What skills should I have before I start game programming (in addition to C++)?
<p>I'll try to be as specific as possible. And thanks to anyone who answers in advance.</p>

<p>I'm as CS student. I have, what I beleive, a fairly solid knowledge of basic C++ syntax and logic. I would like to, in my sparetime, further my knowledge in game programming skills, both for personal persuits and future employment.</p>

<p>Previous research has pointed me in the direction of <a href="http://nehe.gamedev.net/" rel="nofollow">http://nehe.gamedev.net/</a>. This seems very helpful, but on initial look I wonder if there's something I should cover first. For example, I can use MS Visual C++ to make programs, not so much programs integrated with the OS. And MS Visual C++ also contains many many features I only have a cursory knowlegde of (ie, Win32 vs CLR, what a console application entials, the best use of header files vs resource filves vs source files, ect.) I may be wrong, but should I fill in these gaps before geting into OpenGL or Ogre3D, or is not necessary? Should I focus on learning the MS Visual C++ specific stuff, or is there a less IDE centric knowledge base to tap into?</p>

<p>So if anyone has any links to tutorials for this kind of thing, or even the name of the knowledge base I should be looking into then I would be very greatful.</p>
