c++ how long ?

http://www.gamedev.net might prove useful. Also, you don't really need to start with another language. Some say it's easier if you know another language already, especially as C++ is so "tricky", but honestly, I find it quite obvious that programming would be easier if you already know the basic thinking behind the whole thing.

I'd go for C++ at once without wasting my time on another language such as BASIC. While BASIC can still do a lot of useful things today, it's going to be really hard to find a job as a BASIC programmer. Blah.