Landsknecht is right.

C++ is an own language, just as C. But C++ can also be considered
a superset of C as it includes most of C''s functionality to
ensure backwards compatibility. That is, C++ often supports
a C++ way for doing things and a C way, too. Good examples
are typecasting and I/O routines. Of course, C++ has some
unique features like OOP support, templates and exception
handling.

Both languages are perfectly suitable for "shooters" and for
other 2D or 3D games as well. Assembler language is not needed
as almost all recent C++ compilers are able to optimize code
to the same degree as an intermediate assembler programmer is
capable of doing. Sure, there are hardcore assembler freaks who
can do better, and this is still done in large-scale projects
to optimize bottlenecks away. But you won''t ever need it...

Of course, that doesn''t mean you should never have a look at
assembler language. It''s nice to know about it. I just wanted
to point out that the actual use of assembler language is today
not longer necessary.

In my opinion C++,at a basic level ,is the ideal language for game programming.
Consider many characters sharing same functions : move(),
animate(), draw() etc and same variables, x,y,z (position) etc
You can group all functions and variables in a class.
You can write also a class Time, World etc
At this level C++ is simply an extension of C.
I have some doubt that the most advanced C++ features can be of help to a game programmer , at least for an amateur, I do not mean for a pro working in a team.
There is an advanced feature that I am using a lot ,operator overloading, for example in switch() statement if you must fill a structure or an array etc

Thanks for the help people! I''m quite anxious to get started...

All of id''s games are C, with the exception of Doom 3.

Half-Life''s engine is C, (but I guess thats because its based off of the Quake engine).

UT is like the only shooter, not written in C.