Yes, there is a way to start GTA VI before your own release time. It is the famous New Zealand trick. Players have used it for years on big launches.
It is not a hack. It is not a mod. It uses the way console stores unlock games by time zone. Here is how it works, what you need, and the one big thing nobody can promise you yet.
How the New Zealand Trick Works
New Zealand is one of the first places on Earth to hit midnight. When a game unlocks at midnight local time in each region, New Zealand players start first.
GTA VI launches on Thursday November 19. Midnight in New Zealand is 11:00 in the morning on Wednesday November 18 in the UK. That is 13 hours early for UK players. For the US east coast it is 6:00 in the morning on November 18, about 18 hours early.
So the trick is simple. Your console needs a copy of the game that belongs to the New Zealand store, or a console set to the New Zealand region. Then your unlock time becomes New Zealand time.
First, the Honest Warning
Rockstar has confirmed the launch date and the pre-load date. Rockstar has NOT confirmed the exact unlock time for November 19.
Past Rockstar launches used midnight local time in each region. That is why everyone expects this trick to work. But until Rockstar says the unlock time out loud, treat this as very likely, not guaranteed. Keep it in mind before you spend money on a second copy.
The full confirmed times for every country are on our GTA VI Global Countdown page.
What You Need Before You Start
A digital copy plan. This trick does not work with a disc.
Space. The download is up to 212 GB, so clear room first. Our guide on how to prepare your PS5, PS5 Pro or Xbox for GTA VI covers storage and setup.
Pre-load starts on Tuesday November 10. PS5 pre-load opens at midnight local time in your region. Xbox pre-load opens at 12 a.m. GMT worldwide. We covered the confirmed dates in our GTA VI pre-load story. Whatever route you pick below, pre-load the New Zealand copy as soon as your route allows it.
How To Play Early on PS5
On PS5 you need a New Zealand PSN account and a copy bought from the New Zealand store. Your normal UK or US card will not work on that store. Buy a New Zealand PSN gift card from a trusted seller and redeem it on the NZ account.
Step by step:
1. Create a new PSN account and set the country to New Zealand. Use a real email you control.
2. Add that account to your PS5 as a normal user and sign in fully. Do NOT use “Play as a One-Time Guest”. Guest users disappear when you log out and sharing does not work right.
3. On the NZ account, go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Console Sharing and Offline Play. Turn it ON. This is the step that lets your main account play the NZ copy.
4. Redeem your NZ gift card on the NZ account. The Standard Edition costs NZ$139.95 on the New Zealand store.
5. Buy GTA VI on the NZ account and turn on automatic download so the pre-load lands on November 10.
6. On November 18 at 11:00 UK time, the NZ copy unlocks. Switch to your main account and play from there. Your trophies and saves sit on your main account where they belong.
One cost warning. The NZ copy is a second purchase if you already own the game on your main account. Plenty of players keep their main edition for later and buy the cheaper Standard Edition on the NZ account just for the early start.
How To Play Early on Xbox Series X|S
Xbox is easier. There is no second account needed. The unlock follows the region set on the console itself for many games.
Step by step:
1. Buy GTA VI on your normal Xbox account and pre-load it from November 10.
2. Go to Settings, then System, then Language and Location.
3. Change Location to New Zealand.
4. Restart the console when it asks.
5. When New Zealand hits midnight, the game should unlock on your console.
You can change the location back to your own country after the game unlocks in your region. Your save and achievements stay on your account.
What Does NOT Work
Changing the clock on your console does nothing. The unlock is checked online, not by your clock.
A VPN on its own does nothing for a console copy bought in your own region. The store region of the copy is what counts on PS5.
Do not buy ready-made “NZ accounts” from random sellers. Accounts get recovered and banned. If you do this, make the account yourself with your own email.
Is It Worth It?
For UK players the gain is 13 hours. You start on Wednesday morning instead of Wednesday night. For US players it is most of a day.
PS5 players pay for a second copy to get it. Xbox players pay nothing extra. That is the real difference between the two routes.
Either way, pre-load early, keep 212 GB free, and watch the official word. If Rockstar confirms a single global unlock time instead, this trick dies and everyone starts together. We will update this page the moment Rockstar confirms the unlock time.
More launch week coverage is on our Latest News page and the full GTA VI Hub.
