Don't Know Where To Go Next...
 

So, I just started my Freshman year in highschool last month, but have been working on learning C++ for the last two year. I've decided to teach myself how to program games because I can't take any game design or programming courses until my Junior year because I go to an online highschool and they require Computer Literacy 1 and in some cases Computer Literacy 2 to take any of their tech courses.

I bought a beginners book on C++ and after re-reading it several times, I understood everything except the chapter on Pointers (but that's another story). So now, I can make simple, text only games. I'm currently working on a beginning game development book on how to make 2 and 3D games, but have found it's kinda out of my league. If somebody could please tell me of any good websites/books that would help me learn more about C++ and possibly more about programming with it to make 2 and 3D games, that would be great.

PS: The book I'm currently working on is Beginning Game Programming, Third Edition, by Jonathan S. Harbour.

There is C++ for Game Programmers but doesn't really teach you how to make a game from start to finish. Learning how to use a graphics API or library would be a good next step.

Have a look at using SDL or SFML. Some tutorials for SDL can be found here: http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php

Okay, cool, thanks.

Okay, so now I have another (probably extremely stupid) question. My book that I'm (re) reading (for the fifth time) keeps mentioning getting a C++ primer in the intro. What, exactly, IS that, and how useful would it be for learning more basic C++?

In my opinion, whether you learn C++ or if you learn Python, the language doesn't matter as much as the logic and fundamentals of programming (i.e. logic, matrices, memory management). Learning a new syntax is just a two week adjustment for good programmers.

Rather than getting straight into C++, you should do a little research on what you really want in your future and what kind of games you want to make. I'm saying that because C++ is a lot to learn for an introductory language.

Primer is just another word for intro. It is basically saying that you should know C++ to a certain level before going through the rest of the book.

@Yaustar: Ah, okay, thanks.

@Jwong: Yeah, I've kinda noticed how in-depth it is lol. I'm considering going to BASIC, seeing as how I could do without all the symbols that drive me nuts. I made the mistake of diving headfirst into learning a language with about zero knowledge of what I was actually getting myself into. I've been very busy lately so I haven't had time to do research...will have to work on that sometime this weekend.

Thanks for the help guys.

First, go to the main topic you want to be discussed. Find friends out there including me.

Personally i'd recommend C# or Java over BASIC. If you're thinking of going into mainstream game programming your target language is probably going to be C++ and C# / Java are fairly similar to that. BASIC has quite a big syntax difference by comparirson. I started with basic myself and used it for years, but after programming in other languages I find it very difficult to switch back.