Installing a barebones version of GNOME
 

Hello, I've just switched to linux and decided that the best way to learn is to jump directly into arch. I've decided to use gnome as my DE but from what found out in a VM, the gnome and gnome-extra packages come with a lot of things I don't need (apps, games, etc). Is there any way to install it with the very basic functions (desktop functionality, terminal, etc). Thank you!

Skip 'gnome-extra' and just install 'gnome'. Here is a list of what that will install: https://www.archlinux.org/groups/x86_64/gnome/

More info here: https://www.gnome.org
And here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GNOME