The launch of a new Call of Duty always brings a special excitement, and although there’s still some time before Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is officially released, players are always looking for a way to get their hands on the game early and take advantage of every minute to maximize their progress.

For those who can’t wait until the official regional release on October 25, there is a way to access Black Ops 6 early. Here’s how you can start playing BO6 before its launch.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 FAQ (Crossplay, Game Pass, Split-Screen, and Warzone)

Have any doubts about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 before its release? Check out this guide for answers to the most popular frequently asked questions.

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Black Ops 6: How To Play Early Using New Zealand Method

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New Zealand location change in Activision's site

The New Zealand method has been a popular trick for accessing Call of Duty titles ahead of their official release, and Black Ops 6 will also be subject to this workaround. Using this method, players can start playing the game on October 24 at 4 AM Pacific Time, depending on their region, giving them a head start of anywhere between 10 and 20 hours.

Each platform has its own steps for accessing Black Ops 6 early using the New Zealand method. Check out the specific instructions for each platform below:

Xbox Method

  1. Go to the official Call of Duty website.
  2. Log in to your Activision account.
  3. Navigate to the ‘Basic Info’ section.
  4. Update your location to New Zealand (make sure to input a random full address if required).
  5. Click ‘Save.’
  6. Open your console’s settings.
  7. Scroll down and select ‘System.’
  8. Choose ‘Language and Location.’
  9. Change the ‘Location’ to New Zealand.
  10. Select ‘Restart Now’ to restart your console.

PlayStation Method

  1. Go to the official Call of Duty website.
  2. Log in to your Activision account.
  3. Navigate to the ‘Basic Info’ section.
  4. Update your location to New Zealand (make sure to input a random full address if required).
  5. Click ‘Save.’

You can also try changing your PlayStation location settings by heading to the console's settings, then System, Date and Time, and finally swap Time Zone by selecting New Zealand's. Alternatively, you can also create a new PlayStation account registered with a New Zealand address and purchase the game through that account's store. However, this would require additional investment since the game would need to be bought using a region-specific account.

PC Method (Xbox Game Pass)

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PC Windows settings New Zealand location change
  1. Head to the Call of Duty website.
  2. Log in to your Activision account.
  3. Navigate to the ‘Basic Info’ section.
  4. Update your location to New Zealand (make sure to input a random full address if required).
  5. Click ‘Save.’
  6. Go into your Windows settings.
  7. Navigate to ‘Time and Language' and select ‘Region.’
  8. Change your location to New Zealand.
  9. Restart your PC.

Is It Possible To Access Black Ops 6 Early On Steam Or Battle.net?

Unfortunately, players on Steam or Battle.net are unable to access the game early because these platforms lock users into a specific region. This means you won’t be able to adjust your time zone to play Black Ops 6 early.

Be aware that switching your region or location to New Zealand could lead to connection issues, such as lag and extended matchmaking wait times since you’ll be connecting to servers far from your current location. Once the game is officially released in your region, you can easily switch back by simply reversing the steps you took to activate the method.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Tag Page Cover Art
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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9 /10
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Released
October 25, 2024
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

ESRB
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
Developer(s)
Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher(s)
Activision
Engine
IW 9.0
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Franchise
Call of Duty
Genre(s)
FPS