The answer to your question depends on where you are starting from. What programming do you know already? (And, it's ok to say you are starting from the beginning!).

If you have a good knowledge of C++, and know how to create, build, and debug a program in Visual Studio you should be good.

That's still kind of a vague question, it's hard to know what can help you without a thorough knowledge of what you already understand, really the best thing you can do is practice.

Knowing C++ is one thing, but being able to use it is another. I would say the absolute best thing that helped me was utilizing my knowledge and pushing it to the limits, new data structures, faster algorithms, more efficient memory usage, etc.

My advice is this, pick a major project, most textbooks will have you working on small little console projects like casino machine games, sooner or later though you will need to push yourself to learn the intricacies of a game engine and how to efficiently connect the various systems that make it up. GCC is an amazing learning tool, and after you have mastered each chapter I am sure you will have a different perspective on how games are made.

The interesting thing about programming and especially game programming is that you are constantly upgrading your perspective on how best to program your software, I have been programming C++ for 8 years now since the beginning of high school, and only recently have I finished my engine and begun working on a game that feels good to program on. This came from alot of changing and re-factoring of how I saw the pieces of the puzzles coming together, and still to this day I am constantly drilling Rez and Mike for there expertise when I get stuck.

So in summary,
- Start a project (I would suggest a simple engine)
- Start to plan a game in your head in the process
- Make up a document on your idea
- By the time your Engine is usable, you will have a good solid game idea
- Use your engine to make a game
- Lather, Rinse, repeat

Yes I was the one who recommended it to you in your DirectX topic, it is a really good resource for learning C++ and Direct3D, it is gives you a ton of info.

This book is entirely about game engine programming, and also has a chapter on how to use the game engine you make, my engine is probably 60% of the GCC architecture with my own stuff thrown in here and there, it is a good system to use and has alot of benefits.

All of that info should be on the website, it really depends what you buy. I know the 99$ package doesnt come with hard copies of the material or teacher hours.

You can buy courses at around 100-200$ each which includes the hard copies and I think 20 hours of instructor time dedicated specifically for you alone, this is really handy to have someone who is directly at your disposal to answer questions for an entire hour.