GTA 6 Midnight Launch: Fans Already Plotting New Zealand Timezone Trick

Rockstar is rolling out Grand Theft Auto 6 at midnight local time in most regions on November 19, prompting some eager fans to plan ahead by switching their console region to New Zealand for an early start.

Unlike a simultaneous global release, the staggered midnight rollout means players in New Zealand will get roughly a 20-hour head start over those in Mexico and other Central American countries.

Of course, there won't be any physical discs to pop in early — even though the long-awaited title is a single-player experience. While pre-loading will be available, the game won't unlock until your timezone's designated window.

Timestamps spotted on the PlayStation Store by GTAVice reveal 15 major release times for GTA 6 across global timezones, kicking off in New Zealand at 11am UTC on November 18 (which is midnight on November 19 for Kiwis).

If you're on Xbox Series X/S, switching your console region to New Zealand will give you the earliest possible access. PlayStation 5 users, however, can't use that trick — though you could technically play early by creating a separate New Zealand account and funding it with a gift card from the region. (Guess that's one way GTA 6 plays better on Xbox.)

After New Zealand, the rollout moves through Australia, Japan, India, mainland Europe, the U.K., and then the U.S. — where all timezones will unlock at midnight Eastern. So if you're on the West Coast, you'll get a few extra hours before bedtime (assuming you plan to sleep).

Reminder: GTA 6 launches on November 19, just 72 days away. If you've preordered, pre-loading starts on November 12, and boxed copies (which include a download code) will ship that same day. Rockstar hasn't yet revealed the required install size, but keep checking IGN for all the details you'll need.