If you want to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 early, we’ve got a simple trick to help you out. Since digital launches go live at midnight local time, players in New Zealand are the first to hit the servers. However, by changing your location, you can play the game hours before it releases in your region.

Here is a simple breakdown of how the Black Ops 7 New Zealand trick works, along with instructions on how to apply it to PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox, and PC. For added value, we’ve also included preload dates and official launch timings, plus notes on potential risks.

What Is The New Zealand Trick In Black Ops 7?

The “New Zealand trick” is an old community method that involves you setting your platform account region to New Zealand. In doing so, the game will treat you as if you’re in the first territory to reach midnight. This will allow you to play Black Ops 7 early, before the rest of the world.

The method has been used in previous Call of Duty game releases and is likely to work for Black Ops 7. Despite some rumors, Activision hasn’t sold an early edition, meaning the title will go live at the scheduled launch times—all you’re doing is syncing your system to a region that hits that timing first.

How To Play Black Ops 7 Early On Each Platform

The “New Zealand trick” only applies to digital Black Ops 7 copies and subscriptions, as disc copies are region-locked to the store you purchased them from and can’t be “unlocked” early.

You also need to preload the game so your file is ready for launch. Activision Blizzard previously confirmed that preloading began on November 10, and the full title goes live on November 14 at midnight local time.

How To Play Black Ops 7 Early On PS5

On PS5, you usually can’t change the country of an existing PSN account. However, a common workaround is to use a New Zealand PSN account, download Black Ops 7 with that account, and share it with your main console.

Here are the steps you can follow to play Black Ops 7 early on PS5:

1. Go to Activision’s official site
2. Log in to your account
3. Click Profile → Basic Info
4. Click Edit next to your address
5. Enter a New Zealand address and save

How To Play Black Ops 7 Early On Xbox

Xbox and Microsoft make the New Zealand trick simple at the system level:

1. Repeat steps from the PS5 section.
2. Open Xbox Settings → System
3. Select Language & Location → Location
4. Choose New Zealand
5. Restart your console.

How To Play Black Ops 7 Early On PC

Unfortunately, the “New Zealand trick” doesn’t work on Steam and Battle.net. We advise PC players who use these platforms to wait a couple of additional hours for the official local time release to avoid risk.

If you want to play Black Ops 7 via the Xbox app, you can follow these steps to access the game early:

• Repeat steps from the PS5 section.
• Open System Settings on PC
• Choose Time & Language → Language & Region
• Country or Region → New Zealand
• Restart your PC

Is The New Zealand Trick Safe For Black Ops 7?

Yes. The New Zealand trick is generally safe if you stick to platform settings and trusted purchase options. On Xbox, changing your location is a built-in option, and on PS5, you’re just using an NZ PSN account. Neither of these methods requires you to pay for early access—you’re simply changing time zones.

The only reported risk is failed cross-region purchases and inconsistent early unlocks on PS5. Steam and Battle.net also restrict regions based on billing details and IP address, which means using a VPN can trigger policy flags. That said, always use legitimate accounts and avoid gray market keys.

When Does Black Ops 7 Release In Each Region?

BO7 preload began on November 10 at 9:00 AM PT, and the full launch is confirmed for November 14 at midnight local time on most platforms. Since the game unlocks at midnight local time, this means the New Zealand (NZDT) local release will occur 21 hours before the US Pacific (PT) release.

Black Ops 7 Local Time Release

Here are the Black Ops 7 release times for all major regions.

FAQs

How does the New Zealand trick let you play Black Ops 7 early?

Black Ops 7 unlocks at midnight local time. This means that aligning your platform with New Zealand time will allow you to play the game hours before Europe and the US.

What are the risks of changing your region for Black Ops 7?

Payment and license mismatches can lead to failed purchases, especially for PS5 players. Steam and Battle.net are stricter on the matter, so we advise you to avoid this trick on these apps.

Can you use a VPN to play Black Ops 7 early?

No. A VPN will not unlock Black Ops 7 early on Steam and Battle.net, and it can potentially violate store policies. The best method is to use our instructions to change your platform region settings and avoid purchases made using a VPN.

What time does Black Ops 7 release in New Zealand vs the US?

Since Black Ops 7 launches at 12 AM local time, it means that the game will arrive 21 hours earlier on New Zealand accounts, compared to the US.

Is using the New Zealand trick bannable on PS5 or Xbox?

No. There’s little evidence of bans for console region switching to match NZ midnight, but policies can change. In any case, avoid buying Black Ops 7 through gray markets.

References

1. Ready for Launch: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 PC Trailer, Specs, Preloading, and Handheld Systems (Call of Duty)
2. Activision | Home (Activision)