Gaming in C++

Here's the deal, /prog/. Over the winter break, I have decided I want to practice and expand my skills, and as such, design a small applet type game using C++. Now, i am fluent in C++, and MFC, but MFC wouldn't exactly be ideal for this. I fully intend for the game to be 2D Sprite based.

What should I look into, what should I use, and how should I go about things? I've heard openGL would work well, is there anything else I ought to remain cognizant of?

OP here. No, I don't care about language debates. Yes, I am looking to one day be employed by a PC game developer.

OpenGL I know I can pick up later, s'on my course roster even. At the moment I merely need something good, and something that can make my life easier. I do want to learn Direct3D though, I'd probably best save it for a later time. As simple as this project is, all I wish to do is become more comfortable using visual C++, and make something halfway worthwhile when I'm done. My main problem is having done little of it, I don't rightly know where or how to start, other than don't use MFC. I r nub.

>>25
Thanks. I just dismissed most of them as simple trolls. This is 4chan after all.