Why not do Python? It has extremely simple syntax, is fairly powerful, and is entirely free.
And you can get Pygame (for 2D games) and Panda3d (for 3D games) entirely free.
The only problem is that Python is fairly slow, but I doubt an introductory programming class will really feel the consequences.
I'm in a class right now that's using Python... after using Blitz for a while I learned Python (at least the basics) in two weeks. I'm in a class right now for computer game programming (snooze) and that's what we use.
And you can get Pygame (for 2D games) and Panda3d (for 3D games) entirely free.
The only problem is that Python is fairly slow, but I doubt an introductory programming class will really feel the consequences.
I'm in a class right now that's using Python... after using Blitz for a while I learned Python (at least the basics) in two weeks. I'm in a class right now for computer game programming (snooze) and that's what we use.