This is in response to your question on the game development group thread. This post could not fit, so I'm posting it here. :)
Listen, making games is fun an all, but there is more to it than most people usually think, but I'm pretty sure you know that already though. Which is good, because asking for help is a great way to start making games, I myself just did what I thought I had to do (back in 7th grade), and thankfully I was doing the right things.
Anyway, ask yourself though. "Why do I want to make this game?" It doesn't matter what kind of answer that you give, as long as you have an answer. Every good game has a purpose, and by answering that one question, you can give your game at least one purpose. And the other question you need to ask yourself is "how" you're going to make the game. Do some research and ask around about which program or software you should use for your game. I myself cannot recommend the "perfect" program, but I can advise you. Seeing how you are just starting out, it would probably be best to pick up a copy of RMXP. It is a simple program, with many users, and an almost infinite amount of pre-made scripts that you can learn from.
Now, I'd say the next step is planning. Now, you don't have to sit down for hours on end writing or typing storyline, or stuff. Most planning is done inside your head, but the key to planning is being able to get those ideas into a tangible form, through almost any outlet like writing and drawing etc. But remember, ideas are changeable, don't think that once you already have something written down or thought of that it can't be changed. Change can be a good thing, or a bad thing, and one of the best ways to determine whether or not you should change something is by asking for other peoples' opinions.
The next step would be actually making stuff for the game. Scripts, sprites, maps (usually consisting of tiles), sounds, music, etc. These are all things that most games need. Now, just because you are the creator/designer/developer of a game, that doesn't mean that you need to be able to do all of these mediums. Though, it is best to have at least two fist fulls of understanding about them, with the exception of music though, but music and sound are always great things to know how to do, mainly because a lot of people don't perform them, and their service is widely needed.
But, all of these things (map making, scripting, spriting, drawing, music, writing), they are improvable. By working hard, and not giving up, your skill can improve greatly. Even though some people have knacks for some of these, and that some people are much better than others, that doesn't mean that they have what it takes to make a game.
Making a game, above all, takes dedication. You will achieve nothing if you do not have the will and desire to see your game to the end. When you are making a game, there will be the good times, and there will be the bad times, and there are usually much more bad times than good times. That's just how it works. But, if you can overcome the odds, and actually produce something that's enjoyable, and has a purpose, then you will succeed.
My last bit of advice would be to listen to yourself. When the hard times hit, you need to ask yourself if you are prepared to take the next step, and if you can keep going. No one can stop you, only yourself. When problems arise, you need to be able to hit them head on, or else that problem will grow to become a catastrophe.
I think that is just about everything that I can think of at the moment. I'm not sure how thorough this is, but I'm sure that it will help you. Oh, and don't be afraid to ask questions, it's more stupid to sit and do nothing, instead of asking. Send me a friend request if you like, and I'd be happy to help you if and whenever I can.
Good luck,
Captain Arcane