System and method for providing virtual spaces for access by users via the web

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:

• a unit of computer readable information that describes various aspects of a virtual object present in a virtual space, wherein the virtual space is a simulated physical space that has a topography, expresses real-time interaction by the user, and includes a plurality of virtual objects, such as the virtual object described by the unit of computer readable information, and positioned within the topography experiences locomotion within the topography, wherein the unit of computer readable information comprises:
• visual representation information that defines a visual representation of the virtual object in the virtual space;
• manifestation information that relates to the manner in which the object is manifested in the virtual space;
• network location information that dictates one or more aspects of an assignment of a network location to the virtual object such that a server providing an instance of the virtual space will assign a network location to the virtual object in accordance with the one or more aspects dictated by the network location information;
• and
• command information related to commands which, if transmitted to the network location assigned to the virtual object by a browser, are to be performed by the server providing the instance of the virtual space;
• wherein one of the pluralities of virtual objects present in the virtual space includes a browser configured to interact with webpages served remotely from the server.

A system configured to provide a virtual space that is accessible to a user, wherein a virtual space is a simulated physical space that has a topography, expresses real-time interaction by the user, and includes one or more objects positioned within the topography that experience locomotion within the topography, the system comprising:

• a hardware server that provides an instance of a virtual space, wherein the instance of the virtual space includes a simulation of the virtual space that determines, in real-time, the positions, structure, and manifestation of objects, unseen forces, and topography within the virtual space, wherein the hardware server is configured to perform operations of:
• obtaining topography information related to the topography of the virtual space, and manifestation information related to the manner in which objects positioned within the topography, and/or one or more unseen forces experienced by the objects in the virtual space, are manifested in the virtual space;
• configuring the instance of the virtual space in accordance with the topography information and the manifestation information;
• implementing the instance of the virtual space to determine a view of the virtual space, wherein the view information is configured for transmission to a client, the view information describing the view such that the client can assemble a display of the view from the view information;
• receiving, at a Uniform Resource Locator associated with the virtual space, a login request that comprises authentication information and a view request, wherein the authentication identifies a third-party other than a client and a user of the client, wherein the view request is a request for view information from the server to be provided to a client, and wherein the login request is in a HyperText Transfer Protocol;
• and
• authenticating the third-party based on the authentication information, and responsive to authentication of the third-party, providing the requested view information to the client;
• wherein a virtual object present in the virtual space includes a browser configured to interact with webpages served remotely from the server.