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

All Pokemon Legends: Z-A Metal Coat locations
By Joel Franey published
Guide Here's how to get a Metal Coat in Pokemon ZA for your Steelix and more

All Flabebe color locations in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The five Flabebe colours – blue, white, red, yellow and orange – are found around Pokemon ZA

Full Pokemon Legends: Z-A map and all locations
By Catherine Lewis last updated
Guide The full Lumiose City map for Pokemon ZA is here, as well as maps for the Lumiose Sewers

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Alpha Dratini location
By Joel Franey published
Guide Alpha Dratini can be evolved in Dragonite, so here's where to find it in Pokemon ZA

How to find and evolve Alpha Riolu in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
By Joel Franey published
Guide Alpha Riolu in Pokemon ZA are found on a rooftop, and evolved to Lucario through friendship

All Pokemon Legends: Z-A Canari quiz answers
By Joel Franey published
Guide Canari in Pokemon ZA asks her fans (and you) a series of quiz questions

All Pokemon Legends: Z-A ranked rewards
By Joel Franey published
Guide Ranked rewards for Pokemon ZA vary depending on when you play

How to find the Yoga Master in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
By Joel Franey published
Guide Guidance from a Yoga Master is a riddle side quest in Pokemon ZA

How to get past all Pokemon Legends: Z-A obstacles
By Catherine Lewis published
Guide Here's how to get rid of boulders, brambles, purple sludge, ice, and webs in Pokemon ZA

Does Pokemon Legends: Z-A have breeding or Eggs?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Pokemon ZA does not have a Pokemon Breeder, and no Eggs

How to use the Battlefield 6 Range Finder
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The sniper rifle range finder in BF6 automatically zeroes your scope to the correct distance

The ultimate Pokemon Legends: Z-A guide for newcomers to Lumiose City
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Pokemon Legends Z-A is out now, and everything you need to know is here

All Battlefield 6 game modes you can play now
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide There are lots of game modes in Battlefield 6 spread across many playlists, catering to a range of objective types

Best Battlefield 6 Recon class loadout and best guns
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best BF6 Recon loadout and build right now is a sniper-focused one

Best Battlefield 6 Assault class loadout and guns
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Assault loadout in BF6 is based around mid-to-close range combat and speed

How to repair vehicles in Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide To fix tanks, planes and helicopters in BF6 all you need is a Repair Tool

How to get a Jet or Helicopter in Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can get helicopters and jets at your HQ in BF6 but only in large game modes and maps

How to revive in Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Reviving and healing in BF6 involves a new drag drag mechanic

Best weapons in Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best gun in BF6 is undoubtedly the M87A1 Shotgun, at least until it's inevitably patched

Best Battlefield 6 Training Paths and how to unlock them
By Joel Franey published
Guide Training Paths in BF6 are variant subclasses that provide different perks during multiplayer

How long is Battlefield 6? Campaign length and time to beat explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide The BF6 story mode is very short, but multiplayer has no time limit

How to unlock Class Challenges and Assignments in Battlefield 6
By Joel Franey published
Guide Class Assignments and Challenges in BF6, like Assignment Assault, aren't unlocked until you progress far enough into the game

Battlefield 6 review: "More refined than innovative, this FPS is on target with multiplayer even if its campaign is just a big shrug"
By Joel Franey published
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