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 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

All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Mystery Gifts in Pokemon Z-A are available now, through different means

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

Is Fortnite down? And if so then how long is the Fortnite downtime?
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide What to know if you're seeing the dreaded "Fortnite servers not responding" error

The best Cyber Monday PS5 deals in 2025: what Sony savings we expect from this year's sale
By Tabitha Baker last updated
Deals We're rounding up all the biggest Cyber Monday PS5 deals you can expect during this year's sales.

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

All Battlefield 6 classes explained and the best ones to use
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide With BF6's class system, you get to choose between Assault, Engineer, Support, and Recon

Best Battlefield 6 Engineer class loadout and guns
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Vehicles can wreak havoc in Battlefield 6, so the best Engineer loadout can destroy them quickly

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 Support class loadout, guns, and medic build
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Battlefield 6's Support class is best played as a frontline medic using a carbine

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

Battlefield 6 game server queues and error codes explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide You can't access the BF6 while queues are full, and will have to wait in the queue

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
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