Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a game system including a first character set, a character exchange component, and a competition component. The first character set is adapted to include at least one character. At least one character in the first character set is adapted to be alterable by a user. The character exchange component is adapted to allow at least one character from the first character set to be exchanged. The competition component is adapted to allow a competition including at least one character in the first character set and at least one character in a second character set.