[tsloper]

Ano,
You should get a degree for sure. And you need a plan for how you'll break into the industry and eventually move up to Game Designer. Because Game Designer is not an entry-level position.
And it's not recommended that you create a company right out of college, but rather get a job in the industry first.
Go on my site (see my signature), click the yellow box, then read FAQs 3, 7, 34, 44, and 29 for starters.