Augmented reality gaming via geographic messaging

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
• receiving a request to initiate a scan, via a virtual reconnaissance element having simulated movement, of a geographic region;
• responsive to receiving the request, transmitting to the geographic region, a query signal corresponding to a simulated location of the virtual reconnaissance element, the query signal formatted in accordance with a scalable geographic broadcast protocol comprising a geographic query address portion corresponding to the geographic region;
• receiving, via an ad hoc network, a query response signal from a sending device within the geographic region;
• determining, based on the received query response signal, a location of the sending device;
• and
• providing a designation of the location of the sending device.

A computer-readable storage medium that is not a propagating signal, the computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

• receiving, by an apparatus, a request to initiate a scan, via a virtual reconnaissance element having simulated movement, of a geographic region;
• responsive to receiving the request, transmitting, by the apparatus, to the geographic region, a query signal corresponding to a simulated location of the virtual reconnaissance element, the query signal formatted in accordance with a scalable geographic broadcast protocol comprising a geographic query address portion corresponding to the geographic region;
• receiving, via an ad hoc network, a query response signal from a sending device within the geographic region;
• determining, based on the received query response signal, a location of the sending device;
• and
• providing a designation of the location of the sending device.