There are a lot of questions and intentions to move into gamedev from developers who are burnt out at their jobs. And that’s okay. From my own experience, I have a couple of pieces of advice that are not very professional.
1. It won’t save you from everything you’re so tired of.
Firstly, game development, like other areas, is full of its own nuances and pitfalls. And given that a person gets used to everything, you will soon find yourself in the same position. It’s better to look at game development as a hobby, a distraction from your main job. Moreover, for the first few years you will still not be able to earn enough to support yourself and your family.
2. There are no universal tools.
The main question in any field of programming today is which framework and programming language to learn. Here everyone will choose their own - what they can master. But it’s worth noting that in game development when switching, for example, from web development, you need to understand that you won’t be able to use React or even JavaScript if you want to become a real pro. You have to be willing to study hard. These are low-level languages - C, C++, Rust, and the basics of mathematics and physics, and possibly machine learning. It won’t be easy, you just have to keep going. Take a break and study further. There is no need to strive to immediately choose the top and most complex tools; the main thing is to start somewhere.
3. This is a market with tough players.
If you think that you can create a game in a couple of months and immediately start making money, then this is not so. Of course, you can try, but the network is already full of low-grade content, and sometimes you just wonder about the mental health of the “creator”. I think it’s better to create one project, but ideal, adequate and interesting.
4. Hype is temporary, and you only live once.
Lots of technologies, engines, etc. surrounded by a lot of hype. This is not bad for the creators of these things, but if you run after the clouds, you will never get anything done. Let your achievements be modest, but they will be yours. This will save you from burnout at your main job, otherwise there will only be dissatisfaction with yourself.
Add your own…
As a programmer you’ll be payed less than a software engineer at other tech companies, unless you’re in a big AAA gaming company. Also you’re more likely to have more crunch time and worse working conditions. I switched from a well paying gaming job to backend and doubled my income in one shot. On the flip side, the gaming job was way more fun.
I have been working in webdev for 20 years and have enough income. But, I am so bored with this commercial project. Just want a hobby and something real, near to hardware, starting learning C and game dev, backend math and physics. It’s interesting.