A curling effect is provided via a system, which may be included in an article, via a plurality of links, including distal, proximal, and intermediary links, that each comprise: a base; first and second wings, connected to opposite sides of the base such that each of first and second through-holes are aligned at a first height; and a header, connected between the wings that defines a third through-hole at the first height and a fourth through-hole at a second height different from the first height that is configured to accept a stringer there-through so that a force applied on the stringer in a direction from the distal link towards the proximal link causes rotation of neighboring links relative to one another; the neighboring links being joined via a linking axel disposed on a shared axis through the first, second, and third through-holes of the neighboring links.

An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may log onto the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules. The game character's traits, powers, and other features may be enhanced or otherwise modified by purchasing preferably-three-dimensional accessories and inputting serial numbers into the gaming system that are also supplied with the accessories.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided, and includes a housing, an inner object (which may, in some embodiments, be a toy character) inside the housing, a tether, and a breakout motor. The breakout motor is operatively connected to the tether such that operation of the breakout motor drives the tether to rip a hole in the housing to open the housing.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided, and includes a housing, an inner object (which may, in some embodiments, be a toy character) inside the housing, a tether, and a breakout motor. The breakout motor is operatively connected to the tether such that operation of the breakout motor drives the tether to rip a hole in the housing to open the housing.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided, and includes a housing, an inner object, at least one sensor and a controller. The inner object is positioned inside the housing and includes a breakout mechanism that is operable to break the housing to expose the inner object. The at least one sensor detects interaction with a user. The controller is configured to determine whether a selected condition has been met based on at least one interaction with the user, and to operate the breakout mechanism to break the housing to expose the inner object if the condition is met. Optionally, the condition is met based upon having a selected number of interactions with the user.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided, and includes a housing, an inner object, at least one sensor and a controller. The inner object is positioned inside the housing and includes a breakout mechanism that is operable to break the housing to expose the inner object. The at least one sensor detects interaction with a user. The controller is configured to determine whether a selected condition has been met based on at least one interaction with the user, and to operate the breakout mechanism to break the housing to expose the inner object if the condition is met. Optionally, the condition is met based upon having a selected number of interactions with the user.

In an aspect, a toy character assembly is provided, and includes a housing, a toy character inside the housing. The housing is formed from a composition comprising 15-24 weight-% ethylene-vinyl acetate; 1-5 weight-% zinc stearate; and 75-84 weight-% calcium carbonate.

In an aspect, a toy character assembly is provided, and includes a housing, a toy character inside the housing. The housing is formed from a composition comprising 15-24 weight-% ethylene-vinyl acetate; 1-5 weight-% zinc stearate; and 75-84 weight-% calcium carbonate.

In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided. The toy assembly includes a housing, an inner object inside the housing, a sensor, a motor and a controller. A portion of the inner object is drivable into engagement with the housing to break the housing and expose the inner object. The sensor detects interaction with a user. The motor is operatively connected to the inner object such that operation of the motor drives rotation of the inner object in the housing. The controller determines whether a selected condition has been met based on at least one interaction with the user, and operates the motor to rotate the inner object and drive the portion of the inner object into engagement with the housing to break the housing and expose the inner object if the condition is met.

In an aspect, a toy character assembly is provided, and includes a housing, a toy character, at least one sensor and a controller. The toy character is positioned inside the housing and includes a breakout mechanism that is operable to break the housing to expose the toy character. The at least one sensor detects interaction with a user. The controller is configured to determine whether a selected condition has been met based on at least one interaction with the user, and to operate the breakout mechanism to break the housing to expose the toy character if the condition is met. Optionally, the condition is met based upon having a selected number of interactions with the user.