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

Where to sell items in Starfield
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to sell things from your inventory and where to find vendors in Starfield

Starfield ending explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Everything you need to know about the ending of Starfield, including the Starborn, the Unity and more

Starfield New Game Plus explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Starfield New Game Plus, or NG+, carries over your skills and powers, while also providing a unique spaceship and space suit

Best Arc Raiders weapons and meta tier list (April 2026)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide All the best guns in Arc Raiders' meta are laid out here

All Arc Raiders High-Gain Antenna project materials and rewards
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's everything you need to complete the High-Gain Antenna project in Arc Raiders

How to follow Scanner Distortions in the Starfield Into the Unknown quest
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide

The Starfield temple and spinning rings puzzle explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Starfield puzzle in Into the Unknown isn't the easiest thing to solve

Starfield money glitches, farming credits, and how to get fast cash
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best ways to get more Starfield credits with cheats, hard work and more

How to join the Crimson Fleet Pirates in Starfield
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Starfield Crimson Fleet Pirate faction can be joined by going undercover

Should you protect the Lodge or go to the Eye in Starfield?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Should you protect the Lodge or the Eye from the Hunter in the High Price to Pay mission in Starfield?

Full Arc Raiders Loot Cheat Sheet with all items
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide A guide on where to find every item in Arc Raiders with our special loot cheat sheet

Sentinel Core locations in Arc Raiders
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Here's where to find Sentinel Cores in Arc Raiders

All Starfield Companions, where to find them and what they do
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide Starfield companions can accompany you on missions and fight alongside you

Assessors and Close Scrutiny in Arc Raiders explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Assessors in Arc Raiders are part of the Close Scrutiny map condition, with loot and threats galore

All Starfield traits and the best ones to pick
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide All Starfield character traits and the best ones you can pick

How to get Starfield powers and abilities
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to get powers in Starfield through the ancient temples, and all powers awaiting you out there

Which Starfield religion should you choose?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide When it comes to Enlightened versus Universal versus House Va'ruun in Starfield, which do you pick?

How to dock in Starfield and board other ships
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Knowing how to dock in Starfield allows you to capture other spaceships, loot them, and even steal them

How to perform Starfield grav jumps to travel between planets and systems
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide How to grav jump in your ship in Starfield and warp to locations like Kreet and Jemison

Where to find every city in Starfield
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We lay out every explorable city in Starfield, their locations, and what you'll find there

All Starfield skills and the best to unlock first
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide We explain all of the Starfield skills, advise you of the best ones to equip for your playstyle, and tell you how to level up

What to do with Starfield Contraband
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide It might be dangerous to get caught with Starfield Contraband, but it can also lead to lucrative business

Everything you need to know about building and customizing your ships in Starfield
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Everything you need to know about making Starfield spaceships
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