Seeking advice on building a strong C++ gameplay portfolio

Hi all,

I’m looking for technical, portfolio-focused advice from experienced game developers, especially those with backgrounds in C++ gameplay programming, simulation-heavy systems, or grand strategy–style games.

I’ve been working with C++ for a while and have built several projects in the past, including:

* A small custom engine (core loop, input, minimal rendering),
* Some physics and systems experiments,
* And a few gameplay-focused prototypes.

Recently, I made a decision I now question: I deleted all of those projects because I felt they were “not good enough” or didn’t reflect the level I want to reach. In hindsight, this feels less like quality control and more like a destructive reset loop.

My long-term goal is to become a gameplay programmer on complex, systems-driven games (grand strategy like EU/CK/Victoria, but also action games like Soulsborne / Monster Hunter). My primary interest is gameplay logic and simulation.

I’m also open to learning game engine development at a foundational level (architecture, update loops, data flow, tooling), but I see that as a secondary path that supports gameplay work, not as a goal in itself. I’m deliberately trying to avoid spending years on graphics or low-level tech that doesn’t translate into better gameplay systems.

What I’m trying to understand, from a technical and strategic standpoint:

* What kinds of C++ projects actually make a strong gameplay-focused portfolio today?
* How do you decide a project is “good enough” to keep and present, rather than delete and restart? (I tend to restart when I notice architectural flaws or design weaknesses. At what point is refactoring and iteration more valuable than starting from scratch?)
* How do you structure learning so projects accumulate value over time instead of being thrown away?
* If you were starting again today, aiming for a C++ gameplay programmer role, what would you build first, and what would you deliberately not build?

I’m not looking for motivation or generic encouragement.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share experience or critique this approach.

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