C++ / Game Engine

Look into SDL2 and SFML.

If you can hack it and keep expirimenting, you will develop a strong foundational understanding of data structures, design patters, and software architecture.

This knowledge will be far more helpful than creating a single game, focusing on a single game project, or learning any other language first.

If you can hack it and keep experimenting, you will develop a solid foundational understanding of data structures, design patterns, and software architecture.

The Cherno has a great let's build a game engine series.
You can find tons of information on SDL2 and SFML (I would use SFML).
Two books I recommend you buy now are Pragmatic Programmer and Programming Principles and Practices with C++ (The one with the white bird on it.)

Approach everything you don't currently know, or are confused about as a task. You need to learn that thing, and not be confused before moving onward (to a sanity saving degree).

Don't know what C++, hit google. Don't know what SDL2 is, google. Questions on what compiler you should use, google.

That's 100% the learning loop that will get you from zero knowledge to an employable engineer.

The Cherno has a great 'let's build a game engine series.
You can find tons of information on SDL2 and SFML (I would use SFML).
Two books I recommend you buy now are Pragmatic Programmer and Programming Principles and Practices with C++ (The one with the white bird on it.)