Those three 'A's:

We all want to make those AAA titles, get paid in millions, get that jaguar and a mansion. Now coming back to reality, we really cant afford (you are not a son of a millionaire and you cant hire really talented people with years of experience in game industry) to make such titles.

If you are interested in making hardcore AAA titles or any games which requires huge amount of investment, there are three ways to do it,

• Do it from the inside
• Do it from the outside
• Do it from the middle

Do it from the inside requires you to be part of a game industry, Get employed by major game company and climb the company ladder to become Game designer. This approach is mostly recommended by the top game designers and as they say is a easier way to become a big-shot game designer. Low Risk – Easy way

Do it from the outside, this is the approach of the indie developers. Make those small indie games → learn new things → create more indie games, you will be on this cycle for years until you have enough money and talent to actually license a AAA game engine and be able to create a decent enough game. For all those years (when you keep on refining yourself and your team) you are all by yourself (or may be with couple of friends), slogging all night and all day to create that hit game. Your chances of sustaining your business is stacked against you. High Risk – Hard way.

Do it from the middle, this is similar to the indie game development, the difference being you have a full time job which is paying for your living expenses and you will have to be spend all your extra time on your start up company. This is a longer route than indie way. If you are able to sustain your monthly expenses from the games you have created, then quit your day job and work on your game company full time. Medium risk (hey you will still have your day job if you screwed up in the beginning) – Hardest way.

Whatever way you choose, don't forget to be passionate about games.