Forza Horizon 6 ‘New Zealand’ Trick Is Going Viral For The Full Xbox Launch
The ‘New Zealand trick’ on Xbox—a method for changing account region to access games earlier than local release dates—has gained renewed attention with Forza Horizon 6’s launch. The technique exploits regional time zone differences, allowing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers and game purchasers to play titles simultaneously with New Zealand players, who experience releases earlier due to the country’s position relative to UTC.
With Forza Horizon 6’s full launch occurring at midnight on May 18th/19th across most regions, the trick has become particularly popular among players eager to access the game before its official release in their own territories. While the method carries some risk related to terms of service, sources indicate the setup process is straightforward and accessible to interested players.
The resurgence of interest in this longstanding workaround highlights how release date timing across global markets creates opportunities for early access. Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service combined with Xbox’s region-change functionality enables this exploit, which has maintained popularity within the gaming community despite potential policy concerns.
The trick’s viral resurgence underscores ongoing player enthusiasm for early access to major releases and the continued relevance of region-based release scheduling in the gaming industry, even as digital distribution increasingly makes simultaneous global releases feasible.