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

How to get a free loadout in Arc Raiders
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide A free loadout is very useful in risky areas, or if you're lacking equipment

Can you revive enemies and dead teammates in Arc Raiders?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Reviving allies and enemies requires a certain item, but once they're dead - they're dead

How to open the Hidden Bunker in Arc Raiders
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Hidden Bunker in Spaceport has 4 antennas at different locations

Electromagnetic Storms in Arc Raiders explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Electromagnetic storms in Arc Raiders are weather phenomena that reduce your exit options

How to complete A First Foothold in Arc Raiders
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Arc Raiders First Foothold mission is about finding four locations in The Blue Gate map

"I have to kill them before they kill me": In just one week, Arc Raiders has ruined my ability to trust, and the killer robots aren't even the problem
By Joel Franey published
Now Playing Now Playing | Arc Raiders is great, less so the people who play it – and now that includes me.

How to get Diancie in Pokemon Legends: Z-A and start the Shine Bright Like a Gemstone mission
By Joel Franey published
Guide To get mystery gift Diancie in Pokemon ZA, you need to head to the Looker Bureau

How to get a Battlefield Redsec Custom Loadout
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can call in your favorite loadout with Custom Weapon Drops in Redsec

10 Redsec tips and tricks to help you in the battlefield
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Redsec, the new Battle Royale for Battlefield 6, is made easier with these tips

Do Battlefield 6 and Redsec Battle Royale have shared progression?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Good news, you get to keep your unlocked progress in Redsec from BF6?

Is Battlefield Redsec free to play?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The new Battlefield 6 Redsec BR mode is indeed

How to get a Pokemon Legends: Z-A Alpha Gogoat
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Pokemon ZA Alpha Gogoat is sized XL, and needed for Side Quest 63

All Mecha Break codes (November 2025) and how to redeem them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Redeeming codes in Mecha Break lets you earn in-game rewards

Pokemon Legends Z-A Occa Berry locations
By Joel Franey published
Guide Occa Berries in Pokemon ZA protect Pokemon from fire attacks

How to learn Psycho Cut in Pokemon Legends Z-A
By Joel Franey published
Guide Psycho Cut is needed for Side Mission 87, and many Pokemon in ZA can learn it – though not Absol

Do Battlefield 6 and Redsec have skill-based matchmaking?
By Joel Franey published
Guide BF6 and Redsec do appear to have skill based matchmaking, according to a comment made to CharlieIntel

Best Sniper Rifles for Redsec and Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best Sniper Rifle in Redsec is the M2010 ESR, with few that can match it.

Best DMRs for Redsec and Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best DMRs and marksman rifles are the SVK-8.6 and the SVDM, for different reasons

Best Assault Rifles for Redsec and Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey published
Guide Assault Rifles like the Kord are a favorite in the Redsec and BF6 meta

Best Battlefield Redsec weapons and meta tier list (Nov 2025)
By Joel Franey published
Guide The best guns in the Redsec meta are the Kord and M2010 ESR

All Secret Missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket (Updated for Mega Rising)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Every secret mission in PTCGP is here, including those from Mega Rising

Full Redsec map and all locations in the Battlefield Battle Royale
By Joel Franey published
Guide The full Fort Lyndon map for Redsec is here with a list of locations and POI

Battlefield 6 Redsec Battle Royale release times and dates
By Joel Franey published
Guide BF6 Redsec, the upcoming BR mode, goes live October 28
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