Initially it may seem a tenuous link - games development and guitar playing but the two go perfectly hand in hand. Computer games need backing tracks and good backing tracks require musical talent. So when Kidderminster College student, Daniel Cox found, to his surprise, that he had an outlet for his musical passion, his Interactive Games Development course held no bounds!

Not only is Daniel now studying for a degree in Urban and Electronic Music at Southampton Solent University, but he is also pitching his talents against guitar virtuosos on Guitar Idol' - an on-line competition to find the world's best guitar talent.

20 year old Dan commented, "Surprisingly, it was whilst I was studying Interactive Games Development, that I found a brand new outlet for my musical talent .The course helped me musically to produce better quality backing tracks. I then went on to teach a couple of my course mates which helped me to surpass the creative block I had hit at the time."

Dan sees no future without his guitar and describes his music as his way of expressing himself and a way of life.' You can see and indeed vote for Dan's Guitar Idol submission at www.guitar-idol.co.uk . Whilst other contenders show off heavily solo influenced music, Dan has produced a track that takes you through his journey of learning metal, whilst incorporating a little bit of classical music and funky guitar riffs.'

Which just goes to show that it pays to follow the adage, focus on the journey and not just the destination', for who knows where it may take you? Learning certainly can open up unforeseen opportunities!