The SDK is well documented. Furthermore, there are some "Getting Started" tutorials which can be very helpful. However, if those don't fit your taste, you should check out www.drunkenhyena.com . He's got some pretty good tutorials. Helped me, and a lot of other people out.

--Vic--

This is the advice I would give to a newbie (assuming he wants to go the MS rout).

First, get a C++ compiler. Doesn't matter what yet. Just something that works. And learn C++ pretty well. The best way to learn, I think, is to make really basic games. It teaches you concepts that you will use down the road, as well as keeps you interested in what you're doing. A text based game, although not that exciting, is more exciting than writing a program that lets you put in your age, name, and spits out "Hello < name > you are < age > years old." Haha.

Learn C++ (again, if that's the language you want to use), and feel comfortable with it. Learn arrays well. Learn pointers well. Learn to do things with arrays well, like sorting. Practice using multiple classes, and separating your code into pieces.

Finally, when you get to this point, and you feel comfortable with C++, move on to the graphical API (Direct X).

There are some pretty inexpensive books on the subject, although I'm not big on books. If you are doing DirectX, I HIGHLY recommend using a MS compiler. MS made em both, so they work well together. Simple as that. And most DX tutorials will assume you are using an MS compiler.

Also, this can be VERY important: Find someone who has done what you are trying to do, or at least is knowledgable in the subject. I have had "mentors" that have helped me along the way in learning C++, C#, and some DX. It's very valuable to have someone who can help. Just make sure you're not bugging the person too much. This "mentor" may have things he or she is doing as well, so you must respect their time.

These are just suggestions. . . the way that I went when I learned to make games.

--Vic--

Since I've been active in this thread, if you need someone to chat with about programming, get AOL Instant Messenger (www.aim.com) if you don't already have it. Install it, and send me an instant message. My screen name is ArmySarj.

--Vic--