Juggling Fire - Reflections on Self Publishing

It's been nearly two years since I committed to the idea of publishing my first novel. The story behind that decision is one I'll probably tell at some point but for the purposes of this post, I want to focus on what the self publishing experience has been like for me as I approach the end of my marketing efforts for my second novel, and prepare to begin work on something new.

In truth, I've been self publishing for much longer than two years. From the multiple incarnations of this blog, to indie music releases, to a handful of video game projects, to releasing content on several YouTube channels, plus live streaming on Twitch, I've never been shy about putting my creative works out there and making the most out of the self-publishing tools and platforms available to me.

That said, there is something a bit different about book publishing. For one thing, it takes considerably more time and effort to write, edit, publish, and market a novel than some of the other things I mentioned. Of course, recording, mixing, mastering, distributing, and marketing an album is no joke either, not to mention the borderline nightmarish to-do list associated with publishing a video game, or other complex piece of software. Still, there is something particularly intense about self publishing books.

To an extent, I think it comes down to two related factors:

1. The time investment required versus the statistical likelihood of a return on that investment, be it monetary or some other form of fulfillment.
2. Facing broad competition on a mostly-level playing field.

In the first case, when you look at the time investment versus the likelihood of success of self publishing a book compared to other creative endeavors, I'd argue that the ratio is, at least on paper, the least favorable for the content creator. You could quite literally spend months (or years) writing a spectacular novel of a given type but if any other aspect of the process falters, editing or marketing for example, your project will almost certainly be doomed to obscurity.

Perhaps even more daunting is the full comprehension of the second premise. It's more than a little intimidating to start, much less finish, a novel-length writing project knowing that there are literally thousands of other people, who may have a similar or even superior set of skills and experience, simultaneously doing the same.

In the worlds of music, or computer programming for example, there's a certain skill gap that prevents many people from even attempting to create software, a video game, a song, or an album. Even in less technically-demanding venues like YouTube and Twitch, there are still skills and levels of commitment that tend to organically separate content creators into tiers. Additionally, the visual nature of those platforms often make those distinctions obvious at a glance.

Of course, there's a similar effect in the world of books when it comes to potential readers browsing cover art and book jackets to see what catches their eye; however, with the sea of new titles being constantly released, the odds are definitely stacked against anyone self publishing, even with a solid marketing strategy.

So, why bother? Why even attempt to self publish a book, much less two in the span of two years, when statistically, the odds of success are so low?

I suspect that the answers to this question may well vary significantly from person to person but for me, it boils down to a couple key principles:

First and foremost, I have an inherently strong desire to create things. At the end of the day, that's just the way I'm wired and as I've aged, I've felt compelled to push the boundaries of my creativity, attempting to find the limits of my various abilities. Music production and video game development in particular have proven to be very useful experiences in that regard as they've both allowed me to grow and refine skills, while simultaneously learning important lessons about my creative limits, and the value of working with other talented, creative people to fill in those gaps when necessary.

Beyond that, I'm a firm believer in the idea of choosing the right artistic medium for what I'm trying to express, regardless of any financial considerations. If I can make a point in a few words, a simple tweet might suffice. If I want to show the raw, unfiltered experience of playing a video game for the first time, a three-hour Twitch stream might be necessary. Along those lines, if I want to tell an intricate, extensive story, a novel is simply what's required.

It's fair to say that I've taken some rather significant financial hits over the years for the sake of my creative efforts. In truth, I've only ever lost money, often quite a bit of it, by pursuing my artistic leanings. Thus, I'll absolutely echo here what many other content creators have said in that regard. Self publishing is generally not a path to financial security. For every financially-successful, self-employed content creator, there are literally thousands of others working one or more day jobs, dipping into savings, or relying on some form of investment to absorb the expenses incurred by their efforts. Casual observers often assume that these folks simply "aren't good enough" to "make it" but the hard truth of content creation is that we do not exist in a meritocracy and there are far too many hard-working, extremely-talented content creators languishing in obscurity as I write this for me to believe otherwise.

Having said that, I remain committed to the notion that creativity is its own reward. Even with my limited commercial success as a novelist to this point, the sense of personal satisfaction that I've attained, combined with the glorious sensations I experience when interacting with fans of my work, conspire to fuel my creative fire.

The trick of course in dealing with fire is to handle it carefully and responsibly, particularly when juggling it.

Relentless - a poem by Michael Shotter

Often, when I'm preparing to start a major writing project, I like to knock out a few, small mood pieces to help set the tone and get my mind into the right headspace for the task at hand.

These efforts are almost always exclusively for my own benefit since they tend to manifest as fragments of ideas that may or may not evolve into more as I work; however, occasionally, I'll end up with something that feels a bit more complete. I thought I'd share one of those with you today as I'm pretty happy with it and feel it acts as a nice, bite-sized teaser for what I'm planning to unleash on you folks in 2019.

More on that later. For now, enjoy this happy, little poem. :)

Relentless
a poem by Michael Shotter

There is a creature in my mind,
a constant, seething something.
Born of a need to create,
or fear of making nothing.

Its bright eyes pierce, a laser's gaze.
Its mouth, drawn grim and eager.
Its claws, outstretched toward my throat.
Its malice, far from meager.

I cannot run. I cannot hide.
One weapon aids my cause.
Alone, I fight. Now, I must write,
relentless, with no pause.

My Favorite Albums of 2018

Back in December, I shared a playlist featuring my favorite albums of 2018 on Twitter. Having recently broadened the scope of this blog, I thought it might be fun to expand on that list, explaining a bit about each of the projects I selected, and why.

Obviously, I didn't listen to everything that was released in 2018 and these picks are just my personal favorites based on what I did hear. As such, don't be sad if your favorite album isn't listed and definitely don't take an album's absence from this list as an indication of its quality. With that said, let's begin.

#10 - Above & Beyond - Common Ground

I've always been a fan of EDM and electronica but I have to admit, it's pretty rare for an entire album's worth of such material to capture and hold my attention these days. I don't know if Above and Beyond's "Common Ground" is something I'll be listening to from beginning to end years from now, but I did find myself happily taking it all in more than a few times in 2018.

#9 - Gorillaz - The Now Now

Left rather disappointed by the last Gorillaz release, "Humanz," I was equally cautious and hopeful to give "The Now Now" a spin. As it turned out, I've found it to be a consistent, pleasant listen. While certainly not as bold, varied, or unique as earlier efforts, I think there's plenty here to like and the project has a nice flow that I feel makes it work well as an album.

#8 - Muse - Simulation Theory

In my opinion, this is the best Muse album since "The Resistance." I'm also a fan of many of the alternate versions of songs included as bonus tracks.

#7 - The Smashing Pumpkins - Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1

I really enjoyed The Smashing Pumpkin's "Oceania" back in 2012. This new album kinda feels to me like an extension of that project. Admittedly, it comes across a little light on content and new musical ideas but I do also enjoy listening to it.

#6 - You Me At Six - VI

A solid, fun pop-rock record with a little bit of edge, and sporting a few interesting musical wrinkles. Nothing wrong with that in my book.

#5 - Jack White - Boarding House Reach

If you're in the mood for an intricate, challenging, yet ultimately satisfying rock record, this new Jack White album won't disappoint.

#4 - Judas Priest - FIREPOWER

Easily, one of the best hard rock/metal albums I've heard in the past 20 years. Also, Rob Halford's vocal performances are nothing short of amazing, particularly given his age.

#3 - The Sword - Used Future

Not sure I'd call this a full-blown concept album but it's hard to deny the consistent, atmospheric presence of "Used Future." Definitely a great mood piece, with some fantastic, memorable instrumental elements amid a solid collection of ear worm-esque rock tracks.

#2 - Death Cab for Cutie - Thank You for Today

Historically, I haven't been a huge "Death Cab for Cutie" fan but this album really surprised me and I've found myself listening to it far more frequently than I ever thought I would.

#1 - Shakey Graves - Can't Wake Up

For me, this is the album from 2018 that everyone should own. So good, on so many levels. Beyond its musical excellence, I can't help noting that "Can't Wake Up" for me uncannily captures the essence of the year itself. I can absolutely envision myself listening to these tracks in the future and being transported back to this time, despite the generally-timeless quality of the music. It's a difficult phenomenon to articulate but there you have it. If nothing else, do give this album a try. There's something genuinely special about it.

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As an added bonus, here's a playlist featuring my favorite tracks of 2018, which includes three songs from each of the albums listed above, and some additional music genres.

Why Apple Should Care More About Power Users

I've been an avid user of and advocate for macOS ever since the initial release of "OS X" back in the early 2000's. For many years, I've considered it to be the obvious choice for just about every possible task one might wish to engage in when using a computer, with gaming being the one, notable exception. In truth, when it comes to the things I tend to use a computer for these days, macOS is still the best solution for me; however, Apple does have a bit of a problem on its hands in 2019, which is worth examining. Ironically, it's a problem of their own making, which certainly isn't unprecedented, but still a bit frustrating for those of us who are comfortable using Apple gear, and who aren't particularly keen on the alternatives.

In a nutshell, that problem can be boiled down to a troubling lack of support in recent years for a small-yet-influential group, often referred to in technology circles as "power users." Depending on the criteria used to define said group, it could be argued that power users represent 2-10% of all computer users on the planet at any given time. These are folks who push a computer to its limits on a regular basis for a variety of reasons and they tend to be the most astute, demanding, and difficult to please customers a tech company might attract with its products.

The conundrum power users pose to a corporation like Apple is that, while they represent an empirically-insignificant portion of the company's sales, they simultaneously require significant investments of capital, R&D time, and extremely-specialized technical support resources to cater to their needs effectively. As a result, on paper, it might seem like a no-brainer to shift emphasis away from power users and toward the average consumer, particularly as the company and its products grow in popularity, as Apple has in the past decade.

The simple truth of the matter is that 90% of people who use Macs and iOS devices these days use only a tiny fraction of the capabilities of those systems. From customers purchasing desktops and laptops to primarily check e-mail and surf the web, to most cell phone and tablet users regularly using six or fewer apps by many estimates, it's easy to see why a company like Apple would want to soak up as much of that easy money as possible for as long as it can.

Unfortunately, by focusing the vast majority of its attention and resources on the low-hanging fruit of mass-market, consumer electronics, particularly in the past five years or so, Apple has accumulated a rather significant technical debt that has begun to manifest in some rather alarming and embarrassing ways. You need look no further than the "Mac Pro," the desktop computer purported to represent the pinnacle of performance and functionality for macOS users, which hasn't seen a significant update since 2013 to begin to see the cracks in Apple's armor that hardcore technology enthusiasts have been lamenting for years.

Beyond that, Apple hasn't done itself any favors in recent months by releasing half-cooked OS features like macOS Mojave's "Dark Mode," which comes across to me as more of a demo, or proof of concept, rather than the refined, fully-functional OS feature it was billed as, or the company's recent efforts to lock down macOS to utterly prevent the execution of unsigned binaries, effectively forcing all software developers and users to play ball in Apple's walled garden or take a hike.

The sad reality is that I could go on and on citing the myriad of ways Apple has either let down or flagrantly rebuffed power users in recent years, which has led to the first significant exodus from its platforms by said users I've seen in over a decade. Why does this matter if power users represent at best 10% of the user base? Quite simply, power users are the influencers of the technology world. They are the people the other 90% turn to for technical support and recommendations. In many cases, they also create the software, data, and media products that drive, not only the tech industry, but other professions that heavily rely on technology. Thus, if a tech company loses them, it inevitably loses everything.

One could certainly make the argument that Apple has been overtly attempting to transition from being a tech company into a sort of service provider and lifestyle brand via efforts like Apple Pay, Apple Music, and the Apple watch in recent years. Still, the vast majority of Apple's value as a company remains inextricably linked to its traditional hardware and software offerings, which are the most likely to suffer the consequences of the inevitable blow to its mindshare within the tech industry should power users continue to seek greener pastures.

For me, there are two big questions when it comes to Apple in 2019:

1. Do they have any interest in solving this problem? 
2. Is it too late to turn the tide?

Personally, I think a lot is going to hinge on what happens with the "Mac Pro" in the new year. It's been known for quite a while that Apple has been working on a new, modular version of its flagship desktop computer, which is supposedly going to address most if not all of the long-standing complaints power users have had about the platform. If that does come to pass, I think it could be an important, first step toward Apple beginning to regain some of its lost credibility.

Of course, releasing the computer it should have shipped six years ago in and of itself probably won't be enough to convince those who have already jumped ship and this is where I think Apple has the biggest issue and hurdle to overcome. Apple's blind spot in recent years has been a presumption of excellence with regard to its own products, and a failure to look beyond its current success. It's pretty evident that Tim Cook and company have been diligently wringing the last bits of magic out of the playbook Steve Jobs left them upon his passing to good effect but its also quite clear that Apple is in desperate need of some new ideas, or at the very least, a return to the fundamental principles that got them where they are.

Can that happen in time to prevent a total collapse of Apple's ecosystem? Perhaps. I certainly hope so because, frankly, the idea of having to use Windows or Linux to do anything important kinda makes me sad. Fortunately, I'm fairly confident that I'll be able to continue using macOS for years to come, regardless of how this all plays out. It would just be nice to be able to, once again, feel good about the future of the platform, and less like it being the lesser of three evils.

To wrap things up, I'd like to give a quick shout out to MacRumors. I've been visiting that site for ages and their "What Do You Want to See From Apple in 2019" post definitely inspired me to speak out on this subject.

Into the vortex, again...

I created this blog back in 2011 as a continuation of the work I started on "Gaming's Edge," a gaming-themed web site I ran from 2005 until 2010. I didn't begin calling what I did there a blog, or bestow it with its current moniker until 2007 but I digress.

Since then, a lot of things have changed but one thing that's remained consistent has been my desire to express myself through writing.

In the beginning, I felt it was important to focus my efforts here on a particular subject for a variety of reasons that all seemed completely sensible at the time. As a result, "Vortex-1" has historically been a blog almost exclusively about video games.

That's going to change.

One of the most important lessons I've learned over the years as a content creator is that for the most part, people read this blog, or follow me on Twitter, or subscribe to my YouTube channel because they like me and are generally interested in what I have to say, regardless of the topic. To be sure, I've lost a few folks over the years by branching out and addressing subjects beyond gaming but at the end of the day, those losses have always been short-term and the benefits of expanding my creative palette have always, inevitably manifested in time.

In that spirit, I've decided to restructure this blog to better reflect he way I represent myself on other platforms these days. Does that mean I'm never going to post about video games here again? Of course not. What it does mean is that I'm now free to post about anything I choose, which I believe will ultimately prove far more interesting to everyone concerned in the long run.

With that said, look forward to more regular and varied posts starting in 2019 and be sure to poke around while you're here as there have been lots of subtle changes to this publication due to its redesign.

Until next time, have a happy new year!

My Favorite PC Games of 2018

Once again, I'm back with my annual list of favorite PC games for the year.

As mentioned in my previous post, I've had far less time to play games this year than in years past but I've still managed to come up with a solid "top 10" for you folks to peruse.

Regular readers know the drill by now, and it's especially true this year. A game's absence from this list should not be taken as an indication of its quality.

I also want to address the elephant in the room for long-term readers who my be wondering why "DayZ" didn't make the list despite its release from Early Access purgatory. Be sure to check out my video review below for details.

That said, let's light this candle!

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#10 - Overkill's The Walking Dead

Of all the games I played in 2018, "Overkill's The Walking Dead" (OTWD) is the one I have the most mixed feelings about. On one hand, there are several elements of the experience that I genuinely enjoy, such as its progression systems, or various esthetic and gameplay elements in the game's environments. On the other hand, copious technical issues, combined with OTWD's in my mind unreasonably-high, AAA price tag, have given me pause when it comes to broadly recommending it. Still, this is a title worth keeping an eye on for fans of co-op-focused, first-person, zombie games.

Overkill's The Walking Dead (via Steam)

#9 - The Forest

I'm a sucker for a good co-op game. I also have a bit of a soft spot for open-world, sandbox, survival titles, so "The Forest," with its progression-focused, environment-based narrative elements is a game that had little difficulty drawing my friends and I into its world. Sporting some of the creepiest and most lifelike AI enemies I've seen in a game in ages, "The Forest" has a lot going for it, regardless of a few immersion-breaking technical issues. As a final caution, it's worth noting that the game's overall tendency to obfuscate information about its environment, and the best way to proceed through it, might compel players to spend an inordinate amount of time consulting wikis and other external sources as opposed to discovering things through organic gameplay.

The Forest (via Steam)

#8 - Dark Quest II

A co-op friendly, turn-based, dungeon crawler with light RPG elements at a reasonable price, you say? Sign me up!

Dark Quest II (via Steam)

#7 - Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War

Were you disappointed by "Civilization: Beyond Earth?" Have you been craving a sci-fi themed, grand strategy game that's simple and straightforward enough to play casually, yet possessing enough mechanical depth to accommodate more sophisticated tastes and moods? If so, "Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War" is a game you should probably play.

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War (via Steam)

#6 - Wreckfest

It may not be an all-encompassing racing experience, but as a title that focuses squarely on a fun, frenetic sub-genre featuring full-contact motorsports with a heavy emphasis on the demolition of one's opponents, "Wreckfest" has no equal.

Wreckfest (via Steam)

#5 - Metal Gear Survive

Don't mind the haters. This game is awesome! If you love open-world, survival-themed experiences with a, frankly, more coherent narrative than most of the Kojima-helmed Metal Gear titles, give this game a fair chance. For what it's worth, if co-op had been enabled for the full campaign, and not just the instance-based missions, which are still fun to play with friends, "Metal Gear Survive" would have easily made the top three on this list, and had a real shot at being my game of the year.

Metal Gear Survive (via Steam)

#4 - Battlefield V

For a long time now, I've been hoping for Electronic Arts and DICE to return to the past glory they achieved with "Battlefield: Bad Company 2," which still ranks as one of my all-time favorite games. While "Battlefield V" (BFV) has yet to equal the splendor of that sublime experience, I can honestly say it's as close as they've come to hitting the mark so far. It will likely be a full year before we see BFV's "final form" but I'm happy to once again find myself on the Battlefield train as I believe it's finally, at long last become a ride worth taking again, and enthusiastically recommending to others.

Battlefield V (via Origin)

#3 - Far Cry 5

Ever since playing the first game and experiencing its visual prowess, I've consistently felt that the Far Cry series was on the verge of greatness. Sadly, there was always something missing from each effort, be it a co-op campaign, inspired environmental and mission design, or a compelling narrative and cast of characters. For me, "Far Cry 5" is the first in the series to finally "get it all right." There's so much to like about this game, from its tone, to its pacing, to its superb esthetics, I really struggle to find much to complain about with this one. Sure, limiting co-op to two players, particularly in the Arcade mode seems a little arbitrary and some in-game activities are certainly better than others, but overall, I would highly recommend "Far Cry 5" to anyone in search of a fun, polished, co-op friendly, first-person shooter experience.

Far Cry 5 (via Steam)

#2 - Jagged Alliance: Rage!

As a big fan of the Jagged Alliance series, I approached "Jagged Alliance: Rage!" (JAR) with a certain amount of trepidation. Being familiar with Cliffhanger Productions' previous title, "Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston Lockdown," which recurring readers will note was #2 on my 2015 list, I felt reasonably confident that JAR would be a solid, co-op friendly, tactical, turn-based strategy experience. Still, I was worried that the relatively small team at Cliffhanger might have trouble capturing the essence of the IP and applying it to the sort of games they make. Fortunately, I need not have feared as JAR has proven to be a refreshing and welcome experience that I've thoroughly enjoyed in my 20+ hours with it so far. If a modern re-skin of "Jagged Alliance 2" is the only thing that would satisfy you, you'd do well to give JAR a wide birth; however, fans of the series open to some new ideas, and eager to share a Jagged Alliance-like adventure with a friend, will almost certainly find a lot to love.

Jagged Alliance: Rage! (via Steam)

#1 - For the King

"For the King" is a nearly-perfect game. Play it. Love it. Thank me later. Seriously. I could go on and on about the many wonderful aspects of this title and do my utmost to pick nits regarding it all day, but your time and money would be far better spent just playing "For the King" and experiencing for yourself what a charming, well-executed, satisfying, fully-featured, reasonably-priced game should be.

For the King (via Steam)

My Favorite Free to Play Games of 2018

Hey, everybody!

Never fear! My annual "My Favorite PC Games of the Year" post is still coming at the end of December. This year, I've decided to give the free-to-play titles I played in 2018 their own list as this will give them their own place to shine, and let me feature more traditional games in the annual list.

Obviously, as with the recurring feature, I certainly haven't played every free-to-play title currently available, so a game's absence here should not be taken as an indication of its quality.

With that said, let's do this!

Honorable Mentions

Being very busy this year writing, publishing, and promoting my second novel, I didn't have as much time as I typically do to play games. As a result, there were a few that, while I enjoyed them quite a bit, I simply wasn't able to thoroughly evaluate, or spend as much time with them as I'd prefer to before ranking and recommending them. Those are listed here.

By the way, if any of you are curious about my new book, here's a short video about it:

Atlas Reactor

Those of you who've been consumers of my gaming-related content for a while no-doubt know that "Atlas Reactor" is one of my all-time favorite games. It also has the distinction of being my "game of the year" for 2016. As such, I couldn't in good conscience make a list of top, free-to-play games without including it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again to anyone who will listen to reason. If you haven't played "Atlas Reactor," you're seriously missing out on one of the best games ever made. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.

Atlas Reactor (via Steam)

Ring of Elysium

If not for its unique, arctic environment and its novel traversal mechanics, "Ring of Elysium" (RoE) would be just another PUBG clone. Fortunately for it, those two standout features, combined with a generally-solid technical implementation, despite being firmly entrenched in the midst of its Early Access process, make RoE the most refreshing Battle Royale game I played in 2018.

Ring of Elysium (via Steam)

Deceit

There are a lot of horror-themed games out there. There are also a lot of asymmetrical PvP games. There are even a few games about secretly working against a group of "co-op" players– ever since "The Ship" popularized that particular concept years ago; however, if you want a free-to-play game that combines all those elements, "Deceit" is likely the game for you. Whether you're playing with, or against, friends, or total strangers, this game is a blast, assuming that your nerves can take it.

Deceit (via Steam)

Warframe

If you're on the hunt for an ever-evolving, co-op friendly, free-to-play, action experience, "Warframe" is still the king of that particular castle. If you've never played it, or haven't played in a while, its more recent updates and refinements are definitely worth a look.

Warframe (via Steam)

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#5 - Realm Royale

I'm generally not a huge fan of Battle Royale (BR) games, especially those that simply regurgitate the gameplay and concepts of the mods and early titles that pioneered the genre. Having said that, if I were going to seriously play a BR game, "Realm Royale" is the one I'd likely choose. From its colorful and generally-appealing esthetic, to its polished and refined gameplay, to its handful of innovative features, such as its forging system, which, among other things, allows for teammate revives, there's a lot to like about this game, and I'd say just enough to elevate it above its many BR rivals.

Realm Royale (via Steam)

#4 - Ironsight

Do you think Call of Duty is a slow-paced FPS for babies? If so, you may want to give "Ironsight" a try. Sporting a custom game engine that was built from the ground up specifically to support its ultra-fast-paced gameplay, "Ironsight," if nothing else, is an impressive technical achievement, which continues to evolve as it marches toward its release from open beta. I'm a big fan of this game, despite being terrible at it, and would definitely recommend it to fans of twitch-oriented, skill-based first person shooters.

Ironsight (Official Site)

#3 - Eternal Card Game

In my opinion, this is the best Collectable Card Game (free to play or otherwise) currently available. The gameplay, the modes, the business model, combined with the level of polish in its presentation make "Eternal Card Game" an easy title to recommend, and a standout in a very crowded genre.

Eternal Card Game (via Steam)

#2 - Black Squad

I'm a sucker for a good, modern military FPS and "Black Squad" delivers just that. There are definitely still some occasional problems with matchmaking, client/server performance, and hit registration, but for an Early Access title, it's a generally solid, fun game that I often enjoy playing with friends.

Black Squad (via Steam)

#1 - Paladins

Without a doubt, "Paladins" is the best team-oriented, free to play, hero shooter I've played. If you like that style of gameplay, you're probably already playing it, but for those unaware, "Paladins" is absolutely worth a look.

Paladins (via Steam)

My Favorite Nintendo Switch Games of 2017

To say that 2017 was a big year for Nintendo would be a massive understatement. In a lot of ways, the Nintendo Switch has redefined certain aspects of gaming and has quickly become an all-but-essential component in the lives of many gaming enthusiasts.

In recognition of that, I wanted to list out my 10 favorite Nintendo Switch games of 2017.

For this list, I will be ignoring games that appear on other platforms such as "Minecraft," "Rocket League," and "Puyo Puyo Tetris" despite enjoying them quite a bit on the Switch, as there are already more high-quality, Switch-exclusive games than I can comfortably fit on a "top 10" list.

Having said all that, let's begin.

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#10 - Fast RMX

As a fan of futuristic racing games like "Wipeout," "F-Zero GX," and "Extreme-G," "Fast RMX" does a great job of scratching that particular itch in a bare bones, budget-friendly sort of way. As a $20 launch title, this was one of the first Switch games that I really connected with and I often find myself returning to it for a quick, high-speed racing fix.

#9 - Snipperclips

In my opinion, "Snipperclips" was the most innovative and interesting launch title for the Switch. Its clever and often hilarious cooperative puzzle-solving mechanics were an ideal way to introduce groups of friends to the new system in a fun, social way and its reasonable $20 price tag made it an essential addition to my budding Switch game library.

#8 - 1-2 Switch

If you have friends and you like fun, "1-2 Switch" is practically a must-own title. This often clever, sometimes silly, and generally amusing collection of bite-sized party games is something I've returned to over and over again during social gatherings when the Switch is present. Is it more of an experience than a collection of traditional game mechanics? Absolutely, but that doesn't make it any less fun or worthwhile in my book.

#7 - Splatoon 2

The thing that "Splatoon 2" really has going for it as a game is that it's a shooter that's not primarily or exclusively about shooting other players. To be sure, there's often a benefit to "splatting" an enemy player but a skilled Splatoon player is just as likely to benefit or ultimately succeed by avoiding direct confrontations and instead inking various, strategic portions of a given map. It's this unique approach to the game's design, combined with the content and game modes exclusive to this Switch-only sequel that make it one of the more interesting and compelling options on the platform.

#6 - Fire Emblem Warriors

For me, "Fire Emblem Warriors" is good old fashioned, simple, dumb fun. It's not going to win any awards for innovation or narrative impact but it's also very clearly not trying to do so.

If you burnt out on the Dynasty Warriors formula at some point, there's probably not enough in "Fire Emblem Warriors" to justify a return but if like me, you've only dabbled in the Warriors series and mostly just want to see Fire Emblem characters shred through hordes of enemies in a cathartic whirlwind of chaos, I'd say there's quite a bit to enjoy here.

#5 - Super Mario Odyssey

As someone who's never historically been a big fan of Mario's various 2D and 3D platforming incarnations, I was pleasantly surprised to find just how much I enjoyed my time with "Super Mario Odyssey." The game might feel a bit "by the numbers," especially in the early stages, but there are just enough compelling gameplay mechanics and places to explore throughout the experience to likely melt even the most cynical and jaded of frozen, "hardcore" gamer hearts. Is this the ultimate Mario game? I hope not but it's definitely the one I've most enjoyed playing so far.

#4 - Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

A good kart-racing game is something I always enjoy having as an option on just about any gaming platform and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" is one of the best games of that sort that I've played. It's just the sort of feature and content rich package that makes for a great launch-year title and the Switch-exclusive Battle Mode is a nice, welcome addition to what was available on the Wii U version.

#3 - ARMS

In terms of innovation and taking full advantage of the unique characteristics of the Switch's joycon controllers, I can't think of a better title released in 2017 than "ARMS." This game does for 3D fighting games what "Super Smash Bros." did for 2D fighting games back in the day in terms of introducing a new, compelling twist and set of game mechanics into its genre. It may not be for everyone, but "ARMS" is one of the games that truly defines the Switch and its potential as a gaming platform for me.

#2 - Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

As a lifelong lover of tactical, turn-based strategy games, I find "Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle" to be one of the best games of that sort that I've played in recent memory. The mechanics are sublime, the story and world craft are often interesting and humorous, and the quality and obvious passion that have manifested in its implementation shine in a way that few other games can match. If you love SRPGs and you haven't played this game, you're really missing out in my opinion.

#1 - Xenoblade Chronicles 2

I had high hopes for "Xenoblade Chronicles 2" when it was first announced as a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Still, I was cautiously optimistic that it might be able to deliver on all the potential of its premise as a full-blown, single-player MMORPG-like experience attempting to bring something new to a gameplay style and set of mechanics so thoroughly explored during the past two decades.

As it turned out, "Xenoblade Chronicles 2" not only delivered in every aspect I was hoping to experience, but also managed to pleasantly surprise me with a host of gameplay elements and narrative flourishes that easily make it my favorite Switch game of 2017.

Okay. I know what you're thinking.

"Where's Zelda?"

The simple truth is that, while I absolutely respect the craftsmanship employed in the creation of "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and objectively recognize it as a great game, it didn't connect with me personally and I therefore can't honestly call it a "favorite" game in my case. If I were ranking all the Nintendo Switch games released in 2017 based on technical proficiency, or scope, or some other purely objective criteria, Zelda would certainly make the list; however, I personally enjoyed the 10 games I listed here more than Zelda, which forced me to remove it from consideration in this case.

Beyond that, "Breath of the Wild" was also released in what by many accounts is a functionally-identical form for the Wii U, which technically prevents it from being considered a Switch-exclusive game.

Still, it would of course be silly to ignore it completely, hence the explanation.