OP, I'm a first party Sony game developer, so take that for what you will.
If you're looking at getting into game programming for the money, you're wasting your time. Game developers work extremely long hours during crunch times, you'll never last unless it's your true passion.
Also programming, and game development in general is hard AND completely different than just liking computers and games. Do you like to make mods in games? Do you like to do scripting with programs and in games? If so, you'd be a good game programmer. If you've never done that in your life, might as well forget it man. There are thousands of kids out there that have 10 x the passion. If it is your passion though, the money is good and you'll never worry about money and you'll live a comfortable life...when you aren't working that is. :P