The New Zealand trick is a fan-favorite method for diving into games early, but there are some restrictions, and we’ve got the details on whether the method will work for DOOM: The Dark Ages.
Release times for games around the world vary due to time zones, and those in New Zealand are often the first to be able to dive into a new release, which can be frustrating for others around the world, but there are ways to navigate around this.
Restrictions limit whether such an approach is an option, however, and we’ve broken down everything you need to know for DOOM: The Dark Ages.
Will The New Zealand Trick Work For DOOM: The Dark Ages?
No, the New Zealand trick will not work for DOOM: The Dark Ages due to the global release chosen by Bethesda, which means the release takes place at the same moment worldwide.
Some games offer a staggered global release, easing the strain on the servers if thousands of players are connecting for the first time at the same moment, though this is a stance that is largely adopted by titles with multiplayer components or required internet connectivity.
As DOOM: The Dark Ages is strictly a single-player only experience, there won’t be the same amount of strain on the servers as there would be if the title had multiplayer components, so opting for a global release makes sense.
It’s not an unusual stance from Bethesda either, as the recent Oblivion: Remastered also had a global release with access available to everyone around the world at the same time, and the same was the case when Starfield was released in 2023.
What is The New Zealand Trick?
The New Zealand trick is a method adopted by gamers to access titles earlier than they should by switching time zones to New Zealand.
Games that release at midnight local time, theoretically, become available to those in New Zealand and nearby areas first due to time zone locations, with others in the United States having to wait many hours more.
By switching a console’s time zone to New Zealand, access is available to the title earlier, so it has become a go-to method for many gamers who want to jump into a release as soon as possible.
Those on Xbox consoles have the easiest approach to utilizing the New Zealand trick, while those on PlayStation have some extra steps to jump through. It’s not as bad as PC, though, which doesn’t allow the trick at all.
If you’re looking for more DOOM: The Dark Ages content, take a look at the full list of achievements and trophies to unlock, then check out details of where the title takes place chronologically in the series.
