9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat associated with the avatar comprises determining the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat associated with the avatar periodically at a predefined periodic rate.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat associated with the avatar comprises determining the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat associated with the avatar periodically at a predefined periodic rate. 10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising: in response to determining that the avatar is in motion in the virtual universe, increasing a frequency of said periodically determining the number of avatars in the area of the virtual universe associated with the environmental chat associated with the avatar.