one thing is do NOT expect a model you make/see in Maya or Lightwave or another modeling program to look the same in a game engine.

these tools have differnt methods of rendering ( drawing) the object. its not unusualy to see people comment that they made a model in such-in-such modeling package but by the time they got it into an engine it didn't look the same.

terminology/lingo isn't too hard to pick up, what DOES take time is skill AND the uderstanding of the principles of developing a game and the work involved.
It's not just click a few options and select an object here or there and presto you have a game.

think of this analogy. you get an engine and a car frame and a bunch of misclanious parts you ahve no idea what they are for or what they do. then you get some stock fiberglass, sheetmetal, bulk steel and aluminum and allot of other raw materials. rent or buy a shop. get many tools many fo which you many or may not have ever used or even know how to use. Now, go build a formula 1 race car. If you don;t know how, well you get help or you take allot of time learning and practicing to build up the knowlage and skills to even BEGIN to make a car. you may have to build several go carts and other easier cars before you are ready to tackle that formula 1.

thats sort of like what independant game development is.