The general consensus on the forum is that C#, Python, or Java (actually that one is my personal favorite) are the best languages to begin programming with. They are substantially easier to grasp than C++ and automate certain parts of programming that more broad languages, such as C/C++, have by default (C# is capable of manual memory management but I believe it requires the programmer to mark the code as unsafe).

The graphics are made depending on what mode the game is running in. If you're doing 2D then Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.net, etc are the programs you want to use. If the goal are 3D models then Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max are your tools.

For programming, you definitely need some basic Algebra and Geometry to be able to implement physics in your game (if you're making point and click games then arithmetics will do ).

In the end, remember that learning a language is a very minimal step of the path to learning how to program. Even when you finally know a language and begin to make your first game, you'll realize that programming and knowing a language are two completely different things. You just have to think about what you're doing

You guys probably get this a lot, but I can't really find a clear answers (or maybe there isn't one)..
Which is the best language to start for game development? (C++, C#, Python etc)
...
I know I have a lot of questions, but I'm a COMPLETE NEWB. I really want to learn though.
-Thanks guys!

Have you read this forum's FAQs yet? There's a link atop this forum...

I do visual basic at school. (btw what's the difference between VB and VB.NET?) and it's pretty easy. But I've looked at C++ tutorials and it looks SO COMPLICATED! Maybe it's just me, but I'm freaking out! Haha, I guess I gotta start from the bottom 8-)

Thanks for all the posts guys!

I've only been programming on and off in C# and C++ for about a year, but I started out with C++ and found it tricky, but eventually I got into it and began to understand it a lot better. I took a break to try out C# and found that it was quite similar to C++ syntax-wise, and that really helped me there.

All I'm saying is that doesn't everything look complicated until you've learnt it?

I've just revised the language after a taking a break from programming to do some school stuff. I have been using this site as a reference whenever I come up to something I've forgotten.

One of these days I am going to have to sit down and program a bot to search for threads like this and insert a generic answer. I mean, dude, use the search - you said it yourself, we probably get this a million times, so why not see just how many hits you can get hmm? Not trying to be a stuck up douche, but c'mon, really...

[quote name='MangoFreak' timestamp='1306061209' post='4814192']
[quote name='anarchist4freedom' timestamp='1306060359' post='4814189']
I do visual basic at school. (btw what's the difference between VB and VB.NET?) and it's pretty easy. But I've looked at C++ tutorials and it looks SO COMPLICATED! Maybe it's just me, but I'm freaking out! Haha, I guess I gotta start from the bottom 8-)

Thanks for all the posts guys!

I've only been programming on and off in C# and C++ for about a year, but I started out with C++ and found it tricky, but eventually I got into it and began to understand it a lot better. I took a break to try out C# and found that it was quite similar to C++ syntax-wise, and that really helped me there.

All I'm saying is that doesn't everything look complicated until you've learnt it?

I've just revised the language after a taking a break from programming to do some school stuff. I have been using this site as a reference whenever I come up to something I've forgotten.
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C# and C++ look like a nice combo, and even learning Java since I've heard it's similar. And yes, until you've learn the language everything looks confusing, but when I was learning VB it looked pretty simple, and then I looked at C++ and the code looked completely difference to what I've been learning.

Also I downloaded Python, but I don't get how to "use it". Is there any point in downloading Python 3.2 because I can't find a compiler :S
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That is because there is no compiler for Python at all.

In the programming world there are 2 global types of programming:
- Pre-compiled -> Compile source code into a executable and then run it
- Compiled at start -> Run a program that executes the source code

C++, C# and VB.Net are both pre-compiling languages but Python code is compiled at runtime.

Python can be used in two different ways:
- From a file
- From the command line

The easiest is from the command line, you literally type the source into the command line and it is executed as you enter the code. This is very usefull for experiments. You can use it by simply starting the Python executable in the folder where you installed python.

Executing by source is only a bit trickier.
Open the command prompt and enter (without quotes): "cd Path/Where/you/installed/python/"
Then enter (again without quotes): "python Path/where/your/source-file/is/located/
Your file is now quickly compiled and then run.


I recommend that for now, you stick with VB.NET as it can do almost the same C++ can, VB.NET does a lot of things for you like cleaning up your mess (if you create it, that is).

O, BTW, one extra advice: Make sure you really understand programming concepts before trying to make a game. If you don't you WILL stumble upon problems that look impossible to solve, but actually are quite simple.

I hope this helps,

assainator