Joel Franey got his Bachelors in Creative Writing and Games Design from Brunel University in 2017, before going on to do a Masters in Creative and Critical Writing from Sussex University. During this time he also worked freelance in various gaming-related roles and professions, including design, PR, reviews and features, before eventually joining the guides team at USgamer and ReedPop in 2019. Since then, he has written professionally for numerous publications, including Gfinity Esports, Eurogamer, VG247, Dicebreaker, RPS, Jelly Deals and more. These have involved, among other things, writing guides, news, features, reviews, and even working as an SEO consultant, restructuring and rewriting content for the purpose of increased online traffic. He eventually joined GamesRadar+ as a Guides Writer in 2021, with a focus on covering single player games and narrative games, though nonetheless regularly contributing to ongoing coverage of online gaming services and multiplayer properties, and has covered a variety of major AAA games in his time since then. In his spare time he is also a long-time fiction writer, having written books, screenplays and more besides in a variety of genres, and is the co-host and co-creator of the pop culture comedy podcast, "Margaret Thatcher, Templar Spy".
Latest articles by Joel Franey

Nioh 3 release times and dates for PC and PS5
By Joel Franey published
Guide Nioh 3 is out at different times, depending on whether you play on PS5 or PC

Where to get Prickly Pears in Arc Raiders
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Prickly Pears in Arc Raiders are found in several location in the Dam Battlegrounds and Buried City

Arc Raiders' Bird City map modifier explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The new map modifier for Arc Raiders adds birds to the Buried City

Where to find Geiger Counters in Arc Raiders
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Geiger Counter in Arc Raiders is found only in Stella Montis. If you're lucky

All Silksong Needle upgrades and Pale Oil locations
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide There are four weapon and needle upgrades in Silksong, three of which require Pale Oil

Arc Raiders Movie Night quest walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide In Movie Night players need to find a Stack of Movie Tapes and a Portable TV

Fable's black and white morality has been a dead weight since 2010 and I'm glad it's getting cut
By Joel Franey published
Opinion | Playground's Fable dropping the karma meter is the smartest thing it can do

Arc Raiders Combat Recon guide and walkthrough
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Combat Recon quest in Arc Raiders has you explore the Buried City and kill Spotters

Full walkthrough and guide for the Arc Raiders On Deaf Ears quest
By Joel Franey published
Guide On Deaf Ears has you explore Stella Montis to find information

Arc Raiders The League quest walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide Arc Raiders The League quest walkthrough and guide

How to get Arc Raiders Collectible Rubber Ducks
By Joel Franey published
Guide Arc Raiders has added collectible, unique Rubber Ducks as part of Bird City

Everything in Arc Raiders' Escalation and 2026 Roadmap
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Escalation roadmap in Arc Raiders covers everything coming in January, February, March and April 2026

Everything we know about Arc Raiders Toxic Swamps
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Toxic Swamp map event in Arc Raiders isn't out yet, but it should have been by now

How to stop your Cultists freezing in Woolhaven Winters
By Joel Franey published
Guide Winter can freeze your cultists in Cult of the Lamb, so you need to know how to warm them up

Should you Embrace the Rot or Purge the Rot in Woolhaven?
By Joel Franey published
Guide After burying the last wool in Woolhaven, you must choose whether to Purge or Embrace the Rot

How to get Rotburn in Cult of the Lamb Woolhaven
By Joel Franey published
Guide Rotburn in Woolhaven is a new resource used for the Furnace and more besides

How to start the Cult of the Lamb Woolhaven DLC
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Woolhaven DLC is triggered through a statue in your base

Where to find Aza and Keru in Cult of the Lamb Woolhaven
By Joel Franey published
Guide Aza and Keru play Hide and Seek with you in Woolhaven, hiding in different locations

How to build a Snowlamb in Cult of the Lamb Woolhaven
By Joel Franey published
Guide A Snowlamb in Woolhaven is made during winter on specific snow piles

How to escape Fort Joy in Divinity Original Sin 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide There are multiple ways to escape Fort Joy and the Magisters on the Island of Reaper's Eye

How to get Nebora to remove your collar in Divinity Original Sin 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide Nebora in DOS2 will only get rid of your Source Collar if you're the Arena Champion, as part of the Blacksmith's Collar Removal Service

Best Divinity Original Sin 2 Red Prince build
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Red Prince in DOS2 is best suited to fiery builds, either arcane or aggressive

Persuasion in Divinity Original Sin 2 explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Dialogue in DOS2 centres around the Persuasion stat, as well as other attributes
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