A node device in a distributed virtual environment captures locational signals projected by another node device into a capture area of the node device and reflected from the capture area to a capture device of the node device. The location of the node device relative to the other node device is determined based on the captured locational signals. The determined location can be based on an angular relationship determined between the node device and the other node device based on the captured locational signals. The determined location can also be based on a relative distance determined between the node device and the other node device based on the captured locational signals. Topology of the capture area can also be detected by the node device, and topologies of multiple capture areas can be combined to define one or more surfaces in a virtual environment.