For Brisbane locals, or those passing through over the next few months, the State Library of Queensland is playing host to a free exhibition titled Garage Gamer, consisting of an interactive gallery exhibition and a schedule of various workshops and presentations from now through April 2013.

Acting Arts Minster John-Paul Langbroek said the Library will showcase the latest from local game developers at Garage Gamer, a free exhibition from 5 January–14 April 2013.

“Queensland is home to some of Australia’s most successful game developers, as well as many independent developers making their mark internationally,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Brisbane-based Halfbrick Studios mobile game Fruit Ninja is on one-third of all US iphones.

“So it makes sense to encourage our local gamers to have fun at Garage Gamer, and play the latest video and mobile games created by Halfbrick, Defiant Development, Curious Bear, Disparity Games, Visual Outbreak and others.

“The action-packed program features more than a dozen creative workshops for all ages and abilities, special after-hours game nights, talks and conversations, a trivia night led by infamous games journalist Yahtzee, and an album launch with the world’s first videogame musician, 7Bit Hero.”

The workshops span a wide range of videogame creation and culture, from the various technical aspects of games programming, writing and design, to hobbiest activities like DIY arcade cabinets, and cosplay costume making.

For more details and the complete program, swing by the event page on the State Library of Queensland website.