Virtual environment for computer game

Abstract

A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 modeling a virtual area within a three-dimensional computer environment;   customizing a portion of the virtual area for a user by changing a texture of an object in the virtual area to a first texture; and   concurrently:   causing, for the user, display of the virtual area including the object having the first texture; and   causing, for the other users, display of the virtual area including the object having a second texture different than the first texture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user includes changing the texture of the object without modifying other attributes of the object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object is an element of an avatar of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the object is a screen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second texture is blank. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user is based on personalization data actively provided by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user is based on personalization data passively gathered about the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the personalization data includes a record of network browsing activity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein changing the texture of the object is performed in response to receipt of a fee. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising a memory coupled to at least one processor, the memory holding instructions executable by the at least one processor for causing the apparatus to perform:
 modeling a virtual area within a three-dimensional computer environment;   customizing a portion of the virtual area for a user by changing a texture of an object in the virtual area to a first texture; and   concurrently:   causing, for the user, display of the virtual area including the object having the first texture; and   causing, for the other users, display of the virtual area including the object having a second texture different than the first texture.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user includes changing the texture of the object without modifying other attributes of the object. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the object is an element of an avatar of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the object is a screen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user is based on personalization data actively provided by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user is based on personalization data passively gathered about the user. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the personalization data includes a record of network browsing activity. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform operations comprising:
 modeling a virtual area within a three-dimensional computer environment;   customizing a portion of the virtual area for a user by changing a texture of an object in the virtual area to a first texture; and   concurrently:   causing, for the user, display of the virtual area including the object having the first texture; and   causing, for the other users, display of the virtual area including the object having a second texture different than the first texture.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user is based on personalization data actively provided by the user. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein customizing the portion of the virtual area for the user is based on personalization data passively gathered about the user. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the personalization data includes a record of network browsing activity.