Something I get a lot that I really don't like:
"Is this a reference to (video game music)?"
I rarely listen to it in my spare time. I take inspiration from everywhere and I combine genres on my own. What I do deserves respect on its own and is not a game of I Spy VGM.

I may never escape from it because of my work and associations, but I could not effectively pay tribute to any of the VGM I have without listening to everything else and getting a wide taste.
As an artist, the one thing I want to ask of you is to take my music on its own. Please.

If you happen to be a person who's done this, please don't feel bad about it all day or anything. Just realize that a musician's intent goes beyond what you could guess at, and let there be some mystery and magic.