Starting to program games for PC?

Question

I'm attempting to learn how to write games for a PC pretty much from the ground up and I need some help figuring out where to begin

What I want to know
-what parts of the game do I have to design first?
-What software is commonly used to aid in design?
-any other info I might need

thanks.

Edit: When I said "what parts should I design first?" I meant; "what parts should I create first?"

Answer 1

1) Everything. In fact, you should design the ENTIRE game, from the looks of each menu to the user interface (what every button does, what each control does) all the way to character's looks, description of AI, and so on. It's called the design document. Simple games can be described in a few pages. Complex games have book-length design documents.

2) Start with a word processor. Write the document first. More you design and refine, less you have to mess up later.