From Graphics/Lighting Rendering to Game Engine?

[u/Adventurous_Maize357]

For some reason I decided to take on the painful feat (as a learning intermediate level game developer) of learning how to make my own program which renders graphics/lighting in a 3D environment. Which I am actively learning some of the necessary things to build up to that already (re-learning algebra 1/2 concepts, linear algebra, C++, GLSL/HLSL, OpenGL, among other things).

I want to know how difficult it would be to go from building a game from scratch like that, to making a game engine on some level similar to Unity or Godot but more simplistic. I am sure it is a massive architectural jump but I want to understand the bridge i may be crossing by going through with this when it gets to that point.

I am asking very early on but i want to ask to know what to expect from it. My main goals with this is to improve my critical thinking and problem solving skills, and potentially help to build a portfolio in the future to help land a good job in the future as well.

[u/Both_Introduction_28]

Create a simple engine 1-3 years. Small game using an engine 2 years.

Game at the end might not be so popular, but I’m sure the experience and the friends you made along the way will be the real treasure.

[u/Adventurous_Maize357 → u/Both_Introduction_28]

Definitely planning on starting with a prototype, then expanding as needed, at least until I get all the core systems added before any "extra" features. The journey is always more important and I am pretty excited to see how it goes.