   Starting...(Need Help...Alot)
  Ok im a hardcore gamer and im 18 years old and in 6 months i graduate from high school, and my future might be(or i hope)... If i like programming and im good at it then, i might go study on a university or something(to be a future game programmer)..or ima go to the AirForce.I need some help on a few things:1)Should i learn VisualC++ or VisualC#?2)They are both Free to download,currently right?3)Since im a gamer, i was kinda happy to hear about the Microsoft Live Arcade for the 360 will give indies a chance to make (small)console games,am i right?Will C# work to make games for that platform?4)Do i need .Net?5)Where can i d/l the latest .Net?6)Where can i find info on Game Engines(How to make one,sry if thats a stupid and retarded Q lol)?(Cant find any, i know they hard to make but i just want the info)7)Is there a site that shows the Best 2D Programming Techniques?(i love 2d games)If there was anything else that i missed OMG please do tell, i need all this info cause all the things i need to d/l ill have to do it at my friends(i have dial up,which totally sucks -.-)Thanks alot for your time and ill be replying XD   
  1. I'd start with C#, personally. You might progress to C++ later, but there's better tools to start out with. Another good place to start is Python, and the PyGame toolkit for it. Starting with a low-level language like C++ is likely to get you burned out on programming, which would be a shame.2. There are currently freely downloadable versions, yes. Python and its tools are also free, if you're interested.3. It is doubtful, but I don't know for sure.4. For C#, yes you will need the .Net framework; so will anyone who uses your programs.5. Windows Update usually has it; failing that, a quick search at Microsoft.com will probably turn it up. The current version is 2.0.6. Try the Articles and Resources section of this site [wink]7. There really isn't a "best technique." There's a lot of ways to do things, and they depend on your tools, the languages you are using, and how complex you want to get with your graphics. Writing a 2D game is pretty simple in Python and PyGame, though, and there are plenty of resources available for that.   ;Heard C# is great for making tools for development and such and that its powerful and easier to learn than C++, so ill go with that XD (thanx for the help)Ok so i need:1)Visual C#2).Net Platform 2.0What about GFx API?eh i know you and everyone will hate this Q lol...1-Should i go with DirectX or OpenGL?Any major diference?Im using a Windows OS.Can i use OpenGL with C#?And is there any disadvantage on using OpenGL on a windows pwered Pc?i heard that the best/last openGLs arent suported in Windows, any thruth on that?2-"7. There really isn't a "best technique." There's a lot of ways to do things, and they depend on your tools, the languages you are using, and how complex you want to get with your graphics." Hmm where can i find the ways of making 2D games/GFx/Tools/Engines,any links to 2D Freaks/Fan sites that would help?Thanx again ^_^   ;Quote:Original post by Teh New GuyWhat about GFx API?eh i know you and everyone will hate this Q lol...1-Should i go with DirectX or OpenGL?Any major diference?Im using a Windows OS.Can i use OpenGL with C#?First of all: why do you ask then? ;-)Yes, you can use OpenGL in C#... have a search on CsGL. Also on nehe.gamedev.net are C#-Examples of the tutorials.;  "First of all: why do you ask then? ;-)"Cause i didnt know o_OAnyways thanx all for the help, and if theres anything else i should know about please do tell.   