PixlBit

I'm looking forward to Last Guardian, Final Fantasy XV, Persona 5, Tekken 7, Nier Automata, and maybe Zelda (I always intend to play a Zelda but never actually get around to it, but I need something to justify that Wii U purchase from years ago).  I also will most likely buy most Sony 1st party games like God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Detroit Become Human, and Death Stranding (is it just me or are game titles terrible nowadays?)

I would have loved it if Nintendo would have announced NX, especially since PS4.5 and XBONE Scorpio were no shows.  Nintendo probably wants their announcement to take center stage and doesn't want to give their competition time to copy whatever they're doing, but they really didn't have much of a presence besides Zelda.

VR will be big, but traditional gaming won't be going anywhere.  Anyway, as soon as VR glasses are in everyone's house, they'll switch to some sort of neural interface, bypassing your eyes altogether.

Wish I had a solution to your E3 problem.  It used to be so much easier to get in (I even went a couple of times).  Honestly, with GDC, GamesCom, Pax, TGS, PlayStation Experience, Comic Con, not to mention the internet and social media, it's not the be all end all show it used to be.  Maybe you should try to write for a bigger site (maybe you could still write for GamerDad as well).  Or maybe you could get a position with one of the game companies you've made contacts with (like how some of the EGM/1up staff went on to work for game companies).  Anyway, good luck.

VR is definitely a gimmick for now, but as prices drop and the tech improves, I think it will definitely be a big part of gaming in the future.  There's definitely a desire for this type of experience.

Never got into Crash.  The surprise level in Uncharted was great though.

Consoles are pretty much PCs nowadays, even moreso with announcement of the incremental upgrades coming from Sony and MS this year and next.  As a lifelong console gamer, it's kind of disappointing.

I'm confused by MS's strategy.  I know they're trying to combine their success with XBOX with Windows and their PC heritage, but it just seems like they're getting desperate, so they're trying any and everything to see what makes them money.  Won't buy an Xbox One?  You can still buy our games on PC!.  XBox One is underpowered?  Wait until next year, when Scorpio comes out!  It'll be the most powerful console EVAR (for however long that lasts).  Sony will probably stick to making consoles because that's what they're good at now, but I could see MS getting out of the business.  They always wanted to be the all-in-one set top box in the living room, but there's no need for that anymore with the ability to stream damn near everything.

I'm the opposite.  I play games to get away from people.  I like getting lost in stories, much like watching a movie (but more interactive).  I only ever really played fighting games online, and I don't really have time to learn them anymore (though I still buy them and dabble).  I'm not really gaming much anymore due to lack of time, but Sony showed some stuff that really interested me.  I haven't ever really been a fan of MS, but the XBO S is tempting.  Well, it would be if they weren't coming out with Scorpio next year. 

Tech Romancer was for the Dreamcast, so it may be the one you're thinking of.

I could probably not buy another game for the next 10 years and I still wouldn't be able to catch up on all the games I never got around to playing.  My pile of shame goes back to PS one lol.

Zone of the Enders: 2nd Runner is the best mech game ever.  Some other ones you should check out are Omega Boost, from the creators of Gran Turismo, and Tech Romancer, the Capcom fighter which featured mecha characters inspired by classic anime.  I also had Cybernator for SNES which was pretty rad.

Oh the nostalgia!  I never had a Master System (or Genesis).  My parents raised me right :p. But you're making me remember those promo posters from the NES/SNES games I used to have.  I stupidly traded them in long ago, along with the cardboard boxes, manuals, and inserts. I rebought most of the games on Wii Virtual Console, but I can never replace the other stuff :(

Airports...  I had to run through the Dallas airport one year on my way to San Diego Comic Con because they wouldn't let us off the plane (another one was in our spot) and our connecting flight was ready to take off.  They closed the door right after my wife and I got on.  I try to fly Southwest when I can, because I can usually find a nonstop flight and the wanna get away prices are cheap.  It's nice to take an impromptu trip and discover things to do without planning months ahead of time.  The locals know where to find the best food too.