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
Safer Seas and Private Servers in Sea of Thieves explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Sea of Thieves can be played privately in the Safer Seas option - but what's the cost?
Children of the Sun is a grimy puzzle shooter about a psychic sniper and one magic bullet
By Joel Franey published
Feature Indie Spotlight | Devolver pairs with developer René Rother to create a head-popping revenge flick
How to beat an Ashen Lord in Sea of Thieves
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Sea of Thieves Ashen Lords are boss skeletons with fire powers
How to kill Chargers in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Killing Chargers in Helldivers 2 requires patience, speed and firepower
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
Everything you need to know about fishing in Stellar Blade
By Joel Franey published
Guide Stellar Blade's fishing minigame is tied to various secondary missions
Stellar Blade Precious Treasure mission walkthrough
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Precious Treasure side quest has a puzzle about crossing a bridge
How to kill 100 enemies using the Flamethrower in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Helldivers 2 Flamethrower is one of the most powerful weapons
All Sea of Thieves world events and cloud markers
By Joel Franey published
Guide We explain every world event in Sea of Thieves and what clouds or tornadoes mean
Stellar Blade Lost Ark puzzle and passcode explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide Stellar Blade Lost Ark puzzle and passcode explained
Stellar Blade Stolen Treasure walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey published
Guide Stellar Blade Stolen Treasure walkthrough and guide
How to get the Double Barrel Pistol in Sea of Thieves
By Joel Franey published
Guide Introduced in Season 12, the Double Barrel Pistol is high-damage weapon for SoT
How to get Throwing Knives in Sea of Thieves
By Joel Franey published
Guide The throwing knife introduced in SoT Season 12 is a combo melee ranged weapon
Best weapons in Helldivers 2 with full tier list
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Our Helldivers 2 weapon tier list has all weapons from all Warbonds ready to go
How to fish in Sea of Thieves
By Jack Yarwood last updated
Guide From where to find fish in Sea of Thieves, to how to equip the rod and more
Stellar Blade Recruit Passcode Specialists mission walkthrough and all code locations
By Joel Franey published
Guide Where to find the code to unlock the container for the Passcode Specialists in Stellar Blade
How to kill 40 enemies with the Eagle Cluster Bomb in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The HD2 Eagle Cluster Bomb is a Stratagem used to clear out groups
The Stellar Blade Secret Request explained
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Secret Request in Stellar Blade is a bulletin board mission that's automatically refused
How to get the Stellar Blade Double Jump ability
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Double Jump in Stellar Blade is locked to story progression, not skill points
All Sea of Thieves error codes and beards explained
By Zoe Delahunty-Light last updated
Guide From Kiwibeard to Bronzebeard, we explain every Sea of Thieves error code
Sea of Thieves Maiden Voyage and Tutorial Key location
By Mark Delaney last updated
Guide How to beat the tutorial in Sea of Thieves and find the Old Sailor's Key
How to change your pirate's appearance in Sea of Thieves
By Joel Franey published
Guide Your character's appearance can be changed with an Pirate Appearance Potion
How to kill 50 enemies with the Grenade Launcher in Helldivers 2
By Joel Franey published
Guide The Helldivers 2 Grenade Launcher is a solid weapon best used on Terminids