[Maleficus]

I started out with regular old BASIC a LONG, LONG time ago. Then Qbasic, then C.

I wouldn't recommend just jumping into C++ - its very complex and difficult to understand if you've never programmed before. Start with something simple, like Qbasic or C to just get your feet wet.

Making mods isn't easy - and everyone here is probably self-taught. It will probably be a good year or two before you will actually be able to produce a full blown mod. If I were you I'd focus on what your good at: are you a good artist? Then leard art programs. Better at game logic or AI - then be a programmer. I wouldn't mix too many things at first - it will just overwhelm and discourage you (making a mod is a LOT of hard work!).

One really easy way to learn how to mod a game is to get Quake 1 and play around with QuakeC. Its not real C, its more of a subset, but its a really easy and fun way to learn the basics, while at the same time, modding a well known game that has loads of tutorials and community support. And you don't need any fancy tools if cash is short, because id software and the community provide them all (compiler with source/various IDEs/model editors/texture editors/map editors/etc).

I've known many modders who got their start with Quake - even learned how to program/map/model/texture/etc by using Quake. Give it a shot if your interested. It may be old, but its very flexible, and its the daddy of all the 3D shooters you play today.