   Where to go?
  I have completed reading through and learning (mostly) the book "Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days" I have been following along with the now dead C++ Workshop, and have completed both the projects. Where should I go from here. What books should I get, what should I do?Thanks much,treetrunker   
  Make a simple game; something a little more challenging than the ones you've made before.   ;  Jpetrie pretty much just gave the best possible advice you could receive.I would like to elaborate on it further, by saying, make a game from scratch without using a tutorial or engine.  Make it from scratch using OOP, and the C++ features you've learned so far.  This is assuming you haven't made any games yet.This will give you a great insight on the basics.It doesn't have to be an advanced game, of course.  Try making it a little more advanced than "hello world" or "guess the number" though.   ;  I actually just completed a text based game that is similar to the projects stated in the C++ Workshop. It allows you to create a character, equip your character, fight enemies, and move around through several areas. Beyond that, what new books should i start reading to improve my knowledge of C++.   ;  In that case, I can tell you "Accelerated C++" is suppose to be fairly good, according to multiple professionals in the industry of some programming chat-rooms that I frequently join.   ;  You might want to have a look at some design patterns, most of which are really well documented on the web :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_pattern_%28computer_science%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architectural_pattern_%28computer_science%29It's a really good idea, as mentioned above, to try and write a game for yourself, one that's more complicated than the ones you've tackled in the book tutorials.   ;  Also, look for a good book on Data Structures.  I've heard Data Structures and Algorithms from Addison-Wesley is good.Ultimately, once you are familiar with the Syntax and Semantics of a programming language, the next step is understand how the common Abstract Data Types, Structures, and algorithms are used in the language.Then, once you understand the syntax, semantics, and data structures, move on to the design patterns, as was previously mentioned.The godfather of all Design Patterns books is easily Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software, also by Addison-Wesley.If you've mastered the syntax, semantics, data structures, algorithms, and design patters within a specific language, you're doing pretty well.  Then I'd look for language specific nuances like the Effective C++ books.Finally, and this is specific to C++, get a good book on the C++ Standard Library and Standard Template Library.  Because, although you now understand data structures, algorithms, etc...you dont want to have to write them all from scratch all the time.Cheers!   ;  im also interested in making the step up from text games to 2d games, where should I go for that?   ;Quote:Original post by treetrunkerim also interested in making the step up from text games to 2d games, where should I go for that?Pick either a graphics API or an engine to try out, sit down with the documentation and whatever resources you can find and see if you can get some graphics on screen.  As you're using C++ my recommendations for good options are:APIs: SDL or SFMLor Engines: Haaf's Game Engine or the PopCap Framework.   