>>149Uh, gamedev and software development have way different standards and goals, gamedev is a closed system centered on game engines - software development is a open set of interfaces and protocols. If you want to improve your skills, try implementing utilities and medium-size software tools first.
Create a few libraries, design an API/protocol, make a language concept or a compiler for a DSL you invented for specific goals. There is much more space to experiment outside of game development and skills learned would be more relevant in the future. Gamedev isn't that great for practicing you "general programming" skills, unless you intend to become a professional in this field.
The most benefit for practicing gamedev i can see: game engine optimizations and feeling how the cost of code paths scales with players/viewers, libraries written for the game engine and understanding of graphics pipeline. Most of the stuff you do as content/script within the game engine will not be a transferable skill.