C++ and DirectX
There is one area in which C++ still rules: 3D games. I don't suspect that we'll be seeing any 3D games being developed by VB programmers any time soon. 3D games are the cornerstone of current game development. With this in mind, you still need to use the most powerful language availableC++to keep up with the complex mathematical calculations needed. VB currently is just not up to the task.
Advantages of C++ Over VB
C++ outshines VB in a couple of key areas:
C++ has the advantage of offering features that are beneficial to the game programmer, including asynchronous file I/O, multithreading, and the ability to create Windows services.
C++ is faster than VB when it comes to complex 3D calculations. This speed advantage is necessary in graphics programming, since games are always pushing the boundaries of the hardware on which they're played.
DirectX is not available for other platforms. C++ is very portable. It's a real advantage to be able to port your game from one operating system to another without having to start from scratch.