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

The best Pokemon TCG Pocket Mewtwo ex deck and builds
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Mewtwo ex decks in Pokemon TCGP should be paired with Gardevoir for quick energy generation

The best Pokemon TCG Pocket Dragonite deck and builds
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The best Dragonite decks in Pokemon TCGP require delaying the opponent

Will there be a Pokemon TCG Pocket PC port?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Pokemon TCGP has no PC port, nor is it likely to right now

Are the Pokemon TCG Pocket bent packs actually better?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The bent tops on certain packs in Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket don't really give rare cards

The Pokemon TCG Pocket Wonder Pick system explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Wonder picking a card in Pokemon TCGP lets you choose from somebody else's pack

The Pokemon TCG Pocket Flair and Shinedust system explained
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Pokemon TCG Pocket Flair and cosmetics system explained

Pokemon TCG Pocket Lapras ex event guide, best decks, rewards and more
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Lapras event in Pokemon was about beating water-themed decks for card rewards - but it's over now

How to find Diamonds in Minecraft to craft better gear
By Ford James, Leon Hurley last updated
Guide Where to get Minecraft Diamonds buried deep underground

Minecraft Allay mobs explained and where to find them
By Iain Wilson last updated
Guide Finding, breeding and controlling Allays in Minecraft

The best Pokemon TCG Pocket Pikachu ex deck and builds
By Joel Franey published
Guide Pikachu ex decks in Pokemon TCGP focus on speed and power, along with Zapdos ex

All Dragon Age Veilguard factions and the best one to choose
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Each faction in Dragon Age Veilguard provides a perk and specific rewards, but which one is best?

Every Dragon Age Veilguard guide you'll ever need to master Thedas
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Every Dragon Age Veilguard guide you'll ever need

Dragon Age Veilguard Heart of Corruption walkthrough and guide
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide The Heart of Corruption quest in Dragon Age Veilguard is a long one and ends with a level 50 boss

I wasn't going to play Pokemon TCG Pocket for long, but then I got the rarest card in my first few hours – and now I can't put it down
By Joel Franey published
Feature Opinion | The newest Pokemon Trading Card Game has me hooked, and I can't tell whether it's down to very good or very bad luck

10 Dragon Age Veilguard tips we wish we knew before playing
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide These tips and tricks for Dragon Age Veilguard will help you prepare for the saga of the Dreadwolf

All Dragon Age Veilguard classes explained and the best classes to use
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide We've explained the basics of each of the three Dragon Age Veilguard classes and ranked them to help you find the right one for you

All Dragon Age Veilguard Companions and how to recruit them
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide There are 7 companions in Dragon Age Veilguard for players to recruit and bring along on their adventures

How long is Dragon Age The Veilguard?
By Joel Franey last updated
Guide Beating the main quest for Dragon Age Veilguard takes roughly 30-40 hours, but side activities add many more hours

How to play Minecraft for free at home, legally
By Leon Hurley last updated
Guide Play Minecraft for free and on your browser - no download needed

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
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