If it makes you feel any better, I was (am) a game-addicted kid who did indeed pick up Borland C++ and coded a graphical DOS version of hangman alongside my old

If it makes you feel any better, I was (am) a game-addicted kid who did indeed pick up Borland C++ and coded a graphical DOS version of hangman alongside my older brother when I was 12, and made a tank game with a map editor solo when I was comfortable with pointers before I was 14 — it hasn't made me a prodigal pioneer of computer programming or a wildly successful silicon valley C[E/T]O. While I do still enjoy coding/gamedev and earn a modest living from it, as a more evenly matured adult I have other interests that I care about just as much and keeps me occupied instead of poring over the latest and greatest in tech or gamedev. I guess what I'm saying is that being interested enough to become competent at a young age doesn't necessarily equate to becoming an industry-leading savant by age 34...nor is it a prerequisite. If you are passionate today, I bet you could still level up to the forefront of whatever niche you care about with enough commitment.