Programs neded for makin Indie Games... Thread

The question goes to asking for what types of programs would i need to make an Indie game. now to clarify what type of game it is, its a Combat Racing type, but without any form of weapon reload in battle and a random item retrievel per kill you get in the race its self. i do not know what programs i could use to make Animations, customisable cars, good shaders, or an engine as a base for that matter. i have plans to make the cars have upgraded missile designs, and armor upgrades that give it a new look per upgrade, as well as both easy and complex tracks, and ofcourse if its a combat racing type, you all know its got to have one essential thing, Death arenas. now i just need to know what programs should i get to make this game. and how do i give the computers good AI. or simplistic as well? just give me a list of coding software, 3d model software, etc etc.

-thank you in advance.

No, i plan to make this on my own, seeing how i know what mainstream software i am going to HAVE to use is 3dsmax, so i will have to spend alot of money into this, i want the games to play like real games, you know, like they have been worked on, i was asking what engine should i use, and if the engine is allowed to be used, then please send me a link, or just a name, that works too.

Alright that helps, so i can use blender, i already have 3 tools for 2D, no its the engine, do we have any existing engines that are racing and i can code with weapons?

blender could (technically) do everything by itself: be the engine, do the 3d & 2d (it allows painting on models, so you can make your textures).

the important question is how much you already know.  if you don't know much, you'll want stuff that's new user friendly with lots of info (IE blender, torque, etc).  If you're good @ programming already, make your own engine, I've been told it's quite rewarding.