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Ummm ok.....
My real advice, would be to learn how to program. Then learn how to make 2d graphics, study a couple years of math, then learn a 3d software package.
- Splat
3d games require a lot more prep work getting things together, in the right formats, etc, and getting gameplay into it can be significantly harder too, as controls can be difficult to make work realistically, to make it involving.
-Geoff
3D realtime graphics are far too involved for a beginner programmer. Lots of overhead, advanced math, tricky speed problems, optimization, storage formats, utilities, and finally gameplay. Whereas 2D is just blitting. And blitting. Then gameplay.
- Splat
To goof around with games, you should check out the MOD scene. It's basically people using level editors to design new levels for pre-existing games with level editors. Very little programming at all.
Obviously, this site is programming-centric(is that a word?), but I think anyone who's been around a while has used Game Construction Kits/ level editors to make goofy little games that never saw the light of day. It does take years to get pure at programming, at least with level editors you get a chance to see if you're really interested in building games without investing those years. They also give you a good sense of how professional games are set up and make you think about what you would need to program to get anything done.
There's also probably more job openings in design these days too