Uncovering the Secret Method to Prematurely Play Mafia: The Old Country, as Revealed in New Zealand
Mafia: The Old Country, the highly anticipated game in the Mafia series, is set to launch on August 8, 2025. However, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox players, there's a way to gain early access to the game by exploiting the time difference between New Zealand and other regions. This method, known as the New Zealand trick, allows players to play the game before its official release in North America and Europe.
PlayStation 5:
To take advantage of this trick, you'll need to create a new PlayStation Network (PSN) account with New Zealand as the country. Sony locks game unlocks to the PSN account’s region, not the console clock, so changing just the time zone on your PS5 won't work. Once you've created the account, purchase the game on this new account. You'll need a payment method that works with New Zealand Dollars (NZD), such as a prepaid card, PayPal linked to NZD, or an NZD-supported bank card.
It's important to note that save data, trophies, and progress from this account won't sync to your main account, so you will essentially be starting fresh on the new account.
Xbox:
While details are less restrictive than PS5, you can still leverage New Zealand’s earlier launch by setting your Xbox region to New Zealand or buying the game via a New Zealand Xbox account. When the game unlocks at midnight New Zealand time (earlier than your local midnight), you can start playing early. Some Xbox players have confirmed doing this trick successfully by purchasing and playing when the NZ launch hits.
PC and Steam:
Unfortunately, this trick cannot be used on Steam or PC. For PC users, particularly on Steam, the game release time is locked based on the actual region, so there's no need for PC players to try and push the game release further. The PC version of Mafia The Old Country goes live on August 7, 2025, at 12 PM ET, which is earlier than the console launch.
In conclusion, the New Zealand trick is a popular method for time zone-based early access to region-locked digital game releases. However, it's essential to consider the consequences of starting over before using this trick to play Mafia: The Old Country early.
On a personal note, Rishi Pallav, an Esports and Gaming writer, balances late-night tech reviews with competitive gaming sessions of FIFA, Counter-Strike, and Valorant, even stepping into tournaments for these titles. Rishi, a civil engineer by background, developed a love for gaming and tech from childhood memories of playing Snow Bros. with his father.
Mafia: The Old Country launches on August 7 at 12 PM ET on Steam, and on August 8 at 12 AM ET for PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Happy gaming!
Smartphones can be useful for keeping track of the New Zealand time, as it's essential to know when the Mafia: The Old Country game launches in New Zealand to take advantage of the New Zealand trick. Furthermore, Rishi Pallav, an Esports and Gaming writer, often checks his smartphone for the latest news and updates on games and technology, including the New Zealand trick for early access to region-locked digital game releases.
