Hi! Here are some tips on how to get started from someone who's still learning.
- It is 100% normal to feel intimidated. This is a time-consuming hobby. But it's worthwhile if you stick with it.
- You're going to run into a lot of stupid glitches. Stupid glitches are the best teachers. Embrace them.
- If you aren't comfortable with coding, some engines (Game Maker Studio that I know of for sure) have visual systems you can use. They're more restrictive than writing code, but they're much easier to grasp.
- Watch some tutorials for Game Maker Studio, Godot, Twine, RPGmaker or whatever engines interest you. Pick one that doesn't look too overwhelming.
- Get familiar with the engine by doing a couple more tutorials and skimming the user manual. You need to learn a ton, but you'll mostly learn as you go.
- Start with a simple concept. If it's a story game, make it just one scene long. Use free assets or your own MSPaint'd art. It doesn't have to be good - no one else even needs to see it - just make something. Whenever you run into something you don't understand, look it up in the engine's user manual or google it.
- Find a game jam that sounds doable and commit to it. Even if you don't finish in time, keep working on it til it's done. Again, it doesn't have to be good. As a bonus, you get to play other people's strange, broken, and creative ideas. Jams are a good way to give and receive feedback and get acquainted with the community.
- Think about game dev while you're playing games you enjoy. Take notes on games as you play them.