I haven't made a game yet (not even a prototype) though I have been tempting for years. I can't point the issue, whether my coding skills aren't up to the task or because I can't make assets for my game, or because I can't hire a staff and my game ideas scope needs a team to realize them.
The problem is I don't know what is the right next step to take in front of all the issues aforementioned, and I have been thinking that for years without taking any step ahead or risking
Here, consider watching MIT's edx course on game design [0]. I found it a good overview of many aspects and a reminder that board games (paper prototypes) can play a role in designing a game. I'm assuming you've already watched Extra Credits videos [1] about beginning.
This reminds me of college where we had to design a game and prototype it with pen and paper; it was a great and fun experiment with comfy results and we nailed down the menus, gameplay and level design before any of us touching the keyboard.
Make a very small scope game first. Start with Pong or Breakout or the like, with your own slight twist (can be as simple as adding some unique colors). Keep it so simple that you can easily accomplish it.
Then make a slightly larger scale game, like an infinite runner 2d platformer. Keep the scope small, but try to finish every aspect of it (menu, sound, etc). Once you have a finished version you can decide whether you want to add to it or start another project of slightly larger scope.
Don't jump into it trying to make your dream game. Start with making the game that you can realistically make, and then gradually expand as needed. Once you've fully finished a game you'll have a much better understanding what you can do, what you'll need to learn to do your next project, how much work it was for that scope of project, etc.
Make a game where everything is a solid colored rectangle. Then go back and see what it would take to turn one of those rectangles into a simple animated character. This type of gradual progressing will let you focus on things one at a time, decide your own limits (will I make my own walking animation? or will I use a premade asset? How long will one walk animation take?)
Practice with game jams. 24h to cram _something_ out, 72 hour to get a nice little demo of some mechanic or story.
The theme and restrictions take away a lot of the choice and apprehension. And you're laser focused on the end goal and _will_ release something since you have an end date.
Since you seem to really want to do it, I highly recommend that you set aside a fixed amount of time every day and just sit down and start something - anything. You’d be surprised how far that can take you. Don’t go over the hour, though. You’re looking for consistency, not intensity.
I'd say, make a small thing that works. Then another, and another. They might start as independent little projects, but eventually can grow up into parts of a larger whole.
The problem is I don't know what is the right next step to take in front of all the issues aforementioned, and I have been thinking that for years without taking any step ahead or risking