Likewise. I never saw the IGN tribute video until it was posted in this thread, and his death hit me hard again. He had such a wonderful aura about him...he made me smile nearly everytime he came on screen for a Direct. He was silly, energetic, humble, and one of the most personable people I've never known...yet he seemed like a friend that we all lost when he passed.
I was thinking of changing my avatar recently for the first time since his passing, but I knew the anniversary was coming up, and decided to wait until it had passed. I might wait just a little longer now. Rest in Peace Iwata.
I've never felt so emotionally invested in anything videogame related before and after his "era"
His way of communicating (from the GDC to the Direct and so on) was simply...direct? He resonated with "me" in a particular way.