Making your own game (without a degree): First steps?

[Altercator]

When you don't have a degree in gaming, but still want to make your own video game, what would you consider the first baby steps?

Would you make mods & levels out of game engines?

Do you take up & teach yourselves skills like drawing, literature, programming etc.?

What else would you do?

 

[propertyofcobra]

Take up and start learning programming, I would say, is the first few steps. You can't make videogames unless you understand their inner workings, the limitations, etc.

 

[Girlysprite]

Programming and working in toolsets helps a lot, I can tell from experience.

 

[brianwh]

Don't bother with programming. Do you want to learn esoteric details of C++, or make a game?
Let other people do the low-level work of making graphics engines, you concentrate on the game itself.

Start by making mods. Many games have supportive mod communities. Try Far Cry or Neverwinter Nights. These both include the same tools the game companites use. If you get into some depth with these or similar tools, you will find yourself using "scripting", which is like programing but simpler and more task oriented. You won't need proficiency in C++ or any general purpose language, though.

You don't have to learn to make 3D characters. The toolsets above include more than you could make in ten years.

"Do you take up & teach yourselves skills like drawing, literature, programming etc.?"

Is your interest more in graphics or writing? Few people are strong in both. Choose one or the other and learn to write or draw. Only you can decide.

Good luck!