To play games early on PS5, utilize the time zone trick by setting your console’s region to one where the game is already released.
Eagerly anticipating the latest PS5 release? You’re not alone! Many players wonder how to play games early on ps5, often counting down the seconds. There’s a small method that some use that involves fiddling with your console’s settings.
This simple adjustment, although not guaranteed, might grant you access before your local release time. It’s a technique that relies on time zone differences, allowing you to potentially jump into the action sooner.
How to Play Games Early on PS5
Getting your hands on a brand-new PlayStation 5 game before its official release date is a dream for many gamers. Who wouldn’t want to be among the first to explore a new world, experience a captivating story, or dominate the online leaderboards? While there’s no magic button to instantly play a game before everyone else, there are a few clever ways you might be able to jump in a bit earlier than the general public. Let’s explore some of these methods and get you closer to playing those exciting PS5 games ahead of time.
Understanding Pre-Load and Digital Release Times
Before diving into sneaky tactics, let’s talk about the most common way to play a game close to its actual launch: digital pre-orders and pre-loading. When you buy a game digitally through the PlayStation Store, you often have the option to pre-order it. This is like reserving your copy, and it comes with a great perk: pre-loading. Pre-loading means downloading the game files to your PS5 ahead of its official release date. This way, you’re not stuck waiting for a massive download on launch day. You’re ready to play as soon as the game becomes available.
How Pre-Loading Works
When you pre-order a game, the PlayStation Store will usually give you a date and time when you can start pre-loading. This time is usually a day or two before the actual launch. Once the pre-load begins, your PS5 will download all the game files in the background. You can still play other games or watch videos while the download takes place. The beauty of pre-loading is that on the official release time, the game is already on your system, and you can instantly start playing without any further delay. It’s like having a head start right out of the gate!
Finding Digital Release Times
Digital release times can be a little tricky since they vary from game to game and also based on your time zone. Usually, the PlayStation Store will specify the exact time the game will be available to play for your region. Keep an eye on your pre-order details, as this information is often listed there. Sometimes, game publishers announce the precise launch time on their social media or websites, especially if it is a big release. It is always a good idea to keep an eye out for any announcements so you are ready on time.
- Check the PlayStation Store: Look at the game’s page in the PlayStation Store. The release date and time are often listed there.
- Look at your Confirmation Email: When you pre-order a game, Sony sends a confirmation email. This email may have details about the release time.
- Follow Social Media: Game developers and publishers often announce release times on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Visit Gaming Websites: Many websites and gaming blogs publish information about release times.
Physical Copies: The Early Retail Advantage
While digital downloads are convenient, physical copies of games can sometimes offer the opportunity to play early. This usually depends on when retailers decide to put games on their shelves and when they ship them.
Street Date Breaks
Sometimes, smaller game stores or retailers might accidentally put a game on the shelf before its official release date. These events, known as “street date breaks,” can be a golden opportunity for eager gamers. These cases are rare, but if you are lucky, you may spot the game early in local mom and pop stores. Smaller stores might not have the same strict control over their inventory as big chains, giving you a chance to pick up the game a day or even a few days early. But keep in mind this practice is usually a violation of retailer agreements with publishers, so not all stores will be open to selling games early. And its not good to insist them as they could get in trouble for that.
Shipping and Mail Order
If you pre-order a physical copy of a game online, sometimes you might receive it a day or two before the official release date. This depends on the shipping times and how quickly the retailer sends out their pre-orders. If the shipping is fast and the retailer ships it out promptly, you may get lucky and play early. It’s all down to how efficiently the postal or courier services operate and it’s also a bit of luck as well.
The key here is to choose retailers that often ship out pre-orders as early as possible. Keep in mind the delivery time may vary a bit, but it’s worth a shot if you want to play earlier than the official launch.
Review Copies and Early Access
If you are not a normal customer, but some kind of games journalist or influencer, you may be one of the lucky few to get a game early. Review copies or an early access opportunity may be what you need.
Review Copies for the Press
Game developers often provide review copies to game journalists, YouTubers, and other media outlets before the official release date. These review copies help create buzz about the game and allow the media to write reviews and previews before the game launches. If you are a member of the press, or a well established influencer, you might get your hands on a copy early. These review copies come with an embargo date, a specific time when you can start talking or sharing content about the game. But it still allows those who get the copy to play the game before everyone else.
Early Access Programs
Some games have early access programs where players can pay for early access for example, certain games might have a “deluxe” or “ultimate” edition that includes early access, allowing those who purchase this more expensive edition to play the game a day or more before the normal release date. This isn’t always the case and it does vary a lot from game to game, but sometimes these early access programs are only available for a certain amount of time. So you would need to check and keep an eye out for this kind of opportunities.
Game Developer and Publisher Events
Sometimes, game developers and publishers have events or gaming conventions where they let people play their games before the official release date. These events are also great opportunities for you to get some early playing time. These events may happen locally or you may need to travel to bigger conventions like E3, or Gamescom.
Game Conventions and Expos
Game conventions and expos often have booths where developers show off their upcoming games. These booths might offer playable demos or even early access to a game, offering a fantastic opportunity to play a game before launch, especially when big releases are near and developers are keen to build hype. They are also good for the developers to collect feedback on their game before launch. These events are usually very busy, so expect to wait in line for your turn to play the game.
Playtesting Opportunities
Some game developers have playtesting programs where they invite people to test their games before they are released. These playtests usually happen well before the official release, sometimes several months or more, but it can be a good chance to get a sneak peek, and to play the game. Sometimes these playtesting might require you to sign an NDA agreement, to not disclose any information about the game. To participate, you often need to sign up for the developer’s or publisher’s community programs or newsletters and watch out for any announcements of playtesting opportunities.
Region Switching and Time Zones
One of the most discussed methods to possibly play earlier revolves around changing your PlayStation account’s region. This method is a little more involved and there are no guarantees, but here’s how it generally works:
How Region Switching Works
The idea behind this is that when a game is released in one part of the world, it is often not the same time it releases in another. For example, some games might launch earlier in New Zealand than in the United States or Europe. By changing your PlayStation Network account’s region to a time zone that has the game available, you might theoretically access it before your local release time. The exact way it works is that you need to set up a new PSN account and set the region to, for example, New Zealand. This means your new account thinks you are in the New Zealand time zone and can play when the game launches in that region. Once the game is unlocked on your new account, you can return to your main account and play the game there.
Potential Issues
It is important to know that this method doesn’t always work. Sony and game publishers are aware of this trick and they have been known to block this method by locking it by country or region, and they may make it so that it does not unlock early. Also, changing your PSN region might come with some other problems such as buying from a different regional store which can make it difficult to add funds and also you may lose your existing saved game progress. The new account may not have all of your game saves or trophies, and your friends list will not be there as it would be on your usual account. It is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before trying this.
Staying Informed
The most important thing you can do to play games early on your PS5 is to stay informed and keep an eye out for any opportunities. Keep up to date with news from game developers and publishers, and check all the usual sources.
Following the Right Channels
To make sure you don’t miss any chances to play early, make sure you are on the right track with these:
- Follow Game Publishers: Keep an eye on the social media pages, websites, and communities of your favorite game developers. They are usually the first to announce launch times, early access programs, and other events.
- Join Communities: Join online forums and communities that are dedicated to specific games or gaming in general. Other players might share tips, strategies, and news about early release opportunities.
- Subscribe to Gaming News: Many online websites and publications publish regular gaming news. Subscribing to these sources will keep you up to date on new releases, early access, and events.
- Check Retailers Regularly: Keep an eye on your favorite online and physical game stores. Pay attention to their pre-order options, shipping policies, and any promotions or offers they might have.
Trying to get your hands on a game early can be exciting, but always remember to be responsible, patient, and respectful of developers and publishers and understand it’s not always possible. It’s always best to wait for the official release time and to support the developers who worked hard to create the games we love.
While playing games early on your PS5 might involve a bit of luck and some extra effort, knowing the methods that are potentially available gives you a better chance. Keep a close watch on game pre-order pages, check for shipping updates for your physical copies, follow game companies, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be one of the first people playing that hotly anticipated new title on your PlayStation 5!
How to Play PS5 games EARLY (Free Early Access)
Final Thoughts
To play games early on PS5, you primarily rely on digital pre-orders or retail releases in different time zones. Pre-loading purchased games before release is crucial.
Changing your console’s region can sometimes provide early access. Be careful, this may violate PlayStation’s terms of service.
Therefore, to understand how to play games early on ps5, pre-ordering is your best bet. This method ensures you can jump in as soon as the game becomes available to you.
