C++

If I aspire in making games, is C++ the way to go?  It just confuses me to see how much it supposedly sucks, and then gets used left and right in the gaming industry.

Also, since /prog/ apparently hates IDE's, and I somewhat agree since the last time I tried using one I got some bloated, shiny, gradient filled abomination, what DO I use?  I tried CodeBlocks after my last encounter, and it looked good in comparison.  What says anon? Acceptable, or kick CodeBlocks to the curb, and start anew?  Note that a code filled notepad the size of godzilla does not look too good.  But hey, what do I know.

>>3 if I wanted some generic 3D MMO or something, I'd have to go C++.

Sort of. The barrier to entry would be lower with C++, since there are many game engines you could use as-is. Other languages might require writing your own interface to an existing engine, or writing your own. Plus, if you were looking to work with others, you would probably have an easier time finding C++ programmers who want to make 3d games than finding programmers for some other language.

what if it was some simple text-ish game with pictures here and there, akin to visual novels?

Anything.

By which I mean, literally, anything. If you're thinking of interactive fiction, there are languages designed especially for it. I can't recall whether any of them support displaying images. This might require hacking together your own game engine.

But if IF is what you're thinking of doing, take a gander at
http://www.lisperati.com/casting.html
for an intro to how you might do it. Also see the ports to  Ruby, Haskell, and Turkish.