US20040127282A1

US20040127282A1 - Game machine and game program

Info

Publication number: US20040127282A1
Application number: US10/678,501
Authority: US
Inventors: Hiroshi Naobayashi
Original assignee: Konami Corp
Current assignee: Konami Group Corp
Priority date: 2002-12-25
Filing date: 2003-10-02
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Also published as: AU2003254701B2; JP2004201937A; AU2003254701A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a game machine and game program that includes a display module providing, at a start of a game, a changing display wherein a plurality of symbols statically displayed in a plurality of display regions is changed to various symbols in a continuously changing manner and a static display wherein the symbols being displayed in a changing manner are displayed again in a static manner in the display regions; an evaluation module evaluating whether symbols establishing a win are statically displayed on a win line selected ahead of time on the display module; a moving indicator on the display module; and a control module controlling game progress and emphasizing the win line when the win is established by moving the indicator along the win line. The game machine and game program of the present invention displays established wins in a manner that is easy to understand.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game machine and game program in which an indicator moves along a win line on a display module when a win is established.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional game machines, when multiple wins are established, various methods are used to allow the player to easily recognize the win lines. For example, the win lines associated with the wins or the symbols in arrangements can be displayed in a blinking mode or the colors can be changed. Also, the symbols in a win line can be connecting with short lines. The player can determine which win line provided the win based on this type of display.

For example, a conventional game machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,074.

However, in conventional game machines, when multiple wins are established, the win lines can become interwoven in complex ways, making them difficult to recognize. In such cases, even blinking or changing the colors of the symbols in an arrangement or the win lines associated with an established win does not allow the player to easily recognize the win line associated with the win. If many wins are established, the player must be able to recognize the win lines for each of the wins that were established. Also, if the win lines for each of the wins that were established can be displayed to the player in a manner that is easy to understand, the player's interest can be provoked.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these problems and to provide a game machine and game program that provokes the player's interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object described above, a game machine according to the present invention includes: a display module providing, at a start of a game, a changing display wherein a plurality of symbols statically displayed in a plurality of display regions is changed to various symbols in a continuously changing manner and a static display wherein the symbols being displayed in a changing manner are displayed again in a static manner in the display regions; an evaluation module evaluating whether symbols establishing a win are statically displayed on a win line selected ahead of time on the display module; an indicator moving on the display module; and a control module controlling game progress and emphasizing the win line when the win is established by moving the indicator along the win line.

Since the win line associated with an established win can be emphasized by moving the indicator in this manner, the player is able to clearly recognize the win line for which the win is established. In particular, when there are multiple wins, the player is able to directly recognize the win lines for each of the wins that are established since the indicator emphasizes each individual line even when the win lines associated with the established wins are intertwined in a complicated manner. As a result, the player's anticipation and curiosity regarding the game is increased.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the indicator is formed as a frame surrounding a boundary line of the display region.

Since the indicator is formed as a frame surrounding the boundary line of the display region, the indicator will not obscure the symbol inside the display region. This allows the win line associated with an established win to be emphasized while allowing the symbols associated with the win to be clearly displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control module performs control operations to keep in an emphasized state frames of display regions displaying, out of the symbols statically displayed on the win line, symbols associated with the win on the display module even after the indicator has passed.

Since the frames of the display regions displaying the symbols associated with a win are kept in an emphasized state even after the indicator has passed, the passage of the indicator is left behind as a trail. As a result, the player is able to trace the motion of the indicator. This allows the player to clearly recognize the established win line even after the indicator has passed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, after the indicator has passed, the control module controls the display module so that, out of the symbols statically displayed on the win line, symbols not associated with the win are displayed in an unclear or obscured state.

Since the symbols not associated with the win are displayed in an unclear or obscured state after the indicator has passed, the symbols not associated with the win tend to be less prominent while the symbols associated with the win become more prominent. As a result, the symbols associated with the win and the symbols not associated with the win can be easily distinguished by the player.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control module performs control operations so that a trail of the indicator is displayed on the display module.

Since a trail is displayed for the indicator, the trail is left behind after the indicator has moved. As a result, a more interesting game effect is provided and the movement of the indicator becomes more easily identified. This allows the player to more easily recognize the established win line.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof of the indicator is selected based on a payout value of the established win. Also, the control module performs control operations to display the indicator according to the shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof set up according to the payout value of the established win.

The shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof is set up based on the payout value of the established win, and the indicator is displayed based on the settings for the shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof based on the payout value of the win. Therefore, different displays can be provided according to the payout value for the win. As a result, the player is able to clearly distinguish between payout values for wins and the corresponding payout values can be displayed in a manner that is easy to understand.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof of the indicator is selected based on the win line. Also, the control module performs control operations to display the indicator according to the shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof set up according to the win line.

The shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof is set up based on the win line and the indicator is displayed based on the settings for the shape, shading pattern, color, or combination thereof based on the win line. Therefore, different displays can be provided according to win line. As a result, the player is able to clearly distinguish between win lines and the corresponding payout values can be displayed in a manner that is easy to understand.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control module selects a direction and speed of motion for the indicator moving along the win line according to a game situation.

Since the direction and speed of motion of the indicator moving along the win line is selected according to the game situation, rich variation is possible for displaying the indicator. For example, there may be a win line where a win is not established going from left to right when facing the screen, but a win may be established when going from right to left. In this case, it can be clearly indicated that the win for the win line is going from right to left by moving the indicator from right to left. Also, the speed of the indicator can be changed to increase the player's tension. Also, when wins have been established for multiple win lines, the speed of the indicator can be increased so that the win lines for all the wins can be displayed in a short period of time.

According to another aspect, the control module performs control operations providing a replay display of motions of the indicator.

Since the motion of the indicator can be replayed, a win can be double-checked. For example, since the motion of the indicator can be reproduced through a last-game replay, the win line associated with an established win can be confirmed. As a result, fairness can be maintained for the game.

A computer-readable medium can be encoded with processing instructions to provide a game program. According to another aspect of the present invention, the game program is formed as a group of computer-loadable instructions allowing a series of operations to be executed by a computer. The operations include: an operation for outputting to a display module of a game machine a signal for providing a changing display wherein a plurality of symbols statically displayed in a plurality of display regions is changed to various symbols in a continuously changing manner and a static display wherein the symbols being displayed in a changing manner are displayed again in a static manner in the display regions; an operation for evaluating whether, out of a plurality of symbols being statically displayed, predetermined symbols are positioned on a win line selected ahead of time; and an operation for outputting a signal to display an indicator along the win line and to move an indicator along the win line if the evaluation determines that the predetermined symbols are positioned on the win line.

Since the win line associated with an established win is emphasized by moving the indicator, the player is able to clearly recognize the win line for which a win is established. In particular, when multiple wins are established, each win line is emphasized by the moving indicator. Thus, the player is able to directly recognize which win lines are associated with wins even if the win lines associated with the established wins are intertwined in complex ways. As a result, the player's anticipation and curiosity with regard to the game is increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing showing an exterior view of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0026]
FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams showing the electronic structure of a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0027]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations performed by a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0028]
FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a sample display of a symbol display module; [0029]
FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a sample display of a symbol display module; [0030]
FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a sample display of a symbol display module; [0031]
FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a sample display of a symbol display module; and [0032]
FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a sample display of a symbol display module.[0033]

LIST OF DESIGNATORS

[0034] 1: game machine; 2: case; 3: front panel; 7: symbol display module; 30: CPU; 31: ROM; 32: RAM; 37: display module control circuit; 61: lower-level display region of first reel 71; 62: middle-level display region of second reel 72; 63: upper-level display region of third reel 73; 64: middle-level display region of first reel 74; 65: lower-level display region of fifth reel 75; 71: first reel; 72: second reel; 73: third reel; 74: fourth reel; 75: fifth reel; 80: frame; 80 a: frame; 81: frame

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the game machine is described below. In a game machine according to this embodiment, an indicator moves along the win line of a symbol display module when a win is established. By moving the indicator, the win line associated with the established win is emphasized. The indicator highlights the win line associated with a win. The win line associated with an established win is the win line out of all the win lines selected at the start of the game having a combination of statically displayed symbols that establishes a win. [0035]
In this embodiment, the indicator is formed as a border around the boundary lines of a display region. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the indicator is a [0036] frame 80 rendered in a lower-level display region 61 of a first reel 71. Since the indicator is formed as the frame 80 around the boundary line of the display region, the symbol in the display region will not be obscured by the indicator. As a result, the win line, e.g., arrow P in FIG. 4, associated with the established win can be emphasized while the symbols associated with the win can be clearly displayed. As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 80, which serves as the indicator, can move along the win line associated with the established win, e.g., in the direction of arrow Q.
In the following example, it is assumed that the selected win line is the line indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. More specifically, the win line selected by the player is a line connecting the lower-[0037] level display region 61 of the first reel 71, a middle-level display region 62 of a second reel 72, an upper-level display region 63 of a third reel 73, a middle-level display region 64 of a fourth reel 74, and a lower-level display region 65 of a fifth reel 75. When a win is established on this win line, the frame 80 serving as the indicator moves along the win line associated with the established win from the reel at one end (the first reel 71 in FIG. 4) to the reel at the other end (the fifth reel 75 in FIG. 4). The game results are shown to the player by moving the indicator on the display screen on which the symbols are statically displayed, thus making it possible for the present invention to be implemented for game machines that use physical reels as well as video reels. As a result, the player can easily recognize the win line associated with an established win and the player's interest can be provoked.
Also, the present invention can be implemented for any device that displays symbols (devices providing games). The examples described here will present a game machine that displays multiple types of symbols vertically (or horizontally) in a changing manner and then, based on internal random selection results, statically displays the changing symbols. The sections that display the symbols in a changing manner can be mechanical reels or can be video reels in which symbols are displayed in a changing manner as images on a liquid crystal display or another type of display device. In addition to game machines such as slot machines installed in pachinko halls where the player actively presses a stop button to determine the stopping timing and stopping sequence for each of the reels, this technology can also be implemented for game machines such as slot machines and pachinko game machines installed in casinos where the reels automatically stop sequentially regardless of the player's input. Also, for this embodiment, coins are used as an example of the betting medium, but the present invention is not restricted to this type of game prize and other media that can provided game value, e.g., pachinko balls, can be used. [0038]
In FIG. 1, a [0039] game machine 1 is formed from a case 2 and a front panel 3 attached to the front of the case 2 so that it can be opened and closed. A symbol display module 7 corresponding to the display module referred to in the present invention is disposed behind the front panel 3 and is formed from a liquid crystal panel or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The symbol display module 7 can display, for example, five columns of symbols. This embodiment uses a video reel system, where a program is executed and five reels are displayed on the symbol display module 7.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the [0040] symbol display module 7 has five reels in which symbols can be displayed in a changing manner and a static manner in the column direction (i.e., vertically relative to the game machine). These reels are the first reel 71, the second reel 72, the third reel 73, the fourth reel 74, and the fifth reel 75. Each of the reels can display different types of symbols in a changing or static manner. The symbol display module 7 includes various types of symbols. As described above, the multiple types of symbols are displayed vertically in a changing manner, and then the changingly displayed symbols are displayed statically based on the results of internal random selection.
The [0041] symbol display module 7 can be formed as a collection of 5×5 display regions, i.e., a rectangular grid spanning five display regions vertically and five display regions horizontally. Alternatively, each of the display regions can be formed as a polygonal display region, e.g., hexagonal or octagonal. This offers a greater degree of freedom in game design and allows the player's interest to be provoked.
Disposed on the front of the [0042] case 2 are a coin deposit opening 10 and a coin return button 10 a to allow coins to be returned, e.g., when a deposited coin is stuck. A start lever 11 is a lever for starting the rotational display (changing display) on the symbol display module 7.
The game of the [0043] game machine 1 is started by having the player perform a bet operation and indicate a valid win line. A win line can be set in multiple ways, e.g., a horizontal center line, horizontal top and bottom lines, and diagonal lines. The bet operation is performed by depositing a medal in the medal deposit opening 10 described later or by betting a stored medal using a stored medal deposit button 21. A bet can also be placed by combining these bet operations.
As described above, in addition to the win line being selected ahead of time when the game is started, a win can be established by a predetermined symbol arrangement, e.g., a bonus game can be awarded if three bonus symbols are displayed in any three regions in the [0044] symbol display module 7.
When a win line is identified by the player's bet operation and the [0045] start lever 11 is operated, the symbol display module 7 displays symbols in a changing manner. Then, when a predetermined interval has elapsed, the symbol display module 7 statically displays the changing symbols in a sequential manner. The stopping sequence can be, for example, from left to right when facing the symbol display module 7. Stopping each reel in the stopping sequence can be separated by time intervals, e.g., 0.5 seconds. At this point, if a predetermined symbol combination is displayed on one of the win lines, a win based on the symbol combination is awarded.
A [0046] coin payout opening 15 and a coin receiving tray 16 are disposed below the front panel 3. Above the front panel 3, there is a game effects display device 17 for providing game effects. The game effects display device 17 can be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Device) or one of various types of lamps. In this embodiment, an LCD is used. Above the front panel 3, there is a bonus game display device 18. The bonus game display device 18 is formed from LED's (Light Emitting Diodes) and is used to display bonus awards where the player is awarded a high game value, game effects, and errors. A speaker 19 generates voice instructions, music, and sound effects. If a bonus prize is won, the game proceeds in a manner advantageous to the player, e.g., the win rate becomes ⅓.
[0047] Multiple lamps 20 disposed on the front panel 3 are turned on, turned off, or made to blink in order to provide game-related displays, e.g., win lines activated according to the number of deposited coins (or number of credits that were bet) and displays provided when there is a win. The stored coin deposit button 21 is a button pressed once for each coin stored (credited) in a coin storage device (not shown). A stored coin deposit button 22 is a button for using the maximum allowed number of coins stored in the coin storage device (not shown). A stored coin count display module 23 displays the number of coins stored in the coin storage device (not shown). The win count display module 24 displays the number of wins, the number of remaining games, and other types of information relating to the win count when a bonus is won. The coin payout count display module 25 can be formed from an LED or another type of display device. An accounts button 26 settles accounts for stored coins. A locking device 27 locks and unlocks the door depending on the direction the locking device 27 is turned. A label 28 indicates the model of the game machine 1, the name of the manufacturer, and other information relating to the game machine 1.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show the electronic structure of the game machine according to this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the [0048] game machine 1 is formed electronically from a main substrate A (FIG. 2A) and a sub-substrate B (FIG. 2B). The main substrate A is equipped with a CPU 30, a ROM 31, and a RAM 32 and performs control operations according to a preset program. In addition to a control program for controlling the operations of the game machine 1, the ROM 31 stores prize group selection tables used to pre-determine prize groups (an internal random selection). The CPU 30, the ROM 31, and the RAM 32 form an evaluation module and a control module.
The [0049] CPU 30 is connected to a clock generator circuit 33 generating a reference clock pulse and a random number generator circuit 34 generating a fixed random number. The control signal sent from the CPU 30 is sent by way of an output port 35 to a coin payout device 36 paying out coins and a display control circuit 37 controlling the symbol display module 7. The symbol display module 7 and the display module control circuit 37 form a display module.
The [0050] CPU 30 receives, by way of an input port 43, signals sent from a coin evaluation device 38 evaluating whether a coin is appropriate or not, a payout coin counter 40 counting the number of coins paid out, and start lever 41 used to begin spinning the reels. The signals sent from the CPU 30 are controlled by a transmission timing control circuit 45 controlling signal transmission timing to the sub-substrate B and are sent to the sub-substrate B by way of a data transmission circuit 46.
In the sub-substrate B, the signals output from the [0051] data transmission circuit 46 are sent to a data input circuit 47. The signals received by the data input circuit 47 are processed by a CPU 48. The CPU 48 is connected to a clock generator circuit 49 generating a reference clock pulse, a control/image ROM 50 storing various programs and image data; and a RAM 51. Image-related data is output from the CPU 48 to a liquid crystal display 53 by way of a display circuit 52 performing image processing. The liquid crystal display 53 displays text, static images, and moving images. Audio-related data is sent from the CPU 48 to an amp circuit 56 by way of a sound LSI 54 performing audio processing. The sound LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) 54 processes audio data by extracting the necessary audio data from an audio ROM 55. The audio data is amplified and the like by the amp circuit 56 and is sent to a speaker 58 by way of an audio adjustment circuit 57, which performs audio adjustments.
Next, the operations of a game machine according to this embodiment as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the characteristic operations performed by the game machine according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 through FIG. 8 are sample displays on the [0052] symbol display module 7.
First, an input from the player starts a normal game (step S[0053] 1). In this case, the player performs a bet operation, selects a win line, and operates the start lever 11. Next, random numbers are obtained to be used for the stopping numbers of the first through the fifth reels (step S2). A win line associated a win is determined through internal processing (step S3). Next, spinning of the first through the fifth reels starts (step S4). The direction of rotation in this embodiment is from top to bottom, but it is possible to have the reels spin from bottom to top. Also, rather than vertically, the reels can be arranged horizontally, spinning from left to right or from right to left.
Next, the spinning of the first through the fifth reels is stopped sequentially (step S[0054] 5). In this case, the reels are stopped sequentially from the first reel to the fifth reel with predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time intervals can be, for example, 0.5 seconds. Next, a win evaluation for the game is performed (step S6).
In this example, it is assumed that, as a result of the evaluation, a win is established based on a win line at the lower-[0055] level display region 61 of the first reel 71, the middle-level display region 62 of the second reel 72, the upper-level display region 63 of the third reel 73, the middle-level display region 64 of the fourth reel 74, and the lower-level display region 65 of the fifth reel 75. When a win is established in this manner, the frame 80 serving as an indicator is moved along the win line associated with the established win to emphasize the win line (step S7).
If, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a display of a [0056] frame 80 a is left on the symbols associated with the win even after the frame 80 has passed, the win line is left in an emphasized state. Since frames left on the display regions displaying the symbols associated with the win are left in an emphasized state even after the frame 80 has passed, the frame 80 leaves a trail. As a result, the player can follow the trail left by the frame 80, and the player is able to clearly recognize the established win line even after the frame 80 has passed.
As shown in FIG. 7, symbols on a single win line but not associated with the win are left with a shaded [0057] frame 81 so that they are displayed in an unclear manner. Thus, the symbols not associated with the win are displayed in a shaded, unclear or obscured manner after the frame 80 has passed. This prevents the symbols not associated with the win from being prominent. Conversely, the symbols associated with the win tend to stand out. As a result, the player is able to easily distinguish between the symbols associated with the win and the symbols not associated with the win.
In the above description the indicator is described as the [0058] frame 80, but an indicator having an appearance different from that of the frame 80 can be used. For example, instead of the frame 80 the indicator can be a symbol illustrating a character such as “frog”, “bird”, or “witch”. These symbols would then move along the win line. This allows different character symbols to be used, providing rich variation in the game effects.
In some cases, the direction in which the symbols are arranged can determine whether or not a win is established even if the symbols are all on a win line. For example, if a win is established by three adjacent identical symbols, the direction in which the win line is traversed can determine whether or not a win is established. In this case, it is preferable to clearly indicate to the player the direction in which symbols associated with a win are arranged. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if a win is established when three “A” symbols are adjacent to each other going from left to right, then the [0059] frame 80 moves from left to right as shown in FIG. 5. If a win is established along a win line R when three “A” symbols are adjacent to each other going from right to left, as shown in FIG. 8, the frame 80 moves from right to left. As a result, the direction in which symbols associated with a win are arranged can be clearly displayed.
The moving of the [0060] frame 80 as an indicator can be repeated at fixed intervals. As a result, if the player missed the displaying of the win line, the player can still check the win line at any time. It is also possible to have the win line displayed just once, after which the display is stopped, with the win line being displayed again if the player touches a section of the screen.
The [0061] frame 80 can be moved on the liquid crystal display screen by animation, but it is also possible to install a transparent display, e.g., an EL (electro-luminescence) display, separate from the symbol display module and to animate the frame on this display. By installing this display, the present invention can be used in game machines with physical reels in addition to game machines with video reels.
Next, the number of stored coins (credits) is added to the WIN credits (step S[0062] 8). Control then returns to the game start standby state.
If, at the win evaluation performed at step S[0063] 6, there was not win, the game machine 1 returns directly to the standby state.
In the above description, the [0064] frame 80 moves along the win line, but it is possible to display the moving frame 80 while also displaying the trail of the frame 80. By displaying the trail of the frame 80 in this manner, the game effect is more stimulating. Also, since the motion of the frame 80 can be recognized more easily, the player is able to recognize the established win line more easily.
Also, the shape, shading pattern, color, or a combination of these characteristics of the [0065] frame 80 can be varied based on the payout value of the established win. More specifically, the shape, shading pattern, color, or a combination of these characteristics of the frame 80 is set up for the frame 80, and the frame 80 is displayed according to the settings for the shape, shading pattern, color, or a combination of these characteristics. As a result, different displays can be provided depending on the win payout value. Thus, the differences between win payout values are made clear to the player and the corresponding payout values can be displayed in an easily recognized manner.
In this embodiment, when multiple wins are established, the [0066] frame 80 is moved for each of the win lines associated with an established win to allow the player to easily recognize the wins. The shape, shading pattern, color, or a combination of these characteristics of the frame 80 can be different for each line. More specifically, the shape, shading pattern, color, or a combination of these characteristics of the frame 80 is set up according to the win line, and the frame 80 is displayed according to the settings for the shape, shading pattern, color, or a combination of these characteristics. As a result, different displays can be provided for each win line. This allows the player to clearly distinguish the different win lines and allows each win line to be recognized easily.
In addition to the main game and bonus games, the present invention can also be applied to replay displays. A replay display is for a “last-game replay” where game results can be displayed again to confirm the results of a past game when there is a complaint from a player after a game. The present invention allows a store to easily confirm wins in response to player complaints. [0067]
Also, the [0068] frame 80 can be moved along the win line in different directions and at different speeds depending on the game state. If the win line is a combination of straight lines, the frame 80 can move from one end to the other end, and the speed can be fixed or it can be varied. Since the direction and speed of the motion of the frame 80 along the win line can be selected, rich variation is possible for displaying the frame 80. Also, the speed of the indicator can be changed to provoke tension in the player. Furthermore, when multiple win lines establish wins, the indicator can be moved quickly so that the win lines for all the wins can be indicated in a short period of time.
The characteristic operations of the present invention described above are performed by having a computer execute a control program. The control program is formed as a group of computer-executable instructions which is loaded into a computer to provide a series of operations including: an operation for outputting a signal for making a display module in a game machine provide a changing display, in which different types of symbols that were in a static state in multiple display regions in the display module are displayed in a continuously changing manner, and a static display, in which the changingly displayed symbols are displayed statically again in the display regions; and an operation for evaluating whether predetermined symbols of the multiple symbols that are statically displayed are positioned on a win line selected ahead of time; an operation for outputting a signal to display an indicator along the win line and to move the indicator along the win line when the evaluation determines that the predetermined symbols are positioned on the win line. [0069]
By moving the indicator in this manner, the win line associated with an established win can be emphasized. This allows the player to clearly recognize the win line from which a win was established. In particular, if multiple wins are established, the indicator provides, emphasis by moving along each individual win line even if the win lines establishing the wins are intertwined in a complicated manner. Thus, the player is able to intuitively recognize the win lines from which wins are established. As a result, the player's anticipation with regard to the game is increased and the player's curiosity is provoked. [0070]
The program described above can be obtained in recorded form on a recording medium such as CD-ROM or DVD. This type of program can also be obtained by receiving a signal sent from a computer serving as a transmission device by way of a transfer medium, e.g., a communication network formed from public telephone lines, dedicated phone lines, cable TV lines, and wireless communication lines. This signal is a computer data signal implemented in the form of a predetermined carrier wave containing a program. During this transmission, the transmission carrier need only transmit just a section of the program described above. In other words, data for the entire program does not need to be present at one time in the transmission medium. Also, the transmission of the program from the computer can involve sending the data for the program continuously or intermittently. [0071]

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

A game machine of the present invention as described above includes: a display module which provides a changing display in which, at the start of a game, multiple symbols that were in a static state in multiple display regions are displayed so that they change continuously to other symbols and a static display that displays the symbols undergoing the changing display in a static manner in the display regions; an evaluation module that determines whether symbols establishing a win will be, are, or were statically displayed along a win line set up ahead of time on the display module; an indicator moving on the display module; and a control module controlling game progress and, when a win is established, moving the indicator along the win line to emphasize the win line. [0072]
By moving the indicator in this manner, a win line associated with an established win is emphasized. This allows the player to clearly recognize the win line for which the win was established. In particular, when multiple wins are established, the indicator moves along and emphasizes each individual win line so that the player is able to intuitively recognize the win lines for which the wins are established even when the win lines associated with the established wins are intertwined in complex ways. As a result, the player's anticipation with regard to the game is increased and the player's curiosity is provoked. [0073]

Claims

I claim:

1. A game machine comprising:

a display module providing, at a start of a game, a changing display wherein a plurality of symbols statically displayed in a plurality of display regions is changed to various other symbols in a continuously changing manner and a static display wherein said symbols being displayed in said changing manner are displayed again in a static manner in said display regions;

an evaluation module evaluating whether symbols establishing a win are statically displayed on a win line selected ahead of time on said display module;

an indicator moving on said display module; and

a control module controlling progress of said game and emphasizing said win line when said win is established by moving said indicator along said win line.

2. The game machine as described in claim 1, wherein said indicator is a frame surrounding a boundary line of at least one of said display regions.

3. The game machine as described in claim 2, wherein said control module performs control operations to keep a frame in an emphasized state on said display module after said indicator has passed said frame, said frame in said emphasized state surrounding a boundary line of a display region displaying one of said symbols that are statically displayed on said win line and associated with said win.

4. The game machine as described in claim 1, wherein:

said symbols being statically displayed on said win line comprise said symbols establishing a win and other symbols;

said control module controls said display module so that said other symbols that are statically displayed on said win line are displayed in an obscured state, after said indicator has passed said other symbols.

5. The game machine as described in claim 1, wherein said control module performs control operations so a trail of said indicator is displayed on said display module.

6. The game machine as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on a payout value of said established win.

7. The game machine as described in claim 6, wherein said control module performs control operations to display said indicator according to said characteristic set up according to said payout value of said established win.

8. The game machine as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on said win line.

9. The game machine as described in claim 8, wherein said control module performs control operations to display said indicator according to said characteristic set up according to said win line.

10. The game machine as described in claim 1, wherein said control module selects a direction and a speed of motion for said indicator moving along said win line according to a game situation.

11. The game machine as described in claim 1, wherein said control module performs control operations providing a replay display of movement of said indicator.

12. A computer-readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for providing a game, said method comprising the steps of:

outputting, to a display module of a game machine, a signal for providing a changing display wherein a plurality of symbols statically displayed in a plurality of display regions is changed to various other symbols in a continuously changing manner and a static display wherein said symbols being displayed in said changing manner are displayed again in a static manner in said display regions;

evaluating whether at least one predetermined symbol, of said symbols being statically displayed, are positioned on a win line selected ahead of time; and

outputting another signal to display an indicator along said win line and to move said indicator along said win line if said evaluation determines that said predetermined symbols are positioned on said win line.

13. The game machine as described in claim 2, wherein:

said symbols that are statically displayed on said win line comprise said symbols establishing a win and other symbols;

14. The game machine as described in claim 3, wherein:

15. The game machine as described in claim 2, wherein said control module performs control operations so a trail of said indicator is displayed on said display module.

16. The game machine as described in claim 3, wherein said control module performs control operations so a trail of said indicator is displayed on said display module.

17. The game machine as described in claim 4, wherein said control module performs control operations so a trail of said indicator is displayed on said display module.

18. The game machine as described in claim 2, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on a payout value of said established win.

19. The game machine as described in claim 3, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on a payout value of said established win.

20. The game machine as described in claim 4, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on a payout value of said established win.

21. The game machine as described in claim 5, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on a payout value of said established win.

22. The game machine as described in claim 2, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on said win line.

23. The game machine as described in claim 3, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on said win line.

24. The game machine as described in claim 4, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on said win line.

25. The game machine as described in claim 5, further comprising at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator is selected based on said win line.

26. A method for providing a game, said method comprising the steps of:

providing, at a start of said game, a changing display on a display module wherein a plurality of symbols statically displayed in a plurality of display regions is changed to various other symbols in a continuously changing manner;

providing a static display wherein said symbols being displayed in said changing manner are displayed again in a static manner in said display regions;

evaluating whether symbols establishing a win are statically displayed on a win line selected ahead of time on said display module;

moving an indicator on said display module; and

emphasizing said win line when said win is established by moving said indicator along said win line.

27. The method as described in claim 26, wherein said indicator is a moving frame surrounding a boundary line of at least one of said display regions.

28. The method as described in claim 27, further comprising the step of keeping in a frame in an emphasized state on said display module, after said indicator has passed said frame, said frame in said emphasized state surrounding a boundary line of a display region displaying one of said symbols that are statically displayed on said win line and associated with said win.

29. The method as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of displaying other symbols that are statically displayed on said win line in an obscured state, after said indicator has passed said other symbols, wherein said symbols that are statically displayed on said win line comprise said symbols establishing a win and said other symbols.

30. The method as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of displaying a trail of said indicator on said display module.

31. The method as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of selecting at least one characteristic from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator based on a payout value of said established win.

32. The method as described in claim 31, further comprising the step of displaying said indicator according to said characteristic set up according to said payout value of said established win.

33. The method as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of selecting at least one characteristic from the group consisting of a shape, a shading pattern, and a color of said indicator based on said win line.

34. The method as described in claim 33, further comprising the step of displaying said indicator according to said characteristic set up according to said win line.

35. The method as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of selecting a direction and a speed of motion for said indicator moving along said win line according to a game situation.

36. The method as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of providing a replay display of movement of said indicator.