Free ‘GTA’ Mod Revives ‘San Andreas’

Rockstar has a long history of creating highly acclaimed games, though diving into virtual reality hasn’t been fully explored for many titles. Excitingly, modder Holydh has just released an innovative update that brings Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition into the realm of PC VR. This update breathes new life into the classic game from 2004, now accessible through VR headsets for a more immersive experience.

Dubbed the ‘GTA San Andreas Definitive Edition – 6DoF UEVR Plugin,’ this mod allows players to step into the shoes of CJ with enhanced first-person VR and the capability to utilize 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) motion controls. However, it’s important to note that this addition is compatible solely with the Steam version of the game; versions from the Epic Games Store or Rockstar launcher are unsupported.

Built upon the foundation of the Unreal Engine VR (UEVR) plugin originally developed by ‘praydog’, Holydh’s version offers several improved features. Before this plugin, players experienced automatic camera swiveling in line with character movements. Now, those involved in San Andreas escapades can make the most of manual camera control, providing a more engaging and personal interaction with the game environment.

Players can enjoy fully controlled, on-foot movement, including ducking and driving various vehicles (yes, even the legendary jetpack). The mod also incorporates adjustments for camera comfort and motion-controller compatibility for weapons, plus functioning sniper scopes. These enhancements mean players can enjoy the full narrative and world of GTA: San Andreas entirely through VR from beginning to end.

To get a taste of this mod in action, check out the demonstration provided by Holydh. For those interested in trying it themselves, the mod is available for free on Nexus Mods. Setting it up requires a few steps, primarily needing the Steam version of the game. You’ll also need Praydog’s UEVR Nightly 01042 build, conveniently linked in the Nexus Mods resources.

In terms of tech requirements, users have found good results with NVIDIA RTX 2080 graphics cards, although there are also plenty of graphical settings available to tweak for those with older systems.

Despite this innovation, it’s crucial to remain aware of potential legal risks. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, previously clamped down on similar mods. In 2022, they initiated action against some of Luke Ross’s VR mod projects, including mods for games like GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. They targeted Patreon, where Ross offered early mod access for a fee. Fortunately, Holydh’s plugin is free, potentially minimizing concerns for users wishing to explore San Andreas in VR.

While this represents a thrilling unofficial path for VR enthusiasts, an official VR release for GTA: San Andreas on platforms like the Quest remains on hold indefinitely. Therefore, turning to mods like Holydh’s might be the best option for fans eager to revisit San Andreas from a new, immersive perspective.