Virtual environment bystander updating in client server architecture

The present invention generally relates to a method and system for rendering a virtual world environment (VWE), and more specifically, to a method and system that employs a client-server architecture for updating clients with changes in the VWE. A virtual world environment (VWE) employing a client-server architecture to organize data defining the VWE and objects contained therein in a system of distributed databases. An object in the VWE is one of four basic types including: an artifact, an avatar, a portal, and a room. A world database is maintained by a server computer and is the central storehouse for data defining the entire VWE. Each user has a client computer that is coupled in communication with the server computer. The client computer administers a local database defining at least a portion of the VWE. Each object that is affected by a change in another object is said to be in a bystander region of the other object. The local database maintained by the user's client computer is only updated by the server computer to include changes to the objects associated with the client computer (user) in the bystander region of the other object, i.e., changes evident to an object associated with the user. As a result, many more users can be supported by the server computer and data transmission over the network link between the server and client computers is minimized.