Xbox Users Tap New Zealand Trick for Forza Horizon 6, Unlocking Play 10 Hours Early
Updated
Updated · Pure Xbox · May 18
Xbox Users Tap New Zealand Trick for Forza Horizon 6, Unlocking Play 10 Hours Early
4 articles · Updated · Pure Xbox · May 18
Forza Horizon 6 became playable for some Xbox users on May 18 by switching their console region to New Zealand, opening access at 5 a.m. PT—well before most local launches.
The workaround is simple: change the Xbox region in Settings to New Zealand and restart, letting buyers and Game Pass Ultimate members join the game as soon as it goes live there.
Microsoft officially discourages region changes unless a user has moved countries and warns some account features—such as Microsoft Store balances—may not carry over.
Search interest around the trick surged again with the launch, but the game’s standard regional rollout was only hours away for most players, reducing the incentive to risk penalties.
Is the 'New Zealand trick' a harmless loophole or a subtle marketing ploy by Xbox to create buzz for new games?
With players easily jumping time zones, are staggered global game releases now an outdated model?