Coding a 2D JRPG?

Thanks for the well crafted advice. I'm past that point in my life though. Currently holding a job and learning to code on my own as a past time. I had tried C# before and XNA but things took off when I started with GM. Seeing things done fast was very motivating. Once I'm done with this thing I'm thinking of doing something of my own. Small, simple, release it, see how it goes. Then maybe start branching out into C#+Unity or Python for non-game purposes.

Anyway, if you ever want to exchange design ideas on how to mix up all FF games into one hit me up. The other half of the fun in this project has been playing armchair designer.

Self-learning is very hard, for me at least, because I lacked context for anything and because of that confidence in which direction I should go. Once you get over the first hump, everything is easier. Subsequent humps (n) are tough but ones after them (n+1) are easier.

Python is a very easy language to learn, and it should be your first. It was mine. If you can grab some cheap used textbooks on informational non-programming stuff like OS design for toilet or meal reading.

Mixing up all FF games into one isn't interest to me. I want to write core modules that have everything you need for the stuff all 2D FF games share in common, then write sub-modules (aka plug-ins) to provide functionality for specific mechanics.

Program design gets my brain off the way game design used to.

I have very specific ideas about game design and I can post them in another thread - armchair game design - if you like.