slot machine directed to the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Here will be described first through third embodiments of the inventive slot machine by referring to drawings. It is to be noted that slot machines directed the first through third embodiments are individually equipped with an image display apparatus such as liquid crystal display or the like, and they are so-called video-type slot machines which make their image display apparatuses display images of various symbols for playing a game. 
     First Embodiment 
     There will be described a feature of a slot machine directed to the first embodiment by referring to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a diagram for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to the first embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In the slot machine directed to the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a lower-side image display panel  6  displays: a symbol display frame  7  in which fifteen symbols are positioned in a form of 3 rows×5 columns matrix; and a volcano  28  which is a performance character. In this regard, in the symbol display frame  7 , there are arranged five columns of symbol display regions each of which is to position three of many symbols depicted on a reel band of a reel. That is, three symbol display regions are assigned to each of five reels  23  through  27 . In each of the symbol display regions, one of symbols depicted on respective reel bands of the reels  23  through  27  is positioned. Furthermore, five pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  are provided on the symbol display frame  7  laid-out in the lower-side image display panel  6 . Furthermore, various winning symbol combinations are previously defined. 
     In every base game carried out by the slot machine directed to the first embodiment, a start button is operated by a player, whereby some or all of the five pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  is/are activated depending on the number of bets. Consequently, each of the reels virtually spins and stops spinning in each of the symbol display regions within the symbol display frame  7 , whereby a single symbol is repositioned in each of the symbol display regions. In case a combination of five symbols repositioned on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5  within the symbol display frame  7  coincides with a winning symbol combination, a prize for the winning symbol combination is awarded to a player. 
     Furthermore, in case a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is included in repositioned symbols, a player can drag and drop the above specific symbol to a crater of the volcano  28 , the performance character, whereby an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of the volcano  28  and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  are outputted. 
     There will be described schematic structure of a slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment by referring to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an outline construction of the slot machine  1 . 
     The slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment includes: a cabinet  2 ; a top box  3  provided above of the cabinet  2 ; and a main door  4  provided on a front face of the cabinet  2 . 
     An upper-side image display panel  5  is provided on a front face of the top box  3 . The upper-side image display panel  5  is structured with a well-known crystal liquid panel which usually displays demonstration animation, information about the slot machine  1  such as game rules, a prize table, and the like. 
     A lower-side image display panel  6  is provided on the main door  4 . 
     The lower-side image display panel  6  is structured with a well-known crystal liquid panel, and a symbol display frame  7  with a 3 rows×5 columns matrix-formed symbol display regions is provided there. The symbol display frame  7  consists of five columns for reels  23  through  27 . Each of the reels  23  through  27  is a symbol column of which arrangement order of symbols is predefined. When a game is started, each of the reels  23  through  27  spins, stops spinning and displays three symbols after a lapse of a predetermined time. Consequently, as described later, fifteen symbols at most are positioned in the symbol display frame  7  depending on game progress, and if a combination of the positioned symbols coincides with a winning symbol combination, a prize for the winning symbol combination is awarded to a player. 
     Further on, in the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment, the volcano  28  as performance character is displayed below the symbol display frame  7 . In case there is included a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol in symbols repositioned in the symbol display frame  7  and the above specific symbol is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28 , an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of the volcano  28  is outputted to the lower-side image display panel  6 . At the same time, a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  is outputted from a speaker. 
     Furthermore, a touch panel  11  is provided on a front face of the lower-side image display panel  6 , whereby a player can input various instructions such as designating a symbol and a symbol display region, dragging and dropping a designated symbol, and the like with the touch panel  11 . 
     Furthermore, a credit amount display section  8  and a prize amount display section  9  are provided in the lower-side image display panel  6 . The credit amount display section  8  displays amount of credits the player currently holds. The prize amount display section  9  displays: contents of prizes to be awarded in case a combination of repositioned symbols coincides with a winning symbol combination; and contents of prizes won by a bonus game. 
     Below the lower-side image display panel  6 , there are provided: a control panel  15  which consists of: plural buttons with which a player inputs instructions concerning game progress; a coin insertion slot  16  for accepting coins, the gaming media, into the cabinet  2 ; and a bill validator  17 . 
     The control panel  15  includes: a start button  18 ; a change button  19 ; a CASHOUT button  20 ; a  1 -BET button  21 ; and a MAX-BET button  22 . The start button  18  is operation means for inputting an instruction to let the reels  23  through  27  start spinning. The change button  19  is operation means for asking a shop keeper of money changing. The CASHOUT button  20  is operation means for inputting an instruction to prize coins equivalent to the amount of credits a player has earned (1 coin for 1 credit) onto a coin tray  30  through a coin prize opening  29  or for inputting an instruction to prize credits in a form of bar-code ticket  25  to be described later. 
     The 1-BET button  21  is operation means for accepting an instruction to wager  1  credit upon a game out of all the credits a player has held. The MAX-BET button  22  is operation means for accepting an instruction to wager maximum number of credits (5 credits is the maximum number in the first embodiment) a player can wager upon per one game out of all the credits the player has held. As to variant of BET-button, various BET buttons such as a 3-BET button, and the like are applicable. 
     In the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment, coins, bills, or electric valuable information (credit) corresponding to coins and bills can be used as gaming media. However, in the present invention, types of gaming media are not restricted to the above. For example, medals, tokens, electric money, tickets, and the like are applicable as gaming media. 
     Next, there will be described symbols positioned in the symbol display frame  7  laid-out in the lower-side image display panel  6  in a game by referring to  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 3  is a front view showing the symbol display frame  7  directed to the first embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a front view showing the symbol display frame  7  in which symbols are repositioned.  FIG. 5  is a prize table showing winning symbol combinations and prizes associated with the respective winging symbol combinations applied in the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the symbol display frame  7  directed to the first embodiment consists of five columns for reels  23  through  27 . The reels  23  through  27  individually have symbol display regions  31  through  45 . More specifically, since the reels  23  through  27  individually display three symbols when they stop spinning, they have fifteen symbol display regions  31  through  45 . Furthermore, there are defined five pay lines L 1  through L 5  which associate some or all of the symbol display regions  31  through  45  (five of them is associated as a group in the first embodiment) in accordance with a predetermined arrangement manner. 
     To start a game, the number of bets is determined by operating the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22 , and next, the start button  18  is pressed. Upon an input of the start button  18 , the reels  23  through  27  start spinning downward and spinning-state symbol columns depicted on respective reel bands are displayed within the symbol display regions  31  through  45  laid-out in the symbol display frame  7 . After a lapse of a predetermined time, the reels  23  through  27  stop spinning and a part of each of the symbol columns depicted on reel bands of the reels  23  through  27  is displayed in each of the symbol display regions  31  through  45  laid-out in the symbol display frame  7 . Thereby, a symbol is repositioned in the each of the symbol display regions  31  through  45  and fifteen symbols in total are repositioned there (see  FIG. 4 ). Furthermore, various winning symbol combinations are previously defined (see  FIG. 5 ) and in case a combination of symbols repositioned on one of activated pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  laid-out in the symbol display frame  7  coincides with a winning symbol combination, a prize is awarded to a player. 
     It is to be noted that the symbol display regions  31  through  45  are plotted with dotted lines to make each of them discriminative in the drawings, however, the symbol display regions  31  through  45  may be plotted without such dotted lines. 
     Twenty-two symbols are depicted on respective reel bands of reels  23  through  27 . Each symbol column is made by combining “RED7”, “BLUE7”, “BELL”, “APPLE”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, and “PLUM” shown in  FIG. 5 . The above mentioned symbols are positioned on respective reel bands of the reels  23  through  27  in individually different orders and combinations. 
     When three, four, or five identical symbols among “RED 7 ”, “BLUE 7 ”, “BELL”, “APPLE”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY” and “PLUM are repositioned in succession on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5  within the symbol display frame  7 , a previously defined prize is awarded to a player (see  FIG. 5 ). It is to be noted that numerical values indicated in  FIG. 5  are amount of prizes to be awarded per “1” bet. Therefore, in case the number of bets is “1”, a numerical value indicated in  FIG. 5  is added to player&#39;s credits, and in case the number of bets is “2” or larger, a multiple of the number of bets on the numerical value indicated in  FIG. 5  is added to player&#39;s credits. 
     For example, in case three, four, or five “RED7” symbols are repositioned in succession on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5 , a pre-defined amount of payouts, namely, 20˜500 credit-equivalent prizes, is awarded to a player and a bonus game occurs. Games to be carried out by the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment consist of two game modes, namely, base game and bonus game. A base game is played in such a manner that a player aims to reposition a certain symbol combination on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5  within the symbol display frame  7  and five reels are used therein. On the other hand, a bonus game is played in such a manner that three jewelry boxes as choices are indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6 , and then, a game directed to player&#39;s choice of a jewelry box associated with prize amount is carried out. Details of the bonus game will be omitted here. 
     In the first embodiment, in case a combination of symbols consisting of predetermined number of identical symbols is positioned on one of activated pay lines L 1  thorough L 5 , the combination is treated as a winning symbol combination and a prize is awarded. However, other than the above case, a prize may be awarded in case a predetermined number of identical symbols are positioned in symbol display regions regardless of whether on a pay line or not. 
     Next, there will be described a control system of the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment by referring to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a block diagram exemplary showing a control system of the slot machine  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the control system of the slot machine  1  basically consists of a mother board  60  and a gaming board  50 . The mother board  60  and the gaming board  50  makes up a controller  49  which is to execute a control program and the like (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) to be described later. 
     The gaming board  50  comprises: a CPU  51 , a ROM  55 , a boot ROM  52 , connected to one another by internal bus; a card slot  53 S for accepting a memory card  53 ; and an IC socket  54 S compatible with a GAL (Generic Array Logic)  54 . 
     The memory card  53  is a non-volatile memory which is a recording medium to store a game program and a game system program (termed as game program and the like, hereafter) therein. The game program stored in the memory card  53  includes a lottery program. The lottery program is to decide a symbol  46  to be displayed in each of the symbol display regions  31  though  45 . 
     The memory card  53  also includes a symbol lottery table for lotteries of symbols  46  to be displayed in the symbol display regions  31  through  45 . The symbol lottery table is a table which associates a predetermined range of random number values with symbols  46  to be displayed in the symbol display regions  31  through  45 . To be more specific, symbols  46  to be displayed in respective symbol display regions are firstly drawn and determined by referring to the symbol lottery table, and after that, it is detected whether or not a combination of symbols  46  determined by the lottery coincides with a winning symbol combination of which prize is awarded to a player. 
     As a variant, a symbol lottery table may be a table which associates a predetermined range of random number values with prize values to be awarded to a player. In such a case, a prize value to be awarded to a player is firstly drawn and determined by referring to the symbol lottery table, and after that, a winning combination of symbols  46  which satisfies the determined prize value is selected by the main CPU  61 . 
     Next, there will be described the mother board  60 . The mother board  60  is constituted by a commercially available and versatile mother board (printed-wiring board on which essential parts of a personal computer are mounted), and equipped with a main CPU  61 , a ROM  62 , a RAM  63 , and a communication interface  64 . 
     The ROM  62  consists of a memory device such as flash memory or the like, and stores permanent data of programs such as BIOS and the like which are to be executed by the main CPU  61 . When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU  61 , an initialization processing for certain peripheral devices is carried out and a fetch processing for fetching a game program and the like is started through the gaming board  50 . 
     The RAM  63  stores data and programs to be used when the main CPU  61  starts processing. The RAM  63  can store various programs to be read out through the gaming board  50 , namely, an authentication program, the game program and the like, as well as various information concerning amount of credits a player currently holds, and the like. 
     The communication interface  64  is a communicating device for communicating with a server or the like installed in a game arcade through a communication line. 
     A main body PCB  70  and a door PCB  80  both described later are separately connected to the mother board  60  with USB. Furthermore, a power supply unit  65  is connected to the mother board  60 . When power is supplied to the mother board  60  from the power supply unit  65 , the main CPU  61  in the mother board  60  is activated. At the same time, power is supplied to the gaming board  50  through PCI bus, whereby the CPU  51  is activated. 
     A hopper  66 , a coin detecting section  67 , a graphic board  68 , a speaker  69 , a touch panel  11 , a bill validator  17  and the like are connected to the main body PCB  70 . 
     The graphic board  68  controls image display at the upper-side image display panel  5  and the lower-side image display panel  6  in accordance with a control signal outputted from the main CPU  61 . For example, the upper-side image display panel  5  displays a help screen and a prize table, and the lower-side image display panel  6  displays spinning-state symbols  46  and spinning-stopped-state symbols  46  in the symbol display frame  7  along virtual spinning of the reels  23  through  27  and also displays the volcano  28  as performance character and an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  with a predetermined timing. 
     A control panel  15 , a reverter  16 S, a coin counter  16 C and a cold-cathode tube  81  are connected to the door PCB  80 . The control panel  15  is equipped with: a start switch  18 S directed to the start button  18 ; a change switch  19 S directed to the change button  19 ; a CASHOUT switch  20 S directed to the CASHOUT button  20 ; a 1-BET switch  21 S directed to the 1-BET button  21 ; and a MAX-BET switch  22 S directed to the MAX-BET button  22 . Each of the switches  18 S through  22 S outputs a signal to the main CPU  61  when corresponding button is operated by a player. 
     Next, there will be described a main control program to be executed in the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment by referring to drawings.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a main control program. 
     It is to be noted that, before the main control program is executed, the memory card  53  has been inserted in the card slot  53 S of the gaming board  50  and the GAL  54  has been attached to the IC socket  54 S. 
     When power is turned on at the power supply unit  65 , the mother board  60  and the gaming board  50  are respectively activated and an authentication readout processing is carried out at S 1 . At the authentication readout processing, the mother board  60  and the gaming board  50  carry out their respective processing procedures separately and simultaneously. 
     That is, in the gaming board  50 , the CPU  51  reads out an auxiliary authentication program stored in the boot ROM  52  and carries out auxiliary authentication in accordance with the auxiliary authentication program to verify and prove that no falsification of the program is found before fetching the program to the mother board  60 . 
     On the other hand, in the mother board  60 , the main CPU  61  executes the BIOS stored in the ROM  62 , and gets compressed data included in the BIOS decompressed into the RAM  63 , thereby to execute the BIOS decompressed into the RAM  63  and to carry out diagnosis and initialization of various peripheral devices. 
     After that, the controller  49  reads out the authentication program stored in the ROM  55  and verifies and authenticates that the no falsification is found in the game program and the like stored in the memory card  53  inserted in the card slot  53 S. After the authentication processing completes normally, the controller  49  writes the authenticated game program and the like in the RAM  63 . Sequentially, the controller  49  carries out a fetch processing to read out prize rate setting data stored in the GAL  54  through the gaming board  50  and writes the read-out prize rate setting date in the RAM  63 . 
     After completion of the above procedures, the controller  49  completes the authentication readout processing. 
     At S 2 , the main CPU  61  sequentially reads out and executes the game program and the like authenticated at the authentication readout processing of S 1  thereby to carry out a main game processing. By carrying out the main game processing, a game is carried out with the slot machine  1  of the first embodiment. The main game processing is repeatedly carried out while power is supplied to the slot machine  1 . 
     Next, there will be described a subroutine concerning the main game processing of S 2  by referring to  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the flowchart of the main game processing to be carried out in the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. It is to be noted that programs indicated in the flowchart are stored in the memory card  53 , decompressed in the RAM  63 , and executed by the controller  49 . 
     After carrying out a predetermined initial setting, the controller  49  firstly carries out a start acceptance processing at S 11  in which an inserted coin is accepted and the number of bets is set. At the start acceptance processing, there is carried out a processing to clear out some data set and stored in a certain data regions (e.g., prize number counter, and the like). Furthermore, at the start acceptance processing, a player is allowed to carry out bet operations such as inserting coins and setting the number of bets for a next game between 1-BET and 5-BET with the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22 . 
     In case of one bet, a pay line L 1  is activated. In case of two bets, two pay lines L 1  and L 2  are activated. In case of three bets, three pay lines L 1 , L 2 , and L 3  are activated. In case of four bets, four pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , and L 4  are activated. In case of five bets (maximum bets), five pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  are activated. 
     It is to be noted that, during the start acceptance processing, the symbol display frame  7  filled with fifteen symbols repositioned in a preceding game and the volcano  28 , the performance character, (see  FIG. 1 ) are displayed in the lower-side image display panel  6 . 
     Next, the controller  49  judges whether or not the start button  18  has been pressed at S 12 . For judging presence or absence of an input from the start button  18 , the controller  49  detects whether or not to receive an input signal outputted from the start switch  18 S. 
     In case the start button  18  is not pressed (S 12 : NO), the processing returns to the start acceptance processing (S 11 ) again. Under this state, a player can change the number of bets or the like by operating bet buttons. In case the start button  18  is pressed (S 12 : YES), the number of bets set for activating the pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  by operating the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22  is subtracted from amount of credits the player currently holds, and stored in the RAM  43  as bet information. 
     At S 13 , the controller  49  carries out a symbol lottery processing in which there are drawn and determined symbols to be repositioned in respective symbol display regions  31  through  45  laid-out in the symbol display frame  7 . To be more specific, the controller  49  executes a random number generating program included in the lottery program stored in the RAM  63 . Thereby, random number values are extracted, and fifteen symbols  46  to be repositioned in the symbol display regions  31  through  45  (i.e., stop positions of the reels  23  through  27 ) are determined from plural kinds of symbols by referring to the extracted random number values and the symbol lottery table. 
     At S 14 , the controller  49  carries out a symbol position processing. At the symbol position processing, firstly, the controller  49  sends the graphic board  68  a start signal to start spinning of the reels  23  through  27 . Upon receiving the start signal, the graphic board  68  carries out a spinning-reel-image display processing. That is, the graphic board  68  carries out display control to make the reels  23  through  27  start spinning virtually in the lower-side image display panel  6  so as to display symbol columns spinning at predetermined speed. 
     After sending the start signal, the controller  49  determines effects to be carried out in a game (e.g., an image to be displayed in the upper-side image display panel  5  and a sound to be outputted from the speaker  69 ) and starts carrying out effects in accordance with a determined manner. After a lapse of a predetermined time, a spinning-stopped-state reel image is sequentially displayed in order of reel  23 →reel  24 →reel  25 →reel  26 →reel  27 , whereby three symbols  46  on each of the reels  23  through  27  are exposed and repositioned (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     At S 15 , the controller  49  judges whether or not a combination of symbols  46  positioned on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5  within the symbol display regions coincides with a winning symbol combination to which a prize is awarded. 
     In case a combination of symbols  46  is judged as a winning symbol combination (S 15 : YES), the processing goes on to S 16 . In case it is judged as not a winning symbol combination (S 15 : NO), the main game processing is terminated. In case a new game is started continually to the preceding game, a series of processing to follow S 11  is carried out. 
     At S 16 , the controller  49  notifies a player of contents of prizes by causing the lower-side image display panel  6  to indicate contents of prizes directed to the winning symbol combination detected at S 15 . For example,  FIG. 4  indicates a winning symbol combination consisting of five “RED7” symbols positioned on the pay line L 1 . In such a case, a sign “Win 500” is indicated to notify that 500 credits will be awarded as prize. 
     Next, at S 17 , it is judged whether or not a combination of symbols  46  on one of activated pay lines within the symbol display regions  31  through  45  as a result of the symbol position processing at S 14  coincides with a bonus symbol combination which causes a bonus game to occur as prize. Combinations of three or more of “RED7” symbols  46  positioned in succession on an activated pay line correspond to bonus symbol combinations, here. 
     In case it is judged that a combination of symbols  46  positioned on one of activated pay lines coincides with a bonus symbol combination (S 17 : YES), the processing goes on to a bonus game processing (S 18 ). There can be considered various mannered bonus games, however, details of a bonus game will be described provided that a free game is the bonus game. A free game is a predetermined number of games equivalent to base games and carried out without any bets. To be more specific, at the bonus game processing of S 18 , a predetermined number of symbol repositioning are repeated by making the reels  23  through  27  spin and prize(s) of winning symbol combination(s) in the predetermined number of symbol repositioning is awarded to a player at a prize processing of S 19  to be described later. A bonus game may be made to occur in case a predetermined number or more of specific identical symbols are positioned. A bonus game may be made to occur suddenly as mystery or various conditions can be set to make a bonus game occur. Furthermore, of a lottery table to be used in a free game, prizes of winning symbol combinations may be set higher than ones set in a lottery table to be used in a base game. In case it is judged that a combination of symbols  46  positioned on one of activated pay lines does not coincide with a bonus symbol combination (S 17 : NO), the processing goes on to S 19 . 
     At S 19 , the controller  49  awards a player a prize for a combination of indicated symbols. At this prize processing, a prize can be made with coins equivalent to amount of credits (1 credit per 1 coin) by pressing the CASHOUT button  20 , or made with a bar-code ticket. 
     Next, there will be described a character animation effect processing to be carried out in the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment by referring to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a character animation effect processing program to be executed by the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. It is to be noted that programs indicated in the flowchart of  FIG. 9  are stored in the memory card  53 , decompressed into the RAM  63 , and repeatedly executed by the controller  49  with a predetermined length of interval (e.g., 200 ms). 
     Firstly, at S 21 , the controller  49  judges whether or not a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is positioned in the symbol display frame  7  laid-out in the lower-side image display panel  6 . 
     In case it is judged that neither a “RED7” symbol nor a “BLUE7” symbol is positioned (S 21 : NO), i.e., a case that symbols other than the above specific symbols are positioned in the symbol display frame  7  or a case that the reels  23  through  27  are in the middle of spinning, the character animation effect processing is terminated. In case either a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is positioned (S 21 : YES), there will be accepted an operation with the touch panel  11  done by a player. 
     At S 22 , the controller  49  detects that a symbol  46  positioned in the symbol display frame  7  is designated by a player&#39;s touch operation. This detection is made in accordance with a location signal from the touch panel  11 . For example, as shown at an upper stage in  FIG. 1 , in case a player touches a location of a “RED7” symbol at a second row from top and at a third column from left, the controller  49  detects that the “RED7” symbol at the second row from top and at the third column from left is designated by the player. 
     At S 22 , the controller  49  also detects that a player keeps touching and moving (dragging) a symbol  46  positioned in the symbol display frame  7 . In case the controller  49  detects that a symbol is being dragged, display control is carried and in the lower-side image display panel  6 , the symbol is displayed as if moving together with movement of a finger which touches the symbol, as shown at a middle stage of  FIG. 1 . It is to be noted that it is only a “RED7” symbol that can be dragged and moved in the first embodiment. 
     Further on, at S 22 , the controller  49  detects that the finger leaves (drops) the being-dragged symbol  46 . Especially, in case the controller  49  detects that a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol is dropped to the crater of the volcano  28 , the performance character, an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  is outputted in the lower-side image display panel, as shown at a lower stage of  FIG. 1 . In addition, a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  is outputted from the speaker  69 . 
     Next, at S 23 , the controller  49  judges whether or not a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped to the outside of the display, i.e., the outside of the lower-side image display panel  6 . In case it is judged that a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped to the outside of display (S 23 : YES), a sign “WARNIG !” is indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6  (S 24 ). Furthermore, a warning sound which is an electronic sound is outputted from the speaker  69 . After that, the processing returns on to the judgment process of S 21 . 
     On the other hand, in case it is judged that a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is not dragged and dropped to the outside of the display (S 23 : NO), the processing goes on to S 25  and it is judged whether or not a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  which is the performance character indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6 . 
     In case it is judged that a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 25 : YES), there is outputted an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  to the lower-side image panel  6  (S 26 ). There is also outputted a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  from the speaker  69  (S 26 ). 
     It is to be noted that, in the first embodiment, an animation effect and a sound effect outputted when a “RED7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  differs from the one outputted when a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28 . To be more specific, the animation effect and sound effect outputted when a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped is more drastic than the ones outputted when a “RED7” symbol  46  is dragged and dropped. 
     On the other hand, in case it is judged that a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is not dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 25 : NO), the processing returns to S 21  and it is judged whether or not a specific symbol is positioned in the symbol display frame  7  laid-out in the lower-side image display panel  6 . 
     As described, in the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment, for starting a game, a player operates the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22 , whereby the number of bets, between 1-BET and 5-BET, for a next game is accepted (S 11 ). Consequently, the reels  23  through  27  start spinning and, after a lapse of a predetermined time, fifteen symbols  46  are repositioned in the symbol display regions (S 14 ). Particularly, in case a “RED7” symbol  46  or a “BLUE7” symbol  46  is included in the repositioned symbols, a player is allowed to drag and drop the “RED 7 ” or “BLUE7” symbol  46  to the crater of the volcano  28 , the performance character. As a result, there are outputted an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  and a sound effect corresponding to an eruption sound (S 26 ). Thereby, new entertaining factors which conventional slot machines did not have inherently can be achieved. Furthermore, since a player can enjoy various performances by moving a positioned symbol during a waiting time in a game, the player does not get bored. 
     Furthermore, in case a symbol is dragged and dropped to the outside of a display, a warning sign is displayed and a warning sound is outputted (S 24 ). Therefore, a player can carry out such special operation correctly with the aid of the warning sign and sound. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, there will be described a slot machine directed to a second embodiment by referring to  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 13 . It is to be noted that, in the following descriptions, numerals same as those of the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9  are assigned to similar or same structural portions of the slot machine directed to the second embodiment. 
     An outline construction of the slot machine directed to the second embodiment is almost same as that of the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. Also, various control processing are almost same as those of the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. 
     The slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment outputs an animation effect and a sound effect when a symbol positioned in the symbol display frame  7  is dragged and dropped to the performance character, whereas the slot machine directed to the second embodiment outputs an animation effect and a sound effect when a symbol whose look is same as or similar to a symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location in the symbol display frame  7  is dragged and dropped to the performance character. In this regard, the slot machine directed to the second embodiment differs from the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. 
     There will be described a feature of the slot machine directed to the second embodiment by referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are diagrams for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to the second embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In the slot machine directed to the second embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the lower-side image display panel  6  displays: the symbol display frame  7  in which fifteen symbols are positioned in a form of 3 rows×5 columns matrix; and the volcano  28  which is a performance character. In this regard, in the symbol display frame  7 , there are arranged five columns of symbol display regions each of which is to position three of many symbols depicted on a reel band of a reel. That is, three symbol display regions are assigned to each of five reels  23  through  27 . In each of the symbol display regions, one of symbols depicted on respective reel bands of the reels  23  through  27  is positioned. Furthermore, five pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  are provided on the symbol display frame  7  laid-out in the lower-side image display panel  6 . Furthermore, various winning symbol combinations are previously defined. 
     In every base game carried out by the slot machine directed to the second embodiment, the start button is operated by a player, whereby some or all of the five pay lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , and L 5  is/are activated depending on the number of bets. Especially, in case either a winning symbol combination or a one-symbol-different losing symbol combination in which only one of the symbols does not coincide with a certain winning symbol combination is to be positioned on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5 , symbols are repositioned in the symbol display frame  7  while spinning state is kept at predetermined locations to put a certain incomplete symbol combination on an activated pay line in a ready-to-win situation (in  FIG. 10 , three symbols to be positioned with the reel  25  are left undetermined). After that, there will be displayed three cards (symbol characters)  101  through  103  with their symbol-character faces placed downward in the lower-side image display panel  6 . That is, predetermined symbols (e.g., “RED7”, “CHERRY”, and “PLUM”) are depicted on downward faces of the cards  101  through  103  and the depicted symbols are made indistinguishable since they are placed with their symbol-character faces downward. After that, in case a player drags and drops a card whose symbol character on its downward face completes a winning symbol combination to the crater of the volcano  28 , an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of the volcano  28  and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  are outputted. At the same time, a card which is now turned over to make its symbol distinguishable is moved from the crater of the volcano  28  to a ready-to-win-situated symbol display region in which a symbol has not been repositioned yet, and further on, the still-spinning-state reel is stopped to position symbols in other symbol-undetermined symbol display regions which are not put in the ready-to-win situation. At this opportunity, in the symbol display region to which the turned-over card has been moved, a winning symbol  104  which completes a winning symbol combination is repositioned. In case the cards  101  through  103  are dragged and dropped to the outside of the display, a warning sign and a warning sound are outputted. 
     On the other hand, in case none of the three cards  101  through  103  is a card whose symbol character on its downward face completes a winning symbol combination, spinning of the reel  25  is stopped to position three symbols in the three symbol-undetermined symbol display regions when all of the cards  101  through  103  are dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this case, three symbols to be newly positioned are positioned in a manner not to make up a winning symbol combination. 
     Next, there will be described a subroutine concerning a main game processing to be carried out by the slot machine directed to the second embodiment by referring to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  shows a flowchart of a main game processing program to be executed in the slot machine directed to the second embodiment. It is to be noted that programs indicated in the flowchart are stored in the memory card  53 , decompressed in the RAM  63 , and executed by the controller  49 . 
     Since S 101 , S 102  and S 103  correspond to already-described S 11 , S 12 , and S 13 , respectively, directed to the main game processing ( FIG. 8 ) to be carried out in the slot machine  1  directed the first embodiment, descriptions of them will be omitted. 
     At S 104 , the controller  49  carries out a symbol position processing to be described later ( FIG. 13 ). At the symbol position processing, symbols excluding specific symbols (“PLUM”, “RED7”, and “STRAWBERRY” in  FIG. 10 ) to be positioned in predetermined locations (corresponding to symbol display regions  37  through  39  in  FIG. 10 ) are firstly positioned. After that, symbol characters (cards  101  through  103 ) whose looks are same as or similar to a certain symbol are indicated with their symbols indistinguishable. After the thus displayed symbol characters are dragged and dropped to the performance character (the volcano  28 ), a specific symbol is repositioned in accordance with a lottery result (see  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ). 
     Since S 105 , S 106 , S 107 , S 108  and S 109  correspond to already-described S 15 , S 16 , S 17 , S 18  and S 19 , respectively, directed to the main game processing ( FIG. 8 ) to be carried out in the slot machine  1  directed the first embodiment, descriptions of them will be omitted. 
     Next, there will be described a subroutine concerning a symbol position processing to be carried out by the slot machine directed to the second embodiment by referring to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  shows a flowchart of a symbol position processing program to be executed in the slot machine directed to the second embodiment. It is to be noted that programs indicated in the flowchart are stored in the memory card  53 , decompressed in the RAM  63 , and executed by the controller  49 . 
     Firstly, at S 111 , the controller  49  sends the graphic board  68  a start signal to start spinning of the reels  23  through  27 . Upon receiving the start signal, the graphic board  68  carries out a spinning-reel-image display processing. That is, the graphic board  68  carries out display control to make the reels  23  through  27  start spinning virtually in the lower-side image display panel  6  so as to display symbol columns spinning at predetermined speed. After sending the start signal, the controller  49  determines effects to be carried out in a game (e.g., an image to be displayed in the upper-side image display panel  5  and a sound to be outputted from the speaker  69 ) and starts carrying out effects in accordance with the determined manner. 
     Next, at S 112 , as a lottery result at S 103 , it is judged whether or not either one of the following two conditions is satisfied: (1) a winning symbol combination is positioned on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5 ; or (2) a one-symbol-different losing combination in which only one of the symbols does not coincide with a certain winning symbol combination is positioned on one of activated pay lines L 1  through L 5  and a manner to use the cards  101  through  103  is selected as effects for the performance. 
     In case the manner to use the cards  101  through  103  is not selected (S 112 : NO), after a lapse of a predetermined time, a spinning-stopped-state reel image is sequentially displayed by the controller  49  in order of reel  23 →reel  24 →reel  25 →reel  26 →reel  27 , whereby three symbols  46  are exposed and repositioned in each of the reels  23  through  27  (S 113 ). After that, the processing goes on to a judgment processing at S 105 . 
     In case the manner to use the cards  101  through  103  is selected (S 112 : YES), after a lapse of a predetermined time, a spinning-stopped-state reel image is sequentially displayed by the controller  49  at four of the reels  23  through  27  so as to represent a ready-to-win situation. Thereby, three symbols  46  are repositioned in each of the four spinning-stopped-state reels among the reels  23  through  27  (S 114 ). 
     After that, at S 115 , the controller  49  displays three symbol-characters (cards  101  through  103 ) with their predetermined symbol-character faces (e.g., “RED 7 ”, “CHERRY”, and “PLUM”) placed downward to make them indistinguishable in the lower-side image display panel  6 . It is to be noted that one of the three symbol characters is the symbol to be indicated in a symbol-undetermined symbol display region put in the ready-to-win situation, which is determined in accordance with a lottery result at S 103 . 
     After that, at S 116 , the controller  49  accepts an operation done by a player with the touch panel  11 . The controller  49  detects that one of the cards  101  through  103  positioned within the symbol display frame  7  is designated by a player&#39;s touch operation. This detection is made in accordance with a location signal from the touch panel  11 . For example, as shown at a middle stage in  FIG. 10 , in case a player touches a location of the left-most card  101 , the controller  49  detects that the card  101  is designated by the player. 
     At S 116 , the controller  49  also detects that a player keeps touching and moving (dragging) one of the cards  101  through  103  indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6 . In case the controller  49  detects that a one of the cards  101  through  103  is being dragged, display control is carried out and in the lower-side image display panel  6 , the designated card is displayed as if moving together with movement of a finger which touches the card, as shown at a middle stage of  FIG. 10 . 
     Further on, at S 116 , the controller  49  detects that the finger leaves (drops) the being-dragged card. Especially, in case the controller  49  detects that a card whose symbol at its downward face is a symbol to complete a winning symbol combination which is currently a ready-to-win-situated symbol combination is dropped to the crater of the volcano  28 , the performance character, an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  to outputted at the lower-side image display panel  6 , as shown at a lower stage of  FIG. 10 . In addition, a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  is outputted from the speaker  69 . 
     Next, at S 117 , the controller  49  judges whether or not one of the cards  101  through  103  is dragged and dropped to the outside of the display, i.e., the outside of the lower-side image display panel  6 . In case it is judged that the card is dragged and dropped to outside of display (S 117 : YES), a sign, “WARNIG !”, is indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6  (S 118 ). Furthermore, a warning sound which is an electronic sound is outputted from the speaker  69 . After that, the processing goes on to a processing at S 116 . 
     On the other hand, in case it is judged that one of the cared  101  through  103  is not dragged and dropped to the outside of the display (S 117 : NO), the processing goes on to S 119  and it is judged whether or not a card of a winning symbol at its downward face is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  which is the performance character. 
     In case it is judged that the card of the winning symbol at its downward face is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 119 : YES), there is outputted an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  to the lower-side image panel  6  (S 120 ). There is also outputted a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  from the speaker  69  (S 120 ). At the same time, one of the cards which is now turned over to make its symbol distinguishable is moved to a symbol-undetermined symbol display region put in ready-to-win situation, and in accordance with the lottery result at S 103 , symbols are positioned in other symbol-undetermined symbol display regions not put in the ready-to-win situation. In this case, a winning symbol  104  to make up a winning symbol combination is positioned in the symbol display region where the turned-over card is moved (S 121 ). 
     It is to be noted that an animation effect and a sound effect outputted when a winning symbol is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  differs depending on winning symbol combination (i.e., prize value to be awarded). To be more specific, the animation effect and the sound effect outputted when a winning symbol combination consisting of three or more of “RED7” symbols  46  is positioned on an activated pay line is more drastic than the ones outputted when a winning symbol combination consisting of three or more of “CHERRY” symbols  46  is positioned on an activated pay line. Other than the above case, as to-be-awarded prize value of a winning symbol combination is higher, an animation effect and a sound effect to be outputted may be made more drastic. 
     In case it is judged that a card of the winning symbol at its downward face is not dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 119 : NO), it is further judged whether or not all of the three cards  101  through  103  are dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 122 ). In case it is judged that all of the three cards  101  through  103  are dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 122 : YES), symbols are positioned in other symbol-undetermined symbol display regions not put in the ready-to-win situation in accordance with the lottery result at S 103  (S 123 ). In this case, a non-winning symbol is positioned in a symbol-undetermined symbol display region put in the ready-to-win situation and therefore, a winning symbol combination is not completed (see  FIG. 11 ). 
     In case it is judged that all of the three cards  101  through  103  are not dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 122 : NO), the processing returns to S 116 . 
     As described, in the slot machine directed to the second embodiment, for starting a game, a player operates the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22 , whereby the number of bets, between 1-BET and 5-BET, for a next game is accepted (S 101 ). Consequently, the reels  23  through  27  start spinning. In case a manner to use the cards  101  through  103  is selected as effects, except symbols to be positioned in predetermined symbol display regions, symbols are repositioned after a lapse of a predetermined time (S 114 ). After that, there are displayed plural symbol characters whose looks are same as or similar to certain symbols with their symbol-character faces placed downward (S 115 ). Particularly, in case a symbol character of a winning symbol at its downward face is dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  which is the performance character, there are outputted an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  and a sound effect corresponding to an eruption sound (S 120 ) and further on, the winning symbol is positioned in the symbol display region left undetermined in the ready-to-win-situated symbol combination to complete a winning symbol combination (S 121 ). Thereby, new entertaining factors which conventional slot machines did not have inherently can be achieved. Furthermore, the controller  49  makes a player&#39;s operations intervene in a series of symbol-positioning control, which prevents a game from getting monotonous. Furthermore, symbol-positioning control with this manner makes it possible to make the player feel as if a winning symbol combination is completed as a result of player&#39;s operations 
     Furthermore, in case the cards  101  through  103  are dragged and dropped to the outside of a display, a warning sign is displayed and a warning sound is outputted (S 118 ). Therefore, a player can carry out such special operation correctly with the aid of the warning sign and sound. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, there will be described a slot machine directed to a third embodiment by referring to  FIG. 14  through  FIG. 16 . It is to be noted that, in the following descriptions, numerals same as those of the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9  are assigned to similar or same structural portions of the slot machine directed to the second embodiment. 
     An outline construction of the slot machine directed to the third embodiment is almost same as that of the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. Also, various control processing are almost same as those of the slot machine directed to the first embodiment. 
     The slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment outputs an animation and sound effect when a symbol positioned in the symbol display frame  7  is dragged and dropped to the performance character, whereas the slot machine directed to the third embodiment outputs an animation effect and a sound effect when a symbol whose look is same as or similar to a symbol to be positioned in a predetermined location in a symbol display frame  201  is dragged and dropped to the performance character. In this regard, the slot machine directed to the third embodiment differs from the slot machine  1  directed to the first embodiment. 
     There will be described a feature of the slot machine directed to the third embodiment by referring to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a diagram for illustrating a feature of typical game developments directed to the third embodiment that may be encountered in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In the slot machine directed to the third embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the lower-side image display panel  6  displays: a symbol display frame  201  in which three symbols are positioned in a form of 1 row×3 columns matrix; and the volcano  28  which is a performance character. In this regard, in the symbol display frame  201 , there are arranged three columns of symbol display regions each of which is to position one of many symbols depicted on a reel band of a reel. That is, one symbol display regions is assigned to each of three reels  202  through  204 . In each of the symbol display regions, one of symbols depicted on respective reel bands of the reels  202  through  204  is positioned. Furthermore, a pay line L 6  is provided on the symbol display frame  201  laid-out in the lower-side image display panel  6 . Furthermore, various winning symbol combinations are previously defined. 
     In every base game carried out by the slot machine directed to the third embodiment, the start button is operated by a player to start a game. In case a winning symbol combination o or a one-symbol-different losing symbol combination in which only one of the symbols does not coincide with a certain winning symbol combination is to be positioned on the pay line L 6 , there will be displayed five cards (symbol characters)  211  through  215  with their symbol-character faces placed downward in the lower-side image display panel  6 , at first. That is, predetermined symbols (e.g., “RED 7 ”, “CHERRY”, “PLUM”, and the like) are depicted on downward faces of the cards  211  through  215  and the depicted symbols are made indistinguishable since they are placed with their symbol-character faces downward. After that, in case a player drags and drops three of the cards  211  though  215  to the crater of the volcano  28 , an animation effect to represent a volcanic eruption of the volcano  28  and a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  are outputted, as shown in  FIG. 14 . At the same time, the three cards which are now turned over to make their symbols are distinguishable are moved from the crater of the volcano  28  to symbol display regions, and further on, the still-spinning-state reels  202  through  204  are stopped to position the three symbols  216 ,  217 , and  218  in the symbol display regions. In case the cards  211  through  215  are dragged and dropped to an outside of the display, a warning sign and a warning sound are outputted. 
     Next, there will be described a subroutine concerning a main game processing to be carried out by the slot machine directed to the third embodiment by referring to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  shows a flowchart of a main game processing program to be executed in the slot machine directed to the third embodiment. It is to be noted that programs indicated in the flowchart are stored in the memory card  53 , decompressed in the RAM  63 , and executed by the controller  49 . 
     After carrying out a predetermined initial setting, the controller  49  firstly carries out a start acceptance processing at S 201  in which an inserted coin is accepted and the number of bets is set. At the start acceptance processing, there is carried out a processing to clear out some data set and stored in a certain data regions (e.g., prize number counter, and the like). Furthermore, at the start acceptance processing, a player is allowed to carry out bet operations such as inserting coins and setting the number of bets for a current game between 1-BET and 5-BET with the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22 . 
     It is to be noted that, during the start acceptance processing, a symbol display frame  201  filled with three symbols repositioned in a preceding game and the volcano  28 , the performance character, (see  FIG. 14 ) are displayed in the lower-side image display panel  6 . 
     Next, the controller  49  judges whether or not the start button  18  has been pressed at S 202 . For judging presence or absence of an input from the start button  18 , the controller  49  detects whether or not to receive an input signal outputted from the start switch  18 S. 
     In case the start button  18  is not pressed (S 202 : NO), the processing returns to the start acceptance processing (S 201 ) again. Under this state, a player can change the number of bets or the like by operating bet buttons. In case the start button  18  is pressed (S 202 : YES), the number of bets is subtracted from amount of credits the player currently holds, and stored in the RAM  43  as bet information. 
     At S 203 , the controller  49  carries out a symbol lottery processing in which there are drawn and determined symbols to be repositioned in respective symbol display regions laid-out in the symbol display frame  201 . To be more specific, the controller  49  executes a random number generating program included in the lottery program stored in the RAM  63 . Thereby a random number values are extracted, and three symbols to be repositioned in the symbol display regions (i.e., stop positions of the reels  202  through  204 ) are determined from plural kinds of symbols by referring to the extracted random number value and the symbol lottery table. 
     At S 204 , the controller  49  carries out a symbol position processing to be described later ( FIG. 16 ). At the symbol position processing, five symbol characters (cards  211  through  215 ) whose looks are same as or similar to a certain symbols are indicated with their symbols indistinguishable. After three of the five symbol characters are dragged and dropped to the performance character (the volcano  28 ), symbols are repositioned in the symbol display regions in accordance with a lottery result (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     At S 205 , the controller  49  judges whether or not a combination of symbols positioned on the pay lines L 6  set on the symbol display regions coincides with a winning symbol combination to which a prize is awarded. 
     In case a combination of symbols is judged as a winning symbol combination (S 205 : YES), the processing goes on to S 206 . In case it is judged as not a winning symbol combination (S 205 : NO), the main game processing is terminated. In case a new game is started continually to the preceding game, a series of processing to follow S 201  is carried out. 
     At S 206 , the controller  49  notifies a player of contents of prizes by causing the lower-side image display panel  6  to indicate contents of prizes directed to the winning symbol combination detected at S 205 . 
     Next, at S 207 , it is judged whether or not a combination of symbols positioned on the pay line L 6  set on the symbol display regions at the symbol position processing of S 204  coincides with a bonus symbol combination which awards a bonus game. A combination of three “RED7” symbols on the pay line L 6  corresponds to the bonus symbol combination, here. 
     In case it is judged that a combination of symbols on the pay line L 6  coincides with a bonus symbol combination (S 207 : YES), the processing goes on to a bonus game processing (S 208 ). There can be considered various mannered bonus games, however, details of a bonus game will be described provided that a free game is the bonus game. A free game is a predetermined number of games equivalent to base games and carried out without any bets. To be more specific, at the bonus game processing of S 208 , a predetermined number of symbol repositioning are repeated by making the reels  202  through  204  spin and prize(s) of winning symbol combination(s) in the predetermined number of symbol repositioning is awarded to a player at a prize processing of S 209  to be described later. A bonus game may be made to occur in case a predetermined number or more of specific identical symbols are positioned. A bonus game may be made to occur suddenly as mystery or various conditions can be set to make a bonus game occur. Furthermore, of a lottery table to be used in a free game, prizes of winning symbol combinations may be set higher than ones set in a lottery table to be used in a base game. In case it is judged that a combination of symbols on the pay line L 6  does not coincide with a bonus symbol combination (S 207 : NO), the processing goes on to S 209 . 
     At S 209 , the controller  49  awards a player a prize for a combination of indicated symbols. At this prize processing, a prize can be made with coins equivalent to amount of credits (1 credit per 1 coin) by pressing the CASHOUT button  20 , or made with a bar-code ticket. 
     Next, there will be described a subroutine of the symbol position processing at S 204  which is carried out in the slot machine directed to the third embodiment by referring to  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing a symbol position processing program to be executed by the slot machine directed to the third embodiment. It is to be noted that programs indicated in the flowchart of  FIG. 16  are stored in the memory card  53 , decompressed into the RAM  63 , and repeatedly executed by the controller  49 . 
     Firstly, at S 211 , the controller  49  sends the graphic board  68  a start signal to start spinning of the reels  202  through  204 . Upon receiving the start signal, the graphic board  68  carries out a spinning-reel-image display processing. That is, the graphic board  68  carries out display control to make the reels  202  through  204  start spinning virtually in the lower-side image display panel  6  so as to display symbol columns spinning at predetermined speed. After sending the start signal, the controller  49  determines effects to be carried out in a game (e.g., an image to be displayed in the upper-side image display panel  5  and a sound to be outputted from the speaker  69 ) and starts carrying out effects in accordance with the determined manner. 
     Next, at S 212 , it is judged whether or not a manner to use the cards  211  through  215  is selected as effects. 
     In case the manner to use the cards  211  through  215  is not selected (S 212 : NO), after a lapse of a predetermined time, a spinning-stopped-state reel image is sequentially displayed by the controller  49  in order of reel  202 →reel  203 →reel  204 , whereby a symbol is exposed and repositioned in each of the reels  202  through  204  (S 213 ). After that, the processing goes on to a judgment processing at S 205 . 
     In case the manner to use the cards  211  through  215  is selected (S 212 : YES), the controller  49  displays five symbol characters (cards  211  through  215 ) with their symbol-character faces placed downward to make them indistinguishable in the lower-side image display panel  6  on condition that predetermined symbols (e.g., “CHERRY”×3, “RED”, and “PLUM”) are at their downward faces at S 214 . It is to be noted that among the five symbol characters, there are included three symbols to be positioned in the symbol display regions, which has been determined in accordance with a lottery result at S 203 . 
     After that, at S 215 , the controller  49  accepts an operation done by a player with the touch panel  11 . The controller  49  detects that one of the cards  211  through  215  positioned within the symbol display frame  201  is designated by a player&#39;s touch operation. This detection is made in accordance with a location signal from the touch panel  11 . For example, as shown at a middle stage in  FIG. 14 , in case a player touches a location of the left-most card  211 , the controller  49  detects that the card  211  is designated by the player. 
     At S 215 , the controller  49  also detects that a player keeps touching and moving (dragging) one of the cards  211  through  215  indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6 . In case the controller  49  detects that a one of the cards  211  through  215  is being dragged, display control is carried out and in the lower-side image display panel  6 , the designated card is displayed as if moving together with movement of a finger which touches the card, as shown at a middle stage of  FIG. 14 . 
     Further on, at S 215 , the controller  49  detects that the finger leaves (drops) the being-dragged card. Especially, in case the controller  49  detects that three cards have been dropped to the crater of the volcano  28 , the performance character, an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  is outputted at the lower-side image display panel  6 , as shown at a lower stage of  FIG. 14 . In addition, a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound of the volcano  28  is outputted from the speaker  69 . 
     Next, at S 216 , the controller  49  judges whether or not one of the cards  211  through  215  is dragged and dropped to the outside of the display, i.e., the outside of the lower-side image display panel  6 . In case it is judged that one of the cards  211  through  215  is dragged and dropped to outside of display (S 216 : YES), a sign, “WARNIG!”, is indicated in the lower-side image display panel  6  (S 217 ). Furthermore, a warning sound which is an electronic sound is outputted from the speaker  69 . After that, the processing goes on to a processing at S 215 . 
     On the other hand, in case it is judged that one of the cards  211  through  215  is not dragged and dropped to the outside of the display (S 216 : NO), the processing goes on to S 218  and it is judged whether or not three cards have been dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  which is the performance character. 
     In case it is judged that three cards have been dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 218 : YES), there is outputted an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  to the lower-side image panel  6  (S 219 ). There is also outputted a sound effect corresponding to a volcanic eruption sound from the speaker  69  (S 219 ). At the same time, three cards which are now turned over to make theirs symbols distinguishable are moved to the symbol display regions, and positioning of the three symbols  216 ,  217 , and  218  directed to the three cards is carried out in accordance with the lottery result at S 203  (S 220 ). 
     It is to be noted that an animation effect and a sound effect outputted when three cards are dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  differs depending on winning symbol combination (i.e., prize value to be awarded). To be more specific, the animation and sound effect outputted when a winning symbol combination is positioned on the pay line L 6  is more drastic than the ones outputted when a non-winning symbol combination is positioned on the pay line L 6 . Other than the above case, as to-be-awarded prize value of a winning symbol combination is higher, an animation effect and a sound effect to be outputted may be made more drastic. 
     In case it is judged that three cards are not dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  (S 218 : NO), the processing returns to S 215 . 
     As described, in the slot machine directed to the third embodiment, for starting a game, a player operates the 1-BET button  21  and the MAX-BET button  22 , whereby the number of bets, between 1-BET and 5-BET, for a next game is accepted (S 201 ). Consequently, the reels  202  through  204  start spinning. In case a manner to use the cards  211  through  215  is selected as effects, there are displayed plural symbol characters whose looks are same as or similar to certain symbols with their symbol-character faces placed downward after a lapse of a predetermined time (S 214 ). In case three of the plural symbol characters are dragged and dropped to the crater of the volcano  28  which is the performance character, there are outputted an animation effect of erupting volcano  28  and a sound effect corresponding to an eruption sound (S 219 ) and further on, symbols directed to the three symbol characters are positioned in symbol display regions. Thereby, new entertaining factors which conventional slot machines did not have inherently can be achieved. Furthermore, the controller  49  makes a player&#39;s operations intervene in a series of symbol-positioning control which prevents a game from getting monotonous. Furthermore, symbol-positioning control with this manner makes it possible to make the player feel as if a winning symbol combination is completed as a result of player&#39;s operations 
     Furthermore, in case the cards  101  through  103  are dragged and dropped to the outside of a display, a warning sign is displayed and a warning sound is outputted (S 217 ). Therefore, a player can carry out such special operation correctly with the aid of the warning sign and sound. 
     It is to be noted that the present invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment but, not to mention, it can be variously improved and changed within the scope not departing from the subject matter thereof. 
     For example, in the first through third embodiments, the volcano  28  is used as performance character. However, other character may be used. In case an animal is used as a variant of the performance character, it is preferable to output an animation effect of an animal which eats a symbol or a symbol character dragged and dropped there. Furthermore, it is possible to change eating manners and animal&#39;s expression depending on dragged-and-dropped symbol and resultant symbol combination completed by a dragged-and-dropped symbol. 
     In the first embodiment, an animation and a sound effect are outputted when a specific symbol among symbols positioned in the symbol display regions  31  through  45 , namely, a “RED7” symbol or a “BLUE7” symbol, is dragged and dropped to a performance character. An animation effect and a sound effect may be outputted even when a symbol other than the above specific symbols is dragged and dropped. In that case, it is preferable to output an animation effect and a sound effect which differs depending on symbol. 
     In the third embodiment, whichever three of five symbol characters may be selected for drag-and-drop operation by a player, a resultant combination of symbols positioned in the symbol character regions does not change. However, in a variant of the third embodiment, a resultant combination of symbols may change depending on selection of symbol characters done by a player.