Reality Check

I'm coming to the realization yet again that this is no small project that I have undertaken.  I recently had a few good discussions with people on Google+ about game making, and here is what one +Robert Mitchell, who has some experience in the game industry, had to say

"The fact is that the level of competition for good game dev gigs has never been higher. And the reward:risk isn't as good as other sectors unless you offset with an obsession about games in the first place. The likes of EA, for instance, has a tiny fraction of a percent hiring rate for applicants to any given job offer made.

Even then, lucking out with stable employment in this field is just like netting a pink winged unicorn that tastes like chocolate bacon."

Also

"But again, if you find yourself awake at night thinking about how the latest games you played could be improved - and not just from the addition of a new character - and or find yourself in deep thought about the emergent properties found in the interaction of systems around you. Or if you enjoy reading game theory papers talking about conflict and cooperation and Monty Hall's three door game makes obvious sense to you and you don't mind the years it might take to fully pivot over... Game development is incredibly rewarding, IF and ONLY IF you have the love of the craft... because otherwise, this industry will devour your soul and leave you a grumpy, sour mess. I've seen it happen and almost always to good people who just wanted a stable, straight forward job."

I've given a lot of thought to his comments, and the cold hard reality is that I will have to put the needs of my family first and foremost.  I have also come to realize that I am not passionate about making games in general, rather I am passionate about making a game that I think I would enjoy playing.  I probably won't be able to get the resources to make this particular game as it is so ambitious.  I do plan on continuing my education and finishing my master's degree, and I'll find out how much I can get done before that period of my life is finished.  I might end up doing a thesis as opposed to a project, but I still have a long time before I have to make that choice.  To any aspiring game developers who may be reading this, I recommend learning as much as you can as early as you can.  Trying to learn all of this in my mid 30's has been quite tiring.