Patent ID: 8466931

Claim:
A method for modifying an object located in a virtual universe, the method comprising the steps of: a computer obtaining tracking data that identifies a location of a set of avatars in relation to a range of the object located in the virtual universe, wherein the range comprises: a first zone in which the set of avatars is able to see the object, the first zone having a first radial distance from a location of the object; and a second zone outside of the first zone and in which the set of avatars is not able to see the object, the second zone having a second radial distance from the location of the object; the computer, responsive to the set of avatars being within the second zone, and without user input, generating a clone of the object, located within the same virtual universe as the set of avatars, for each avatar in the set of avatars; the computer, responsive to detecting a condition for triggering a modification of a color of a particular clone of the object associated with a particular avatar in the set of avatars, calculating modified pixel color values for the particular clone of the object associated with the particular avatar in the set of avatars when the set of avatars is in the second zone to form a modified color; the computer brightening only the color of the particular clone of the object associated with the particular avatar in the set of avatars compared to an unmodified visual environment surrounding the particular clone of the object to increase visibility of the particular clone of the object to the modified color when the location of an avatar in the set of avatars is within the first zone, wherein the color of the particular clone of the object associated with the particular avatar in the set of avatars is modified according to conditions in the virtual universe associated with the particular avatar; and the computer applying the modified color to the particular clone of the object for a predetermined amount of time.