Implementing a scalable 3D simulation using a distributed 3D keyspace

A system, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more memories, wherein the one or more memories have stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a node allocator and a plurality of nodes for a simulation at a provider network for a plurality of clients, wherein for particular nodes of the plurality of nodes, the particular node is assigned a key that uniquely identifies a volume of space of the simulation with respect to other volumes of space of the simulation, wherein the particular node has authority of entities located within the volume of space, and wherein the particular node is configured to:
• determine, based on one or more criteria, that a portion of the volume of space is to be assigned to a new node, wherein authority of entities located within the portion of the volume of space is to be transferred from the particular node to the new node;
• and
• send a request to the node allocator for the new node, wherein the request indicates a new key that uniquely identifies the portion of the volume of space with respect to other volumes of space of the simulation;
• and wherein
• the node allocator is configured to:
• receive the request for the new node;
• and
• allocate the new node, wherein the new node is assigned the new key that uniquely identifies the portion of the volume of space;
• and wherein
• the new node is configured to:
• receive, from the particular node, authoritative state of the entities located within the portion of the volume of space;
• and
• assume authority of the entities located within the portion of the volume of space, wherein the particular node retains authority of other entities within a remaining portion of the volume of space.

One or more non-transitory computer-accessible storage media storing program instructions that when executed on or across one or more processors of a particular node of a plurality of nodes of a provider network that implement a simulation, wherein the particular node is assigned a key that uniquely identifies a volume of space of the simulation managed by the particular node, cause the one or more processors to:

• determine that a portion of the volume of space is to be assigned to a new node, wherein authority of entities located within the portion of the volume of space is to be transferred from the particular node to the new node;
• cause, by the particular node, the new node to be allocated, wherein a new key is assigned to the new node that uniquely identifies the portion of the volume of space;
• send, from the particular node to the new node, authoritative state of the entities located within the portion of the volume of space;
• and
• release authority of the entities located within the portion of the volume of space, wherein the particular node retains authority of other entities within a remaining portion of the volume of space.