<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazedloon @ Dec 30 2006, 11:30 AM) [snapback]272813[/snapback]</div>
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Exactly! The days of one man having an idea and doing a whole game programming project from start to finish are long gone (they did exist, but mainly during the 80s).
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This is more alive than you think. Scratchware and independent developers are where good games come from, especially for the PC. Ever heard of Darwinia? If you don't work for EA, chances are you're a team of about 3 guys pounding out a wonderful game in less time for less money. I personally make games and the only reason I'm not publishing them yet is because I'm in my senior year of college in Physics (then on to grad school), not Computer Science or Game Development, and I don't have the time.
It took me from knowing absolutely nothing about programming about two months to learn how to make and then make a functional game using C++ and SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer), and this was during a full-time job!
For those looking to jump into game development, I offer this:
C++ is the current standard for professional game development.
As was said before, the first language you learn is the hardest regardless of the choice. Java is like an easy version of C++, but doesn't have the hundreds of thousands of libraries out there that exist for C++. You can make basic games without even using pointers if they scare you.
C++ can be learned on your own (I even wrote a great tutorial, if you'd like that).
SDL is a fantastic way to get 2D graphics into your games. It's by far the simplest I've seen and offers full power, cross-platform support, as well as linking well with OpenGL for when you want to do 3D.
C++ syntax is not a problem when you get used to it. It's the same syntax Java uses and the similarities between C++ and every other language are significant. That's kinda what's indicated by calling it a language. It's mostly just different words and sentence structure.
Trust me, I've learned C, C++, Java, Scheme, and Perl (and Physics is my thing!), but if you're serious about making a start in game development and you don't want to sacrifice parts of your idea just to make it possible in those specialized game design programs, then talk to me about C++.