Personally I would direct you to Interactive Fiction engines. They sound like more of what you're looking for.

It doesn't sound like you really want or need to learn to program properly if you're just trying to create some fairly simple games, so I'd suggest an authorware package such as Construct 2 or Game Maker, which allow you to create games using visual editors and simplified scripting languages rather than having to go through the full process of programming from scratch. Some people think of these packages as kids toys or something that can't be used for serious development, but they have been used for commercially successful indie and hobbyist games in the past and there's no real reason you couldn't do the same.

However, if you really want to program I'd suggest a simple language and library such as Lua/Love2d. Lua is commonly used as a scripting language even in professional development, and is a very approachable but capable language.

I'd suggest you stay away from C++ -- it's the language of choice for high-budget AAA development, but it's a lot more complex than your other options without offering you significant advantages for simple games.

Hope that helps!

I am wanting to develop my first game to not be 3D, but a 2D, hand-painted, point and click story driven game.

You should check out Adventure Game Studio. It's designed specifically for point-and-click adventure games. AGD Interactive useds it to make their Sierra remake games.

From what little I've worked with it, it doesn't seem to be too advanced, so even a beginner programmer should be able to manage it by going through the tutorials.

Good Luck and have fun!

Programming is essential for anyone getting to making games

That isn't necessarily true -- there are a growing number of packages that allow you to create games using visual editors and simplified scripting systems, and they're becoming more and more capable of producing good quality games that are able to be sold. You won't be able to make commercial AAA-quality games this way, but you can definitely make great games that match the quality produced by indie and even professional mobile or browser-game developers. In point #2 of my post on "4 reasons you aren't a successful indie developer" I list a number of commercially successful indie games created with Game Maker and similar tools, and there are actually quite a few more examples.

Programming is a great way to make games, and for certain types of games and target platforms it can be your only reasonable option -- but it isn't for everyone, and there are capable alternatives out there that are getting better all the time.

Pre-emptive nitpick: Yes, in the majority of these systems the visual logic editors or simplified scripting systems used are technically still programming, but they're a lot more approachable and less intimidating for those who are less inclined to program, and usually don't involve the same process of learning sometimes arcane syntax and having to type and test large sections of code.

BadChopSuey - What a great name for a cartoonish 2D game. After Re-Reading your original post, you could either go this way (<) or that way (>) . Many great games were developed by people whom never new how to program a computer or even new what a computer was ( or Will Be ).

Palor games, RPGs, and many table family games were designed, tested and sold way before Bill Gates or Steve Jobs became household games.

My suggestion would be to go ahead, as you are, and develop your game, do your art work, sit at your table and play your game, several times over. Once your satisfied that everything works as intended and all of your rules are in place, then find someone to help put that game into a marketable media, such as a computer program format.

At that time it would be advisable, no matter what your age is, to pick up a simple book such as "Game Programming for Teens". A book like this, will not only begin to teach a simple language to learn, but also outline the steps and processes on how to assemble a computer game. A book such as this, Assisted me in understanding more about graphics, further re-enforced game structure and provided enough tips to turn a few lights on in the cranium dome.

Your rules on how your game works, the order it must follow is the basis needed to provide your game programmer with a guideline to develop the structure and sub-routines in a computer program.

Good Luck and Press on.