Put on your game face

Only recently have I become enthralled with video games. In their many forms they constitute an escape from reality, where one can become whatever he or she wants, and this fact excites me most.

Whether it be a shield wielding warrior in the "World of Warcraft" or controlling the fate of the universe in "Super Mario Galaxy" the possibilities are endless.

I grew up playing the likes of "Super Mario 64," "Banjo Kazooie," "Mario Kart" and never in my wildest imagination could I have conceived what their successors have brought to the table today.

Today one can play various games on "Xbox Live" with competitors from around the world, 24 hours a day from the privacy of their home, or in our case, dorm room.

Through the magic that is "Rock Band," the latest and greatest innovation in music/rhythm gaming, four friends can get together, start a band with a drummer, guitarist, bassist and singer, rock the world, and be home for dinner.

In short, the video game industry today, with its many genres of games, innovative control mechanisms and exponential advancement of technology, is a force to be reckoned with.

These industry statistics no doubt back that assertion up with great confidence.

According to TheESA.com, 65 percent of American houses play computer or video games.

On average nine video games were sold every second of every day in 2007.

Grand Theft Auto 4, easily one of the most highly anticipated and hyped video games of all time, took the title of "Highest Revenue Generated by an entertainment product in 24 hours."

GTA4 shifted about 3.6 million units within the first day, to the tune of $310 million dollars. GTA4 also beat out a book called Harry Potter and the blockbuster Spiderman 3, according to 1up.com.

Arm yourself with these facts and the next time a Harry Potter discussion erupts, remind them that "Niko and his sawed off shotgun would kick Harry and his Nimbus 2000's ass any day." That silent moment means you've won.

The industry is ever expanding; Nintendo's Wii console is pure evidence of that fact.

Nintendo has succeeded in tapping into a demographic that has been left alone for ages.

Women and the elderly are the reason Nintendo has been posted record profits for two years now.

At many senior citizen communities "Wii Sports" is hotter than Friday night bingo.

Instead of making the trek to the bowling alley, the same enjoyment, recreation, socialization and as of recently, exercise can be achieved wherever the TV is.

My purpose with "GameFace" is to provide insightful commentary on the plethora of issues that are intertwined and stretched throughout the vast industry that is gaming.

Another hurdle I will leap over is that of reviewing games.

I can assure you my reviews, while thorough, will be readable by even the most novice "n00bs"and will also strike a beat with the most tenured of gamers.

GameFace. Your one stop column for the latest previews, reviews and commentary regarding the video game industry.

Eddie Makuch is a freshman and is currently undecided. He can be contacted at emakuch@keeneequinox.com.