Can You Do The New Zealand Trick On PC? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is yes, you can attempt the New Zealand trick on PC, but its effectiveness is highly variable and depends heavily on the specific game and platform you’re using. Whether it actually works comes down to how the game’s release is managed digitally and whether it’s tied to your account’s region or the store’s region. While once a reliable method, many developers and platforms have implemented measures to prevent this workaround.
Understanding the New Zealand Trick
The “New Zealand trick” is a technique used by gamers to access digitally released games earlier than their official release date in their local region. It leverages the fact that New Zealand is one of the first countries to experience a new day due to its geographical location relative to the International Date Line. By changing your console or PC’s region to New Zealand, the theory is that you can trick the game platform into thinking you’re accessing the game after it’s already been released.
How It Used to Work
In the past, the trick involved changing your system’s region settings, time zone, and sometimes even creating a new account registered in New Zealand. If the game’s release was based solely on local time, and not tied to the region of your payment method or store account, you could potentially start playing hours or even a day ahead of your friends.
Why It’s Less Reliable Now
Unfortunately, the New Zealand trick has become less effective for several reasons:
- Region-Locked Releases: Many digital game platforms now tie game releases to the region of your account or payment method, not just the local time of your system. This means that even if you change your region to New Zealand, you still won’t be able to play the game until it’s released in your actual region.
- Synchronized Global Releases: Some game developers opt for synchronized global releases. This means the game unlocks at the exact same time worldwide, regardless of local time zones. In this scenario, the New Zealand trick is completely useless.
- Platform Restrictions: Platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and others have implemented measures to prevent users from bypassing regional restrictions. While these measures aren’t always foolproof, they make the trick much less reliable.
How To Attempt The New Zealand Trick on PC
If you’re still curious and want to try the New Zealand trick on your PC, here’s a general outline of the steps involved. Be aware that these steps might not work, and could potentially violate the terms of service of the game platform you’re using. Proceed at your own risk.
- Change Your Region Settings: Navigate to your Windows settings and change your region to New Zealand.
- Adjust Time Zone: Set your time zone to Auckland, New Zealand.
- Restart Your PC: Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
- Check Game Release Time: Confirm the game’s release time in New Zealand time (NZDT or NZST, depending on the time of year).
- Attempt to Access the Game: Try launching the game after it has been released in New Zealand time.
Potential Issues
Even if you successfully change your region and time zone, you might encounter issues:
- Payment Method Restrictions: If your payment method is not registered in New Zealand, you may not be able to purchase the game.
- Account Region Lock: Your game platform account might be tied to your original region, preventing you from playing the game even if it’s available in New Zealand.
- Game Files Not Available: Even if the game appears to be unlocked, the necessary game files might not be available for download until the official release in your region.
Alternative Options
If the New Zealand trick doesn’t work, you have other options:
- Wait for the Official Release: This is the safest and most reliable option.
- Check for Early Access: Some games offer early access to players who pre-order or purchase a specific edition of the game.
- Use a VPN (with caution): While a VPN can mask your IP address and make it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from New Zealand, this can also violate the terms of service of some game platforms and may not be effective due to account region locks. Use VPNs with caution, and always read the terms of service of the platform you are using.
FAQs: Your New Zealand Trick Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the New Zealand trick on PC:
FAQ 1: Does the New Zealand trick still work on Steam?
Answer: It’s very unlikely. Steam has implemented measures to prevent users from bypassing regional restrictions. Game releases are typically tied to your account’s region, not just your system’s time zone.
FAQ 2: Can I use a VPN to play games early?
Answer: Potentially, but it’s risky. While a VPN can mask your location, many platforms prohibit using VPNs to circumvent regional restrictions. Doing so could result in account suspension or ban.
FAQ 3: Will changing my region affect my game saves?
Answer: Generally, no. Game saves are usually stored locally or in the cloud and are not tied to your system’s region settings. However, it’s always a good idea to back up your saves before making any significant changes to your system.
FAQ 4: Is it illegal to use the New Zealand trick?
Answer: No, it’s not illegal. However, it may violate the terms of service of the game platform or developer.
FAQ 5: How do I change my region back after trying the New Zealand trick?
Answer: Simply revert the changes you made in your Windows settings. Set your region and time zone back to your original settings, and restart your computer.
FAQ 6: Can I do the New Zealand trick on the Epic Games Store?
Answer: Similar to Steam, the Epic Games Store also ties releases to your account region, making the New Zealand trick largely ineffective.
FAQ 7: What are the risks of using a VPN for gaming?
Answer: The main risks include violating the terms of service, potential account suspension, slower internet speeds, and security concerns related to using untrusted VPN providers.
FAQ 8: Will changing my region affect my currency?
Answer: If you’re attempting to purchase a game, your payment method must typically match the region you’re trying to access. Otherwise, you may encounter issues with currency conversions or payment failures.
FAQ 9: How can I find out the exact release time of a game in New Zealand time?
Answer: Use an online time zone converter to convert the announced release time from the game’s official source (e.g., developer’s website, social media) to New Zealand time (NZDT or NZST).
FAQ 10: Does the New Zealand trick work on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)?
Answer: The New Zealand trick can sometimes work on consoles, but it’s becoming increasingly less reliable due to region-locked releases. The process involves changing the console’s region settings. However, similarly to PCs, it will not work if the game release is tied to the region of your account.
FAQ 11: If the New Zealand trick doesn’t work, will I still get the pre-order bonus?
Answer: Yes, you will still receive your pre-order bonuses when the game is officially released in your region. Pre-order bonuses are usually tied to your account, not your system’s region settings.
FAQ 12: Can I get banned for trying the New Zealand trick?
Answer: While it’s unlikely that you’ll be permanently banned for simply changing your system’s region, repeatedly attempting to circumvent regional restrictions or using VPNs against the platform’s terms of service could potentially lead to account suspension.
FAQ 13: Are there any games where the New Zealand trick is guaranteed to work?
Answer: There’s no guarantee with any game. The effectiveness of the New Zealand trick depends entirely on how the game’s release is managed by the developer and platform.
FAQ 14: What’s the difference between regional restrictions and account region locks?
Answer: Regional restrictions limit access to content based on your geographical location. Account region locks tie your account to a specific region, making it difficult or impossible to access content from other regions, regardless of your system’s location.
FAQ 15: Is there a safe way to test if the New Zealand trick will work?
Answer: The safest way to test is to try it with a free-to-play game that has a staggered release schedule across different regions. This allows you to experiment with changing your region and time zone without risking a purchase or violating any terms of service. If it unlocks early, it might work for paid games, but it’s still not a guarantee.
In conclusion, while the New Zealand trick was once a viable method for playing games early, its effectiveness has significantly diminished due to stricter regional restrictions and synchronized global releases. While you can still attempt it on PC, be aware of the potential limitations and risks involved. Always prioritize playing responsibly and respecting the terms of service of the game platforms you use.