What language should an aspiring programmer learn first?

[Robert Stickney]

Druppy wrote:

> I work at Sony Online Entertainment as a Senior Programmer on the game 
> EverQuest II (http://www.everquest2.com)
> There are plenty of people here at SOE (local in SD) that I am sure 
> would be happy to chat with him, if he was interested.  We have about 3 
> or 4 KPLUGers that work here in various capacities.
> 
> The first question would be what aspect of game development is he 
> interested in?  (I am going to stay away from web-based games and stick 
> to traditional MMO / FPS games in the following section).  Options 
> include: Programming Server (strong C/C++ skills would be required), 
> Programming Graphics (DirectX, OpenGL, mathematics), Design Scripting 
> (Lua is a good one to start with a lot of games use it), Design 
> Mechanics (Strong mathematics skills with some C or C++ if he wants to 
> get into both Design and Implementation), Design Quests (english lit, 
> creative writing), Design Lore (creative writing, history).
> 
> Those are just some of the options off the top of my head.  Feel free to 
> contact me directly nszots at soe.sony.com if he has specific questions or 
> would like quick tour.
> 
> Best,
> ~N

Thanks, great info. He will be e-mailing you shortly with a bunch of 
questions, if he hasn't already done so.

-Robert