I've written C++ code that compiles without modification on Mac/Linux/Windows, so no, it's not absurd.
I wasn't suggesting it couldn't be done. I was suggesting it would be less time consuming writing separate versions for the platforms, so you don't have to work out problems between libstdc, Microsofts Standard C library, Borlands Standard C Library, and Metrowerks' Standard C Library. I do know they (C++ & C#) are virtually a must-know for almost every (good) game programming job advert that i have ever seen.
I suppose it depends on how you define a "good" job. These days almost everyone uses a 3rd party engine to drive the game (Gamebryo, Unreal 3, whatever) and the need to have dedicated C++ developers has almost been eliminated. In a 30 man team, you'll be lucky to spot 1 full-time C++ programmer. Most will be Python/Lua programmers building the game, or C# programmers, building the necessary tools. i am not insecure - but do you know how the publishers think of it?
Publishers are in the business of making money, not promoting religion. I code in C/C++ as a Game Programmer at A2M.
Good for you. I can assure you, you're in the minority. Also, before you argue that you said "usually" and that my place is different than most, I know people that work at Ubisoft and others that work at EA, and it is done the same way as us.
Really? Well I know several companies who do nothing but console ports. That's why the intro screens for different versions of games like (say) Marvel Ultimate Alliance are different from platform to platform. So I think I can say with absolute certainty that Activision/Raven Software don't do it that way. I'm also fairly sure that the PC/Console versions of The Sims, aren't cross compiled, being technically different games with the same title. Silentdreams has problems to find a publisher for this :
The tasks "finding a publisher" and "making a godd game" and entirely different. The assumption that a publisher will automatically pick up a game because it's written in C++ is equally absurd. It's a sales process, and typically takes 6 months from contact to contract - and engineer types are notoriously bad at it.