If I started today, I'd probably start with Python. I can hack
   it just not write in it directly (mostly because I have nothing
   I need to program at the moment).

   I've had to recommend "starting languages" and I usually go with
   Python. It's powerful enough to handle whatever you throw at it
   and flexible enough to do whatever you like. There's also no
   need to go further unless you want because it _does_ do whatever
   you like.

   I feel bad for people who had to start with JAVA because they
   wanted to write Minecraft mods or whatever. It's not that Java
   is bad because it's not but it's a headache-in-a-box tongue
   emoticon [for me at least - I never mastered it or even came
   close]

   For me, I end up going back to BASIC-type (Imperiitive)
   languages to toss something together. Most of the time though, I
   just cobble together various apps/programs I want and figure out
   a sequence to follow in order to accomplish what I want.

   Then I write a batch file and walk away 'til it's done tongue
   emoticon but I don't write games. If I did, I'd probably be lazy
   and use one of the packages. If I want FPS, I'd use that thing
   they have on Steam for FPS. if i want RPG, I'd use some kind of
   RPG maker, etc.