Now that I've sent you in a billion different directions, let's get back to the basics. To make a game you need an idea, a way to put it all together, a way to create graphics, and a lot of time. If you're expecting immediate results, you'll probably only frustrate yourself.

Even if you choose the most point-and-click method of building your game, start learning the basic concepts of programming in the meantime. Get started however you want, but don't get too far ahead of yourself (try Basic and Java). The most important thing is to learn the concepts of programming and computer science - just because you know how to type cout << “hello world!”; doesn't mean you know what it's doing. Your initial focus should be on understanding programming through practice and study. Once you understand what you're doing, creating practical applications comes naturally.

If you're more into the illustration, 3D modeling, and animation side of game design, you're in luck, because free software is plentiful. Become a master modeler, and there may be a job for you in the future - just don't forget to draw. If by the time you finish college you have a reel of professional-quality 3D animations and environments, but you can barely manage to pen a stick figure, you're not a particularly well-rounded applicant.

Above: A model by Jiro Sugiyama rendered in Blender 

By providing links to some of the easier ways to create games (such as Game Maker), my hope is that you'll be able to jump in relatively quickly. Every small success will make the whole thing feel less intimidating, and before you know it you'll be coding mods with the best of them (modding is, by the way, a good way to get noticed by the industry). 

Whatever it is you're looking to learn, I guarantee there's a tutorial available on the internet. Hit up a used bookstore as well (technical books can be pricey, but they tend to litter the shelves of large used bookstores).

Oh yeah, and stay in school.

Jan 13, 2009