Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto	1997
Grand Theft Auto 2	1999
Grand Theft Auto III	2002
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City	2003
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas	2005
Grand Theft Auto IV	2008
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City	2010
Grand Theft Auto V	2015

Key points

Downgrading is a must since almost no user fix works with newer versions.

Ability to import your music for your own custom radio station.

Many visual features are either missing or broken without mods.

Exceeding 30 FPS introduces gameplay and physics issues.

General information

Official game site

GTAForums - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Discussion

Grand Theft Wiki

GTA Network - A huge network of fansites all dedicated to the Grand Theft Auto series

GTA Garage Mod Database

Steam Community Discussions (Windows)

Steam Community Discussions (OS X)

Steam Users' Forums for game series

1 Availability
- 1.1 Version differences
2 Essential improvements
3 Game data
4 Video settings
- 4.1 Widescreen resolution
- 4.2 Windowed
5 Input settings
- 5.1 GInput
6 Audio settings
- 6.1 Localizations
- 6.2 Add more localizations to language menu
7 Network
8 VR support
9 Issues unresolved
- 9.1 German Steam version doesn't work on OS X
10 Issues fixed
11 Other information
12 System requirements
13 References

Availability[edit]

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		DRM: SecuROM 7 disc check.
Amazon.com
Gamesplanet
Green Man Gaming
Humble Store
Mac App Store
Steam		DRM-free as of last patch^[2] (despite system requirements^[3])
Windows Store		Different port of the game, same as mobile one

Version differences[edit]

The Steam and Windows Store versions lack some radio songs that were present in the retail release.^[4] To restore them in Steam version see Downgrading.

Essential improvements[edit]

Skip intro videos[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Launch the game with -skip parameter (only 1.01 and 2.0 versions)

Use Improved Fast Loader

Offers additional options such as loading last used savegame automatically. Also allows to skip intro videos

Downgrading[edit]

Retail version

Steam version

US executable misses French, German and Italian localizations support. Check fix below

ASI loader[edit]

Unpack Silent's ASI Loader in game folder

SilentPatch[edit]

Fix High FPS blackscreen crash (v1 recommended for Steam)

Fixes many of the bugs introduced in the PC version like bugged sun flare, rotor blades and road reflections^[5]

Adds new features to the game like FLAC codec support and two pass rendering^[6]

Limited new Steam version (December 9 patch) support

Unpack patch in installation folder

ASI loader required

Install fixed resources[edit]

Set up Mod Loader to replace game assets^{[citation needed]}

Download Mod Loader
Extract modloader folder and modloader.asi in <path-to-game>
Download Fixed Vehicles pack
Download Map Fixes pack (both Maps and .DFFs)
Download Map textures fix
Download Fixed Pre-lighting
Extract all archives in subdirectories inside modloader one

Notes

SkyGfx or TwoPassRendering are advised

1.00 version and ASI loader required

Game data[edit]

Default configuration/saves folder path can be customized

Configuration file(s) location[edit]

System	Location
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files\gta_sa.set
macOS (OS X)

Configuration file is encrypted, although it could be possible to edit

Save game data location[edit]

System	Location
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files\GTASAsf#.b
Windows Store	%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\RockstarGames.GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas_3t068xe29zjvp\LocalState
macOS (OS X)	~/Documents/Rockstar Games/GTA San Andreas User Files/

Save game cloud syncing[edit]

System	Native	Notes
Steam Cloud

Incompatible save game[edit]

2.0 executable and newer will refuse to load savegames created with a previous .exe. Use GTA Save N Play service to convert them

Saves made with original 1.0 scripts will fail to load when used with Hot Coffee patched ones, and vice versa. This can be fixed by converting them

Convert saves^{[citation needed]}

Go to save game folder
Upload & Convert your save file with SCMConverter service
Download fixed save back to the save games folder

Video settings[edit]

Display options

Advanced display options

Graphics option	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution		Very poor support.^[7] See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor		See Widescreen resolution
Ultra-widescreen		See Widescreen resolution
4K Ultra HD		See Widescreen resolution
Field of view (FOV)	Adjustments are possible directly using widescreen fix or with Camhack
Windowed	See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed	See ThirteenAG's Windowed Mode.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)	2x-4x MSAA. Misleading in-game selector.^[8] See Broken reflections when AA is enabled
Vertical sync (Vsync)	Automatically enabled with frame limiter^[9]
60 FPS	Disabling the frame limiter introduces glitches.
120+ FPS	In-game frame limiter is mandatory to prevent a huge amount of glitches.^[10] Proper 30 FPS cap can be reached with SilentPatch (25 FPS otherwise)^[11]

Widescreen resolution[edit]

Game normally renders stretched images. In-game widescreen option uses correct Aspect Ratio but cuts view (Vert-)

SilentPatch restores 5:4 and 16:9 resolutions with non-1.01 and non-2.0 versions,^[12] albeit far from perfection (see fixbox)

Perfect widescreen implementation^{[citation needed]}

Download Widescreen HOR+ Support
Extract rel folder contents in <path-to-game> (merge/overwrite when asked)
Download ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix
Extract the files in <path-to-game>

Notes

1.0 version and ASI loader required

Field of view can be controlled inside GTASA.WidescreenFix.ini

Windowed[edit]

ThirteenAG's Windowed Mode

Download the mod here
Put the III.VC.SA.WindowedMode.asi and (optionally) III.VC.SA.CoordsManager.exe to <path-to-game>\scripts\

1.0 version and ASI loader required

Shortcuts

Alt+↵ Enter toggles Fullscreen/Windowed modes
Ctrl+↵ Enter toggles Border/Borderless modes
⇧ Shift+↵ Enter toggles Coords Manager menu

Use SA Window

1.0 version and ASI loader required

Use dxwnd app

Input settings[edit]

Input settings

Keyboard and mouse	Native	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration		Can be further adjusted with hardware mouse plugin and sensitivity fix ASI loader required
Mouse sensitivity		Only X-Axis by default. Use SilentPatch to tie both axes
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support		Very basic support. SAAC or GInput are recommended.
Full controller support		Only in Steam version. GInput otherwise
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity		Use GInput and adjust sensitivity options in `GInputSA.ini`
Controller Y-axis inversion
Other
Touchscreen optimised		Windows Store version only.

Additional information
Button prompts		For Xbox and DualShock prompts use GInput. Wii buttons are also available as GInput addon
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback		GInput must be used.

GInput[edit]

Adds full XInput controller support

Restores haptic feedback from console versions

Choice between Xbox and DualShock button prompts

Unpack patch in scripts folder

1.0 version and ASI loader required

Audio settings[edit]

Audio panel

Audio options	Native	Notes
Separate volume controls		Independent radio and effects volume.
Surround sound		Up to 7.0 output^[13]
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost		Widescreen fix can be used to toggle behavior^[14]
EAX support		EAX 1, EAX 2, EAX 3, EAX 4^[15]

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	CC	Notes
English
Arabic				Fan translation, Download
Czech				Fan translation, Download
French
German
Italian
Polish				Official translation, Download
Russian				Fan translation, Download
Slovak				Fan translation, Download
Spanish

Add more localizations to language menu[edit]

Install Language Loader^[16]

Download language loader
Extract LanguageLoader.asi in <path-to-game>
Drag the right languages.ini file to <path-to-game>\text\, according to the number of languages actually available

Notes

ASI loader and 1.0 or 1.01 versions required

Network[edit]

Arguably, Multi Theft Auto is more advanced, however San Andreas Multiplayer currently has a larger community. Both mods require a version 1.0 executable.

Multiplayer types

Type	Players	Notes
Local play	2	Co-op See Local play.
LAN play	Use Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas or San Andreas Multiplayer.
Online play	Use Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas or San Andreas Multiplayer.

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated		Use Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas or San Andreas Multiplayer.
Self-hosting		Use Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas or San Andreas Multiplayer.
Direct IP		Use Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas or San Andreas Multiplayer.

Local play[edit]

Instructions^{[citation needed]}

Download 2 Player Missions Loader
Extract everything inside Two Player Missions Loader 1.2 folder in <path-to-game>\cleo\
Configure controls:

1 keyboard: download SAAC 2.0 and map keys for every player
1 keyboard, 1 controller: make sure to force controller to second slot
2 controllers: nothing else

Notes

CLEO, widescreen fix and 1.00 version are required (GInput if using controllers)

As with any CLEO mod, every savegames made with it enabled won't work anymore without

VR support[edit]

3D modes	Native	GG3D	Notes
Native 3D
Nvidia 3D Vision
TriDef 3D
iZ3D

Issues unresolved[edit]

Even though practically every major bug has been addressed by mods such as SilentPatch and TTDISA, there's no guarantee you won't encounter some of the rarest ones^[17]

Some save corrupting glitches can be worked around with an online repair tool or a savegame editor^[18]

German Steam version doesn't work on OS X[edit]

The German Steam version for OS X doesn't work. Rockstar is investigating this issue.^[19]

Issues fixed[edit]

Timing-related issues[edit]

If you have:

Game-breaking bugs and glitches

Some missions such as Amphibious Assault or Driving School missions^[20] are impassable or incredibly difficult

Physical weirdness

Vehicles & bicycles handle like brakes are always on, decelerate almost immediately, and seem feathered whenever in-air
Inability to dive underwater

Gameplay absurdities

Aiming while walking is silly^[21]
Climbing walls results in sudden deaths^[22]
Vehicles and/or pedestrians move extremely fast

Crashes when listening to User Radio (fixed in patch 1.01)^[23]

THEN

Turn on in-game frame limiter

Game is limited to 25 FPS; 30 when using SilentPatch

Game doesn't start after downgrading[edit]

Delete gta_sa.set^{[citation needed]}

Go to the Configuration file(s) location.
Delete gta_sa.set.

EU executable: make sure you have all 5 translations files inside text folder

Game crashes during or after loading screens[edit]

Delete gta_sa.set^{[citation needed]}

Go to the Configuration file(s) location.
Delete gta_sa.set.

If this happens only with older save: convert it^{[citation needed]}

Loading older save game starts a new campaign[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Convert save file^{[citation needed]}

Mouse fails to work[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Intro movies not showing[edit]

Windows Vista/7: disable desktop composition^{[citation needed]}

Windows 8+: enable DXMaximizedWindowedMode shim^[24]^{[citation needed]}

Intro movies not showing and broken `ALT`+`Tab ↹`[edit]

Fix codec hell^{[citation needed]}

Alt-tab makes game crash[edit]

Install SilentPatch^[25]

User tracks don't play[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Bad reflections, lighting, transparency[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Game crashes on multimonitor systems[edit]

Install SilentPatch^[26]

Game crashes when standing near escalators[edit]

Install SilentPatch^[26]

Sound issues[edit]

Downgrade EAX United dll^[27]

Enable Windows 98/Me compatibility mode^[28]

"A required security module cannot be activated" error[edit]

Enable Windows 2000 compatibility mode^[29]

Gym persistently reports to have been worked out enough[edit]

Install SilentPatch

If warning still persists, try to fix your savegame

Stuck in a gym[edit]

Push or quickly mash the left or right movement keys along with the jump button to exit the gym^{[citation needed]}

Error on start due to a DirectX 9.0 prompt (Windows 8 and newer)[edit]

Install DirectPlay^{[citation needed]}

Install SilentPatch^[30]

Steam version doesn't launch[edit]

Latest Steam version added a xinput1_3.dll dependency, yet Steam installscripts were not updated to install DirectX Runtimes

Install DirectX

Shadowy terrain[edit]

Instructions^{[citation needed]}

Download black roads fix
Move fix.black_roads.asi to <path-to-game>.

Notes

ASI loader and 1.00 version required

Vegetation disappears in the distance[edit]

Tweak draw distance^{[citation needed]}

Make sure Mod Loader is set up
Download Project 2dfx
Extract archive content to <path-to-game>\modloader\Project 2DFX
If you want to disappear further, open SALodLights.ini and increase the number in "VegetationDrawDistance = 800.0" (it's in meters).

No moon phases[edit]

Install SilentPatch^[31]

Doesn't work in 16-bit color mode (nor windowed after Windows 8^{[citation needed]})

Streaming memory bug, incorrectly rendered pedestrians[edit]

Install SilentPatch^[32]

Cannot find 800x600x32 video mode error[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Lens flare is too thin and barely visible[edit]

Install SilentPatch

Broken reflections when AA is enabled[edit]

Install SilentPatch^[25]

Enables up to 16x MSAA

Install Multi-sampling FIX

1.0 version and ASI loader required

Other information[edit]

API[edit]

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	9
OpenGL	2.0	OS X only.
Shader Model support	1.1, 2.0
64-bit executable

Enhancement pack[edit]

Contains much of the most used fixes

Quite outdated.

Improved shadows[edit]

Fix broken lighting^[33]^[34]

Go to <path-to-game>\data and rename timecyc.dat to something else.
Rename timecycp.dat to timecyc.dat.

Notes

Best with PS2 graphics for PC and increased lighting distance

Modding[edit]

Featured mods[edit]

Enterable Hidden Interiors - Allows to enter buildings otherwise confined only in cutscenes or not used.
First Person Mod
Improved Vehicle Features

Total conversions[edit]

Grand Theft Auto United - Bring GTA III and GTA Vice City maps to GTA San Andreas
Things to do in San Andreas - Fixes nearly all the gameplay bugs left in the game and add lots of cut or removed stuff
ViceCityStories PC Edition - A total conversion that ports the original console game to PC
GTA Underground - Like aforementioned United plus Bully and Manhunt games

Mod Index[edit]

In Mod Index you can find a bigger list of mods.

System requirements[edit]

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	2000, XP
Processor (CPU)	AMD Athlon 1.0 GHz Intel Pentium III 1.0 GHz	AMD Athlon XP 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
System memory (RAM)	256 MB	384 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	3.6 GB	4.7 GB
Video card (GPU)	Nvidia GeForce 3 64 MB of VRAM DirectX 8.1 compatible	Nvidia GeForce 6200 128 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible
Sound (audio device)	DirectX 9 compatible	Sound Blaster Audigy 2

OS X
	Minimum
Operating system (OS)	Snow Leopard 10.6.8
Processor (CPU)	Intel Core 2 Duo
System memory (RAM)	1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	5.2 GB
Video card (GPU)	ATI Radeon X1600 Intel GMA X3100 Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT

References

[1] Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – War Drum Studios - last accessed on 2016-5-14

[2] Patch incoming? :: Steam Community Discussions

[3] [False alarm] Suddenly... Securom DRM listed in requirements! WTF Rockstar? :: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas General Discussions

[4] STEAM | September 2014 - Nice thread. Btw, Bayonetta 2 is out next month. - View Single Post - NeoGAF

[5] SilentPatch - Page 27 - GTA Forums

[6] SilentPatch - Page 23 - GTA Forums

[7] [PLUG|OS] Widescreen HOR+ Support - GTA Forums

[8] SilentPatch - Page 139 - GTAForums

[9] SilentPatch - Page 91 - GTA Forums

[10] [REL]Multi-sampling FIX - GTA Forums

[11] SilentPatch - Page 22 - GTA Forums

[12] Patch incoming? :: Steam Community Discussions

[13] PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up

[14] [GTA|NFS|MP|OTHER] Widescreen Fixes Pack - GTA Forums

[15] Gaming - SoundBlaster.com (retrieved)

[16] Language loader - GTAForums

[17] SilentPatch - Page 86 - GTA Forums

[18] SilentPatch - Page 85 - GTA Forums

[German_OS_X-19] Problems Launching German Steam Version of San Andreas on Mac – Rockstar Support

[20] Need Help on Alley Oop Driving School - iGrandTheftAuto.com Forums

[21] Сборки CLEO-скриптов для GTA III, VC, SA (Page 5) / Модификации / SannyBuilder.com Forums

[22] SilentPatch - Page 149 - GTAForums

[23] San Andreas Versions - GTAModding

[24] ESSENTIAL PATCH (Silent Patch) :: Steam Community Discussions

[aprilsilent-25] 25.0 ^25.1 SilentPatch - Page 141 - GTAForums

[junesilent-26] 26.0 ^26.1 SilentPatch - Page 148 - GTAForums

[27] Rain/Thunderstorm Bug - GTAForums

[28] NEW Fix for Sound Problems - GTA Forums

[29] "A required security module cannot be activated" in San Andreas – Rockstar Support

[30] SilentPatch - Page 99 - GTAForums

[31] SilentPatch - Page 12 - GTAForums

[32] SilentPatch - Page 155 - GTAForums - last accessed on 2016-07-28

[33] Fix for missing diffuse lighting in GTA SA - Steam Users' Forums

[34] GTA SA PS2 Graphics on PC? - GTA Forums

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Developers

	Rockstar North
macOS (OS X)	TransGaming Inc.
Windows Store	War Drum Studios^[1]
Publishers
	Rockstar Games
Japan	Capcom
Engines
	RenderWare
Release dates
Windows	June 1, 2005
OS X	November 12, 2010

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Contents

Availability[edit]

Version differences[edit]

Essential improvements[edit]

Skip intro videos[edit]

Downgrading[edit]

ASI loader[edit]

SilentPatch[edit]

Install fixed resources[edit]

Game data[edit]

Configuration file(s) location[edit]

Save game data location[edit]

Save game cloud syncing[edit]

Incompatible save game[edit]

Video settings[edit]

Widescreen resolution[edit]

Windowed[edit]

Input settings[edit]

GInput[edit]

Audio settings[edit]

Localizations

Add more localizations to language menu[edit]

Network[edit]

Multiplayer types

Connection types

Local play[edit]

VR support[edit]

Issues unresolved[edit]

German Steam version doesn't work on OS X[edit]

Issues fixed[edit]

Timing-related issues[edit]

Game doesn't start after downgrading[edit]

Game crashes during or after loading screens[edit]

Loading older save game starts a new campaign[edit]

Mouse fails to work[edit]

Intro movies not showing[edit]

Intro movies not showing and broken ALT+Tab ↹[edit]

Alt-tab makes game crash[edit]

User tracks don't play[edit]

Bad reflections, lighting, transparency[edit]

Game crashes on multimonitor systems[edit]

Game crashes when standing near escalators[edit]

Sound issues[edit]

"A required security module cannot be activated" error[edit]

Gym persistently reports to have been worked out enough[edit]

Stuck in a gym[edit]

Error on start due to a DirectX 9.0 prompt (Windows 8 and newer)[edit]

Steam version doesn't launch[edit]

Shadowy terrain[edit]

Vegetation disappears in the distance[edit]

No moon phases[edit]

Streaming memory bug, incorrectly rendered pedestrians[edit]

Cannot find 800x600x32 video mode error[edit]

Lens flare is too thin and barely visible[edit]

Broken reflections when AA is enabled[edit]

Other information[edit]

API[edit]

Enhancement pack[edit]

Improved shadows[edit]

Modding[edit]

Featured mods[edit]

Total conversions[edit]

Mod Index[edit]

System requirements[edit]

References

Intro movies not showing and broken `ALT`+`Tab ↹`[edit]