Resources for Creating a C++ Game Using DirectX

To create the best desktop games, use Visual C++ and DirectX together.

Resources

Visual C++ is included in all editions of Visual Studio, but it's not installed by default. For information about how to install Visual Studio and the C++ development tools, see Install C++ support in Visual Studio.

For Windows 8.1 and later, the DirectX SDK is included in the Windows SDK. You don't have to download anything extra. For more information, see Where is the DirectX SDK?.

To create DirectX apps for Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, you can download the stand-alone DirectX SDK (Archive link).

DirectX Graphics and Gaming has information and samples to help you get started with DirectX programming.
Developing Games discusses Universal Windows Platform game development, but many of the concepts also apply to desktop games.