Notes

a) Play games. If you play lots of games already, play more.

b) Learn how to code. Even if just the basics (Learn to code) at least get your mind thinking logically.

c) Follow some tutorials. Honestly, even if you have no intention of being a coder, follow a Unity tutorial to understand how things work.

d) Ask yourself what you want to do. If you want to be an all in one development indie powerhouse, you have a lot to learn. If you want to be a great artist (for example), acknowledge that and learn from the experts in your field. While a broad understanding of the whole process is a definte plus, focus your efforts into what you want to do where possible.

e) Email your heroes. The majority of well known devs, whether industry "names" or otherwise, are happy to help genuine newcomers to games development. I know I am. Email me on LinkedIn - I'll reply.

f) Realise that no one opinion is "correct". I 100% guarantee that if youy work with me for a month someone else will tell you the opposite of what I taught you. And so on.

g) Related to the above. None of us really know what we're doing. Games are at the equivalent stage in the movie timeline as "talkies". So even the experts don't really know what they're talking about. There are best practises to follow, but no blueprints for success.

h) However long it takes to develop a game, try to add at least 50% time on top to polish it. This isn't always possible when working to a strict deadline, but when learning development, factor in as much time for iteration as possible.

i) Don't get hung up on qualifications. If you're passionate about game dev, just do it. Don't spend years of your life and thousands of dollars just to get a piece of paper and think that's enough to be a developer. Be passionate. Passion and learning how to "do things yourself" is untold times more important than a qualification. If a potential employer tells you otherwise, work for someone else. Please. (this isn't to say that qualifications aren't a good thing - but passion for games and showing you actually know how to make something is more important in the long run than a piece of paper. You can have the best qualifications in the world but if you have no inner drive to create then you'll find it hard to get hired).

j) Remember there are people whose career is to tell people like you what you need to do to get into game dev. You don't need to talk to them. Just research, learn, and create. Approach studios directly. Advice and a guiding hand is great, but find the passion and drive from within. I'm not saying don't use agencies - but don't solely rely on them.