JP7499631B2 - Gaming System - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a gaming system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for linking presentation effects in a group of gaming machines connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. This gaming machine group includes master and slave gaming machines, and is configured with the master gaming machine connected in series at the head. The master gaming machine outputs a timer reset signal to the slave gaming machines. The slave gaming machines reset their own timers using the acquired reset signal. In gaming machines included in such a gaming machine group, it is possible to link multiple gaming machines using a timer (common timer) synchronized by resetting. It is also possible to assign an ID to each gaming machine and link them with a time difference according to the ID. For example, if the gaming machines use illumination using LEDs, it is possible to link the illumination light emission in multiple gaming machines.

International Publication No. 2017/213821

By coordinating the operation of multiple gaming machines, it is possible to operate a group of gaming machines in a more appealing and distinctive manner to players than if the gaming machines were operated individually. However, the above method only uniformly links the gaming machines based on a common timer, and there is room for improvement in terms of coordinating the gaming machines according to the state of each gaming machine and/or the state of the game.

This disclosure provides technology for coordinating multiple gaming machines to provide a unified display depending on the state of each individual gaming machine and/or the state of the game.

A gaming system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is comprised of a plurality of gaming machines that are communicatively connected to each other, each of which independently provides a base game and provides a bonus game when a trigger condition is satisfied in the base game. Each of the plurality of gaming machines includes a control unit and a storage unit, and the control unit is configured to execute a program stored in the storage unit to realize a display control function that, when a trigger condition for a bonus game is satisfied in a base game provided by any of the plurality of gaming machines, displays a main screen for the bonus game on that gaming machine and displays a linked screen linked to the main screen for the bonus game on the other gaming machines.

In this gaming system, when a trigger condition for a bonus game is met in a normal game provided by one of the multiple gaming machines, the main screen of the bonus game is displayed on that gaming machine, and a linked screen linked to the main screen of the bonus game is displayed on the other gaming machines. In this way, the main screen of the bonus game is displayed on the triggered gaming machine, while a linked screen linked to the main screen is displayed on the other gaming machines, making it possible to provide a highly expressive and powerful bonus game by utilizing the screens of the multiple gaming machines.

In one embodiment, the display control function of the other gaming machines may display a linked screen while each of them independently displays a normal game screen. In this case, the other gaming machines that display a linked screen linked to the main screen each independently provide a normal game, so that the display of the linked screen does not interfere with the normal game of a player playing at the other gaming machines. Therefore, even when a linked screen is displayed, games can be provided at all of the multiple gaming machines, which is advantageous in terms of revenue.

In one embodiment, each of the multiple gaming machines may further implement a determination function for determining whether it is in a busy state, and the display control function of the other gaming machines may display a linked screen when the determination function determines that the gaming machine is not in a busy state. In this case, the linked screen can be displayed on the other gaming machines that are not in a busy state, i.e., gaming machines that do not need to prioritize their own processing.

In one embodiment, one of the multiple gaming machines is a host machine that controls the screen display of the multiple gaming machines, and the control unit of the host machine may be configured to realize a display instruction function that, when a trigger condition is satisfied in a normal game provided by one of the multiple gaming machines, transmits the machine identifier of that gaming machine, the result of a bonus game, and an instruction to start a bonus game to the other gaming machines. In this case, the host machine controls the display operations of the multiple gaming machines and can provide a bonus game using a main screen and a linked screen.

In one embodiment, the determination function of the multiple gaming machines may determine that the gaming machines are busy when they are displaying a main screen of a bonus game. In one embodiment, the display control function of the multiple gaming machines may end the display of the linked screen and display the main screen of the bonus game that they provide when a trigger condition is satisfied in a normal game that they provide while they are displaying a linked screen. In this way, even if bonus games are triggered in succession in multiple gaming machines, the subsequent bonus game triggered in the gaming machine can be started without waiting for the completion of the preceding bonus game triggered in the other gaming machines, thereby avoiding waiting times for the player.

A gaming system according to another aspect of the present disclosure is comprised of a plurality of gaming machines that are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other and each of which provides a game. One of the plurality of gaming machines is a host machine that manages the screen display of the plurality of gaming machines, and the host machine includes a control unit and a storage unit. The control unit is configured to execute a program stored in the storage unit to realize a transmission function of inquiring of other gaming machines included in the gaming system as to whether they are busy, a reception function of receiving responses from the other gaming machines, and a display control function of instructing the other gaming machines to start displaying a linked game screen in which the screens are linked together if no response indicating that the other gaming machines are busy is received from the other gaming machines, and instructing the other gaming machines to start displaying independent game screens that are independent of each other if a response indicating that the other gaming machines are busy is received from at least one of the other gaming machines.

In this gaming system, the host machine inquires of the other gaming machines included in the gaming system whether they are busy. If no response indicating that they are busy is received from the other gaming machines, the host machine instructs the other gaming machines to begin displaying a linked game screen in which the screens are linked together. If a response indicating that they are busy is received from at least one of the other gaming machines, the host machine instructs the other gaming machines to begin displaying independent game screens that are independent of each other. By displaying the linked game screen when all of the other gaming machines are not busy, it is possible to prevent a busy gaming machine from not displaying part of the linked game screen, resulting in an incomplete linked game screen. This makes it possible to provide a complete linked game screen with high expressiveness by utilizing the screens of multiple gaming machines.

The game screen may be a demo screen, an attract screen, or a screensaver screen. The technology for multiple gaming machines to work together to operate in unison can be applied to the demo screen, the attract screen, or the screensaver screen.

The present disclosure provides a technique for linking multiple gaming machines to provide a unified display depending on the state of each gaming machine and/or the state of the game.

1 is a front view showing an example of a gaming system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a display area of the gaming machine. FIG. 13 shows a virtual reel set for a normal game. FIG. 13 shows symbols for a normal game. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing paylines according to an embodiment. 13 is an example of an interlocking screen in a bonus game. 1A is a diagram showing a virtual reel strip for a bonus game, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing symbols for the bonus game. 4 is a directory structure diagram and a block diagram showing programs and data stored in the memory of FIG. 3. 4 is a directory structure diagram and a block diagram showing programs and data stored in the memory of FIG. 3. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the game application program of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the system application program of FIG. 11. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation of a linked game screen and an individual game screen. (A) is an example of a linked game screen, and (B) is an example of an independent game screen. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the gaming system when a bonus game is triggered in a gaming machine other than the host machine. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the gaming system when a bonus game is triggered in a gaming machine other than the host machine. (A) is an example of a screen when a bonus game is won, and (B) is an example of an associated screen in the bonus game. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the gaming system when a bonus game is triggered in the host machine. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the gaming system when a bonus game is triggered in the host machine.

The gaming machine according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a gaming system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system 1 includes a plurality of gaming machines 10. The gaming machines 10 are arranged adjacent to each other on a casino floor or the like, and are installed, for example, as a bank in a row. The gaming machines 10 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals. The gaming machines 10 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, and each of them independently provides a normal game and provides a bonus game when a trigger condition is satisfied in the normal game. Note that, although FIG. 1 shows an example in which four gaming machines 10 constitute one gaming system 1, the number of gaming machines is not limited to four, and may be a plurality of machines, more than four or less than four.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a gaming machine according to an embodiment. The gaming machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 can accept a predetermined game value from a player, generate a game result, and provide a payout to the player according to the game result and a pay table. The game provided by the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a video slot game, and the gaming machine 10 provides, for example, a normal game, a free game, and a bonus game. The free game and the bonus game are provided when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the normal game and the free game, the symbols displayed in the display area form a combination of symbols that is the result of the game, and the winning is determined based on the combination. In the bonus game, the triggered gaming machine 10 displays a main screen of the bonus game, while the other gaming machines display a linked screen linked to the main screen. The linked screen will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 10 includes a display 16 and a cabinet 12. The cabinet 12 also houses a control unit 22 (see FIG. 3) that controls the components of the gaming machine 10.

The display 16 is a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. The display 16 is controlled via the control unit 22 to provide the player with a game screen. Illumination 36 may be provided around the display 16 to provide decorative lighting.

The cabinet 12 is disposed below the display 16. A control panel 18 is provided on the front of the cabinet 12 so as to protrude forward. The control panel 18 is provided with a player tracking unit 20, a speaker 26, a bill/ticket recognition unit 28, a printer unit 30, and an operation unit 32.

The player tracking unit 20 includes a card reader that recognizes a player identification card, a display that presents data to the player, and a keypad that accepts input by the player. The player tracking unit 20 works in cooperation with the control unit 22 or an external system to read information recorded on a player identification card inserted into the card reader by the player, and displays that information and/or information obtained by communicating with the external system on the display. Furthermore, input from the player is accepted by the keypad, the display is changed in accordance with the input, and communication with the external system is performed as necessary.

The speakers 26 are provided on the left and right sides of the control panel 18. The speakers 26 provide sound to the player by being controlled via the control unit 22.

The bill/ticket identification unit 28 can be housed in the cabinet 12 with an insertion opening exposed, through which bills/tickets are inserted. An identification section that identifies bills/tickets using various sensors is provided inside the insertion opening. A bill/ticket storage section is provided on the output port side of the identification section. The bill/ticket identification unit 28 accepts bills/tickets (including vouchers and coupons) that are game value, identifies them as game value, and notifies the control section 22.

The printer unit 30 can be housed in the cabinet 12 with the ticket output port exposed, from which the ticket is output. A printing section that prints predetermined information on printing paper is provided inside the ticket output port, and a storage section that stores printing paper is provided on the paper inlet side of the printing section. The printer unit 30 prints information on paper under the control of the control section 22, and outputs a ticket from the gaming machine 10 in accordance with a credit payout process. The output ticket can be inserted into the bill/ticket identification unit 28 of another gaming machine, allowing the paid-out credit to be used in game play, or can be exchanged for cash at a kiosk terminal or casino cage in the casino.

The operation unit 32 accepts operations by the player. The operation unit 32 includes a group of buttons that accept various instructions from the player of the gaming machine 10. For example, the operation unit 32 may include a spin button and a group of set buttons. The spin button accepts an instruction to start an instance of the game (to start the reels spinning). The set button group includes a line set button group, a bet button group, and a cash out button. The bet button group accepts an instruction operation from the player regarding the amount of credits to be bet (bet amount). The cash out button accepts an instruction operation to instruct the payout of credits accumulated in the gaming machine 10.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a gaming machine. The gaming machine 10 includes a control unit 22. The control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 38 including a processor constituting the control unit 22, an interface unit 40, a memory 42, and a storage 44. The control unit 22 may be housed inside the cabinet 12 as a control board. The control unit 22 is configured to be able to communicate with each unit via the interface unit 40, and controls the operation of each unit by executing a program recorded in the memory 42 (an example of a storage unit) of the CPU 38 or the storage 44 (an example of a storage unit), thereby providing a game to the player.

The interface unit 40 includes a chipset that provides communication functions for the CPU 38, such as a memory bus connected to the CPU 38, various expansion buses, a serial interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface.

The memory 42 can be configured to include RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile storage medium, ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a non-volatile storage medium, and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), which is a rewritable non-volatile storage medium. The storage 44 provides the control unit 22 with the function of an external storage device, and can use a reading device such as a memory card and a magneto-optical disk, which are removable storage media, and can also use a hard disk.

Connected to the interface unit 40 are the bill/ticket identification unit 28, the printer unit 30, the player tracking unit 20, a graphics controller (GPU: Graphics Processing Unit) 50, an input controller 52, a sound controller 53, and an illumination controller 54. The graphics controller 50, the input controller 52, the sound controller 53, and the illumination controller 54 may be housed inside the cabinet 12 as control boards.

The control unit 22 is connected to the display 16 via a graphics controller 50. The control unit 22 is connected to the operation unit 32 via an input controller 52. The control unit 22 is connected to the illumination 36 via an illumination controller 54.

The control unit 22 controls each unit by executing programs stored in the memory 42 and storage 44, and provides the game to the player. Here, for example, the control unit 22 may be configured to store the programs and data of the operating system and subsystems that provide the basic functions of the control unit 22 in the EEPROM of the memory 42, and to store the programs and data of the applications that provide the game in the storage 44. With such a configuration, the game can be easily changed or updated by replacing the storage 44. Furthermore, the control unit 22 may be configured as a multiprocessor including multiple CPUs.

The blocks connected to the control unit 22 are described below. The bill/ticket identification unit 28 accepts bills/tickets at the insertion slot and notifies the control unit 22 of identification information corresponding to the bill type or credit payout process. The control unit 22 increases the amount of credits available in the game according to the notified content. The printer unit 30 prints information corresponding to the credit payout process from the gaming machine 10 on a ticket and outputs it under the control of the control unit 22, which accepts operation of a cashout button included in the operation unit 32.

The player tracking unit 20 cooperates with the control unit 22 to send and receive player information and the like to and from the casino management system. The graphics controller 50 controls the display 16 under the control of the control unit 22, and displays a display image including various graphics data. The sound controller 53 drives the speaker 26 under the control of the control unit 22, and provides various sounds such as announcements, sound effects, and background music. The illumination controller 54 controls the lighting of the illumination 36 under the control of the control unit 22.

The interface unit 40 includes various communication interfaces for communicating with the outside of the gaming machine 10. As an example, the interface unit 40 can communicate with an external network via Ethernet 55, 58, 60, and a serial interface 62. FIG. 3 shows an example of communication with another gaming machine 10, a known server-side gaming network (server-based gaming), a G2S network (game-system), and a slot information system (slot data system). The control unit 22 can share information about the game with the other gaming machine 10 by communicating with the control unit 22 of the other gaming machine 10 via Ethernet 55 without going through an I/O board.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the display area of the gaming machine of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 22 executing a predetermined program causes the display 16 to display a game screen having a display area 64 that displays a slot game and a linked screen display area 65 that displays a screen related to a bonus game. As an example, the display area 64 is displayed in the lower area of the game screen. As an example, the linked screen display area 65 is displayed in the upper area of the game screen.

The display area 64 includes a grid 68 for displaying symbols. By using such a display area, the gaming machine 10 operates as a slot machine that determines whether a prize has been won and pays out dividends according to the combination of symbols displayed in the display area 64.

The display 16 displays a number of symbols in a grid 68. The grid 68 includes a number of rows and columns. The grid 68 is made up of a number of cells 70, which are stopping positions for the symbols. FIG. 4 shows a game screen including a number of cells arranged in a 3×5 grid. The number of rows and columns of the grid is not particularly limited and may be other configurations such as 3-4-4-4-3, and may increase or decrease depending on the game development and/or the bet amount. One symbol is stopped and displayed in each of the multiple cells 70 in the display area 64.

The symbols arranged in each of the multiple cells 70 are determined using a virtual reel strip for displaying the virtual reel 66. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a virtual reel set during a normal game. The virtual reel set includes multiple virtual reel strips, and the virtual reel strip includes a symbol arrangement indicating the order of symbols displayed in the display area. As shown in FIG. 5, in each cell 70 of the grid 68, symbols are displayed based on the symbol arrangement of the virtual reel 66 including the virtual reel strips 72, 74, 76, 78, and 80 constituting the virtual reel set 82. That is, the cells 70 of the grid 68 are associated with the virtual reel strips 72 to 80 for each column, and symbols arranged in a predetermined portion of each virtual reel strip 72 to 80 are displayed. Furthermore, the symbols displayed in the cells 70 of the grid 68 are changed by moving (scrolling or spinning) each symbol for each column based on the symbol arrangement of the virtual reel strips 72 to 80, and the symbols are stopped by stopping the movement (scrolling or spinning) for each column. Here, the virtual reel strips 72-80 are data, and the control unit 22 uses a program contained in the memory 42 or storage 44, and data that displays the symbol arrangement (i.e., the order of symbols on each reel strip) that is adjusted for each cell column. The virtual reel set 82 is a collective term for such virtual reel strips 72-80.

The virtual reel strips 72-80 shown in FIG. 5 are made up of symbols 84 at each symbol position 86, and these symbols are arranged in an order defined for each reel. The number of symbols constituting the virtual reel strips 72-80 is not limited to this and can be any desired number. In addition, the number of symbols constituting the virtual reel strips 72-80 may be the same or different from each other.

6 is a detailed view of the symbols 84 shown in FIG. 5. Each of the virtual reel strips 72 to 80 includes symbols selected from a symbol set 88 of various symbols 84 shown in FIG. 5. The symbol set 88 includes card symbols ("J", "Q", "K" and "A") imitating playing cards as standard symbols, and picture symbols ("PicA", "PicB", "PicC", "PicD" and "PicE") showing patterns. The symbol set 88 includes a wild symbol ("Wild") that substitutes for another symbol when a winning combination is determined, and a scatter symbol ("SCT") that is used as a trigger symbol that is a trigger for a bonus game. A plurality of virtual reel sets may be prepared according to the game content. For example, a virtual reel set used in a normal game may be different from a virtual reel set used in a free game. The virtual reel set during a free game may include more picture symbols, wild symbols or scatter symbols than the virtual reel set during a normal game. By doing this, it is possible to increase the probability of winning or triggering a free game, and provide the player with a high-value free game. Note that here, "bonus game/free game trigger" means "an opportunity to win a bonus game/free game", and "trigger symbol" means "a symbol that serves as an opportunity to win a bonus game/free game".

The control unit 22 starts the game and randomly determines the stop position of each virtual reel strip 72-80. The virtual reel strips 72-80 displayed on the display 16 move from their current positions and stop based on the stop positions to represent the outcome of the game. Therefore, on the display 16 or grid 68, the symbols included in the virtual reel strips 72-80 move in response to the continuous movement (scrolling or spinning) of the virtual reel strips 72-80 in the vertical direction of the display area 64, and are displayed so that one symbol stops in one cell 70 according to the symbol order defined for the virtual reel strips 72-80.

The control unit 22 can be configured to change and stop a number of symbols displayed on the display 16 in accordance with the player's operation received by the operation unit 32, and to pay out dividends in accordance with the symbols stopped within the display area 64.

Paylines are set in the display area 64. The paylines are set so as to span from the cells in the leftmost column to the rightmost column. When a payline is selected by a player, it is activated and becomes a winning line. A winning line is a line that determines whether a win has been won by combining multiple cells 70. The number of winning lines can be selected by operating a group of line setting buttons included in the group of setting buttons on the player operation unit 32. The control unit 22 determines that a win has been won when the same symbols are lined up in more than a predetermined number on a winning line, based on the game result, which is a combination of symbols, and pays a payout to the player according to the type and number of symbols.

7 is a diagram showing an example of paylines set in the display area 64 of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 7, in the gaming machine 10, a predetermined number of paylines (five patterns of lines) are set in advance in three rows and five columns of cells in the display area 64. The system for determining whether a win has been won may determine whether a win has been won when a predetermined number of identical symbols are lined up from the cells in the leftmost column on the winning line, or when a predetermined number of identical symbols are lined up from the cells in the rightmost column on the winning line, or when a predetermined number of identical symbols are lined up in consecutive columns on a predetermined winning line, regardless of whether they are lined up from the left or right end. In addition, scatter symbols that are more than the predetermined number form a winning combination or a trigger condition regardless of the winning line.

When a trigger condition is formed in a game provided by any one of the gaming machines 10, a main screen of the bonus game is displayed on the display 16 of the gaming machine 10. The main screen is the main screen of the bonus game, and is a screen that presents a series of screens showing the start, progress, and result of the bonus game to the player who triggered the bonus game. In the present embodiment, the bonus game scrolls and stops symbols horizontally, and determines whether or not a prize has been won according to the symbol that has stopped at the winning position, and the main screen includes this winning position. The main screen is displayed in the linked screen display area 65 shown in FIG. 4 (an example of a display control function). When the main screen is displayed, information related to the bonus game, such as a bonus game bonus table (payout table) or winning rules, may be displayed in the display area 64. A linked screen linked to the main screen is displayed in the linked screen display area 65 of the other gaming machines 10 (an example of a display control function). The linked screen is a screen that provides a display linked to the game provided on the main screen. The linked screen and the main screen are configured to be linked to each other so that multiple gaming machines 10 can display screens in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, in the other gaming machines 10, the display of the currently running game (normal game or free game) in the display area 64 and the display of the linked screen in the linked screen display area 65 can be performed in parallel. In other words, the other gaming machines 10 can display the linked screen of a bonus game triggered in another gaming machine 10, while each of them can independently display the screen of the normal game.

FIG. 8 is an example of an interlocking screen in a bonus game. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a total of four machines with machine IDs "0" to "3" are arranged in a row at equal intervals. Bonus game symbols are displayed in the interlocking screen display area 65 of each gaming machine 10, and are scrolled from right to left in the figure. That is, the symbols displayed in the interlocking screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "3" are scrolled toward the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "2" and disappear from the left end of the interlocking screen display area 65, and then appear from the right end of the interlocking screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "2", and are scrolled horizontally toward the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1". By performing such a flow of symbols in each gaming machine 10, a collection of the individual interlocking screen display areas 65 functions as if it were one display area 65A, and a scroll display in which symbols flow horizontally between the gaming machines 10 can be performed. When the scrolling display is stopped, a bonus award is paid out based on the symbol displayed in a predetermined position (a winning position) on the main screen showing the result of the bonus game in the linked screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 that created the trigger condition.

Figure 9 (A) is a diagram showing a virtual reel strip for a bonus game. The virtual reel strip includes a symbol array that indicates the order of symbols to be displayed in the linked screen display area 65. As shown in Figure 9 (A), symbols are displayed in the linked screen display area 65 based on the symbol array of the virtual reel strip 72A. Here, the virtual reel strip 72A is data, and the control unit 22 uses a program contained in the memory 42 or storage 44, and data that indicates the order of the symbols on the virtual reel strip.

Figure 9B shows symbols for a bonus game. The virtual reel strip 72A includes symbols selected from a symbol set 88A of the various symbols 84A shown in Figure 9A. The symbol set 88A includes symbols corresponding to the size of the prize, such as MINI, MAJOR, MAXI, and MEGA. The symbol set 88A may include a FREE GAME symbol that can be used to win a predetermined number of free games upon winning. The symbol set 88A may also include a credit symbol that can be used to award a predetermined credit value upon winning.

In the above configuration, the other gaming machines 10 may be configured not to display the linked screen in the linked screen display area 65 depending on their own status. For example, each of the multiple gaming machines 10 included in the gaming system 1 determines whether it is in a busy state (one example of a determination function). The other gaming machines 10 then display the linked screen when they determine that they are not in a busy state, and do not display the linked screen when they determine that they are in a busy state. A busy state is a state in which the gaming machine 10 is prioritizing the execution of other task processing and is unable to link with the other gaming machines 10. For example, a gaming machine 10 determines that it is in a busy state when it is displaying the main screen of a bonus game that it has triggered.

The bonus game of the gaming machine 10 and the normal game or free game provided by the other gaming machines 10 are provided independently of each other. For this reason, while the other gaming machine 10 is displaying the linked screen of the bonus game of the gaming machine 10, a trigger condition may be formed in the normal game of the other gaming machine 10, and a bonus game may be started. In such a case, the other gaming machine 10 may end the display of the linked screen and display the main screen of the bonus game provided by the gaming machine 10. This allows the bonus game triggered in the gaming machine 10 to start without waiting for the end of the bonus game triggered in the other gaming machine 10.

The display 16 shown in FIG. 4 can use the entire display area to display a linked display with the displays 16 of other gaming machines 10. For example, a single screen can be divided into multiple parts and displayed on each of the adjacent gaming machines 10, so that the multiple gaming machines 10 as a whole can form a single game screen (linked game screen). The linked game screen, which links the screens displayed on the multiple gaming machines 10 in this way, may be a demo screen that introduces the functions of the gaming system 1. Alternatively, the linked game screen may be an attract screen (linked attract screen) or a screen saver screen that is displayed when the gaming machine 10 that is waiting for a player's input has not been operated for a predetermined period of time. Note that an attract screen is a screen that displays images, videos, demo screens, etc., to customers in a casino in order to promote the gaming machine 10 and game content and attract customers. Of course, the linked screen may be used for the screen used in the game.

One of the multiple gaming machines 10 may be a host machine that controls the screen display of the multiple gaming machines. In this case, when a trigger condition is satisfied in a normal game provided by one of the multiple gaming machines 10, the control unit 22 of the host machine transmits the machine identifier of that gaming machine, the result of the bonus game, and an instruction to start the bonus game to the other gaming machines (an example of a display instruction function). Communication with the other gaming machines 10 is performed via the Ethernet 55 described above.

The control unit 22 of the host machine may determine whether to display or hide the linked game screen described above. The control unit 22 of the host machine inquires of the other gaming machines 10 whether the other gaming machines 10 are busy and receives replies from the other gaming machines 10 (an example of a transmission function and a reception function). If the control unit 22 of the host machine does not receive a reply from the other gaming machines 10 that the other gaming machines 10 are busy, it instructs the other gaming machines 10 to start displaying a linked game screen in which the screens are linked together. If the control unit 22 of the host machine receives a reply from at least one of the other gaming machines 10 that the other gaming machines 10 are busy, it instructs the other gaming machines 10 to start displaying independent game screens that are independent of each other (an example of a display control function). The busy state may be determined by whether the credit balance is 0 or not. This is because if there is a credit balance remaining, input from a player can be expected, and therefore it is necessary to prioritize task processing of one's own.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are a directory structure diagram and a block diagram showing the programs and data stored in the memory of FIG. 3. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the game application program of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the system application program of FIG. 11. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the memory 42 stores a game application program 92 including computer executable instructions, and the game is processed by executing these computer executable instructions in the CPU 38, and a game screen is displayed on the display 16 of the gaming machine 10. In one embodiment, the game application program 92 includes program code 94 and program object data 96 including computer executable instructions for implementing a game using the algorithms shown in FIGS. 14, 16, 17, 19, and 20.

In an exemplary embodiment, the memory 42 stores a game application program 92 and a system application program 98, each including computer-executable instructions, which are executed by the CPU 38 to process the game and display the game screen on the display 16 of the gaming machine 10. The game application program 92 is executed by the CPU to provide a game-specific front-end function, and the system application program 98 provides a general-purpose back-end function. In the illustrated embodiment, the game application program 92 and the system application program 98 are implemented on the same operating system. However, these programs may be implemented on different operating systems or different processors.

In one embodiment, the game application program 92 includes multiple software modules, including a bet/payline button listener module 100, a start button listener module 102, a credit balance manager module 104, a sampling manager 106, a random number generator (RNG) 108, a comparison manager 110, a game outcome generator 112, a win evaluation module 114, a game presenter 116, a game graphics presenter 118, a game sound presenter 120, a win indicator 122, a reward provider 124, an application manager 126, and an external communicator 128. The game application program 92 may include a pay table 130, reel strip data 132, and a stop position table 134.

The bet/payline button listener module 100 is a software module for receiving signals from the bet buttons 34 or line setting buttons 33 of the operation unit 32, which signals are generated by the buttons when a player operates the buttons to select a bet amount or the number of paylines to be activated. In response to receiving the signal, the bet/payline button listener module 100 communicates the generation of the signal to the application manager 126 in order to change the bet or the configuration of paylines to be activated for the game.

The start button listener module 102 is a software module for receiving a signal from the start button, which is generated when a player operates the button to start a game. In response to receiving the signal, the start button listener module 102 communicates the generation of the signal to the application manager 126 to start the game.

In response to receiving a signal from the start button listener module 102, the application manager 126 requests the sampling manager 106 to obtain the required number of random numbers from the random number generator 108.

The random number generator 108 is a software module that generates random numbers based on a predetermined random number generation calculation algorithm. The random number generator 108 may be configured to generate pseudo-random numbers. The random number generator 108 returns random numbers in response to a request from the sampling manager 106. The random number generator 108 may be implemented in whole or in part as an integrated circuit or wired logic.

The comparison manager 110 compares the current state of the game and/or each random number with the reel strip data 132 and the stop position table 134, and assigns a stop position for the corresponding reel strip based on each random number.

The reel strip data 132 includes virtual reel strips for the base game, the free game, and the bonus game. The comparison manager 110, described above, queries the application manager 126 to identify the current state of the game and select the virtual reel strip.

The stop position table 134 includes a range of random numbers associated with each stop position of the virtual reel strip. The comparison manager 110 determines the stop position of each reel based on the corresponding random number and the stop position table 134.

The game outcome generator 112 generates game outcomes based on the selected reel layout, the stop positions of each reel, the stop positions of the internal symbols, and the attributes to be added. In one embodiment, the game outcome generator 112 may apply changes to the game outcome when certain conditions are met.

The winning evaluation module 114 evaluates the game result by referring to the payout table 130. Specifically, the winning evaluation is performed based on whether symbols defined as a winning combination in the payout table 130 are stopped on a payline set as a winning line in the display area 64. In addition, in the bonus game, the winning evaluation is performed according to the symbol that is stopped at the winning position on the main screen in the linked screen display area 65.

The game presenter 116 utilizes the game graphics presenter 118 and the game sound presenter 120 to provide a game presentation process consisting of images and sounds to ultimately form a predetermined game outcome.

More specifically, the game graphics presenter 118 is a software module that realizes a display control function that displays symbols in the display area 64 and the linked screen display area 65. The game graphics presenter 118 provides a visual game presentation process on the display to ultimately form a predetermined game result. The game graphics presenter 118 may display multiple symbols displayed on the winning line in the display area 64 in order from the top of the winning line. For example, the game graphics presenter 118 stops the first reel to the fifth reel in order after the virtual reel has been spun. As a result, the symbols are displayed on the winning line in order from the left (top).

The game sound presenter 120 provides the sound presentation process by using the sound controller 53 and the speaker 26. The winning indicator 122 indicates the winning combination and the payout condition of the winning symbols formed in the game outcome. The reward provider 124 provides reward credits to the winning meter based on the winning evaluation.

The application manager 126 manages the operation and status of each software module. In addition, the application manager 126 manages the configuration, progress, and status of the game application program 92. The external communicator 128 exchanges commands and data with the system application program 98.

The credit balance manager module 104 executes processes to decrement the credit balance based on the bet amount and to increment the credit balance based on the total number of wins displayed on the win meter. The payout table 130 includes payout or bonus amounts associated with each winning combination.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system application programs 98 provide background processing and functionality other than game specific functionality. The system application programs 98 include a number of software modules including a system manager 142, a security manager 144, a slot management module 146, a denomination manager 148, a data logger 150, a communications manager 152, a bill acceptor manager 154, a meter management module 156, and a cashout manager 158.

The system application programs 98 may include a game recall file 160, an accounting log 162, and a meter 164. The system manager 142 is a software module for managing all background processing and non-game specific functions performed by the system application programs 98.

Security manager 144 is a software module for managing game validation, door security, and monitoring security sensors. Slot management module 146 is a software module for managing data storage and communicating with external slot information systems.

The denomination manager 148 is a software module for setting the denomination settings of the gaming machine 10. The denomination settings may include 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 25 cents, 1 dollar, 5 dollars, etc. The data logger 150 is a software module for recording the results of each game in a game recall. In addition, the data logger 150 stores error events, a bill log, a cashout log, a ticket log, etc. in an accounting log.

The game recall file 160 is accumulated data that includes the results of each game. The game recall file 160 is stored in non-volatile memory. The accounting log 162 is accumulated data that includes error events, bill logs, cashout logs, ticket logs, etc. The accounting log 162 is stored in non-volatile memory.

The communications manager 152 is a software module that manages communications between the game application program 92 and the system application program 98. The communications manager 152 also manages network communications between the system application program 98 and other gaming machines 10, external networks (such as a slot management system network, a G2S network, a gaming server for a server-based gaming network, or a VLT system network).

The bill acceptor manager 154 is a software module for managing the bill acceptor and accepts information on bills inserted into the bill acceptor. In response to receiving information from the bill acceptor, the bill acceptor manager 154 communicates with the meter management module to increment the credit balance based on the inserted bill.

The meter management module 156 is a software module for adjusting the values of the meters 164 in response to communication with the game application programs 92 via the communications manager 152, the bill acceptor manager 154, or the cashout manager 158. The meters 164 include a credit meter for indicating the current credit balance of the gaming machine, and a winnings meter for indicating the total number of winnings for the current gaming session. The meters further include background meters such as coin in, coin out, total drop, waiter pay jackpot, and/or bill insert. These meters may be implemented as data on non-volatile memory or as hardware meters.

The cashout manager 158 is a software module for managing the cashout procedure. In response to a player's operation of the cashout button, the cashout manager 158 is activated and the gaming machine pays out the total amount on the credit meter in the form of cash or vouchers.

Figure 14 is a flowchart explaining the display operation of the linked game screen and individual game screen. The algorithm for the display operation of the linked game screen is implemented in the game application program 92 of the host machine, and is realized by the CPU 38 executing the game application program 92. Here, the operation when displaying a linked attract screen as the linked game screen is explained. This display operation of the linked game screen includes multiple steps. Each step may be executed independently, or may be executed in combination with other steps.

First, in step S10, the control unit 22 of the host machine determines whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed since its input waiting time. If the certain period of time has elapsed since its input waiting time elapsed (step S10: YES), in step S12, the control unit 22 of the host machine determines whether or not its credit balance is 0.

If the fixed time has not elapsed since the input waiting time (step S10: NO) or if the player's credit balance is not 0 (step S12: NO), the control unit 22 of the host machine returns to step S10 and repeats the processes of steps S10 and S12. If the fixed time has not elapsed since the input waiting time, or if the credit balance is not 0 even if the fixed time has elapsed, the game does not proceed to the stage for displaying the attract screen.

If its own credit balance is 0 (step S12: YES), in step S14, the control unit 22 of the host machine inquires of the other gaming machines 10 in the bank whether they are busy. The other gaming machines 10 in the bank determine whether they are busy and send responses to the control unit 22 of the host machine. The busy state is determined by whether its own credit balance is 0 or not. If the credit balance is not 0, it is determined to be in a busy state. In step S16, the control unit 22 of the host machine receives responses from the other gaming machines 10 in the bank.

In step S18, the control unit 22 of the host machine determines whether or not there is another gaming machine 10 that has responded that it is in a busy state. If there is no other gaming machine 10 that has responded that it is in a busy state (step S18: NO), in step S20, the control unit 22 of the host machine instructs all the other gaming machines 10 in the bank to display a linked attract screen (an example of a linked game screen). In response to this, in step S22, all the gaming machines 10 in the bank display a linked attract screen. FIG. 15A is an example of a linked game screen. In the multiple gaming machines 10 shown in FIG. 15A, the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "0" is the host machine and controls the gaming machines 10 with the machine IDs "1" to "3". In response to a display instruction from the control unit 22 of the host machine, each gaming machine 10 displays images G1 to G4, respectively. As a result, a linked attract screen including the character string "GameTitle" is displayed by the four gaming machines 10. The four gaming machines 10 may display moving images in unison. When the processing of step S22 ends, the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 ends.

On the other hand, if there is another gaming machine 10 that has responded that it is busy (step S18: YES), in step S24, the control unit 22 of the host machine instructs only the other gaming machines 10 that have responded that they are not busy to display an individual attract screen (an example of an independent game screen). An individual attract screen is a normal attract screen in which the image expression is completed by the gaming machine 10 alone. In step S26, the individual attract screen is displayed in the gaming machine 10 that has received the instruction. FIG. 15B is an example of an independent game screen. In the multiple gaming machines 10 shown in FIG. 15B, the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "0" is the host machine and controls the gaming machines 10 with the machine IDs "1" to "3". In the example of FIG. 15B, the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "2" is busy, and the gaming machines with the machine IDs "0", "1", and "3" are not busy. In response to a display instruction from the control unit 22 of the host machine, each of the gaming machines 10 with machine IDs "0", "1", and "3" displays an individual attract screen GS. As a result, an individual attract screen GS including the character string GameTitle is displayed independently on each of the three gaming machines 10. Meanwhile, the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "2", which is in a busy state, does not display an attract screen, but displays an individual game screen. When the processing of step S26 ends, the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 ends.

As described above, by executing the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, multiple gaming machines can be linked together and a linked game screen or individual game screens that are displayed in an integrated manner can be displayed on multiple gaming machines 10 depending on the state of each individual gaming machine and/or the state of the game.

Next, the display operation of the linked screen will be generally described. Figures 16 and 17 are flowcharts explaining the operation of the gaming system when a bonus game is triggered in a gaming machine other than the host machine. In Figures 16 and 17, it is assumed that the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" is the host machine, and all gaming machines 10 are currently providing a normal game. Here, a case will be described where the trigger condition is satisfied in the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1".

First, in step S30, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1" determines that a bonus game has been triggered. For example, when a symbol arrangement that satisfies a trigger condition is formed in a normal game provided by the gaming machine 10, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 determines that a bonus game has been triggered. FIG. 18(A) is an example of a screen when a bonus game has been won. As shown in FIG. 18(A), the text "BONUS GAME WIN" is displayed in the display area 64 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1". In step S32, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1" determines whether or not it is displaying a linked image of a bonus game triggered by another gaming machine 10.

If the gaming machine 10 is not displaying the linked image of the bonus game of another gaming machine 10 (S32: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1" acquires a random number (step S34) and determines the result of the bonus game (step S36). The control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1" transmits a trigger occurrence notification to the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "0" which is the host machine. Then, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1" configures the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S38) and displays the main screen GMA of the bonus game in the linked screen display area 65 (step S40). FIG. 18B shows an example of a linked screen in a bonus game. As shown in FIG. 18B, the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed in the linked screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1". Also, the bonus game benefit table 64A is displayed on the display area 64.

When the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0", which is the host machine, receives a trigger occurrence notification from the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1", it sends a linkage start instruction to each of the control units 22 of the gaming machines 10 with machine ID "2" and machine ID "3".

In step S42, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" that sent the link start instruction determines whether it is in a busy state. If the bonus game that it triggered first is being provided, it is determined to be in a busy state. If it is not in a busy state (step S42: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" configures a linked screen GA0 that is linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S44), and displays the linked screen GA0 in the linked screen display area 65 (step S46). As shown in FIG. 18 (B), the linked screen GA0 that is linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed in the linked screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0". On the other hand, if it is in a busy state (step S42: YES), the linked screen is not displayed.

In the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "2", as in the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1", in step S48, the control unit 22 determines whether the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state. If the bonus game that was triggered earlier by the gaming machine 10 itself is being provided, the gaming machine 10 is determined to be in a busy state. If the gaming machine 10 is not in a busy state (step S48: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "2" configures a linked screen GA1 linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S50) and displays the linked screen GA1 in the linked screen display area 65 (step S46). As shown in FIG. 18B, the linked screen GA1 linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed in the linked screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "2". On the other hand, if the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state (step S48: YES), the linked screen is not displayed.

In the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "3", as in the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1", in step S54, the control unit 22 determines whether the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state. If the bonus game that was triggered earlier by the gaming machine 10 itself is being provided, the gaming machine 10 is determined to be in a busy state. If the gaming machine 10 is not in a busy state (step S54: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "3" configures a linked screen GA2 linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S56) and displays the linked screen GA2 in the linked screen display area 65 (step S58). As shown in FIG. 18B, the linked screen GA2 linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed in the linked screen display area 65 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "3". On the other hand, if the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state (step S54: YES), the linked screen is not displayed.

On the other hand, in the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1", if the gaming machine 10 itself is displaying the linked image of the bonus game triggered by another gaming machine 10 (S32: YES), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1" obtains a random number (step S60) and determines the result of the bonus game (step S62), but does not transmit a trigger occurrence notification to the control unit 22 of the host machine. Then, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with the machine ID "1" configures the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S38) and displays the main screen GMA of the bonus game in the linked screen display area 65 instead of displaying the linked image of the bonus game triggered by the other gaming machine 10. In this way, even if the gaming machine 10 is displaying a bonus game triggered by another gaming machine 10, if the gaming machine 10 itself has triggered a bonus game, the gaming machine 10 can preferentially display the bonus game.

This concludes the flowcharts of Figures 16 and 17. The symbols of the bonus game on the linked screen move and stop, and the bonus game prize is determined based on the symbol that stops at the winning position in the center of the main screen GMA. In this way, a bonus game can be provided as an exciting game using multiple gaming machines 10, and the normal game can be played independently on gaming machines 10 that have not triggered the bonus game.

Figures 19 and 20 are flowcharts that explain the operation of the gaming system when a bonus game is triggered on a host machine. In Figures 19 and 20, the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" is the host machine, and all gaming machines 10 are providing normal games.

First, in step S70, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" determines that a bonus game has been triggered. For example, when a symbol arrangement that satisfies a trigger condition is formed in a normal game provided by the gaming machine 10, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" determines that a bonus game has been triggered. In step S72, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" determines whether or not it is displaying a linked image of a bonus game triggered in another gaming machine 10.

If the gaming machine 10 is not displaying a linked image of a bonus game triggered by another gaming machine 10 (S72: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" obtains a random number (step S74) and determines the result of the bonus game (step S76). The control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" then transmits a linkage start instruction to each of the control units 22 of the gaming machines 10 with machine ID "1", machine ID "2", and machine ID "3". The control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" then configures the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S78) and displays the main screen GMA of the bonus game in the linked screen display area 65 (step S80).

In step S82, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1" that has received the linkage start instruction determines whether it is in a busy state. If the bonus game that it triggered earlier is being provided, it is determined to be in a busy state. If it is not in a busy state (step S82: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1" configures a linked screen GA1 that links with the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S84), and displays the linked screen GA1 in the linked screen display area 65 (step S86). On the other hand, if it is in a busy state (step S82: YES), the linked screen is not displayed.

In the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "2", as in the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1", in step S88, the control unit 22 determines whether the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state. If the bonus game that was previously triggered by the gaming machine 10 itself is being provided, the gaming machine 10 is determined to be in a busy state. If the gaming machine 10 is not in a busy state (step S88: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "2" configures a linked screen GA2 that is linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S90), and displays the linked screen GA2 in the linked screen display area 65 (step S92). On the other hand, if the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state (step S88: YES), the linked screen is not displayed.

In the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "3", as in the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "1", in step S94, the control unit 22 determines whether the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state. If the gaming machine 10 itself has triggered a bonus game, it is determined to be in a busy state. If the gaming machine 10 is not in a busy state (step S94: NO), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "3" configures a linked screen GA3 that is linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S96), and displays the linked screen GA3 in the linked screen display area 65 (step S98). On the other hand, if the gaming machine 10 itself is in a busy state (step S94: YES), the linked screen is not displayed.

On the other hand, when the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" is displaying a linked image of a bonus game of another gaming machine 10 (S72: YES), the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" obtains a random number (step S100) and determines the result of the bonus game (step S102), but does not send a link start instruction. Then, the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "0" configures the main screen GMA of the bonus game (step S78) and displays the main screen GMA of the bonus game in the linked screen display area 65 (step S80).

The flowcharts of Figures 19 and 20 are now complete. The symbols of the bonus game on the linked screen move and stop, and the prize of the bonus game is determined based on the symbol that stops at the winning position in the center of the main screen GMA. In this way, even if a bonus game is triggered in the host machine, a bonus game can be provided as an exciting game using multiple gaming machines 10, and a normal game can be played independently in gaming machines 10 that have not triggered a bonus game. By executing such a flowchart, multiple gaming machines can be linked together and a linked game screen or individual game screen that displays an integrated display can be displayed on multiple gaming machines 10 according to the state of each gaming machine and/or the state of the game.

Specifically, according to the gaming system 1, when a trigger condition for a bonus game is satisfied in a normal game provided by any one of the multiple gaming machines 10, the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed on that gaming machine 10, and a linked screen linked to the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed on the other gaming machines 10. In this way, the main screen GMA of the bonus game is displayed on the triggered gaming machine 10, while a linked screen linked to the main screen GMA is displayed on the other gaming machines 10, so that a highly expressive and powerful bonus game can be provided by utilizing the screens of the multiple gaming machines 10.

In addition, according to this gaming system 1, the other gaming machines 10 that display linked screens linked to the main screen GMA each independently provide a normal game, so the display of the linked screen does not interfere with the normal game of a player playing on the other gaming machines 10. Therefore, even when a linked screen is displayed, games can be provided on all of the multiple gaming machines 10, which is advantageous in terms of profits.

Furthermore, according to this gaming system 1, other gaming machines 10 that are not busy, i.e. gaming machines 10 that do not need to prioritize their own processing, can display linked screens. Therefore, a gaming machine 10 that is busy can proceed with its own processing while a gaming machine 10 that is not busy can display a linked screen.

Furthermore, according to the gaming system 1, the host machine can control the display operations of multiple gaming machines 10 and provide bonus games using the main screen and linked screens. Therefore, there is no need to add a dedicated component to the gaming system 1 in order to control the display operations of the gaming machines 10.

Furthermore, according to the gaming system 1, when bonus games are triggered in succession on multiple gaming machines 10, a gaming machine can start its own bonus game without waiting for the bonus game triggered first on the other gaming machines 10 to finish, thereby avoiding making the player wait.

Furthermore, according to the gaming system 1, by displaying the linked game screen when all of the other gaming machines 10 are not busy, it is possible to prevent a busy gaming machine 10 from not displaying part of the linked game screen, resulting in an incomplete linked game screen. This makes it possible to provide a complete linked game screen with high expressiveness by utilizing the screens of multiple gaming machines 10.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to pachinko machines and pachislot machines. Also, even if the normal game is a video slot game as shown in the above embodiment, it can be modified in various ways to become a video slot game.

The bonus game is also not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified in various ways. For example, multiple reels that scroll and stop multiple symbols horizontally can be provided, and a bonus award can be awarded depending on the combination of stopped symbols. The bonus game can also be configured as a roulette game or a wheel game.

The functions of the control unit 22 of the gaming machine 10 described above can also be realized by a computer executing a program. That is, it is possible to create a program that causes one or more computers to function in the same way as the control unit 22 described above. The program can be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, such as a ROM or semiconductor memory. Such a program may be divided into multiple modules.

In addition, various modifications are possible for the operation in each embodiment. For example, the reel stop positions may be determined by acquiring a required number of random numbers in advance, and the presence or absence of a special game win and prize winning may be determined, and then the contents may be displayed sequentially on the display. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 22 may acquire a required number of random numbers in a lump at the start of the game, and store each of the random numbers in a storage area of the memory 42 or storage 44 that will not be erased even in the event of a power abnormality. In this case, even if a power abnormality occurs during the game, when the control unit 22 resumes the game after the power is restored, the progress of the game can be reproduced by acquiring the random numbers acquired at the start of the game before the power abnormality occurred from the memory 42 or storage 44. For example, if a power abnormality occurs just before a game result that can obtain a high payout is formed, it may be a problem if the game does not proceed in the same way after the power is restored. However, by acquiring all the random numbers in a lump at the start of the game as described above and saving these random numbers in the memory 42 or storage 44, the progress of the game can be reproduced after the power is restored in the same way as before the power abnormality occurred, and such problems can be avoided.

In the above embodiment, banknotes or tickets are shown as the gaming value, and a description has been given of a mode in which these are accepted by a banknote/ticket identification device and a ticket is output by a printer unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. The gaming value is a concept that includes tangible objects such as coins, banknotes, coins, medals, tickets, etc., or electronic data having an equivalent value to these. For example, it may be a mode in which coins are accepted by a coin acceptor and coins are paid out from a coin hopper. It may be a mode in which a player is identified and credits accumulated in an account on a server are used to pay out credits to the account, or credit information recorded on a storage medium such as a magnetic card or IC card is read and used, and credits are paid out by writing it to the storage medium. Furthermore, it may be a mode in which credits are transferred electronically between a smartphone or a wearable device.

10: gaming machine, 22: control unit, 42: memory (an example of a storage unit), 44: storage (an example of a storage unit).

Claims (6)

A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines that are communicatively connected to each other, each of which independently provides a base game and provides a bonus game when a trigger condition is satisfied in the base game,
Each of the plurality of gaming machines includes a control unit and a storage unit, and the control unit executes a program stored in the storage unit to
The gaming system is configured to realize a display control function that, when a trigger condition for a bonus game is satisfied in a normal game provided by any one of the plurality of gaming machines, displays a main screen of the bonus game in that gaming machine , and displays a linked screen linked to the main screen of the bonus game in the other gaming machines, and displays the result of the bonus game on the main screen and the linked screen . The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the display control function of the other gaming machines displays the linked screen while each of them independently displays a normal game screen. each of the plurality of gaming machines further realizes a determination function for determining whether the gaming machine itself is in a busy state;
3. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the display control function of the other gaming machine displays the linked screen when the determination function determines that the other gaming machine is not in a busy state. any one of the plurality of gaming machines is a host machine that controls screen displays of the plurality of gaming machines;
The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit of the host machine is configured to realize a display instruction function of transmitting, when a trigger condition is satisfied in a normal game provided by any one of the plurality of gaming machines, a machine identifier of that gaming machine, a bonus game result, and an instruction to start a bonus game to the other gaming machines. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the determination function of the plurality of gaming machines determines that the gaming machine is in a busy state when the gaming machine is displaying a main screen of a bonus game. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display control function of the plurality of gaming machines terminates the display of the linked screen and displays the main screen of the bonus game provided by the gaming machine when a trigger condition is satisfied in the normal game provided by the gaming machine while the gaming machine is displaying the linked screen.

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