With the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 just around the corner, many eager players are looking for ways to jump into the game a little earlier than the official release. Luckily, there are several methods you can use to pre-download the game and even play it ahead of schedule—depending on your platform. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about early access, including download sizes, glitches, and how to play early using clever region changes.

Pre-download Information for Different Platforms

The pre-download for Black Ops 7 is already available for players on various platforms, with some players able to start playing ahead of the official release date. Here’s a breakdown of how it works across different systems:

PlayStation 5 & PlayStation 4: If you’ve pre-ordered the game digitally, you can go ahead and start the download now. For PS4, you'll need to download three separate packs for campaign, multiplayer, and zombies. However, PS5 users will only be able to download the campaign at the moment, with multiplayer and zombies being included as part of the Call of Duty HQ update.

PC (Battle.net): The pre-download for Black Ops 7 on Battle.net went live earlier than expected, with sizes ranging around 162 GB for some players.

Xbox & Xbox PC: Players using the Xbox Game Pass or Steam will be able to start downloading on November 13th at 9:00 AM Pacific Time. However, some early access users might have already started the download, so check your console or app for updates.

How to Play Black Ops 7 Early

If you want to dive into Black Ops 7 before the official global release, there’s a clever workaround that many players have used in past years—changing your region to New Zealand. Here's how you can do it:

For PC Users

Using the Xbox App: Unfortunately, Black Ops 7 isn’t available for early access on Battle.net, but you can still play it early if you switch your PC region to New Zealand through the Xbox app. Here’s the step-by-step:

Change your PC region to New Zealand using a random address generator (you can find one easily online).

Log into your Call of Duty account and set your account region to New Zealand as well.

Once this is done, you’ll be able to start playing when the New Zealand release time hits.

For Xbox Users

Switching Region: To play early on Xbox, simply change your Xbox region to New Zealand. Then, log into your Call of Duty or Activision account and adjust the region to New Zealand on the official website.

For PlayStation Users

No Region Change Needed: If you’re on PlayStation, you don’t need to adjust the system’s region settings. All you need to do is log into your Call of Duty or Activision account and update your address to New Zealand. This will adjust the release countdown, allowing you to start playing earlier than your local release time.

Dealing with Glitches and Errors

As with any pre-release process, there are often a few bugs and issues to deal with. One common glitch that many players have encountered with Black Ops 7 is the misreporting of campaign availability. On PlayStation 5, for example, the campaign pack might show that it will be playable a day earlier than expected. Don’t be fooled—this is just a display error, and you won’t be able to access the game until the official release time.

Tips for Managing Your Download Size

If you’re looking to download the game early, especially for PC players, the download size can be quite large—especially on Battle.net, where it can reach up to 162 GB. Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive before starting the download to avoid any interruptions. It’s also a good idea to keep your system up to date and restart it before beginning the download to ensure everything goes smoothly.

How to Find Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies

Some players may be interested in more relaxed ways to experience Black Ops 7, especially if they want to practice or experiment with new strategies. One popular method is using bot lobbies, which offer a more forgiving environment compared to real players. If you're playing on PS5, there’s a way to buy BO7 bot lobbies through third-party providers like U4N, a trusted marketplace for in-game services. These services let you practice your aim, test out weapons, and get some easier matches to get accustomed to the game mechanics. Keep in mind, though, that these services are often not officially supported by the game developers, so use them at your own discretion.

Whether you’re looking to jump into the action early or simply want to prep for the game’s official release, there are plenty of ways to get ahead of the pack. With region tricks for early access and third-party services for practicing in bot lobbies, Black Ops 7 offers multiple avenues to enhance your gaming experience. Just make sure to check for any download glitches and keep your system prepared for the hefty download sizes!