Shacknews Best Developer and Publisher of the Year 2017: Nintendo

Nintendo is doomed. They should get out of the hardware business and become a third party developer. This has been the refrain of doubters for as long as many gamers can remember. 2017 was a year when Nintendo clearly demonstrated their vision for the future of the company. From releasing games on iOS and Android to the release of the Nintendo Switch console, the Big N is once again playing with power. We are proud to award Nintendo with the titles of Shacknews Best Developer and Publisher of the Year.

Nintendo did a lot right in 2017. From a developer standpoint, they successfully released a brand new Zelda and Mario game in the same calendar year in the United States. This accomplishment speaks to the strength of the company's new strategy. The hybrid nature of the Nintendo Switch allowed for developers to focus on their projects differently than in the past. In the previous generation, we saw the release of Super Mario 3D Land for Nintendo 3DS and Super Mario 3D World for Nintendo Wii U. Both of these were excellent games, but the resources of Nintendo had to be split across both projects. Nintendo Switch is both a Nintendo handheld and console that can be docked and this allows for the company to pool their development resources, The result is a game like Super Mario Odyssey being able to release in the launch year of the Nintendo Switch. 

It isn't just about Mario and Zelda. Nintendo released Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and even showed us a new IP with ARMS. It is clear that Nintendo's development teams are now more focused and able to crank out quality titles at a pace not seen in quite some time. 

As a publisher, Nintendo also took some interesting risks in 2017. They deserve high praise for taking a chance and allowing Ubisoft to experiment with their IP crown jewel, Mario. This decision lead to one of my favorite new characters of the year, Rabbid Peach.

It remains to be seen how Nintendo will follow up their amazing 2017. The Nintendo Switch has a ton of great games coming down the pipe, and we can't wait to see how Nintendo plans on surprising and delighting gamers in the future. It is our pleasure to award Nintendo with the titles of Shacknews Best Developer and Publisher of the Year 2017.

Asif Khan

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.