I'm sure you don't want to hear this but I felt that someone had to say it.
I think you just want to hear "yes, that's excellent, do it" not an advice.
There's nothing really bad in that for us. But it might be for you. So you should really open your mind for any kinds of critique and advice. Asking about one's experience in a forum where lying about the work done has (almost?) never been a problem in topics like this... that shows us you don't trust anyone here. And without trust, only thing you could get seriously is a positive answer.
Also, you seem to have never made your own game before. I cannot understand why you want to do it as I don't see you pointing out your activities towards game development (like concept drawings, acting the way it would happen in your imaginary game etc.). If you have done anything like that, it would be really easy for us to say "do it!". Otherwise, the first advice given is the best. Unless you want to give us a honest answer to this question - why do you really want to make games?
P.S. My experience? If you want to know about it, just ask in a PM. I have nothing to hide. :)
Btw, if we're talking about graphics design, there's another cool tool you could consider using. GIMP
EDIT:
Quote:should I change my language or graphics to anything better, and am I heading in the right direction for my goal?
You're thanking them for advice you didn't bother to read.
That's the same "is it enough?" question.
Here's an answer: try anything you can get, then decide.
This answer probably will not be good enough for you. But that's the way most people do it.