Frehls said:
I've been looking at C++ tutorials lately, and want to actually create simpler games (I want to be a game designer/developer, but be able to fall back on programming should that not happen).
While it's good to have high plans like game design, no company will hire someone who doesn't have extensive experience in programming, animation, or aome other game-related field. Valve (to list one example) expects designers to have 3 years minimum experience in the game industry, which means three years of being a code monkey or of doing artwork and modeling.
Even at a newer game companny like Riot, whose standards are a bit lower, if they had to choose between the candidate with X years of programming experience over the guy fresh out of college with a B.A. in history (that would be me) they're going to choose the programmer.
My personal recomendation is to start learning C++, and to start taking it very seriously. Once you learn how much effort it takes to do as simple a task as render a window, you'll understand why programming is such a valued asset. I never had the dedication to learn programming, so I never really learned it well. My expertise ends at creating a very simple Minecraft mod.
Also, go to college and major in computer science or a related field. You might consider going to a school that focuses on game development like Digipen, and while that wouldn't be a bad option, most developers would prefer to see a place like UCLA or Penn State or BYU or some other decently prestigious university on your resume.
I hope I haven't discouraged you. I used to have similar dreams of working in the game industry (and I might still work in it as a lawyer once I get my JD), but lack of real dedication is what stopped me. You need to be fully aware of what you will need to do and learn in order to succeed in this industry. And you definitely can do it, but cool ideas alone won't get you there. You'll have to have the skills and experience to back them up.
Best of luck to you, and maybe we'll cross paths some day. I'll be in your legal department suing people.