How to Play GTA 6 Early on PS5 With New Zealand Trick—All Time Zones, Explained
Grand Theft Auto 6 is one of the most anticipated video game releases of all time, launching on November 19, 2026. Like most major releases, the game will unlock at midnight local time across different regions worldwide. However, players can exploit regional timezone differences to access the game significantly earlier using the “New Zealand trick,” a simple account region-switching method available on both PS5 and Xbox platforms.
The exploit works by temporarily changing an account’s region to New Zealand before the global release date. Since New Zealand is among the first regions to enter each new day, the game unlocks there first, allowing players to begin playing hours—or potentially over a day—before their local official release time. The process is straightforward and takes only about 30 seconds to complete, requiring no specialized tools or technical knowledge.
This regional unlock method has become standard practice among enthusiast gamers eager to play major releases at the earliest possible moment. Both PlayStation and Xbox guides have been published detailing the specific steps required for each platform. GTA 6 is positioned as a generational gaming milestone with record-breaking sales expectations, making early access particularly valuable to dedicated fans who want to experience the game before widespread social media spoilers emerge.