   Extreme Newbie here - hello world :)
  Hi for the past few years I have been a web developer using php, sql, &#106avascript, css, and html.  Lately projects are becoming increasingly boring, I can't go on making web apps.  I have always enjoyed games... I think it will be much more rewarding for me to program games instead of web apps.my favorite type of games are RTS example: starcraft, warcraft, age of empires So that is the direction I want to go towards, as far as what type of games I am interested in programming.so that is where I am, if anyone would like to point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.C++ is where it's at.. so I've heard.  About 6 months ago I went through a few C++ tutorials just doing some basic things, I made a "guess my number" game which was in a black command screen but that is as far as I got, I do not remember what I learned I am going to have to start from square 1.I'm going to need to get a compiler again, any recommendations?I think the name of the program I used was called Dev C++ does anyone know if it's a good program?I would also like to meet other people who might be interested in a study partner (2 minds are greater than one type of friendship).   
  Do not use Dev-C++.  It's old, outdated, and was retired from development.  Get the free Visual Studio C++ 2008 Express instead.  It's eleven billionty times better than Dev-C++.  You'll learn to love it, trust me.  The debugger is amazing, and there are tons of other features too.But if you want to use C++ just because you here that's "where it's at," I would suggest looking into C#.  C# is a very powerful language that has an awesome set of tools (namely XNA) that allow you to develop games (and you can even deploy them to the Xbox 360 through the XNA Creators Club).  If you want to learn C++ then by all means, go for it.  But I would suggest you at least look into C# and see if it interests you.  You can also use the Visual Studio C# 2008 Express, which has an awesome debugger and tons of handy tools.  Happy programming!   ;Quote:Original post by MikeTacularDo not use Dev-C++.  It's old, outdated, and was retired from development.  Get the free Visual Studio C++ 2008 Express instead.  It's eleven billionty times better than Dev-C++.  You'll learn to love it, trust me.  The debugger is amazing, and there are tons of other features too.But if you want to use C++ just because you here that's "where it's at," I would suggest looking into C#.  C# is a very powerful language that has an awesome set of tools (namely XNA) that allow you to develop games (and you can even deploy them to the Xbox 360 through the XNA Creators Club).  If you want to learn C++ then by all means, go ahead.  But I would suggest you at least look into C# and see if it interests you.  You can also use the Visual Studio C# 2008 Express, which has an awesome debugger and tons of tools that are handy.Hi Mike, thank you for the heads up about Dev C++ (I just downloaded it haha)I'm going to go get the Visual Studio 2008 Express.About C# and C++ - I find it to be very difficult and confusing reading about what language to learn, everyone says something different.. But I do remember the majority saying C++ is the most flexible / powerful language... what do you use?and do you have any tips to help me get started?;  Hey, check this "under-developement" website that has helpful tutorials on how to get started :http://informationrage.com/?cat=6start with tut 1.00 and move up. It should be a start   ;Quote:Original post by AstralAaroNC++ is where it's at.. so I've heard.Where exactly did you hear this, if I may ask?   ;Quote:Original post by DevFredQuote:Original post by AstralAaroNC++ is where it's at.. so I've heard.Where exactly did you hear this, if I may ask?youtube :)  I like to see things being done so I was looking around at game programming video tutorials and stumbled upon people talking about how to get started.;Quote:Original post by tnuttyHey, check this "under-developement" website that has helpful tutorials on how to get started :http://informationrage.com/?cat=6start with tut 1.00 and move up. It should be a startthank you I am about to check this out :)   ;  just loaded up visual C++ 2008 express edition.about what language to use, why do I get the feeling after some of the responses that c++ is the wrong way to go?is c# the way to go? can they both do the same thing? is one easier than the other?trying to figure out these signals I'm getting from you guys   ;  C# seems to be easier, but the question you asked usually starts a huge c++ vs C# war. Simply pick one language and try it. If it doesn't suit you, then look for another one :)   ;  c# is not the same as c++ they are two different languagesc# has easy memory managementwhereas in c++ you will have to physically keep track of your memory locations.also c++ has many little 'gotchas' which you have to look out for. so when you are learning the language make sure you dont scroll over things that may seem unimportant or else you will have to go back and look over everything because your program isn't working the way you meant it to.c++ is also object orientated and is used for state of the art games that are coming out on platforms like high end pcs ps3 and xbox360 as well as the wii. most jobs in game programming require a strong base in c++ but people say it is not the easiest to learn because of these 'gotchas' but regardless of that i am learning it anyways (myself also being a beginner)   