GMing first ever game tonight, and we're all totally new to this kind of game in general. (I've played some Warhammer but that's the extent of our groups experience).

Question on dice: Does a tie count as failure? Example if PC roles 1 success and one failure, does that count as a failure?

It means that you have no successes, which in most cases will mean that the attempt fails. You still benefit from any advantages and/or Triumph effects on a failure, so it's not necessarily a complete loss.

You don't have any failures either, which for some situations (a "take damage equal to the number of failures" resilience check, for example) means you aren't actually any worse off.

Stethoscope Nunchucks,

You read the rules correctly.

0 Successes means you do not succeed.

Thanks!

Session went great, and everyone is eager for more.

Awesome! Good job!