Joel Franey
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 12DOVE 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 the most rare cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The most rare cards in Pokemon TCGP are the gold Crown Pokemon

Pokemon TCG Pocket best cards tier list (April 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best PTCGP cards that you should chase are laid out in our tier list

Ranked rewards and matches in Pokemon TCG Pocket explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The PTCGP ranked matches have rewards and a competitive ladder (and bots)

Pokemon TCG Pocket best decks and meta tier list (April 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best PTCGP decks are ranked for the current meta now that Shining Revelry is live

A Simpsons Hit and Run Remake will probably never happen – and I don't want it to
By Joel Franey published
Opinion Opinion | Hit and Run's as good as it's ever going to be, and updating it risks upsetting a very delicate balance

How to get Costume Coins in Marvel Rivals' Pick Up Bundle
By Joel Franey published
Guide Costume Tokens in Marvel Rivals are unlocked through challenges in the Pick Up Bundle

How to use Scouts in Assassin's Creed Shadows and get them back
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide AC Shadows Scouts are limited at first but are used for all sorts of purposes, so you'll want to get more

Is Assassin's Creed Shadows on Game Pass?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Is AC Shadows on Xbox Game Pass and if not, will it be in the future?

Should you play Assassin's Creed Shadows Immersive Mode?
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide Immersive Mode in AC Shadows locks characters to speak in their native Japanese and Portuguese languages

How to get Pokemon TCG Pocket Shiny cards
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Shinies in PTCGP are obtained through the Shining Revelry expansion

Best Pokemon TCG Pocket ex Starter deck to choose
By Joel Franey published
Guide The PTCGP ex Starter decks are powerful decks - and you can pick one for free with a Deck Ticket

All Promo Cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Pokemon Promo-A cards in PTCGP can't be drawn from random packs, they're earned through missions and events

All Secret Missions in Pokemon TCG Pocket
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Every secret mission in PTCGP is here, including those from Shining Revelry

Pokemon TCG Pocket events calendar (April 2025)
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Future events for Pokemon TCG Pocket are all laid out in our calendar below

Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry release date and details
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The PTCGP Shining Revelry expansion booster set adds rare shinies to the game

How to remove Wanted status in Assassin's Creed Shadows
By Joel Franey published
Guide Being wanted in a region in AC Shadows will fade with time - or Scouts.

The ultimate Assassin's Creed Shadows guide hub
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our AC Shadows guides have everything you need to know about being a 16th Century murderer

When is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle coming to PS5?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release date isn't far off as it's in the middle of April

All Fortnite new weapons, vaulted and unvaulted for Season 2 of Chapter 6
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide All of the new Fortnite weapons for Chapter 6 Season 2 including the Pump & Dump Shotgun and SMG combo

All Nishinomiya Shrine locations in Assassin's Creed Shadows
By Joel Franey published
Guide The AC Shadows Nishinomiya Shrine has three prayer points.

How to get in the Makino Kurumazuka Kofun in Assassin's Creed Shadows
By Joel Franey published
Guide To enter the AC Shadows Kurumazuka Kofun needs Yasuke to blow up the stones

Monster Hunter Wilds roadmap and all upcoming content
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Monster Hunter Wilds will be getting a few title updates, adding new challenges to take on and monsters to hunt, unsurprisingly

Should you confront Otama or Wakasa in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Confronting Otama and Wakasa will vary depending on your prior choices in AC Shadows
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