   Advice on How to Start Making Games
  Hi I am new around these forums and I was wondering where do I start if I know C++ pretty well and I have a visual c++ compiler but I'm not sure on how to make a window or put anything in it. The best program I have made is a calculator that doesn't even use the simplest of GUI. Its just a plain old box that can take user input and output the answer. I am guessing I should probably learn how to make a box and put in a simple GUI of a calculator to start but I am not to sure how. Can anyone point me in the right direction? And If anyone knows a good graphic rendering software that I could use for a 2D or 2.5D game that would be great.   
  Before you do anything, I suggest you read this and this.  I also suggest writing a small text-based RPG as it provides a surprisingly good learning experience to solidify your foundational knowledge of C++.However, if you still decide to jump straight into things, you could try using SDL or SFML.  These hide the complexity of using DirectX or OpenGL directly and thus, are easier to pick up initially.  You can of course, move on to the big 2 once you're more comfortable with things.As I said in another post on here today, the key thing is to make sure you feel comfortable before you move on.  If you're not, and you start trying to run before you can walk, it can destroy your self-motivation, and that, ultimately, is the one thing that will keep you coming back for more and getting the results you really want.   ;  Start with XNA and pick up C#. You'll find C# easier than C++ and will learn fast. My first language was C++ and I found other languages to be quite easy to learn. If you really want to jump into C++ go: Here and start learning some basic Win32 programming. It's quite overwhelming at first. You can also try out Reimer's tutorials for XNA/DirectX with C++.   ;  Thank you you two ill use the advice greatly ;)If anyone has any other tips for me that would be great ^_^   ;  I've got some video tutorials on my website that show you step by step how to setup a window and how to render items into it using OpenGL.  Have a look and feel free to ask me any questions you may have.   