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

Grounded 2 Northern Scorpion locations, drops and strategies
By Joel Franey published
Guide Northern Scorpions in Grounded 2 are one of the game's most deadly enemies

How to repair vehicles in Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Fixing tanks, planes and helicopters in BF6, is done with the Repair Tool

Best Grounded 2 weapons and all unique weapon locations
By Joel Franey published
Guide There are numerous unique weapons in Grounded 2, but the best weapon isn't any of them: It's the Wolfbane Fangs.

Where to find and use the Frostbitten Key in Grounded 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Grounded 2 Frostbitten Key is in the Ice Cream Truck, as is the frozen, hidden chest you use it on

All Battlefield 6 game modes in the beta multiplayer and full launch
By Joel Franey published
Guide BF6 has four multiplayer game modes in the beta, and four more at launch

How to use the Battlefield 6 Range Finder
By Joel Franey published
Guide The sniper rifle range finder in BF6 is used for easy weapon zeroing

Battlefield 6 multiplayer is faster than ever, and while I'm having fun being a speedy soldier, it's playing against the shooter's most iconic feature
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | Enhanced speed is a fun thing, but is it worth sacrificing the strategic element of BF6?

Grounded 2 Red Soldier Ant Egg locations
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Red Soldier Ant Eggs in Grounded 2 are found in the Hatchery Anthill in The Snackbar Front Zone

All Fortnite new weapons, vaulted and unvaulted for Season 4 Shock 'N Awesome
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide Here's a list of all the new Fortnite weapons for Chapter 6 Season 4, themed around blasting bugs

Full Pokemon TCG Pocket Promo card list (August 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our list of Promo Cards for Pokemon TCGP includes those from Wisdom of Sea and Sky

Where to find the Lies of P refuge's address at 221b Elysion Boulevard
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to find Elysion Boulevard 221b in Lies of P with the letter photograph

All Lies of P stats and abilities explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide What should you level in Lies of P? We explain stats and abilities

What's the best combat style in Lies of P out of Cricket, Bastard, or Sweeper?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Which combat style and starting weapon to choose in Lies of P

Every Lies of P best build for all character types
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best builds in Lies of P's early game, for Technique, Motivity, and Advance.

Where to find the Grounded 2 Suitcase code and lock combination
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The suitcase on the Picnic Table in Grounded 2 needs a code found in two locations

Where to find Blueberries in Grounded 2 to get Blueberry Leather
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Blueberries in Grounded 2 are used for armor and certain structures

Where to find Grounded 2 Lingonberries and make Lingonberry Leather
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Lingonberries in Grounded 2 are in the Northern border of the map

Where to find Grass Seeds in Grounded 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can find Grounded 2 Grass Seeds everwhere if you know where to look

Where to find Acorns in Grounded 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Grounded 2 Acorns in are found in the South regions of the map

EA really wants you to know that Battlefield 6 is a "spiritual successor" to the "pinnacle" of the series, Battlefield 3 and 4: "We wanted to go modern"
By Issy van der Velde published
News Back to the good ol' days

I've played Battlefield 6 for an afternoon, and while it's a clear successor to Battlefield 3 and 4, I wish there was more destruction
By Joel Franey published
Preview Preview | It's a safe return to Battlefield's most beloved era, but can it bring down the house?

I spent 4 hours playing Battlefield 6 multiplayer and speaking with the creators, and here are my 10 biggest takeaways
By Joel Franey published
Feature Hands-on | Battlefield 6 is taking things back to the fundamentals: classes, combat, and lots of explosions

Can you play Elden Ring Nightreign solo?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Elden Ring Nightreign supports solo play but it's not easy, so you'll need to be prepared
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