Microsoft has released a Free Game Development Kit called DARK for Visual Studio C++ 2008. This GDK will work with both the Professional and Express Versions of Visual C++. The Dark GDK will allow you to make 2D or 3D games, its up to your imagination. The video below will show you some demos (source included with the GDK download) and then will explain what you need to download to get started development with the DARK GDK.