US20090111567A1

US20090111567A1 - Reel game apparatus for playing sub game and the method thereof

Info

Publication number: US20090111567A1
Application number: US12/035,292
Authority: US
Inventors: Soo-Hyun Park
Original assignee: Nexon Corp
Current assignee: Nexon Korea Corp
Priority date: 2007-10-24
Filing date: 2008-02-21
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: KR20090041582A; KR100916477B1

Abstract

Provided is a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate various sub-games depending on the appearance of specific symbols on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in a reel game, and includes a main game part for spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, in a reel game, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear, and a sub-game part for playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears, wherein the first sub-game is played to give winnings when coin items are generated in the sub-game part and fall on winning targets.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

Applicant claims foreign priority under Paris Convention and 35 U.S.C. § 119 to a Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0107181, filed Oct. 24, 2007 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

BACKGROUND ART

The present invention relates, in general, to a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, and, more particularly, to a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate various sub-games depending on the appearance of specific symbols on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in a reel game, and which produce scenes, such as ceremonies, by causing character images to appear, thus providing pleasure.
Generally, a slot machine, which is a representative game machine, is operated in such a way that, after a gamer first inserts predetermined coins, sets a betting level, and spins a plurality of reels by manipulating a start button, the gamer stops the reels at his or her desired time, so that predetermined coins are paid when symbols (images, such as images of a watermelon, a bell, and a cherry) are displayed to form a specific combination on display panels corresponding to respective reels. Further, there is a game operation method in which, when a gamer hits the jackpot, he or she is paid a total amount of money accumulated through a plurality of machines.
Further, a conventional reel game is provided in an independent form, or in the form of a combination with other games, such as a medal game or a poker game. In this case, a typical reel game is played in such a way that symbols on respective reels are arranged in a new form as a result of the spinning of the reels, that is, the rotation of the reels, and winnings corresponding to the results of the arrangement are simply given at a time according to the result of the arrangement.
However, the conventional reel game, by which winnings are provided unilaterally and all at one time on the basis of the arrangement of symbols, arbitrarily provided according to programmed game rules, is problematic in that it has limited ability to continuously arouse interest or attract attention during the reel game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate an independent sub-game without influencing a reel game, depending on the appearance of a specific symbol on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in the reel game, and in which a coin game, one of the sub-games, is played such that coin items drop while moving up/down/left/right according to the elasticity of pins, and such that, when the coin items fall on winning targets, predetermined winnings are provided to a user, so that the user's feeling of anticipation is increased and interest is stimulated, thus compensating for the disadvantage of the reel game in that somewhat tedious and identical situations are repeated.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

A reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game according to the present invention to accomplish the above object provides a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game, comprising a main game part for spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, in a reel game, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear, and a sub-game part for playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears, wherein the first sub-game is played to give winnings when coin items are generated in the sub-game part and fall on winning targets.
Preferably, the reel game of the main game part may be independently played while the first sub-game is being played.
Preferably, the first sub-game may be played such that a coin discharge part formed in an upper portion of a game screen generates the coin items and drops the coin items down, and such that, when the coin items pass through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins displayed on the game screen and reach the winning targets formed in a lower portion of the game screen, winnings are awarded.
Preferably, the coin discharge part generates the coin items while moving left or right.
Preferably, the fixed pins may form lines while being spaced apart from each other on a game screen of the sub-game part so that fixed pins placed on an upper line and fixed pins on a lower line alternate, the fixed pins emitting light while bouncing the coin items when colliding with the coin items.
Preferably, the winning targets may comprise a plurality of winning targets and continuously move left or right, the winning targets being configured such that different winnings are awarded for respective winning targets when the winning targets collide with the coin items.
Preferably, the sub-game part may operate a second sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of car symbols appears, the second sub-game being played such that, when a car that wins a car racing game is picked, winnings are awarded.
Preferably, the sub-game part may operate a third sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of chance symbols appears, the third sub-game being played such that the main game part operates a sub-reel game, the sub-game part operates a car racing game, and symbols appear to give winnings in the sub-reel game when a car, satisfying a specific condition presented by an indication part, wins the car racing game.
In addition, a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game according to the present invention to accomplish the above object provides a reel game method of playing a sub-game, comprising a main game step of spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear, and a sub-game step of playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears, wherein the first sub-game is played to award winnings when coin items are generated in a sub-game part and fall on winning targets.
Preferably, the first sub-game may comprise a coin generation step of a coin discharge part, which is formed in an upper portion of a game screen, generating the coin items and dropping the coin items down, and a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings when the coin items generated at the coin generation step pass through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins displayed on the game screen and reach the winning targets formed in a lower portion of the game screen.
Preferably, the sub-game step may be performed such that, when the reels stop and a certain number of car symbols appears at the main game step, a second sub-game is played, the second sub-game comprising a racing game step of playing a car racing game, and a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings when a car that wins the car racing game is picked at the racing game step.
Preferably, the sub-game step may be performed such that, when the reels stop and a certain number of chance symbols appears at the main game step, a third sub-game is played, the third sub-game comprising a sub-reel game step of playing a sub-reel game, a car racing game step of playing a car racing game while the sub-reel game is played, and a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings such that, if a car satisfying a specific condition presented by an indication part wins the car racing game at the car racing game step, symbols appear to award winnings at the sub-reel game step.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

As described above, the present invention can provide a reel game apparatus and method for playing a sub-game, which operate an independent sub-game without influencing a reel game, depending on the appearance of a specific symbol on a game screen regardless of the winning conditions in the reel game, and in which a coin game, one of the sub-games, is played such that coin items drop while moving up/down/left/right according to the elasticity of pins, and such that, when the coin items fall on winning targets, predetermined winnings are provided to a user, so that the user's feeling of anticipation is increased and interest is stimulated, thus compensating for the disadvantage of the reel game in that somewhat tedious and identical situations are repeated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the game screen of a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the game screen of a first sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the game screen of a first sub-game according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the game screen of a first sub-game according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the game screen of a second sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the game screen of a third sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reel game method of playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first sub-game method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second sub-game method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a third sub-game method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS OF IMPORTANT PARTS

- 110: main game part
- 111: coin symbol
- 112: car symbol
- 113: chance symbol
- 120: sub-game part
- 128: coin item
- 127: winning target

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so as to describe the present invention in detail to such an extent that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The game apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is a kind of arcade game machine, but it is apparent that the reel game apparatus of the present invention is not limited to such an arcade game machine, and can also be applied to all types of typical electronic games, such as video games or mobile games, or game machines using mechanical reels.
As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus includes an advertisement panel 10, which displays the type of game and has a lighting element to add interest to a game, in an upper portion thereof, and a display 20, which is placed below the advertisement panel 10 and is configured to provide a game screen. Further, the game apparatus has a structure in which an operation panel 30 is placed below the display 20 to form a predetermined angle with the display 20, and in which a payout tray 40 is placed below the operation panel 30 and is configured to discharge presents, coins, medals, or gift certificates, which are paid as winnings for games.
The lighting element can be arranged on an arbitrary surface of the game apparatus, such as the outer surface of the display 20, in addition to the advertisement panel 10, and bill and coin slots and operation buttons are typically mounted in the operation panel 30. Further, a sound device (not shown) for providing sounds related to games can be arranged on the inner or outer surface of the game apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the reel game apparatus generally includes the processor 50 of a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform, a storage means 60 for storing program code and other types of data, a display 85, such as a video monitor or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor, and at least one input means 83, such as a button.
The storage means 60 may include Random Access Memory (RAM) 61 for storing event data, or other types of data generated or used during a specific game. Further, the storage means 60 may include Read Only Memory (ROM) 62 for storing program code required to control the game apparatus so that a game is played depending on predetermined game rules and win criteria.
Further, the user typically inputs a signal to the game apparatus using buttons, but may alternatively input a signal using a touch screen.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a touch screen 71 and a touch screen controller 72 can be connected to the processor 50 via a video controller 73, and can be used as a display means and an input means, instead of a typical video display device.
Further, since the processor 50 is connected to a bill/coin receiver 81, it can be programmed to prompt the user to deposit a predetermined amount of money before starting the game.
Further, the game apparatus preferably includes a speaker 89 for providing sounds or music according to the theme of a game or a bonus scheme.
Meanwhile, the processor 50 and the storage means 60 are described as separate components, but may be implemented using one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), wired circuits, or mechanical devices. Further, the processor 50 and the storage means 60 are preferably installed in each game apparatus, but some or all given functions can be performed by a central system, such as a network server capable of communicating with a game field or each game apparatus over a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, wireless connection, etc.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the game screen of a reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, a main game part 110, which is placed at the center portion of a game screen 100 corresponding to the display 20, is a portion required to play a reel game, which is a main game, and a sub-game part 120, which is placed above the main game part 110, is a portion required to play any one of a first sub-game, a second sub-game, and a third sub-game.
An indication part 130 is provided below the main game part 110, and is configured to display and provide details related to game play, using a credit panel CREDIT for indicating the total amount of available money obtained as a result of insertion into the apparatus, or winnings, a betting panel BET for indicating the number of possible bets, and a panel WIN for indicating winnings details, such as scores or money won on the game played. On the credit panel CREDIT, an amount of available money corresponding to the amount of money inserted is indicated, but indication may be made such that the amount of available money is decreased every game round.
In the main game part 110, a predetermined number of reels, each having symbols displayed thereon, is displayed, and the reels are stationary before a reel game is started.
Further, when the reels are caused to spin and stop using operation buttons provided in the operation panel 30, a predetermined symbol (for example, a symbol enabling scores to be acquired) can appear on at least one line, independently or together with other symbols.
Therefore, when symbols, corresponding to winning conditions designated in the game, appear on at least one line, the user can be paid winnings. That is, when symbols successively appear to satisfy predetermined winning conditions presented in the reel game, the user wins the game and receives winnings. In the reel game according to the present invention, when three or more symbols, enabling good scores to be acquired, appear successively in a horizontal direction, winning conditions are satisfied, and thus winnings are provided.
The term ‘symbol’ includes indications, such as characters, numbers, pictures, and figures, characters representing human beings or animals, or other types of visual, auditory, or audio-visual representations recognizable by human beings.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a reel game can be implemented using N (for example, 12) reels, on which symbols are arranged in an man shape (for example, 4*3), or N (for example, 9) reels on which symbols are arranged in an non shape (for example, 3*3). The number and arrangement of reels can be variously changed according to embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the game screen 200 of a first sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the game screen 200 of a first sub-game according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the game screen 200 of a first sub-game according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first sub-game is played such that, when 4 to 12 coin symbols 111 appear, a sub-game part 120 operates the first sub-game, regardless of the winning conditions in a reel game operated by a main game part 110.
Further, when the first sub-game is played by satisfying the play condition of the first sub-game, visual, auditory, or audio-visual animation or other indications, indicating the play of the first sub-game, can be provided.
When the first sub-game is played, a coin discharge part 121 formed in an upper portion of the sub-game part 120 generates coin items 128 having the shape of medals or coins, and drops the coin items down on a lower portion of the sub-game part 120.
For example, in a 4*3 reel game, anywhere from 0 to 12 (when all reel symbols are coin symbols) coin symbols 111 may appear. Therefore, if four or more coin symbols 111 appear on the reels regardless of winning conditions when the reels are caused to spin and stop, the coin discharge part 121 formed in the upper portion of the sub-game part 120 generates coin items 128.
In this case, when four coin symbols 111 appear, the number of coin items 128 pouring down at the coin discharge part 121 is 5, when five coin symbols 111 appear, the number of coin items 128 is 10, when six coin symbols 111 appear, the number of coin items 128 is 12, and when 12 coin symbols 622 appear in this way, the number of coin items 613 is 1000, and thus the generated coin items pour down on the lower portion of the sub-game part 120.
However, when one to three coin symbols 111 appear, coin items 128 are not generated.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that, when two coin symbols 111 appear, no variation occurs on the screen. FIG. 5 illustrates the case where four coin symbols 111 appear, FIG. 6 illustrates the case where six coin symbols 111 appear, and it can be seen that a first sub-game, in which the coin discharge part 121 generates coin items 128, is played.
In this case, the coin discharge part 121 generates coin items 128 while moving left/right.
Further, the coin items 128, generated in the coin discharge part 121 and dropped down, pour down while passing through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins 122, arranged on the screen of the sub-game part 120 according to predetermined rules. The fixed pins 122 form each line and are spaced apart from each other in the sub-game part 120, but it is preferable that the fixed pins 122 placed on an upper line and fixed pins 122 placed on a lower line be formed to alternate.
When the coin items 128 collide with the fixed pins 122, the fixed pins 122 emit light, or output a collision sound, thus indicating the collision situation.
Further, each of the fixed pins 122 has a kind of elasticity enabling the coin items 128 to bounce when colliding with the coin items 128. Accordingly, the coin items 128 drop down while moving up/down/left/right. Therefore, when colliding with the fixed pins 122, the coin items 128 bounce and move here and there, thus increasing the user's feeling of anticipation and providing pleasure.
The coin items 128, having passed through the fixed pins 122, drop to the lower portion of the sub-game part 120. At this time, when the coin items 128 fall on a plurality of winning targets 127 which are formed in the lower portion of the sub-game part 120 and have the shape of an item belt, the location of which changes depending on a random probability at each game round, winnings, such as prize money, are awarded.
Meanwhile, when the coin items 128 fall on trunks 129, other than the winning targets 127, winnings are not awarded.
That is, when each coin item 128 passes through the fixed pins 122 formed in the sub-game part 120, and falls on one of the winning targets 127 that move across the lower portion of the sub-game part 120, winnings corresponding to the winning target 127 are awarded in the form of a score or the like depending on the type of winnings.
The winning targets 127 can be displayed on the screen in arbitrary shapes, such as cars, horse-drawn carriages, and entertainers' pictures, and winnings details related to the winning targets 127 can be displayed in the form of a score, such as ‘1000’, or ‘2000’ immediately above the winning targets 127.
Further, the winning targets 127 continuously move to the left or right, and can be indicated in different colors, so that differences between winnings details can be allocated. For example, an embodiment can be implemented in such a way that, when the winning targets 127 are indicated in yellow, pink, and red, respectively, and a coin item 128 falls on the red winning target 127, winnings twice those of the case where a coin item 128 falls on winning targets 128 having other colors are awarded.
Further, when the coin item 128 falls on the winning targets 127, and a win is achieved, the dancing of a character image 123, such as an image of a racing model, is provided together with the ceremony of the character image 123. Therefore, a spectacle and pleasure are provided to a game that might otherwise bore the user.
Further, referring to FIG. 6, three coin symbols 111 successively appear in a vertical direction, but the winning condition of the reel game according to the present invention is the condition in which three or more symbols, satisfying winning conditions, must appear in a horizontal direction, and thus the number of coin items 128 generated by the coin discharge part 121 is determined according to the number of coin symbols 111 that appear, regardless of whether a win is achieved.
Meanwhile, the first sub-game can be played independent of a reel game. That is, even when 4 to 12 coin symbols 111 appear in the reel game and the first sub-game is being played, the reel game can be continuously played.
Therefore, when the reel game is played, and three or more symbols, enabling good scores to be acquired, successively appear in a horizontal direction even when the sub-game part 120 operates the first sub-game, winning conditions are satisfied, and thus winnings can be provided.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the game screen 300 of a second sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
When 4 to 12 car symbols 112 appear in a reel game operated by the main game part 110, regardless of winning conditions enabling winnings to be awarded, a second sub-game is played.
Further, when the second sub-game starts by satisfying the start condition of the second sub-game, visual, auditory, or audio-visual animation, or other indications, indicating the start of the second sub-game, may be provided.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second sub-game is operated by the sub-game part 120 in the form of a car racing game 310.
Therefore, the user plays a game of picking a car that will win the car racing game 310. When the user has picked a car to win the car racing game, the race proceeds to the next stage. When the user has also picked the car to win the car racing game in the race of the next stage, the race proceeds to the next stage. The race can be played up to a maximum of 10 times. Therefore, as the number of times that the user picked the car to win increases, prize money increases.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a user picks a second car 340, and the second car 340 wins the race in the case where a first car 330, the second car 340, and a third car 350 race each other, prize money is awarded to the user, and the race proceeds to the next stage. Further, when the user wins the racing game, the dancing of a character image 123, such as a racing model image, is displayed together with the ceremony of the character image 123. Therefore, a spectacle and pleasure are provided to the game that might otherwise bore the user.
Meanwhile, when the first car 330 or the third car 350 wins the race in the case where the second car 340 is picked, the game is over.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the game screen 400 of a third sub-game according to an embodiment of the present invention.
When 4 to 12 chance symbols 113 appear in the reel game operated by the main game part 110, regardless of winning conditions enabling winnings to be awarded, a third sub-game is played.
When the third sub-game starts by satisfying the start condition of the third sub-game, visual, auditory, or audio-visual animation, or other indications indicating the start of the third sub-game, can be provided.
As shown in FIG. 8, the third sub-game is played in such a way that the main game part 110 operates a sub-reel game 510, the background of the sub-game part 120 changes to the nighttime, and a racing game 410, in which both racing cars and an indication part 420, indicating a predetermined condition, appear, is played.
The indication part 420 presents a predetermined condition specially defined in the game, and can be displayed in various colors. The indication part 420 can be configured to give winnings if the predetermined condition presented by the indication part 420 is satisfied. For example, when the indication part 420 indicates a red color, and a car having the same color as the indication part 420 wins the race, symbols satisfying winning conditions are made to appear in the sub-reel game 510 in the form of a table game, rather than a natural probability, and thus winnings are awarded.
In the sub-reel game 510 in the third sub-game, since symbols corresponding to the winning conditions appear in the form of a table game, the probability of winning is increased.
Further, when the user wins the sub-reel game, the dancing of a character image 450, such as a racing model image, is provided together with the ceremony of the character image 450. Therefore, a spectacle and pleasure are provided to the game, which might otherwise bore the user.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reel game method of playing a sub-game according to the present invention, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a first sub-game method according to the present invention, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second sub-game method according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a third sub-game method according to the present invention.
Hereinafter, a game method according to embodiments of the present invention is described in detail.
First, a user deposits a certain amount of money by inserting the money into a bill or coin slot provided in the operation panel 30.
On the indication part 130, a dashboard having the shape of a speedometer is displayed, and indicates ‘0’ when a game is initially loaded. When an amount of money is deposited, a number indicated on the dashboard 130 increases while being displayed in different colors depending on the amount of money deposited, and the amount of money inserted is indicated on the credit panel CREDIT at step S100.
Next, when an amount of money sufficient to play a game has been inserted, betting is conducted at step S200, and a reel game is played through the main game part 110 at step S300.
Next, reels spin and then stop at step S400. When symbols successively appear according to winning conditions presented in the game at step S800, winnings, such as prize money, are awarded at step S810.
However, when the reels stop at step S400, and four or more coin symbols 111 appear in the reel game regardless of the winning conditions enabling winnings to be awarded at step S500, the sub-game part 120 operates a first sub-game at step S510.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in the first sub-game, when 4 to 12 coin symbols 111 appear on the reels, the coin discharge part 121 formed in the upper portion of the sub-game part 120 generates medal or coin-shaped coin items 128 and drops the coin items down at step S511.
Further, when the coin items 128 fall on the winning targets 127, formed in the lower portion of the sub-game part 120 in the form of an item belt, and hit the winning targets 127 at step S512, winnings, such as prize money, are awarded at step S513.
However, when the reels stop at step S400, and four or more car symbols 625 appear in the reel game regardless of the winning conditions enabling winnings to be awarded at step S600, a second sub-game is played at step S610.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second sub-game is played in such a way that, when four car symbols 112 appear, regardless of the lines on the reels, the sub-game part 120 operates a car racing game 310 at step S611.
Therefore, a game allowing the user to pick the car that will win the race in the car racing game 310 is played. When the user has picked the car to win at step S612, the race proceeds to the next stage at step S613. Further, when the user has also picked the car to win at step S614, the race proceeds to the next stage. The race can be played up to a maximum of 10 times at step S615. As the number of times that the user picked the car to win increases, winnings, such as prize money, increase at step S616.
Meanwhile, when the reels stop at step S400, and four chance symbols 113, indicating a chance condition, appear in the reel game regardless of winning conditions at step S700, a third sub-game is played at step S710.
As shown in FIG. 8, the third sub-game is played in such a way that, when four or more chance symbols 113 appear in the reel game, regardless of the winning conditions enabling winnings to be awarded, the main game part 110 operates a sub-reel game 510 at step S711. Further, the background of the sub-game part 120 is changed to the nighttime, and a racing game 410, in which both racing cars and the indication part 420 appear, is played.
The indication part 420 can be displayed in various colors. When a car having the same color as the color of the indication part 420 wins the race, symbols appear to satisfy winning conditions in the sub-reel game 510, and a win is achieved in the sub-reel game 510 at step S712. Further, the dancing of the character image 450 is provided together with the winning ceremony of the character image 450 at step S713, and winnings, such as prize money, are awarded at step S714.
In this way, the sub-games according to the embodiments of the present invention, which compensate for a simple basic winning method and a repeated screen configuration in a conventional reel game, can be utilized in various reel games, as well as the present invention, as sub-games. In particular, a coin game, which is one of the sub-games, increases the user's feeling of anticipation and provides pleasure to the user while moving coin items up/down/left/right according to the elasticity of pins, and thus it may be an excellent method capable of compensating for the disadvantage of a typical reel game, in which somewhat boring and identical situations are repeated.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A reel game apparatus for playing a sub-game, comprising:

a main game part for spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, in a reel game, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear; and

a sub-game part for playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears,

wherein the first sub-game is played to give winnings when coin items are generated in the sub-game part and fall on winning targets.

2. The reel game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reel game of the main game part is independently played while the first sub-game is being played.

3. The reel game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-game is played such that a coin discharge part formed in an upper portion of a game screen generates the coin items and drops the coin items down, and such that, when the coin items pass through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins displayed on the game screen and reach the winning targets formed in a lower portion of the game screen, winnings are awarded.

4. The reel game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the coin discharge part generates the coin items while moving left or right.

5. The reel game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixed pins form lines while being spaced apart from each other on a game screen of the sub-game part so that fixed pins placed on an upper line and fixed pins on a lower line alternate, the fixed pins emitting light while bouncing the coin items when colliding with the coin items.

6. The reel game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the winning targets comprise a plurality of winning targets and continuously move left or right, the winning targets being configured such that different winnings are awarded for respective winning targets when the winning targets collide with the coin items.

7. The reel game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-game part operates a second sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of car symbols appears, the second sub-game being played such that, when a car that wins a car racing game is picked, winnings are awarded.

8. The reel game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sub-game part operates a third sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of chance symbols appears, the third sub-game being played such that the main game part operates a sub-reel game, the sub-game part operates a car racing game, and symbols appear to give winnings in the sub-reel game when a car, satisfying a specific condition presented by an indication part, wins the car racing game.

9. A reel game method of playing a sub-game, comprising:

a main game step of spinning a plurality of reels, each having respective symbols displayed thereon, stopping the reels, and enabling winnings to be awarded when symbols satisfying winning conditions appear; and

a sub-game step of playing a first sub-game when the reels stop and a certain number of coin symbols appears,

wherein the first sub-game is played to award winnings when coin items are generated in a sub-game part and fall on winning targets.

10. The reel game method according to claim 9, wherein the first sub-game comprises:

a coin generation step of a coin discharge part, which is formed in an upper portion of a game screen, generating the coin items and dropping the coin items down; and

a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings when the coin items generated at the coin generation step pass through spaces between a plurality of fixed pins displayed on the game screen and reach the winning targets formed in a lower portion of the game screen.

11. The reel game method according to claim 9, wherein the sub-game step is performed such that, when the reels stop and a certain number of car symbols appears at the main game step, a second sub-game is played, the second sub-game comprising:

a racing game step of playing a car racing game; and

a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings when a car that wins the car racing game is picked at the racing game step.

12. The reel game method according to claim 9, wherein the sub-game step is performed such that, when the reels stop and a certain number of chance symbols appears at the main game step, a third sub-game is played, the third sub-game comprising:

a sub-reel game step of playing a sub-reel game;

a car racing game step of playing a car racing game while the sub-reel game is played; and

a winnings awarding step of awarding winnings such that, if a car satisfying a specific condition presented by an indication part wins the car racing game at the car racing game step, symbols appear to award winnings at the sub-reel game step.