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Difference between revisions of "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas"

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(Undo revision 1350060 by 2804:30C:1377:D900:E54A:A7F3:5D0D:1D8E (talk) Again, sentence doesn't make sense, bad grammar, strong suspicion you were the same one who added these previously, but under another IP; please only add them back with good grammar and ask on PCGW Discord for help if having difficulties with that...)
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(→‎Relevant issues: minor fixes, removing very unclear ones; please only add them when they are clearly worded otherwise this list only gets polluted with information that no one understands....)
Line 664: Line 664:
 
** Some missions such as [http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Amphibious_Assault Amphibious Assault] or Driving School missions<ref>[http://www.igrandtheftauto.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=789099&view=findpost&p=1457255 Need Help on Alley Oop Driving School - iGrandTheftAuto.com Forums]</ref> or [https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Mike_Toreno_(mission) Mike Toreno] (on entering the airport) are impassable or incredibly difficult
 
** Some missions such as [http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Amphibious_Assault Amphibious Assault] or Driving School missions<ref>[http://www.igrandtheftauto.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=789099&view=findpost&p=1457255 Need Help on Alley Oop Driving School - iGrandTheftAuto.com Forums]</ref> or [https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Mike_Toreno_(mission) Mike Toreno] (on entering the airport) are impassable or incredibly difficult
 
** Some missions show black screen: [https://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Cleaning_the_Hood Cleaning The Hood] (after entering Crack Den building) or [https://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Cesar_Vialpando_(mission) Cesar Vialpando] (after entering to tune shop) or during robbery of betting shop (after leaving the place [+ indestructible doors by detonator with unlocked framerate]), and [https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Vertical_Bird Vertical Bird] (after entering the ship; precisely game crashes).
 
** Some missions show black screen: [https://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Cleaning_the_Hood Cleaning The Hood] (after entering Crack Den building) or [https://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Cesar_Vialpando_(mission) Cesar Vialpando] (after entering to tune shop) or during robbery of betting shop (after leaving the place [+ indestructible doors by detonator with unlocked framerate]), and [https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Vertical_Bird Vertical Bird] (after entering the ship; precisely game crashes).
*Physical weirdness
+
* Physical weirdness
 
** Vehicles & bicycles handle like brakes are always on, decelerate almost immediately, wobbly rear ends, and seem feathered whenever in-air
 
** Vehicles & bicycles handle like brakes are always on, decelerate almost immediately, wobbly rear ends, and seem feathered whenever in-air
** '''Police car''', '''ambulance''' and '''firetruck''' can't turn the siren on.
+
** Police cars, ambulances and firetrucks can't turn their siren on.
 
** Inability to dive underwater
 
** Inability to dive underwater
*Gameplay absurdities  
+
* Gameplay absurdities  
 
** Aiming while walking is silly<ref>[https://sannybuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1164&p=5#p23399 Сборки CLEO-скриптов для GTA III, VC, SA (Page 5) / Модификации / SannyBuilder.com Forums]</ref>
 
** Aiming while walking is silly<ref>[https://sannybuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1164&p=5#p23399 Сборки CLEO-скриптов для GTA III, VC, SA (Page 5) / Модификации / SannyBuilder.com Forums]</ref>
** '''Spray can''' and '''fire extinguisher''' transforms into lethal weapon<ref name="highFPS">[https://www.mixmods.com.br/2014/12/nao-jogue-gta-sa-com-fps-alto.html Do not play GTA SA with high FPS! - | MixMods | - Mods to GTA San Andreas and other]</ref>
+
** Spray cans and fire extinguishers become into lethal weapon<ref name="highFPS">[https://www.mixmods.com.br/2014/12/nao-jogue-gta-sa-com-fps-alto.html Do not play GTA SA with high FPS! - | MixMods | - Mods to GTA San Andreas and other]</ref>
 
** Inability to walk while aiming a rifle/desert eagle<ref name="highFPS">[https://www.mixmods.com.br/2014/12/nao-jogue-gta-sa-com-fps-alto.html Do not play GTA SA with high FPS! - | MixMods | - Mods to GTA San Andreas and other]</ref>
 
** Inability to walk while aiming a rifle/desert eagle<ref name="highFPS">[https://www.mixmods.com.br/2014/12/nao-jogue-gta-sa-com-fps-alto.html Do not play GTA SA with high FPS! - | MixMods | - Mods to GTA San Andreas and other]</ref>
 
** Climbing walls results in sudden deaths<ref>[https://gtaforums.com/topic/669045-silentpatch/page-149#entry1068882863 SilentPatch - Page 149 - GTAForums]</ref>
 
** Climbing walls results in sudden deaths<ref>[https://gtaforums.com/topic/669045-silentpatch/page-149#entry1068882863 SilentPatch - Page 149 - GTAForums]</ref>
Line 677: Line 677:
 
* Cutscenes not ending (black screen - described above)<ref name="highFPS"/>
 
* Cutscenes not ending (black screen - described above)<ref name="highFPS"/>
 
* Weird audio pitching when panning the camera.<ref>[https://github.com/kcat/dsoal/issues/39#issuecomment-1034440858 GTA San Andreas - Crash with Radio EQ option enabled · DSOAL]</ref>
 
* Weird audio pitching when panning the camera.<ref>[https://github.com/kcat/dsoal/issues/39#issuecomment-1034440858 GTA San Andreas - Crash with Radio EQ option enabled · DSOAL]</ref>
* Cannot zoom in and out the map.
 
  
 
====Solutions====
 
====Solutions====

Revision as of 07:38, 30 November 2022

This page is for the original 2005 PC release. For the remaster, see Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cover
Developers
Rockstar North
Microsoft Store War Drum Studios[1]
macOS (OS X) TransGaming Inc.
Publishers
Rockstar Games
Japan Capcom
Russia 1C-SoftClub
Engines
RenderWare
Release dates
Windows June 1, 2005
macOS (OS X) (Cider) November 12, 2010
Reception
Metacritic 93
IGDB 93
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, Open world, Gambling/casino
Vehicles Automobile, Bicycle, Bus, Flight, Helicopter, Hovercraft, Motorcycle, Off-roading, Street racing, Tank, Train, Transport, Truck
Art styles Realistic
Themes Contemporary, North America
Series Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on HowLongToBeat
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on IGDB
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas guide on StrategyWiki
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on MobyGames
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on Wikipedia
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: iFruit 2013
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas 10 Year Anniversary 2014
Grand Theft Auto V 2015
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 2021
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (series)

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a singleplayer third-person action, open world and gambling/casino game in the Grand Theft Auto series.

Key points

The PC version features the ability to import owned music to create a custom radio station.
Many visual features from original PlayStation 2 version of the game are either simplified, missing, or broken in the PC version, and exceeding 30 FPS introduces timing issues for gameplay and physics. There are mods available to restore these features back into the PC version; see this forum thread for details.

General information

GTAForums - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Discussion
Grand Theft Wiki
GTA Network - A large network of fansites dedicated to the Grand Theft Auto series
Steam Community Discussions (Windows)
Steam Community Discussions (OS X)

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
SecuROM 7 DRM disc check.
Polish copies use StarForce 5 DRM.
Custom DRM code may sabotage the game in several ways.
Windows
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Included in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy.[2]
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Publisher website
Icon overlay.png
Included in Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy. Playable without DRM by using SA RGSC Downgrader.[3]
Windows
Amazon.com (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Games for Windows Marketplace (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
[4]
Windows
Green Man Gaming (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Humble Store (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Microsoft Store (unavailable)
Microsoft Store
Different port of the game, same as the mobile version.
Windows
Steam (unavailable)
DRM-free after installation through Steam client (notes may include more details)
DRM-free as the November 7, 2014 patch, despite the system requirements stating the game uses SecuROM DRM.[5][6][7]
Windows
If the Steam version is detected, the Rockstar Launcher can launch the game through Steam instead.
Given for free to anyone who purchases The Definitive Edition on the Rockstar Store before June 30, 2022.
Removed from Steam on October 13, 2021

Version differences

This game has seen multiple revisions since its initial v1.0 release: v1.01 ("No More Hot Coffee" patch), v2.00 ("Second Edition" re-prints), v3.0 (initial Steam version), and "NewSteam r1/2" (latest Steam revisions).[8]
The Microsoft Store version is a completely different port based on the mobile version of the game.
The Second Edition re-prints and Rockstar Games Launcher version have anti-modding measures to prevent major modifications to the game.[9][10] See Downgrading to make them mod-friendly.
The Microsoft Store, Steam and Rockstar Games Launcher versions lack some radio songs that were present in the retail release.[11] To restore them in Steam and Rockstar Games Launcher versions, see Downgrading.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Install SilentPatch[12]
Use Improved Fast Loader[citation needed]

Place imfast.ini and imfast.asi into <path-to-game>\scripts\

Notes

ASI Loader required. Can use alongside SilentPatch.
Offers the ability to load the last used savegame automatically and disable the loading screen, which can speed up loading times considerably.
Launch the game with -skip parameter
Only works for 1.01 and 2.0 versions.

SilentPatch

Limited support for the latest Steam (December 9, 2014 update) and Rockstar Games Launcher versions.
Fixes many of the bugs introduced in the PC version like bugged sun flare, rotor blades, road reflections and some frame-rate related issues.[13]
Adds new features to the game like FLAC codec support.[14]
How to install SilentPatch[12]

Download SilentPatch SA here, then extract the contents of SilentPatchSA.zip into <path-to-game>\scripts\.

Notes

ASI Loader required.

Downgrade game version to restore removed songs

Downgrading restores all removed licensed songs from the game for the latest Steam and Rockstar Games Launcher versions and removes modding prevention checks from the Second Edition and Rockstar Games Launcher versions.

Game data

Default configuration/saves folder path can be customized.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files\gta_sa.set
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/12120/pfx/[Note 1]
Configuration file is encrypted, although it could be possible to edit.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files\GTASAsf*.b
Microsoft Store %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\RockstarGames.GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas_3t068xe29zjvp\LocalState
macOS (OS X) ~/Documents/Rockstar Games/GTA San Andreas User Files/
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/12120/pfx/[Note 1]

Fixing incompatible save game data

Save games created with the v2.00 executable and newer does not work with previous versions.
Install SilentPatch[15]
Makes newer versions of the game compatible again with save files created with an older version of the game.
Convert the save files[citation needed]
  1. Go to the save game data location.
  2. Upload and convert the desired save files to GTA Save 'n' Play.
  3. Use the Modifications panel to fix what is need (e.g. downgraded game requires "Script/SCM" version v1, for Steam & Rockstar Games Launcher choose v2).
  4. Download fixed save back with the save slot name of choice.

Portable GTA

1.0 version and ASI Loader required.
This mod moves the user files from %USERPROFILE%\Documents to the game's installation folder.
How to install Portable GTA
  1. Download Portable GTA.
  2. Rename the file extension from portablegta.dll to portablegta.asi.
  3. Move portablegta.asi into <path-to-game>\scripts\.
  4. Launch the game and then quit to desktop, then delete the contents inside <path-to-game>\userfiles.
  5. Copy/move all user files from %USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files into the Portable GTA's new <path-to-game>\userfiles folder.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud
Uses Rockstar Social Club's save game and settings cloud sync function.

Video

Display options
Display options
Advanced display options
Advanced display options

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Very poor support by default.[16] See Widescreen resolution.
Multi-monitor
See Widescreen resolution and Device selection window fixes.
Ultra-widescreen
See Widescreen resolution.
4K Ultra HD
See Widescreen resolution.
Field of view (FOV)
See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See Windowed.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
2x-4x MSAA. Misleading in-game selector.[17] See Broken reflections when anti-aliasing is enabled for up to 16x.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Automatically enabled with frame limiter.[18]
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Capping frames is mandatory to prevent a huge amount of glitches.[19]
Proper 30 FPS in-game limiter can be achieved with SilentPatch (25 FPS otherwise).[20] The Framerate Vigilante mod is slowly trying to address this. See Timing-related issues.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Widescreen resolution

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,[21] albeit far from perfection.
How to Install Widescreen Fix[22]
Requires a US v1.0 executable.
Adds adjustable FOV and HUD/subtitles scaling.
  1. Download Widescreen Fix.
  2. Extract the contents of GTASA.WidescreenFix from the zip archive, then copy the vorbisFile.dll and scripts to <path-to-game>
  3. Optionally, a download for high quality textures for HUD and loading screens are available. To install these, download and Widescreen Frontend Textures, and copy the models folder from GTASA.WidescreenFrontend.zip to <path-to-game>, replacing the stock files when prompted.

Notes

The default settings alter the original game's UI and appearance (the vehicle light fix isn't actually fix as all versions have large light coronas). For a vanilla look, set the values of the following settings in GTASA.WidescreenFix.ini:
Vanilla Widescreen Fix settings (ver.05-16-2020)
; The settings below are used to scale parts of the game UI differently.
; If set to "0.0", original values will be used.
HudWidthScale = 0.0     ; Original value is 1.0.
HudHeightScale = 0.0    ; Original value is 1.0714285.
RadarWidthScale = 0.0   ; Original value is 1.0.
SubtitlesScale = 0.0    ; Original value is 1.0.

; Replaces text shadow with outline (0|1|2).
ReplaceTextShadowWithOutline = 0

Field of view (FOV)

Use SAMP FOV Changer[citation needed]
  1. Download the latest version of SAMP FOV Changer here.
  2. Place the downloaded fov.asi into <path-to-game>\scripts\.
  3. Launch the game, then quit to desktop.
  4. Open the newly generated fov.cfg in <path-to-game>\scripts\ with a text editor to customize FOV.

Notes

1.0 version and ASI Loader required.
Zooming with sniper rifle and camera won't work properly.

Windowed

Use ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix and create a wndmode.ini file in <path-to-game>[23]

Notes

Breaks the missing moon phases fix from SilentPatch with this method.

Vegetation disappears in the distance

Tweak draw distance[citation needed]
  1. Make sure Mod Loader is set up
  2. Download Project2DFX
  3. Extract archive content to <path-to-game>\modloader\Project2DFX

Notes:

It is also possible to make the vegetation disappear in further distances by opening SALodLights.ini with a text editor and increase the number in VegetationDrawDistance (value is measured in meters).

Run the game at screen refresh rate

Fullscreen mode defaults to 60 Hz, even if the screen refresh rate is set higher than that.
Set screen refresh rate[citation needed]
  1. Install Special K by following the Unofficial Special K Guide. Manual local installation is recommended.
  2. Go to the installation folder and rename SpecialK32.dll to dinput8.dll.
  3. Start the game once and close it to allow the configuration file of Special K to be created.
  4. Open <path-to-game>\dinput8.ini.
  5. Change RefreshRate=-1 to RefreshRate=0 under [Render.FrameRate].
Override refresh rate set by game
  1. Install ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix.
  2. Download Chiri's resolution forcing tool.
  3. Extract d3d9.dll and d3dx.ini to the installation folder.
  4. Open d3dx.ini.
  5. Change refresh_rate=60 to desired hertz; e.g. refresh_rate=120.

Input

Input settings
Input settings
Mouse settings
Mouse settings

Keyboard and mouse, touch State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Can be further adjusted with sensitivity fix, however, it requires an ASI Loader to function.[citation needed]
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse Sensitivity slider only affects the X-axis. Use SilentPatch to tie sensitivity to both axes.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Touchscreen optimised
Microsoft Store version only.
Controller
Controller support
Very basic support on DirectInput controllers in the non-Steam/RGL versions.
Full controller support
Native in the Steam version only. Use GInput otherwise.
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Use GInput and adjust sensitivity options in GInputSA.ini.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Basic XInput support only in the Steam/RGL version. Use GInput for improved XInput controller support.
Xbox button prompts
Uses generic button prompts even in the Steam/RGL version. Xbox prompts can be enabled through GInput.
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
GInput only supports DualShock 3 controllers, not DualShock 4. Use an XInput wrapper such as DS4 Windows or Steam Input in tandem with GInput as a workaround.[24]
PlayStation button prompts
Uses generic button prompts. PlayStation prompts can be enabled through GInput.
Light bar support
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes Wired
[24]
Generic/other controllers
Supports DirectInput in non-Steam/RGL version while basic XInput support was added to the Steam version.
Button prompts Input settings icon - Generic Controller.svg GInput can enable in-game Xbox and PlayStation prompts. For Nintendo Wii prompts, use this GInput addon. An alternative GInput icons pack can be found here.
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
GInput includes the ability to hotplug controllers, otherwise hotplugging is not supported by the game.
Haptic feedback
Requires GInput for XInput and DualShock 3 controllers, otherwise vibration support is missing from the console version.
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

GInput

v1.0 and an ASI Loader are required.
Adds full XInput and DualShock 3 controller support with relevant controller prompts.
Supports pressure sensitive buttons and SIXAXIS accelerometers.
Restores haptic feedback from console versions.
Features various tweaks such as controller sensitivity, axis inversion, and controller layout from Grand Theft Auto IV.
Installing GInput[25]
Works with DsHidMini driver, but requires drop DsHIdMini's xinput1_3.dll into the game directory.[26]
  1. Download GInputSA here.
  2. Extract the contents of GInputSA_*.zip, and copy the models folder, GInputSA.asi, and GInputSA.ini files into <path-to-game>\scripts\.
  3. Open GInputSA.ini with a text editor and configure the desired settings.

Audio

Audio panel
Audio panel

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Independent radio and effects volume.
Surround sound
Up to 7.0 output[27] May require DirectSound 3D restoration software.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Widescreen resolution can be used to toggle behavior.[28]
EAX support
EAX 1, EAX 2, EAX 3, EAX 4.[29]
Royalty free audio
Newer versions of the game, such as the current ones on Steam and Rockstar Games Launcher, have had several licensed music tracks removed.[11] Downgrade to a previous version to restore them.
To enable EAX on Vista or newer, see DirectSound hardware path.

Uncompressed SFX Pack

Adds high quality and uncompressed versions for vanilla sounds to the game.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Arabic
Fan translation, download.
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download.
Czech
Fan translation, download.
French
German
Hungarian
Fan translation.
Italian
Japanese
Unknown if taken from the Japanese PlayStation 2 version or retranslated from English into Japanese, download
Korean
Fan translation, download.
Polish
Local retail only. Patch for digital release can be downloaded here or here.
Russian
Official localization by «1C-Softclub» retail version, download
Russian
1) Fan translation by «ENPY Studio/Sherhan Group/®‡™Mad?Dogg™‡® Crew/SerGEAnt's Zone Of Games»
2) Unofficial localization – «Потраченный перевод»
Serbian
Fan translation, download.
Slovak
Fan translation, download.
Spanish
Latin American Spanish
Fan Translation download (Not the official "Definitve Edition" translation)
Turkish
Fan translation, download.

Add more localizations to language menu

Install Language Loader[30]
1.0 version and ASI Loader required.
  1. Download Language Loader.
  2. Extract LanguageLoader.asi in <path-to-game>\scripts\.
  3. Drag the right languages.ini file to <path-to-game>\text\, according to the number of languages actually available.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
2 Co-op
See Local play.
LAN play
See Multiplayer mods.
Online play
See Multiplayer mods.

Connection types

Multiplayer mods

MTA:SA and SA:MP average 10,000+ daily[citation needed] players (even though SA-MP tends to have generally more than MTA:SA).
Downgrading the game is required to run these mods.
San Andreas Multiplayer (SA-MP)
The longest-running, most popular, and most supported multiplayer mod for GTA:SA.
Struggling[31] with getting a new release out after years.
Multi Theft Auto (MTA:SA)
MTA:SA is generally more hassle-free and user-friendly than SA-MP.
Free and open source software.
GTAConnected
It supports JavaScript, Squirrel and Lua as scripting languages.
It supports P2P as sync method.

Local play

Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Download 2 Player Missions Loader
  2. Extract everything inside Two Player Missions Loader 1.2 folder in <path-to-game>\cleo\
  3. Configure controls:

Notes

CLEO, Widescreen resolution and 1.00 version are required (GInput if using controllers)

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
TriDef 3D
vorpX
G3D, Z3D
Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.
Devices
Tobii Eye Tracking
Works with Tobii EyeX tracker or Tobii EyeX 4C and 5 headtracker plugins for FaceTrackNoIR.
TrackIR
Works with FreeTrack 2.0 protocol using software like FaceTrackNoIR.

Issues unresolved

Some save corrupting glitches can be worked around with an online repair tool or a savegame editor.[32]
Even though virtually every major bug has been addressed by mods such as SilentPatch, there's no guarantee that some of the rarest ones will not occur.[33]

German Steam version doesn't work on OS X

The German Steam version for OS X doesn't work.[34]

Issues fixed

Timing-related issues

An unlocked or incorrect frame limiter can cause timing-related issues.

Relevant issues

  • Game-breaking bugs and glitches
    • Some missions such as Amphibious Assault or Driving School missions[35] or Mike Toreno (on entering the airport) are impassable or incredibly difficult
    • Some missions show black screen: Cleaning The Hood (after entering Crack Den building) or Cesar Vialpando (after entering to tune shop) or during robbery of betting shop (after leaving the place [+ indestructible doors by detonator with unlocked framerate]), and Vertical Bird (after entering the ship; precisely game crashes).
  • Physical weirdness
    • Vehicles & bicycles handle like brakes are always on, decelerate almost immediately, wobbly rear ends, and seem feathered whenever in-air
    • Police cars, ambulances and firetrucks can't turn their siren on.
    • Inability to dive underwater
  • Gameplay absurdities
    • Aiming while walking is silly[36]
    • Spray cans and fire extinguishers become into lethal weapon[37]
    • Inability to walk while aiming a rifle/desert eagle[37]
    • Climbing walls results in sudden deaths[38]
    • Vehicles and/or pedestrians move extremely fast
  • Crashes when listening to User Radio (fixed in patch 1.01)[39]
  • Cutscenes not ending (black screen - described above)[37]
  • Weird audio pitching when panning the camera.[40]

Solutions

Turn on in-game frame limiter[41]
Game is limited to 25 FPS; 30 when using SilentPatch
Use FramerateVigilante project[42][43]
Contains fixes for many framerate related issues.
By limiting the game to 60 FPS and using Framerate Vigilante, it's possible to achieve good, playable gameplay.

Pressing Alt+Tab crashes the game

Install SilentPatch[44]

Broken Alt+F4 function

Install SilentPatch[45]

User tracks don't play

Install SilentPatch[12]

Broken reflections, lighting, transparency

Install SilentPatch[12]

Game crashes on multi-monitor systems

Install SilentPatch[46]

Game crashes when standing near escalators

Install SilentPatch[46]

Streaming memory bug, incorrectly rendered pedestrians

Install SilentPatch[47]

Cannot find 800x600x32 video mode error

Install SilentPatch[12]

Lens flare is too thin and barely visible

Install SilentPatch[12]

Gym persistently reports to have been worked out enough

Install SilentPatch[12]
If warning still persists, try to converting the affected save file.

Missing moon phases

Install SilentPatch[48]
Doesn't work in 16-bit color mode, nor on Windows 8 when forcing Windowed mode unless using ThirteenAG's Windowed Mode plug-in.[49]

Broken reflections when anti-aliasing is enabled

Install SilentPatch[44]
Enables up to 16x MSAA
Install Multi-sampling FIX[citation needed]
1.0 version and ASI Loader required

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

Install SilentPatch[50]
Removes DirectPlay dependence of the game altogether.
Install DirectPlay[citation needed]

Loading older save file starts a new game

Install SilentPatch[12]
Convert the affected save file[citation needed]

Mouse fails to work

Install SilentPatch[12]
Use Ryosuke's ASI Mouse fix[citation needed]
Requires ASI loader.
Fixes random mouse failure on visiting interiors.
Compatible with mods replacing dinput8.dll.
Install GTA SA Mouse fix[citation needed]
Go to Task Manager and disable CPU0 for gta_sa.exe in Set affinity[51]

Intro movies not showing

Windows Vista/7: disable desktop composition[52]

Accidental activation of cheat codes

Unlike III and VC, SA uses a sophisticated hashing mechanism to recognize the input of cheats. Unfortunately, this mechanism is faulty - leading to cheats sometimes being triggered by WASD keys commonly used for movement, among many others. Unwanted activation of cheats can ruin normal gameplay and speedrun experience.[53][54][55]
Disable cheats through CLEO[citation needed]
Use Cheat Menu as alternative way of activating cheats.[citation needed]

Sound issues

Enable Windows 98/Me compatibility mode[56]

Shadowy terrain

Instructions[citation needed]
1.0 version and ASI Loader required
  1. Download Black roads fix
  2. Move fix.black_roads.asi to <path-to-game>\scripts\.

Device selection window opens at launch

If running more than one monitor, the game will display a message to configure the resolution every time the game is launched.
Place SkipDeviceSelection.asi into <path-to-game>\scripts\[citation needed]
ASI Loader required

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
OpenGL 2.0 OS X only.
Shader Model support 1.1, 2.0
Executable 32-bit 64-bitARM Notes
Windows
ARM version is exclusive to Microsoft Store.
macOS (OS X)
This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.

Modding

Downgrading and ASI Loader is required for modding.

Downgrading

Any save game created previously must be converted. See here for instructions.
Downgrading restores all removed licensed songs from the game for the latest Steam and Rockstar Games Launcher versions and removes modding prevention checks from the Second Edition and Rockstar Games Launcher versions.
US executable that is provided misses French, German and Italian localization support. Check fix below.
Use San Andreas Downgrader[3]
  1. Download the San Andreas Downgrader that matches with the version that is currently installed.
  2. Extract the contents of SA DOWNGRADER.rar (Steam and Rockstar Games Launcher) or SAv2to1.rar (retail Second Edition) to <path-to-game>.
  3. Run install.bat to start the downgrading process. The tool will automatically close its command prompt window and remove patch files afterwards.
  4. Launch the game from the newly created gta-sa.exe v1.0 executable. It is advised to not use the original executable leftover after downgrading, especially for the Rockstar Games Launcher version as it has problems with the modified files and can undo file changes unless it's launched with -scOfflineOnly parameter.
Game doesn't start after downgrading
Delete gta_sa.set[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Delete gta_sa.set.

ASI Loader

Required for many script-based mods and fixes. Most mods include their own ASI loader, however, it is important to not overwrite this one as it is more recently updated than ones supplied by some mods.
Use ThirteenAG's Ultimate ASI Loader[57]

Download Ultimate ASI Loader here, then extract the contents of Ultimate ASI Loader.zip into <path-to-game>.

Visual C++ Runtime Error game crash when using mods

Use (III / VC / SA) Largeaddress
Increases RAM amount the game can use. Required when using memory intensive mods to avoid crashes.

Mods

GTAInside - Very popular and long running GTA modding site with a huge catalog of mods.
GameModding - Mod site with many mods available for many games; similar to NexusMods.
GTA Garage Mod Database
GTA-All - Newer website with lots of high-quality mods available.
GTA San Andreas Land - Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Modifications Land.

SA Community Map Fixes

A collection of various map bugfixes and additional vanilla-friendly improvements. Installation instructions are provided on the Github page.
Includes mipmapped textures with TXDP generic texture loading, uncompressed map textures from Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Manhunt, and restores vehicles models, ped behavior, and time cycle from the PlayStation 2 version while adding some improvements from the PC and Xbox versions.

Proper Fixes

Requires Mod Loader and SkyGfx with buildingPipe=PS2 enabled.
An alternative mod to the above that has almost 1,000 game fixes with roughly 16,000 files changes, while optimizing performance and adding a few extra features from PlayStation, PC, and Xbox versions. In general, it should not cause any performance issues, even on lower end hardware. See the mod page for exhaustive details of its features.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium III 1.0 GHz
AMD Athlon 1.0 GHz
System memory (RAM) 256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 3.6 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 3
ATI Radeon 8500
64 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.6.8
Processor (CPU) Intel Core 2 Duo
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 5.2 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 7300 GT
ATI Radeon X1600
Intel GMA X3100
This game will NOT run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems (PowerMac)


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/12120/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (12120) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – War Drum Studios - last accessed on 2016-5-14
  2. Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2021-10-24
    Does not appear to use SecuROM DRM after installing the game from the disc, and running SecuROM's removal tool does not return any instance of SecuROM being installed onto the system while the game was installed. Tested on Windows 10 64-bit.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2020-12-14
    Tested on the "Second Edition" (v2.00), Steam (New Steam r2), and the RGL releases and they downgraded them to the v1.0 release of the game.
  4. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - Games for Windows - last accessed on 19 August 2022
  5. San Andreas updated on Steam (Updated) - Rockstar Nexus (archived) - last accessed on 2019-07-20
  6. Patch incoming? - Steam Community Discussions - last accessed on 2019-07-20
  7. (False Alarm) Suddenly... Securom DRM listed in requirements! WTF Rockstar? - Steam Community Discussions - last accessed on 2019-07-20
  8. San Andreas Versions - GTAMods Wiki - last accessed on March 2, 2019
  9. San Andreas Versions - last accessed on 2019-10-06
    "Version 2 has the same bug fixes and additions that were introduced in the 1.01 patch. It also checks the size of the 'gta3.img' file, which causes the game to crash if the size is not equal to a predetermined (hardcoded) size."
  10. Rockstar Games Launcher just released! Download and obtain GTA San Andreas for free! - GTA Forums - last accessed on 2019-10-06
  11. 11.0 11.1 STEAM | September 2014 - Nice thread. Btw, Bayonetta 2 is out next month. | NeoGAF
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 Verified by User:Silent on 2017-08-16
    All confirmed by the author of the unofficial patch SilentPatch
  13. SilentPatch - Page 27 - GTA Forums
  14. SilentPatch - Page 23 - GTA Forums
  15. SilentPatch - GTAForums - last accessed on 2022-11-28
    "Steam/RGL version of the game will not reject 1.0/1.01 saves anymore"
  16. [PLUG|OS] Widescreen Hor+ Support - GTA Forums
  17. SilentPatch - Page 139 - GTAForums
  18. SilentPatch - Page 91 - GTA Forums
  19. [REL]Multi-sampling FIX - GTA Forums
  20. SilentPatch - Page 22 - GTA Forums
  21. Patch incoming? :: Steam Community Discussions
  22. Verified by User:AmethystViper on March 31, 2019
  23. Verified by User:AmethystViper on 2022-10-13
    This method seems to be the only one that worked as ThirteenAG's Window Mode ASI causes constant crashes with the latest version of Widescreen Fix.
  24. 24.0 24.1 Verified by User:Amethystviper on 2022-10-13
    Tested with a V1 controller connected through USB.
  25. Verified by User:AmethystViper on May 13, 2019
  26. Was somebody able to make DS3-mode in GInput work via DSHIDMini yet?
  27. PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up
  28. [GTA|NFS|MP|OTHER] Widescreen Fixes Pack - GTA Forums
  29. Gaming - SoundBlaster.com (retrieved)
  30. Language loader - GTAForums
  31. SA-MP 0.3.8 version cancelled - SA-MP Forums
  32. SilentPatch - Page 85 - GTA Forums
  33. SilentPatch - Page 86 - GTA Forums
  34. Problems Launching German Steam Version of San Andreas on Mac – Rockstar Support
  35. Need Help on Alley Oop Driving School - iGrandTheftAuto.com Forums
  36. Сборки CLEO-скриптов для GTA III, VC, SA (Page 5) / Модификации / SannyBuilder.com Forums
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 Do not play GTA SA with high FPS! - | MixMods | - Mods to GTA San Andreas and other
  38. SilentPatch - Page 149 - GTAForums
  39. San Andreas Versions - GTAModding
  40. GTA San Andreas - Crash with Radio EQ option enabled · DSOAL
  41. From the Readme, about the frame limiter:
    This option allows the game to go faster than 30 [sic] frames per second. Be warned that this will not magically make GRAND THEFT AUTO: San Andreas run better, but rather may make your experience "more variable". We do not recommend unlocking the frame rate. If you have a fast machine, it is far preferable to increase resolution, detail options, anti-aliasing, etc. rather than trying to achieve a higher frame rate by un-locking the Frame Limiter. This will lead to a more variable gameplay experience.
  42. https://github.com/GTAmodding/FramerateVigilante
  43. https://gtaforums.com/topic/927971-framerate-vigilante-finding-and-fixing-framerate-related-issues/
  44. 44.0 44.1 SilentPatch - Page 141 - GTAForums
  45. SilentPatch - Page 173 - GTAForums
  46. 46.0 46.1 SilentPatch - Page 148 - GTAForums
  47. SilentPatch - Page 155 - GTAForums - last accessed on 2016-07-28
  48. SilentPatch - Page 12 - GTAForums
  49. Verified by User:Amethystviper on 2022-10-13
    Tried the wndmode.ini method on Windows 10 while using SilentPatch, which broke SiletPatch's moon phases fix. Only by using ThirteenAG's Windowed Mode plug-in that I was able to play the game in Windowed mode while retaining the moon phases fix from SilehtPatch.
  50. SilentPatch - Page 99 - GTAForums
  51. https://forum.dobreprogramy.pl/t/myszka-nie-dziala-w-gta-san-andreas/177358/20?u=deton24
  52. GTA San Andreas black screen during intro - Steam Users' Forums (retrieved)
  53. GTA SA - Alternative Cheats - Feat. Badger Goodger - last accessed on 2022-03-28
  54. GTA:SA Speedrun Ruined by WASD Cheat (Joshimuz) - last accessed on 2022-03-28
  55. Stream Highlights: 03/2022 - YouTube - last accessed on 2022-11-28
  56. NEW Fix for Sound Problems - GTA Forums
  57. Verified by User:Amethystviper on 2022-10-13
    Ultimate ASI Loader has been updated more recently compared to Silent ASI Loader and this pre-made package I've created uses the latest release from Github as of writing. The original v1 vorbisFile.dll supplied by CLEO 4 is also included.