1. A method for degrading avatar appearances in a virtual universe, the method comprising: identifying an object in the virtual universe as an object of interest; determining whether a set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to an avatar; and degrading an appearance of at least one of the set of avatars within the virtual universe if the set of avatars within the virtual universe is likely to cause a visual obstruction of the object of interest to the avatar.