A data driven method of animating a user interface includes managing a virtual variable with a cloud computing device. The method further includes, in response to receiving user input at the cloud computing device, using a physics engine of the cloud computing device to update a value of the virtual variable. The method further includes receiving UI data at the cloud computing device from one or more remote content providers, wherein the UI data defines one or more user interface objects and how the one or more user interface objects are to be displayed by the cloud computing device as a function of the virtual variable. The method further includes outputting display instructions for displaying the one or more user interface objects in accordance with the UI data and the value of the virtual variable as the value of the virtual variable is updated by the physics engine.