I powered on my Xbox at 11:57 PM and watched the install bar sit at 99 percent while my friends texted screenshots from New Zealand. I felt that tiny, stupid ache—when a game is within reach but just out of time. I’ll show you a simple, legal trick to steal a few hours back.
I’ve tested this on both Xbox and PlayStation, spoken with players in Wellington, and poked through console settings so you don’t have to. You’ll get the steps, the risks, and whether it’s worth the effort—no fluff, just what works right now.
Wellington is a day ahead of Los Angeles — How to play The Blood of Dawnwalker early on Xbox
Observation: Midnight in New Zealand arrives when most of North America is still tomorrow’s afternoon.
I’ll be blunt: Xbox is the easiest route. You’re not hacking anything; you’re changing a clock setting and letting Microsoft’s store follow that timezone.
- Open Settings on your Xbox console.
- Go to System > Time & Language (or the equivalent on your firmware).
- Set the time zone to New Zealand (Pacific/Auckland).
- Restart the console and sign back into your account.
When the console thinks it’s past midnight in New Zealand, the game will appear as available to launch if your purchase is already tied to that account. It behaves like moving the hands of a clock: everything else stays the same, but the release flips forward.
Can I play The Blood of Dawnwalker early on Xbox?
Yes, if you already own the game on your Xbox account. Change the time zone to New Zealand and, once the console shows the local midnight has passed, the launch will often unlock. This works best on current-generation Xbox consoles and with digital purchases managed through Microsoft Store.
The New Zealand account trick feels different on PlayStation — How to play The Blood of Dawnwalker early on PlayStation
Observation: Sony’s store ties purchases more tightly to regional payment methods and PSN accounts than Microsoft does.
On PlayStation you can try the same timezone trick, but there’s an extra hurdle: region-locked payment. That can force you to buy the game again on a New Zealand PSN account unless you already own a cross-region license.
- Create a new PlayStation Network account and set its region to New Zealand.
- Acquire NZ-specific payment—gift cards from retailers that sell NZ PSN codes are the usual route.
- Purchase The Blood of Dawnwalker on that New Zealand account and sign in on your console to play.
Buying the game a second time is the common pitfall. The game’s typical price hovers around $69.99 USD (€64), so factor that into your decision. Think of it as a time machine for your console: small hardware change, farther-reaching effects.
Will I be charged twice on PlayStation?
Possibly. If you buy the game on a New Zealand PSN account and you already own it on your main account, you’ll effectively pay twice. Your best move is to check whether your purchase is region-free or if your main account’s license will be recognized on the NZ account before putting down cash.
I won’t pretend this is for everyone—some players prefer to wait and avoid account juggling or extra costs. But if you want those early hours and own the Xbox edition, the timezone change is the fastest, cheapest method. Is a few hours of early play worth paying a second full price?