Game server, game control method, and game machine

Abstract

A return is reliably executed to a player who has paid a predetermined amount to a game machine. The timing of this return is determined by lottery, and its result is displayed on the game machine. This thrills the player with expectation of the return, thereby keeping the player long on the same game machine. As the result, it is avoidable that the player waiting for a prize for a long time loses enthusiasm for the game and keeps away from the hall (i.e., a reduction in the number of customers).

1 . A game machine, which is brought into a status enabling to start a game based on a throw-in media number or given credit number, which is subjected to payout according to a result of said game, which is collectively controlled with other game machines by a game server, wherein 
 when cumulative consumption of media or credit in the game machine that the player is performing the game reaches a predetermined upper limit, a return mode flag is set to a return mode for executing return to the player.    
     
     
         2 . The game machine according to  claim 1  wherein, in the return mode, a big prize in which the player is advantageous is forcedly produced.  
     
     
         3 . The game machine according to  claim 1  wherein, in the return mode, a probability of a big prize in which the player is advantageous is changed.  
     
     
         4 . The game machine according to  claim 1  wherein, in the return mode, the number of media to be returned to the player is changed.  
     
     
         5 . A game server for collectively controlling a plurality of game machines which are brought into a status enabling to start a game based on a throw-in media number or given credit number, and which are subjected to payout according to a result of said game, comprising; 
 sending device for sending a control signal, to one of the game machines that a player is performing the game, for setting a return mode flag to a return mode for executing return to the player when cumulative consumption of media or credit in the game machine that the player is performing the game reaches a predetermined upper limit.    
     
     
         6 . The game server according to  claim 5  wherein, in the return mode, a big prize in which the player is advantageous is forcedly produced.  
     
     
         7 . The game server according to  claim 5  wherein, in the return mode, a probability of a big prize in which the player is advantageous is changed.  
     
     
         8 . The game server according to  claim 5  wherein, in the return mode, the number of media to be returned to the player is changed.  
     
     
         9 . A method for collectively controlling a plurality of game machines, comprising the steps of: 
 bringing each of the game machines into a status enabling to start a game based on a throw-in media number or given credit number;    subjecting each of the game machines to payout according to a result of said game; and    setting a return mode flag to a return mode for executing return to the player when cumulative consumption of media or credit in the game machine that the player is performing the game reaches a predetermined upper limit.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein, in the return mode, a big prize in which the player is advantageous is forcedly produced.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein, in the return mode, a probability of a big prize in which the player is advantageous is changed.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein, in the return mode, the number of media to be returned to the player is changed.  
     
     
         13 . A game machine, which is brought into a status enabling to start a game based on a throw-in media number or given credit number, which is subjected to payout according to a result of said game, which is collectively controlled with other game machines by a game server, wherein 
 when a value relating to a number of games which the player performs reaches a predetermined upper limit, a return mode flag is set to a return mode for executing return to the player.    
     
     
         14 . The game machine according to  claim 13  wherein, in the return mode, a big prize in which the player is advantageous is forcedly produced.  
     
     
         15 . The game machine according to  claim 13  wherein, in the return mode, a probability of a big prize in which the player is advantageous is changed.  
     
     
         16 . The game machine according to  claim 13  wherein, in the return mode, the number of media to be returned to the player is changed.  
     
     
         17 . A game server for collectively controlling a plurality of game machines which are brought into a status enabling to start a game based on a throw-in media number or given credit number, and which are subjected to payout according to a result of said game, comprising; 
 sending device for sending a control signal, to one of the game machines that a player is performing the game, for setting a return mode flag to a return mode for executing return to the player when a value relating to a number of games which the player performs reaches a predetermined upper limit.    
     
     
         18 . The game server according to  claim 17  wherein, in the return mode, a big prize in which the player is advantageous is forcedly produced.  
     
     
         19 . The game server according to  claim 17  wherein, in the return mode, a probability of a big prize in which the player is advantageous is changed.  
     
     
         20 . The game server according to  claim 17  wherein, in the return mode, the number of media to be returned to the player is changed.  
     
     
         21 . A method for collectively controlling a plurality of game machines, comprising the steps of: 
 bringing each of the game machines into a status enabling to start a game based on a throw-in media number or given credit number;    subjecting each of the game machines to payout according to a result of said game; and    setting a return mode flag to a return mode for executing return to the player when a value relating to a number of games which the player performs reaches a predetermined upper limit.    
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein, in the return mode, a big prize in which the player is advantageous is forcedly produced.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein, in the return mode, a probability of a big prize in which the player is advantageous is changed.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein, in the return mode, the number of media to be returned to the player is changed.