Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Release: How to Play Early with the New Zealand Trick

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 is now live for players in New Zealand. This early access is a major event for the global gaming community. Eager fans worldwide can now join the action ahead of their local launch times.

A well-known method, often called the ‘New Zealand trick,’ allows this early access. By changing their console or PC region settings, players can unlock the game immediately. This guide details the simple steps required to play Black Ops 7 right now.

Unlocking Early Access on Consoles

The process is straightforward for PlayStation and Xbox users. According to guides from IGN and GameSpot, it involves adjusting your system’s regional settings. This method has worked for many previous game releases.

On PlayStation 4 and 5, you must first change your address on the Call of Duty website. Log in, navigate to ‘Basic Info,’ and input a New Zealand address. Then, go to your console’s Settings, open Date and Time, and set the time zone to UTC+12:00 Wellington.

For Xbox One and Series X/S, the process is even simpler. Open your console’s Settings menu and select ‘Language and Location.’ Change your location to New Zealand and restart the console. Finally, update your region on the Call of Duty website to match. The game should then be accessible.

Important Limitations for PC Players

PC players face a significant restriction. The New Zealand trick only works for those playing through the Xbox app on PC. This primarily applies to Game Pass subscribers. Players who purchased the game on Steam or Battle.net cannot use this method.

If you are using the Xbox app, you can proceed. Close the app completely and change your region on the Call of Duty website. Then, on your Windows computer, search for ‘Region Settings’ and change your location to New Zealand. A full system restart is required for the change to take effect before launching the Xbox app.

This regional workaround provides a substantial head start. Players can begin the campaign or dive into multiplayer modes hours before their friends. It is a simple process that maximizes playtime on launch day.

This early access method is a legitimate use of platform settings, allowing dedicated fans to start their Black Ops 7 experience ahead of schedule.

Info at your fingertips

Is the New Zealand trick legal or will I get banned?

Yes, it is legal. This method uses official platform settings and does not violate terms of service. No bans have been reported for using this trick on previous game releases.

Does this trick work for all platforms?

It works perfectly on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. On PC, it only works for the Xbox App version and will not function for Steam or Battle.net copies of the game.

When does Black Ops 7 officially release in my region?

The global rollout is based on local midnight times. For example, the US East Coast receives the game at midnight EDT, while the West Coast gets it at midnight PDT.

Will my progress and purchases carry over?

Yes, all your progress and any in-game purchases are tied to your Activision account. They will seamlessly carry over when you switch back to your home region.

What if the trick does not work for me?

Ensure you have completely restarted your console or PC after changing the region. Also, double-check that your Call of Duty website profile region matches your new system setting.

Trusted Sources

Reuters, Associated Press, IGN, GameSpot