> Oh the dreams of young single childless people.

Two kids + wife + mortgage and I managed it.

Even better I can report: you do not need full FIRE and 15+ years of career. All the indies I know who "failed" returned to the industry with yet better jobs than prior. Ours is an industry where experience itself becomes security. Game's tooling changes slowly. While hordes are fighting for the few entry level positions every team actual wants is experienced people. Thus once you get into the games industry and stay, the jobs get better.

As a 50 yr old childless bachelor I can attest that relationships and offspring are the biggest time, energy and financial sinks.

Not saying it anit worth it, just that you will expend %50-150 of your resources depending on how responsible a partner and parent you are.