Experiments in the use of augmented reality games formerly required extensive material resources and expertise to implement above and beyond what might be possible within the usual educational contexts. Currently, the more common availability of hardware in these contexts and the existence of easy-to-use, general purpose augmented reality design software invite much wider participation. Yet, significant obstacles to widespread use remain. A possible strategy to enable broader exploration of this space is to organize augmented reality games research and development at the local level, as relatively autonomous and informal action by educational practitioners and learners, rather than solely directed by educational researchers. The Local Games Lab ABQ is a loose confederation of faculty and students at the University of New Mexico pursuing the educational uses of augmented reality games. This paper examines how locally organized development might solve problems in a different and more efficient way of scaling educational technology.