With the highly anticipated release of EA Sports FC 25 (EAFC 25), fans of the popular Ultimate Team mode are eager to get a head start on building their squads. However, one topic that has garnered significant attention is the “New Zealand glitch.” This method allows players, particularly on Xbox, to gain early access to the game and start playing Ultimate Team hours before the official release. By changing the location of their console, players can get a jump on rivals, which gives them a significant advantage when it comes to trading and building their teams.
Here’s an in-depth look at how the New Zealand glitch works, the impact it has on the EAFC 25 economy, and how it relates to the Ultimate Team companion app and web app.
What is the New Zealand Glitch?
The New Zealand glitch is a well-known method that allows players to access EAFC 25 ahead of its official release time. This glitch works primarily for Xbox users, though it has some relevance for PlayStation users living in time zones like New Zealand or Australia, where the game releases earlier.
Here’s how it works: Xbox players can manually change the location of their console to New Zealand in the system settings. Since New Zealand’s time zone is ahead of most other regions, this simple switch lets players access the game hours before it becomes available in their own time zone. For example, when it’s midnight on September 19th in New Zealand, players in Europe or North America can use this glitch to start playing as early as 11:00 AM on September 19th, gaining valuable time to build their teams and start trading in Ultimate Team.
If you’re unsure how to use the New Zealand glitch, there are tutorials available online. You can also buy cheap EAFC 25 points on platforms such as Eldorado.gg to stay ahead of the curve as well.
The Impact on the Ultimate Team Economy
The New Zealand glitch has significant implications for the in-game economy, especially in Ultimate Team. Traditionally, the web app and companion app would be released ahead of the official game launch, giving all players the chance to trade and accumulate coins before the full game became available. However, with the web app for EAFC 25 launching on September 19th—the same day the game is available to those using the New Zealand glitch—the economic landscape of Ultimate Team will shift.
The primary concern is the advantage that players using the glitch will have. While the web app is an excellent tool for early trading and coin generation, players who access the full game early can load up on FIFA points and start buying packs. This influx of coins from those packs will allow them to snap up valuable players and complete squad-building challenges (SBCs) long before other players have had a chance to log into the web app.
Trading Discrepancies
One notable example from a previous release cycle highlights the impact of this early access. During the launch of EAFC 24, high-value players like João Cancelo saw dramatic price fluctuations when the market opened early for those using the New Zealand glitch. For instance, one player dropped from 300,000 coins to 95,000 coins within a few hours, only to rebound to a higher value once more players gained access to the game.
In essence, the New Zealand glitch creates a discrepancy in the Ultimate Team economy. Players who log in early can buy valuable gold players or SBC-specific players at bargain prices, then resell them for a profit once the broader player base enters the game. This has led to frustration among players who rely on the web app to trade before diving into the full game. By the time they can access the market, prices for key players may have already skyrocketed.
The Role of the Web App and Companion App
The web app and companion app have long been important tools for Ultimate Team players, particularly in the days leading up to the game’s official release. These apps allow players to start trading, building their squads, and completing SBCs before the full game becomes available. However, with the New Zealand glitch enabling early access to the full game, the utility of the web app has been called into question.
Normally, the web app launch precedes the game by a day or two, giving players a head start. But with the game now available at the same time for those using the New Zealand glitch, the web app’s advantages are significantly diminished. Early pack buyers can flood the market with coins and valuable players, leaving those reliant on the web app at a disadvantage.
That said, there are still some benefits to using the web app. Players can engage in lower-risk trading activities, such as investing in silver cards or SBC solution players, which are often undervalued early on. For those who don’t want to spend money on EAFC Points, the web app still offers opportunities to make coins through more strategic, long-term investments.
Ethical Considerations
There has been much debate over the ethics of the New Zealand glitch. While it is not explicitly illegal or against EA’s terms of service, some players view it as an unfair advantage that disrupts the game’s economy. By allowing a subset of players to access the game early, it creates an uneven playing field, particularly in a mode where timing and market knowledge are key to success.
In addition to the glitch, another ethical gray area in EAFC 25 is the buying of coins through third-party services like Eldorado.gg. These services allow players to purchase large amounts of EAFC 25 coins for a fraction of the cost of FIFA points, enabling them to buy specific players from the transfer market instead of relying on randomized packs. While this offers a more predictable way to build a team, it is technically against EA’s terms of service, and players caught using such services risk having their accounts banned.
Key FAQs
What is the New Zealand glitch in EAFC 25? The New Zealand glitch allows Xbox players to gain early access to EAFC 25 by changing their console’s location to New Zealand, where the game is available earlier due to the time zone difference.
Can I use the New Zealand glitch on PlayStation? While the glitch primarily works on Xbox, PlayStation users living in New Zealand or Australia can also access the game early through their natural time zone.
How does the New Zealand glitch affect Ultimate Team? Players who access the game early using the glitch can trade, buy packs, and build teams before others, giving them a significant advantage in the Ultimate Team economy.
Is the New Zealand glitch allowed by EA? While not explicitly banned by EA, using the glitch is seen by some players as unethical because it creates an uneven playing field.
