1.

You have to choose how low level you want to go. c++/openGL/DirectX is the lowest you would want to go. OpenGL being cross platform. If you don't want to do that kind of low level engine coding you can use c++ with some other Graphics API like Ogre3D or Irrlicht.

However for newbies, it seems like the sweet spot is really C# and XNA/MonoGame, and building up to Unity. C# is easier to learn language but doesn't give you low level control over your code and is not built for speed over anything else like c++.

However it is a great language and if you learn C# not only will you be able to make games but also any other app you wish and making GUI's is really easy in that language.

2. Visual Studio 2012 Express For Desktop supports c++ and C#, it is also FREE. http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads

3. Math, OOP design, theory, ect...

4. Difficult but not to hard.

Start with a good book in your chosen language, learn that language like it was your gospel. Once you know how to program get a book about game programming in your chosen language, and probably a Math book as well.

Questions:
1. What sort of compiler/program should I be using? I've gone through some posts and some people are suggesting C# and Unity?
2. Where can I find such things on the internet?
3. Is there anything else I should be looking into?
4. How hard is it to achieve multiplayer gaming?

1 If you go with unity, it includes everything you need.

2 If you dont go with unity, this guide will point you towards the files you need, including helping you make language selections, learning resources, tool links, etc.

3 Yes, tons, but baby steps. Perhaps your first task right now is figuring out what you should look into next.

4 Very, not at all. Difficulty is relative. To you, just starting out with no prior experience we will fill that one under "unbelievably difficult". In a year or two time, when you've got some experience, it becomes much more doable. In terms of how hard is networking compared to other game programming... depends on the level of difficulty again... a high score server... meh. Real time 16 player FPS peer to peer... much more difficult.

As to learning how to create 3D Models, I just finished the perfect tutorial series for you. It uses the freely available Blender 3D package and teaches you how to use the modelling tools and assumes you have zero prior experience.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Selection and Navigation

Part 3: Introduction to 3D modelling

Part 4: Modelling Operations

Part 5: Quick reference

Hi,

Questions:

1. What sort of compiler/program should I be using? I've gone through some posts and some people are suggesting C# and Unity? Language most skilled and liked by you is first decision. Choose engine which uses that, as second decision (almost all are good).

2. Where can I find such things on the internet? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_game_engines

3. Is there anything else I should be looking into? Get involved in the community websites surrounding your game engine of choice.

4. How hard is it to achieve multiplayer gaming? It is doable for a single person developer but typically the successful, profitable developers have teams of designers, programmers, and artists. How hard? For a single person developer it is anywhere from hard to very hard depending on programming language skills.

5. If I am game oriented, and want a good guide that involves some starter tutorials, where would I look? Same answer as my #3 above here.

6. How do I select an engine (as I'm obviously not ready to do my own). How does the engine fit into the big picture, and how do I incorporate it into the project? These things vary widely among engines. Simply, step by step to answer all of these, you explore that mountain step by step.