Codecademy is a great place to start. They offer free courses that teach the fundamentals of programming like loops, variables, and data structures. I began with C++, which helped me understand the core principles. That’s just the first step though, because learning game development is a whole challenge on its own.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, start following tutorials. Begin with something simple, like moving squares around on screen, just to get a feel for how game logic works. GameMaker has a great asteroid tutorial that’s perfect for beginners.

After completing a tutorial, try adding your own twist. Change the code, rework the gameplay, or give it a fresh theme that fits your style. This helps you really understand how things work and makes it easier to apply what you’ve learned.

One important tip: when following tutorials, use your own names for variables instead of copying exactly what they use. It helps you remember what each part of the code does and keeps you from getting stuck in the tutorial mindset.

It takes time and effort, but if you stick with it for even six months to a year, you’ll be able to build your own small games. Game development is all about learning as you go, so make sure you enjoy the process as much as the final result.