Ask YC: I just got laid off, and I have some startup dreams.

I think I agree. If you decide not to get a real job while searching for startup footing, make sure that you're learning enough to balance the opportunity cost of salary, on the job learning, and startup stuff on the side.

What you don't want to do is end up like Seth Rogen in Knocked Up -- unless your goal is to be a stoned slacker. Note that Katherine Heigl is unlikely to sleep with you in real life.

rtf whats your email?

pffft.. screw startups, go work with the best people in the business on one of the best projects out there, Bioshock 2. 2K Marin are looking for level designers.

http://www.2kmarin.com/

tell em Jay from 2K Aus sent ya.

meetup.com

If you like games, then do games, don't do web apps. Web apps are good for stuff that needs the web, but for stuff for whom the web is just a nice thing, but not neccessary, web apps are often not the best solution. It's easier to sell desktop software than web software.

And another important thing: Don't start a business from a position where you have little money. It will make you cut corners for the sake of making money, and you will not like your product as much as if you had time to really craft it out. So I advice you to find a job which is stable and does not take too much time, then develop your game on the side.

Game programming takes looooong, and nobody will finance you while you try to make a game. Get a job, do it on the side. It's the adult thing to do. Anyone who tells you to quit everything you have and play the lottery with your life savings probably has something to gain by you doing this.