Using Game Maker in the self-taught way that I did for many years didn't prepare me for the complicated options and tools that [I assume] most programming utilizes.
Mmmaybe it would help to make the task feel easier to bite into if I just apply my current practices without attempting to get 'fancy.' I only have myself to answer to for this hobby.
Not that I shouldn't attempt to keep learning and keep in mind what I read even if I don't use it, of course.
er, *don't immediately use it.
Versatile! That's the word I was looking for. Four hours ago.
It doesn't seem like I would be -required- to use those tools. I can probably continue using the same kind of variable for everything, even where a less capable variable would suffice. I can keep using X,Y movement instead of (squints at help document) vector math and matrices. If I wanted to.