Footprints in virtual environments

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program to provide footprint representations in a computer that provides a virtual environment, the computer program comprising executable instructions that cause the computer to:

• access an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar as an avatar representation;
• receive a selection of a footprint made by a user;
• access a footprint record, wherein the footprint record includes footprint representations that include data to provide a visual representation of a selected footprint as a footprint representation;
• associate the footprint representation with the avatar representation;
• receive avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment;
• and
• generate visual data representing the movement of the avatar and footprints in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the footprint representation,
• wherein the footprints are placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment,
• wherein the footprints are only visible by certain types of other players.

A method for providing footprints in a computer system that provides a virtual environment, the method comprising:

• accessing an avatar record, where the avatar record indicates an avatar representation that includes data to provide a visual representation of an avatar;
• receiving a selection of a footprint;
• accessing a footprint record, where the footprint record includes footprint representations that include data to provide a visual representation of the selected footprint as a footprint representation;
• associating the footprint representation with the avatar representation;
• receiving avatar movement input that indicates movement of the avatar within the virtual environment;
• generating visual data representing the movement of the avatar and footprints in the virtual environment using the avatar representation and the footprint representation, where the footprints are placed in the virtual environment following the avatar as the avatar moves in the virtual environment;
• and
• applying the footprints to interact with the virtual environment including causing, enhancing, or enabling growth of vegetation.