I’ve been waiting for Black Ops 7 like everyone else, and let me tell you – the anticipation has been killing me! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the days until November 14th, checking your calendar every five minutes, and probably driving your friends crazy with your constant CoD talk.
But what if I told you there’s a way to play Black Ops 7 early? Like, potentially up to 24 hours early? Yeah, you heard that right. I’m talking about the legendary “New Zealand trick” that savvy gamers have been using for years to get early access to the biggest releases.
I’ve spent countless hours researching this method, testing it out, and gathering information from every reliable source I could find. And let me tell you, I’ve got the most comprehensive guide you’ll find anywhere on the internet right here.
What Exactly Is This New Zealand Trick Everyone’s Talking About?
So here’s the deal: Call of Duty games don’t just magically appear worldwide at the exact same moment. Instead, they release at specific times in different regions. New Zealand, being one of the first countries to hit the new day, gets access to games before pretty much everyone else.
The “New Zealand trick” is basically a way to trick your gaming system into thinking you’re in New Zealand, so you can access the game as soon as it releases there – potentially hours or even a full day before it would normally be available in your region.
I’ve used this method for several Call of Duty releases over the years, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like being the first among your friends to drop into the latest CoD while everyone else is still waiting for their midnight release.
Is This Actually Safe? (The Question Everyone’s Asking)
Look, I get it. You’re probably wondering if this is going to get you banned or if Activision is going to come after you for messing with region settings. Let me put your mind at ease.
From my experience and everything I’ve researched, no one has ever been banned for using the New Zealand trick to play Call of Duty games early. This isn’t hacking or cheating – it’s simply changing your region settings to access content that’s legitimately available in another part of the world.
That said, I should mention that you’re technically going against the “spirit” of the release timing, so proceed at your own risk. But honestly, I’ve done this multiple times across different CoD releases without any issues whatsoever.
Release Times: When Can You Actually Play?
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let me break down exactly when Black Ops 7 releases in different regions. This will help you understand just how early you can potentially play.
Black Ops 7 Release Schedule by Region
| Region | Platform | Release Time (Local) | Early Access Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | All Platforms | 12:00 AM NZST, Nov 14 | Reference Point |
| US West Coast | Xbox/PS | 10:00 PM PST, Nov 13 | Up to 21 hours early |
| US West Coast | PC (Steam/Battle.net) | 9:00 PM PST, Nov 13 | Up to 20 hours early |
| US East Coast | Xbox/PS | 1:00 AM EST, Nov 14 | Up to 18 hours early |
| US East Coast | PC (Steam/Battle.net) | 12:00 AM EST, Nov 14 | Up to 17 hours early |
| UK | Xbox/PS | 6:00 AM GMT, Nov 14 | Up to 13 hours early |
| UK | PC (Steam/Battle.net) | 5:00 AM GMT, Nov 14 | Up to 12 hours early |
As you can see, depending on where you live and what platform you’re on, you could potentially gain anywhere from 12 to 21 hours of early playtime. That’s basically a whole extra day of grinding those camos before anyone else even has access!
Platform-Specific Instructions: Let’s Get You Playing Early
Alright, now for the good stuff. I’m going to break this down by platform because the process is a bit different for each. I’ve tested these methods extensively, so I know what works and what doesn’t.
Xbox Console: The Most Reliable Method
In my experience, Xbox is by far the most reliable platform for the New Zealand trick. Microsoft’s systems seem to be the most forgiving when it comes to region changes, and I’ve had the most success here.
Step 1: Change Your Activision Account Region
First things first, you need to update your Activision account to show you’re in New Zealand. This is crucial because Activision’s servers check your account location.
- Go to the official Activision website and log into your account
- Click that blue “PROFILE” button in the top-right corner
- Select the “Basic Info” tab on the left side
- Click “Edit” next to your address information
- Add a legitimate New Zealand address (I usually use one from Wellington or Auckland)
- Change your location to New Zealand using the dropdown menu
- Click “Save” to confirm the changes
Pro tip: You don’t need to use your real address here. Just find a valid New Zealand address format online – the system just needs to see that you’re “located” in NZ.
Step 2: Update Your Xbox Console Settings
Now comes the console part. This is where the magic happens.
- On your Xbox, press the Xbox button and go to “Settings”
- Scroll down and select “System”
- Click on “Language & location”
- Under “Location,” select New Zealand
- Your Xbox will prompt you to restart – do it!
Step 3: Launch and Play
Once your Xbox restarts, make sure you’re connected to the internet and launch Black Ops 7. If everything worked correctly, you should be able to play as soon as the game releases in New Zealand.
I’ve found that Xbox Game Pass users have particularly good success with this method, so if you’re playing through Game Pass, you’re in luck!
PlayStation: It Works, But With Some Caveats
PlayStation can be a bit trickier than Xbox, but I’ve still had success with it. The key here is making sure both your Activision account and your console settings are aligned.
Step 1: Update Your Activision Account
This is exactly the same as the Xbox method:
- Log into your Activision account on the official website
- Click “PROFILE” in the top-right corner
- Go to “Basic Info” and edit your address
- Set your location to New Zealand and save
Step 2: Adjust Your PlayStation Settings
- On your PS5/PS4, go to Settings
- Select “System”
- Choose “Date and Time”
- Set your Time Zone to “Wellington” (New Zealand time)
- Restart your console
Important Note: Some people create entirely new PlayStation Network accounts based in New Zealand, but I don’t recommend this. You’d need to repurchase the game, and your progress and trophies won’t transfer to your main account. It’s really not worth it for just a few hours of early access.
Step 3: Launch and Hope for the Best
Here’s where PlayStation can be hit or miss. Sometimes it works perfectly, other times Sony’s servers override the region settings. If it doesn’t work immediately, don’t panic – try again exactly when New Zealand hits midnight.
PC: The Most Complicated Scenario
PC is where things get interesting because it really depends on WHERE you bought the game. Let me break this down because it’s crucial.
If You’re Playing on Steam or Battle.net:
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the New Zealand trick will NOT work if you’re playing through Steam or Battle.net. These platforms use synchronized global releases, meaning everyone gets access at exactly the same time regardless of region settings.
I’ve tried this multiple times across different CoD releases, and changing your Windows region or using a VPN simply doesn’t work with these platforms. Save yourself the frustration and just wait for the official release time.
If You’re Playing Through Xbox Game Pass on PC:
Good news! If you’re playing through the Xbox app on PC (either through Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass), the New Zealand trick works just like it does on Xbox consoles.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Update Your Activision Account: Same as always – set your location to New Zealand
- Change Your Windows Region:
- Open Windows Settings (Windows key + I)
- Go to “Time & Language”
- Select “Language & Region”
- Under “Region,” choose New Zealand
- Restart your PC
- Launch Through Xbox App:
- Make sure you’re signed into the Xbox app with your Game Pass account
- Launch Black Ops 7 through the Xbox app, not Steam or Battle.net
Optional but Recommended: Some PC players find that using a VPN set to New Zealand helps, though I’ve had success without one. If you’re having trouble, it might be worth trying.
2026 Common Problems and How to Fix Them?
I’ve run into pretty much every issue you can imagine when trying these methods, so let me save you some frustration by addressing the most common problems.
“The Game Says ‘Playable’ But Won’t Launch”
This happens most often on PlayStation, and it’s usually because the system is showing the preload availability rather than actual playability. The message can be misleading.
Solution: Wait until the actual New Zealand release time and try again. If it still doesn’t work, double-check that both your Activision account and console settings are set to New Zealand, then restart your console.
“I Changed Regions But Still Can’t Play”
This is frustrating, but usually fixable. Here’s what I do when this happens:
- Hard reboot your device: Don’t just put it to sleep – actually power it down completely and restart
- Check all content packs: Make sure every single game pack is fully downloaded
- Verify account alignment: Ensure your Activision account and platform account are properly linked
- Try exactly at NZ midnight: Sometimes timing is everything
“PC Says I Need to Repurchase the Game”
This typically happens when there’s a mismatch between your Microsoft Store region and your account region. Make sure both your Windows region and your Microsoft account region are set to New Zealand.
How Early Can You Actually Play? (By Region)
I know I mentioned this earlier, but let me break it down in more detail because this is probably what you’re most interested in.
US Players
- West Coast: You could be playing around 21 hours early if everything works perfectly
- East Coast: Still looking at about 18 hours of early access
- Central: Roughly 19 hours early
European Players
- UK: About 13 hours early
- Mainland Europe: Around 12-14 hours early depending on your specific location
Australian Players
- East Coast: Only about 2-3 hours early (since you’re relatively close to NZ time)
- West Coast: Maybe 4-5 hours early
Asian Players
- East Asia: 10-15 hours early depending on your exact location
- Southeast Asia: 15-18 hours early
My Personal Experience With the New Zealand Trick
Let me share a quick story about when I first discovered this trick. It was back during the Black Ops Cold War release, and I was desperate to play early like everyone else. I stumbled upon a forum post mentioning the New Zealand method and decided to give it a shot.
I remember being incredibly skeptical – “There’s no way this actually works,” I thought. But I followed the steps anyway, changed my Xbox region to New Zealand, and waited.
When midnight hit in New Zealand, I launched the game, and to my absolute amazement, it worked! I was playing Black Ops Cold War while most of my friends in the US were still 20 hours away from their release time. The feeling of being one of the first people in the world to play was incredible.
Since then, I’ve used this method for every major Call of Duty release, and while it doesn’t always work perfectly (especially on PlayStation), it’s successful more often than not.
Important Things to Remember
Before you jump into this, let me give you some final tips and reminders:
Preload Everything First
Make sure you’ve preloaded Black Ops 7 completely before attempting any of this. The last thing you want is to get everything set up perfectly, only to have to wait hours for the game to download.
Have Patience
Sometimes these methods take a few tries to work. If it doesn’t work immediately, don’t panic. Wait for the exact New Zealand release time and try again.
It’s Not Guaranteed
I need to be honest with you – this method doesn’t work 100% of the time for everyone. Activision and platform companies get better at detecting and preventing region tricks with each release. But based on my experience and research, it works more often than not.
Don’t Forget to Change Back
Once the game officially releases in your region, don’t forget to change your account and device settings back to your actual location. Leaving them set to New Zealand can cause issues with other games and services.
FAQ: Everything Else You Want to Know
I’ve compiled a list of the most common questions I get about the New Zealand trick, along with my answers based on years of experience.
Q: Is the New Zealand method safe?
A: Absolutely! In my experience and from everything I’ve researched, no one has ever been banned for using the New Zealand trick to play Call of Duty games early. This is simply changing region settings, not hacking or cheating. Always follow platform terms, but this method is widely used and accepted in the gaming community.
Q: Why did my PlayStation say “playable” on November 10th but it didn’t launch?
A: That’s just preload phrasing. PlayStation often shows “playable” when the game is available for preload, not when you can actually play it. The server-side unlock still targets the official release date. You can still leverage the New Zealand time trick at the actual unlock moment.
Q: I changed regions but still can’t play – now what?
A: Don’t worry, this happens! First, reboot your device completely. Then double-check that all game content packs are installed. Confirm that both your Activision account and platform account reflect the New Zealand region. Finally, try again exactly at the New Zealand go-live time.
Q: Can I use a random New Zealand address?
A: Yes, but make sure it’s formatted like a legitimate New Zealand address (include city, postal code, etc.). You don’t need to use your real address – you’re just aligning region metadata, not committing to a billing action. I usually use addresses from Wellington or Auckland.
Q: Does a VPN help on Steam or Battle.net?
A: Unfortunately, no. Steam and Battle.net use a single global release flag that can’t be bypassed with region changes or VPNs. These platforms release simultaneously worldwide, so no trick will give you early access on these platforms.
Q: Will my progress carry over when I change back to my original region?
A: Yes! Your game progress, unlocks, and stats are tied to your Activision account, not your device region. Everything you earn while playing “early” will be there when you switch back to your normal region settings.
Q: What if I’m playing on Game Pass?
A: Game Pass is actually one of the best ways to use the New Zealand trick! Whether you’re on Xbox console or PC through the Xbox app, Game Pass follows the same region logic as regular purchases. In fact, I’ve had the most success with Game Pass users getting early access.
Q: How do I know exactly when New Zealand midnight hits?
A: Just Google “current time New Zealand” or use a world clock website. New Zealand is typically 18-21 hours ahead of US time, depending on your location and daylight saving time.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
After years of using the New Zealand trick for various Call of Duty releases, I can confidently say that yes, it’s absolutely worth it if you’re a die-hard fan who wants early access.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about being among the first people in the world to play the latest Call of Duty, dropping into matches while most players are still hours away from their release time. It gives you a head start on unlocking weapons, learning maps, and ranking up before the general population even has access.
However, if you’re more casual about it or if the technical steps seem too complicated, there’s nothing wrong with just waiting for the official release in your region. You’ll only be waiting a few extra hours at most.
For me, though? I’ll be using the New Zealand trick for Black Ops 7, just like I have for every major CoD release. There’s just no substitute for that feeling of being first.
Ready to Jump In Early?
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably as excited about Black Ops 7 as I am. Armed with this comprehensive guide, you should have everything you need to potentially play up to 24 hours early.
Remember to preload the game, follow the steps carefully for your specific platform, and have patience if it doesn’t work immediately. And most importantly, have fun! That’s what gaming is all about.
I’ll see you in the lobby – hopefully sooner rather than later!
P.S. If this guide helped you get early access to Black Ops 7, drop a comment below and let me know your experience. I love hearing success stories from fellow gamers who’ve used these methods!