If you're not looking to go into game development as a professional, as in, one day work for the big dev companies, then I suggest going with something like Unity/C#, as a big engine like that is much easier to learn and is complex enough for your needs. C++ is way too complicated for something other than AAA games, IMHO.

I am a complete noob to game development AND programming, but I have made several scenes that can be turned into complete AAA looking games with a bit better skill.

And as a noob, I think I can help. I have posted several links to some tutorials I made on programming. Just check my profile for them. And I also mention that I use the Maratis3D engine that uses the LUA programming language (easy to learn). It also uses C++ for coding for the engine itself (it is open source and free).

I do have a good understanding of all sides of game development simply because I have been into 3d modeling for quite a while. I stayed away from programming because people made it seem too difficult. Now It's like bread and butter to me after I sat down and gathered my thoughts on it and wrote a tutorial.

C++ really isn't complicated. It works like every other programming language. The thing that makes it look complicated is its syntax. The way C++ does things seems foreign when you are coming from something like Python or Lua where the syntax is more intuitive.

One reason big companies use C++ is because they are doing big time data management and they want things to run fast. C++ is fast. Think about all the data that Apple has to manage on their iPhones. Thus they use C++.

Not all programming languages serve the same purpose though. For instance, PHP is used for servers. Javascript is used for websites. You wouldn't use Javascript to run a server.

That was my old post. After reading one of your other posts, and re-reading this one. I have a suggestion you might like. I see you have a background in ultrasound physics (had to look that one up). I think you should use the knowledge of your background to do something.

Most games we play on ps3 xbox etc, have no real value. Mostly for entertainment. But there is so much opportunity in the gaming market for educational games.

If people made games where you have to perform a medical procedure on a patient or something like that, I would play it. These games could even be used for training in professional fields.

Programming doesn't even have to apply to games or basic software. You could even use programming to program a machine that has something to do with ultrasound physics. The programming part isn't all that hard. The math part is where most people loose out. You already have that.

Just a suggestion.