Java is not that different from C++, except you have to deal with pointers in directx. Start reading the direct draw docs in the sdk, all of them, then do the ddraw tutorials. Then start making a simple 2d game. Don''t worry about the overlays or other advanced stuff, just concentrate on making bitmaps for your animations and take a look at Blt() and BltFast() functions, they''re essential to your game. Also, you can use ddutil.cpp code written by MS for ddraw to help loading of bitmaps and setting of color keys. The best thing is to make bitmaps yourself because there are copyright restrictions on many bitmaps floating around the web or those inside applications. Check out company called ONEMILE for decent graphics, I''m using Corel Draw 3.0 for some of my graphics and ONEMILE is very cool about letting you include/alter their art into your game. Of course the best is to hire artists and musicians in the first place but most people do this as a hobby with hopes someday to make money off of their cool game. Good luck!

Jerry