A method and system for state-based control of objects. A simulator controls data associated with a plurality of objects, the simulator including a first list of the plurality of objects and a data structure comprising data defining the plurality of objects. A state manager includes a plurality of states, wherein a state includes a second list of a subset of objects of the plurality of objects and determines a display appearance and a display action of the subset of objects. A plurality of software nodes are operable to perform associated operations on subsets of objects and to update data of the data structure for the subset of the objects.