Start with what you enjoy ...

Some people (like myself) really enjoy puzzles and problem solving so learning a programming language is enjoyable, other people enjoy art and will find learning photoshop or maya/3d studio/xsi is fun, and other people enjoy building things so they would enjoy taking a world-editor for a game and creating levels.

Actually, contrary to what people are telling you, yes you can make a video game with minimal computer skills. There are two ideal pieces of software for you (ie these are great places to start):

First (most popular) is Game Maker 7. Many a folk in the same position as you have begun their game developing careers here. Also when you get more comfortable with it you can start to get more advanced with its integrated scripting language.
Link: http://www.yoyogames.com/make

Second is The Games Factory 2 / Multimedia Fusion 2. These use purely drag and drop event based system. It is in a different style than Game Maker 7 so some people may find this more comfortable. Start with The Games Factory 2 as Multimedia Fusion 2 is for when you become a bit more advanced.
Link: http://www.clickteam.com/eng/index.php

If you absolutely want to make games, don't let anyone tell you that you can't!

You can check out what kind of games were made using these engines at: http://db.tigsource.com/browse . Just change the engine dropdown to Game Maker or TGF/MMF. Maybe it will give you some extra motivation.

well... the thing about that, I'm more of a story maker. While I love building levels in level designer modes in games, I wish I could add a background that is interesting... I guess it's a reason why I've recently gotten interested in adventure games.

(indigo prophecy started it, even though it's story was mildly ridiculous)

strategy - What area of gaming would you like to focus on? There's many parts - programming and graphics/3d modeling require a bit of computer knowledge. Scripting is a little easier and is easier to pick up, LUA is a great scripting program. If you can get good with it, you can get into some good projects. If you're an artist, start with concept drawings and learn texturing (Photoshop). If you like modeling and animation, start with Milkshape 3D (free) and 3d World Studio. If you like level design, find a good FPS and use the level editor to make your own levels for the game. If you're a musician, work on making soundtrack stuff to set moods.
Once you got some skill going, head over to gamedev.net and talk with people working on projects. Finding a good or stable one is hard to find at times, but rewarding. =)

i'm starting out with this.

If you're interested in adventure games there is Adventure Games Studio. It has been used to make many highly regarded adventure games. You can also use the tigsource database to see those games. Here is a link to AGS: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/

Well, first I want to make a simple 2d atari 2600 looking game. Then, well, the sky is the limit. I've always liked videogames, looking at the boxes, playing them, hell, even buying them. I do like to write though, so I was hoping I could put my writing ideas in an interactive form.

To make a "real" game, you're going to need YEARS, first off start by getting a "Visual Basic for Dummies" type book - When you've worked through that, and tried some basic stuff out (not really game related). Try a "C+ for Dummies" type book...

From there you should have the basics of programming, and you will need to crack on with more advanced stuff...

...

Or...Take a computer science degree from a uni\home.

You can't just "make a game", to even suggest that you can make anything of any quality is downright riciculous.

I've had a little go years ago with those "even based" multimedia stuff, but they aren't "games". Although from reading your post that sounds more like what you're looking for maybe?

A sortof "if you click here" then X happens type thing, yeah? They can be fun (well I thought so when I was 13) but they are very limited, and you won't be making the next "Monkey Island" with them, well maybe 1 of the 1st ones with hundreds of hours of work ;)

Most of what you have written is bunkum.

Go to db.tigsource.com and check out the Game Maker 7 and MMF games. Tell me the highly rated ones aren't games and I'll slap you with a fish.

What you tell this man is rubbish. He is 16 at the prime age to start making games. It doesn't need to be as complicated as learning a programming language or even reading a "dummies" book. And you certainly do not need a degree. There are godly developers out there that use Game Maker 7. Guys that can make acclaimed games in a matter of hours ( http://www.cactus-soft.co.nr/ ).

Don't try to trample on what many have spent years of their lives doing, being creative and productive. And don't try to tell them they aren't making games either.

You really need some real background to work on games.

First learn the basics of computer structure. bits/bytes, Memory, binary operations, boolean logic, the stack and heap, Hexadecimal numbers, little and big-endian file formats, things like that.

Take the visual basic book and throw it out the window.

Start with C. Learn the basics of IO/Streams, Memory management, functions, pointers, data structures, design paradigms. Create a bunch of console tools and programs.

Move to C++. Learn about OOP: classes, polymorphism, inheritance, virtual functions, etc etc.

Form there you can move on to graphics API OpenGL or DirectX.

This is the Bare Minimum you will need for PROGRAMMING a game. From there I would suggest getting Blender and learn basics of 3D modeling, get the GiMP and do some texture creation, try to find some open source sound management/creation tools, etc etc etc.

As you can see, to really make a game you need quite a bit of background computer knowledge and education

While "Game Makers" are all well and good, and are a great way to learn design principles, to really have all the power you want to have the full control of the game design you really HAVE to learn how to program.

If you are just looking to poke around and have fun making games for you and your friends to play, the go for the Game Makers.  Honestly though, the basics are not hard to pick up on your own.