It's different than the average tactics game i'll tell you that, but if I tell you why then it gives away what makes it original, and since i can't make it right away I won't be telling you what it is right now.
I guess I can respect that. I whatever is is could still be done in Flash (though probably scaled back). But whatev, if you wanna target the 360 then there's nothing wrong with that.
I'm learning how to do c++ and 3D graphics and stuff in college. My 3D knowledge is very limited, and my c++ is basic at the moment.
I've been to college, I have a degree in Computer Science (minor Math). I don't think college is going to be quite as helpful as you think. Don't get me wrong, you'll learn a thing or two no matter what your experience is currently, but ultimately it's just a process for getting a piece of paper. Chances are you won't be learning C++ or touching DirectX in school minus an optional class or two which still won't teach you close to what you'll need to know.
Learn to do this stuff yourself, and learn to do it well, and start figuring it out as soon as you have the time to. Even if you DO come across it later on in school, it'll be a snap since you've already got it down.
Plus, XNA uses c#.
And being able to make a live arcade game costs $99/year. That's why I chose that platform. It's a good way to get known without needing to get lucky with the licensing thing. Cause I can make it first.
There's a difference between the Creators Club (the $99 thing you speak of) and XBLA. In the past *(and my knowledge only extended thus far before my previous post) XBLA games were written using C++, XDK/DirectX, the programmable pipeline ONLY, etc. You submit a demo, which can be done in whatever language... absolutely does not matter. If MS is impressed by the game, you sign lots of stuff and get a devkit on loan to develop the game.
* As it turns out, there was a keynote in late Feb. in which it was said that XNA would soon be supported on XBLA. I'm not sure what the status of this is currently, but if this did go off without a hitch, then C# and XNA games could be translated to the 360 platform much more easily. Still, this is the 'new thing' not the de facto standard--that's C++/XDK/DX.
@Decade
http://www.microsoftcasualgames.msn.com/
developers_xla.htm
There's lots of info out there... keep looking.