Abstract: An apparatus and methods for personality adoption of online game peripherals interacting with an online game server having multiple online game states. Methods disclosed include techniques for associating a personality with a personality-adopting mobile game peripheral capable of holding a game state at least partially adopted from the game peripheral personality component (e.g. a faceplate, a shell, a key, etc). Additionally techniques are provided for uploading personality-imbued game state to the online game server; and for retrieving personality-imbued online game states to the first personality-adopting mobile game peripheral. Some embodiments involve multiple game peripheral personality components and corresponding personality-adopting mobile game peripherals in a peer-to-peer relationship. Peer-to-peer embodiments include techniques for associating a second personality, using a second game peripheral personality component, with a second personality-adopting mobile game peripheral.

Abstract: A system and method for actuating a visible persistent physical change to a game peripheral during interaction with an online game server having multiple game states. The method includes steps for establishing a connection between a game peripheral and an online game server, associating the game peripheral with at least one game state, retrieving from the online game server at least one bit for downloading to the game peripheral, and actuating at least one electro-mechanical component of the game peripheral for morphing the game peripheral. Morphing of the game peripheral produces at least one visible persistent change to the game peripheral, including locking or unlocking components of the game peripheral, changing physical shape, or other mode of changing the visible appearance of the game peripheral. Some embodiments include a second game peripheral for communicating state to a first game peripheral, and actuating an electro-mechanical component of the first game peripheral.