So I know i'm not really allowed to use images in game if I am not the creator and/or do not have permission from the creator but I was wondering, does this same rule apply if instead of actually putting the images in the game, I instead provide a link to the image without actually putting the image in the game? This is probably a noob question but I just wanted to know :)

Yes, it does. The image is the content owner's, and they get to say how it's distributed (the "right" to say how it's "copied"). It's not based on the particular transmission method. (Consider, for example, the difference between broadcasting a song over the radio vs downloading it to your phone and listening to it there. It's the same song, just arriving at the recipient differently. And still covered by copyright.)

The ONLY legally-safe way of using images:

1. create/use your own images
2. use images from sites that are expressely stated to the uploaders that their images will be for the public/everyone/anyone to use freely (there's a few such sites that exist out there on the net)

there is this legal right too, but it's very risky, as it's not easy to get it right (which would keep you safe) and/or you'd need the money for a very successful lawyer to prove it in court, if/when you're taken to court for it:

heavily modify someone else's image (assuming you're not breaking any laws in doing so) and/or add in your own unique design to someone else's image, so that it is un-mistakably your own unique creation/image/design.

Thanks for the info guys ^-^