To make gameplay features, you’d need to learn how to program computers. This will teach you how to interact with the abstractions given by game engines (such as the input system) to create your feature(s). Without this knowledge, I would have struggled a lot understanding the underlying concepts.
It doesn’t matter which language you learn to program in initially (but to reduce future friction, consider Python or C#, with the latter being a bit nicer imo) as the skills are very transferable. What matters more is the lessons taught actually teach you how to program (logic, architect object-oriented code, and some technicalities of programming), NOT just the programming language (like most tutorials). Eventually you will pick up the logical thinking required.
If you want to make learning programming engaging, I suggest you look for someone who does it through games, and makes it for absolute beginners.
I learned quite a bit by following ChilliTomatoNoodle’s “Beginner C++ Game Programming DirectX” series on YouTube, though their humour is very juvinille and somewhat vulgar at times, but they teach programming, game logic, quite well.
If you want to learn programming the very traditional way, you can read Bjarne Sturstop’s Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++ book. However, I’m pretty sure it can be used to cure insomnia.
Like others said, start small. Pong is probably a good aim. Remember to enjoy the process first and foremost.
Let me know if you have any questions.