Sorry to hear that. But if you have the time to focus on game dev now, keep going and don’t stop! If you’re using Godot, the next Godot Wild Jam is coming up — join it, make something, and keep learning.
And yes, making even a small profit from something you created is incredibly valuable. €30, €100... it doesn’t matter at first. You made something and someone was willing to pay for it. Keep going!
Narrative structure in games isn’t that different from literature. You just have to consider the interactive side of the story and, if the project grows, how the narrative can extend across different media.
Also, you don’t need to master programming, art, and design all at once. Players generally don’t care how the product was made — they care about getting a good experience for their time. Art might be a bit more sensitive in that regard, but in general, if you have tools that give you an advantage and help you make the game, use them. You can always polish or replace things with handmade assets later.
Remember: first make it happen, then make it better.
Feel free to find me on Discord too. Maybe we’ll even collaborate on something someday!
Cheers!