The Beginning

My first post... oh the potential!  I can't wait to get started!  I am here for one purpose - to provide those in need with the information they desire to begin the AMAZING track of becomming a game programmer.  The road is a fun one for sure, but can be confusing at times... dark at times... and without someone there to guide you, its a mess.  Let me give you a little bit of my background:

I'll first say, I am not a "professional", as I have not yet passed into the professional world of game creation.  I am still a student.  I have, however, had excellent guidance - guidance too incredible to selfishly keep to myself.  I was a part of the ISM ( Independent Study and Mentorship ) program for my high school back in Frisco, Texas.  This program gave its 20 or so students the academic freedom to explore the topics that interested them and to gain a mentor from that o-so-scary "real world".  

Through an incredible string of connections, I was honored by having a man by the name of Squirrel Eiserloh, the technical director of Mumbo Jumbo Inc., become my personal mentor.  He took me from learning to open a new file to creating my own ascii rpg, from learning file input and output to using a professional engine (made by him personally) to develop 2d and 3d games.  I am now developing games at the University of North Texas, competing in the ACM programming competition, and realizing just how much I have to share with you all!