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, JellyDeals and Dicebreaker, in various capacities. 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 ongoing pop culture comedy podcast, "Margaret Thatcher, Templar Spy".
Latest articles by Joel Franey
The best Minecraft cheats and console commands
By Iain Wilson last updated
Cheats We've got cheats and console commands for both Java and Bedrock Minecraft
The best Minecraft texture packs to enhance your world's look
By Jordan Oloman last updated
Guide Learn about installing the best Minecraft texture packs for Java and Bedrock Editions
The best Minecraft shaders to make your world look better
By Heather Wald last updated
Guide Change Minecraft's lighting and atmosphere with these shaders
Dragon Age Veilguard Echoes of the Past walkthrough
By Joel Franey published
Guide Bellara's personal side quest, Echoes of the Past, is about finding power crystals for artifacts
Should you knock out the First Warden or talk sense into him in Dragon Age Veilguard?
By Will Sawyer published
Guide As Weisshaupt crumbles, you must either knock out the First Warden in Dragon Age Veilguard or try to talk him around
How to complete Pinnacle of Its Kind in Dragon Age Veilguard
By Joel Franey published
Guide Pinnacle of its Kind has Rook hunt three demons across the map of Veilguard
Should you save the mayor or leave him in Dragon Age Veilguard?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The mayor choice in Dragon Age Veilguard is about whether to spare the corrupted leader
The Dragon Age Veilguard Lighthouse statues puzzle explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The pairs of statues in the Veilguard lighthouse need to be turned to face each other
Best Minecraft mods for new biomes, more items, and optimization
By Aron Garst last updated
Guide Try the best Minecraft utility, building, and biome mods for Java Edition and enjoy a fresh experience
How to install Minecraft Forge and use mods
By Leon Hurley last updated
Guide Using Minecraft Forge to install and manage mods in your games
How to fix the Monster Hunter Wilds Black Screen glitch
By Joel Franey published
Guide If you get a black screen after character creation in the Monster Hunter Wilds beta, here's why
What's the best Dragon Age Veilguard Lineage?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Elf, Qunari, Human and Dwarf are species options in DA Veilguard
Monster Hunter Wilds Rey Dau weaknesses, tips and strategies
By Joel Franey published
Guide Monster Hunter Wilds Rey Dau weaknesses, tips and strategies
Monster Hunter Wilds unable to connect to server error and fixes
By Joel Franey published
Guide If you're unable to connect to server in MH Wilds, there's a few potential reasons
Monster Hunter Wilds Chatacabra weakness, tips and strategy
By Joel Franey published
Guide The first monster in MH Wilds is the Chatacabra, an armored frog/turtle beast
Is the Monster Hunter Wilds beta crossplay?
By Joel Franey published
Guide Crossplay is a part of MH Wilds - in both the beta and the full game
How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds beta
By Joel Franey published
Guide How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds beta
Best Monster Hunter Wilds weapons and tier list for the Beta
By Joel Franey published
Guide Our weapon tier list for the MH Wilds Beta has all the best options for hunters
Dune and Ghibli collide in Steam Next Fest's strangest strategy game, where you drive steampunk war-crabs across an interplanetary Austro-Hungarian empire
By Joel Franey published
News Frank Herbert and Howl meet in a steampunk take on Sea of Thieves
10 Helldivers 2 tips and tricks to dominating the battlefield
By Will Sawyer last updated
Guide Our advice and tips for Helldivers 2 will help you find your feet - and secure victory
How to destroy Helldivers 2 Fuel Silos
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Fuel Silos in Helldivers 2 can be destroyed with a Hellbomb - but honestly, what can't?
How to beat the Helldivers 2 Terminids
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Helldivers 2 Bugs generally focus on mass swarms and melee attacks
Helldivers 2 Boosters explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Boosters in Helldivers 2 are equipable modifiers that provide helpful bonuses.
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