Game programming... Uhg.. Where to even start?

[Erlex]

Like the thread name implies, I do not even know where to start.
I have been programming in straight C for almost two months now and I really like it and I am good at it. But what I really would like to do is get on the path to learning how to program games. I set up the gaming library Allegro with my compiler to try and start with that, but I really can't see that going anywhere considering its so freaken old now. Can anyone point me in a good direction for starting programming games? I would like to hold off trying to learn C++ for as long as possible seeing as my next two ECE courses will be taught in C, but if its unavoidable to get anywhere I understand.

Thanks.

[bassmasta]

What are you looking to program for?

[Black Six]

Try Microsoft XNA Game Studio.

[Erlex]

What are you looking to program for?

Anything, to get started with at least.

[bassmasta]

Well, for something pretty cross-platform, you could try flash, or java. If you want to get into specific platforms (and possibly make some money), you could try XNA like Black Six recommended (.NET) or iPhone/iPad development (Objective C/Cocoa).

[collinE]

Java isn't a very good language. I'm taking it in school right now and while it's universal and can be used with a lot of stuff, I don't like it much.

but I'd recommend XNA or Objective C, as well.

[DeadReKiller]

I took a semester of Java also, and I suggest that you not even try java because it is:

A. Verbose. it takes more typed commands to get java to do stuff example this is Java's "Hello World":

class HelloWorldApp {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Hello World!"); // Display the string.
}

B. Not Powerful. Java restricts a lot of what you can do, unlike C which gives you a lot of freedom.

C. Forces Object Oriented Programing. OOP is programing in an unusual way so that you can reuse code better. most other languages don't force you to use it, but forces you to use OOP

My advice is to stick with C or jump ship and use C++. C++ is the "Gaming" Language, more games are made in it, and it is a lot like C, so you shouldn't feel "new" to it.

Also, I used to use Game Maker 7 basic. it does all of it's programing in a drag and drop GUI, so you don't need to learn a language to make it. Basic can make good 2d games easily, but you need to buy pro to make 3d games. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't have any experience in programing at all