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 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

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

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

Battlefield 6 game server queue and error codes explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide BF6 error codes and sever queues can stop you playing but there are fixes to get thing moving again

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
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