As you probably guess from the title, i'm up in arms about whether I should learn a new language/tool for game development. You see, i've been using unity for around 2 years, as I started when I was 13 or 14 for hobbyist projects and game jams. I didn't really have to much programming experience before I started, I read like half of a c++ book and attempted my way through various other programming tutorials, but when it comes to general programming I never spent that much time on it I guess, I just learned the stuff I needed to as I went along making games, and so far has worked for me nicely.

But i've been thinking about learning something more challenging then Unity. I did some C++ allegro tutorials a month or two ago, and even made nice breakout game. (lol, I know simple, but it was pretty challenging to make for me). I liked doing that and it wasn't as hard as I expected, but it didn't really seem that practical? You see, as of now i've just been doing hobbyist projects, but I plan on trying to makes some actual money soon. I have a mobile game i'm working on, which I think is very promising, and i'm eventually going to try to sell it on FGL. So my question is, is it worth learning some other method to make games anytime soon, or should I just stick to Unity and improve my skills (which are sort of in the intermediate area now, where I could pretty much make any type of game I want, it just might not be good). And if you think I should learn something else, what should it be? I've though about learning C++ and Cocos2dx, but there doesn't seem like there is much if anything I could do there that I couldn't do with Unity. And I also highly considered trying to make HTML5 games. I feel like that would be nice because I could do all the things I can with Unity (well, probably not 3d), and I could target web if I wanted to. And maybe learn how to make some simple websites in the process. But it also wouldn't be as much of a learning experience if I were to do something with C++. Right now, if I wanted to make any decent game with something other than Unity I could probably only do it with something like Flashpunk or Gamemaker. Which maybe is a bad thing. But then again there has even been large commercial games made with all of those. I hope some of you older developers can give me some advice (i'm 16). I couldn't find any answers here or anywhere else that answer this question.

If you don't feel challenged then find something to learn and do it. You are young, don't waste time wondering exactly how useful it will be in your future. By the time you are 26 or 36 everything you can learn today will be old and outdated. You should be learning how to think like a programer and a game designer or whatever it is that interests you. If you don't know exactly what interests you, or maybe everything does, then you should learn everything you can. Maybe this project will sell well, never hurt anyone to get rich at 16, but you have time.

Want a more specific suggestion? Continue with C++, you already started. Find another engine that uses it and learn that too. So what if you can do it in Unity?

Are you primarily a programmer or artist, the industry is so role specific now that you generally are a GUI, Network, Graphics, AI, Scripting programmer or a modeller, animator, level designer, sound engineer etc..

Or if your an Indie a game engine or smaller engine with basic tools, maybe flash art or vector art, probably a 2D platform game. So it's generally very specialised.

I can't see the harm of learning C++ you should be able to learn another language by default if you do learn C++. Maybe do half Unity half C++ a week for 6 months and see how you get on.

I would say don't waste any time, don't hum and haw, if you put in quality time into learning C++ say over a 2 year period then you will have those skills for lie hopefully.

And I also highly considered trying to make HTML5 games. I feel like that would be nice because I could do all the things I can with Unity (well, probably not 3d)

HTML5 has WebGL, which is a 3D API...

My advice: never stop learning new things - everything you learn will come in handy sooner or later. However, if you're just looking for a way to make a game (and money) fast, then Unity is the way to do it.

Yes yes yes.
Learning a new skill is always worth it weather its a new programming language, a new art package or even sheet metal fabrication or joinery. If you've considered it then it means you have a slight interest in doing it...so just do it.

If you want to know what to learn then C++ or HTML5 / Javascript would both be useful for developing games.

If you want a list of languages to learn to make yourself a well rounded programmer then here is my list:

A highish level language C#, Java

A lowish level language C++

A web language Javascript
A back end web language PHP,Ruby on Rails
An assembly language x86
A function language Haskel, Scala, erlang
A domain specific language R

Have a go at each of these. No need to become an expert but learn just enough to be able to hold a technical conversation about each of them.

Thanks for all the advice! I wasn't expecting to get so much detailed and useful answers (this is my first time using this, defiantly going to use it more). I think I am going to spend some time on expanding my programming horizon.

then determine what your next project ought to be. if it calls for new tools or skills, learn them.