What is SAMP? How GTA San Andreas multiplayer works
SAMP opens classic GTA San Andreas to online servers with different rules and communities. Start by separating the game, client and server.
VICE ROLEPLAY / GTA SAN ANDREAS
SAMP and roleplay guide
SAMP (SA-MP) lets you play classic PC GTA San Andreas on multiplayer servers. Set up the game, learn about Vice and explore roleplay through examples.
If you are new, begin with the distinction between the game, SA-MP client and server. Vice City is this site’s SA-MP side; the installer does not include GTA itself. Below you can find character and roleplay articles alongside help for connection, crash and skin problems.
Guides and troubleshooting
51 topics
What is SA-MP roleplay? Starting your first scene
Roleplay means playing a character’s decisions and relationships with other people. You do not need a dramatic history or a major event to begin.
How to choose a Turkish SA-MP roleplay server
Look beyond the player count. Compare the rules, play style and available help with what you want from a community.
What is the difference between SA-MP and FiveM?
SA-MP uses classic GTA San Andreas, while FiveM uses GTA V. Your chosen server determines the roleplay style.
SA-MP 0.3.7 versus 0.3.DL: which version does Vice need?
A version label is more than a newer-or-older choice. The server’s client and custom model requirements matter.
What is Vice City roleplay? Starting in Vice
Vice City is the city name used on Vice Roleplay’s SA-MP side. Your account, character, forum and in-game life complement each other.
The difference between a Vice account and a character
An account belongs to the player; a character is the person you portray. Keep login details separate from your identity inside the story.
A roleplay backstory example built from an ordinary life
A playable character needs details that explain today’s choices, not a long list of achievements. Here is a small example to develop.
How to use /me and /do: short roleplay examples
/me describes your character’s actions, while /do describes an observable situation. Clarity matters more than sentence length.
IC versus OOC: does your character know what you know?
IC concerns your character’s in-game life; OOC concerns the player’s knowledge and communication. Controlling the same character does not merge the two.
Metagaming examples: using Discord information in a scene
Learning something as a player does not mean your character learned it too. Three everyday situations help show the MG boundary.
Powergaming examples: leaving room for a response
Powergaming includes more than impossible actions. Deciding another character’s reaction or a scene’s outcome alone can also be a problem.
What is DM in roleplay? Why an IC reason matters
On a roleplay server, an attack needs more context than a game mechanic allowing it. The preceding reason and subsequent consequences matter.
What is Fear RP? Portraying a character’s fear
Fear RP means taking danger seriously from your character’s perspective. Ignoring every threat can make a character inconsistent rather than strong.
How to portray an injury in roleplay
If your character is knocked down or damaged by the game, reflect the result in the scene. A health bar does not describe the whole story.
Think about your character before joining a faction
Joining a faction means more than gaining a label. You need a playable reason for your character to connect with that group.
Roleplay while working: make a job more than income
A job system can also create relationships. A simple delivery or customer conversation can become an ongoing story.
A traffic-stop roleplay example for drivers and officers
A traffic stop can let both characters provide information and wait for responses. It does not need to become a chase or argument every time.
Press and media roleplay: building a scene from an interview
Journalist roleplay involves more than writing a report. How information was obtained, what was asked and what characters said are part of play.
Everyday roleplay scenes: introductions, neighbours and work
Starting a scene does not require a chase or a major secret. A need and a question another character can answer may be enough.
PK versus CK: when does a character’s story permanently end?
PK and CK do not describe the same outcome. Permanent character death needs the server’s agreement, exception and faction rules to be checked separately.
IC posts on Vice Social: what does your character know?
A character’s post and a player’s OOC screenshot are not interchangeable. Consider the knowledge of both the author and the reader.
Your first week in Vice: learn one piece at a time
Start with installation and introductions, then try a job and a few follow-up scenes. Set small goals you can check for yourself.
A disagreement during roleplay: avoiding an OOC argument
Characters arguing and players disagreeing over a rule are different situations. Preserving the scene does not mean giving up a complaint.
How to install SA-MP 0.3.DL-R1
Vice City requires classic PC GTA San Andreas and SA-MP 0.3.DL-R1.
SA-MP “Incorrect version” error
This message means the server and your SA-MP client do not agree on the version.
“San Andreas cannot be found” error
SA-MP cannot locate the GTA folder it needs, or the game in that folder is incompatible.
Single-player launches instead of SA-MP
If connecting leaves you at New Game / Load Game, check the game path first.
“The server didn’t respond. Retrying…”
SA-MP is not receiving a server response. This message alone does not prove the server is offline.
“Connection lost” and timeout problems
Treat a disconnect after joining separately from a failure to connect at all.
“Unacceptable Nickname” error
SA-MP is rejecting the login name; a connection left after a crash may also remain briefly.
The SA-MP server list is empty
An empty Internet / Hosted list does not prevent a direct connection to Vice.
Missing d3dx9 or XINPUT1_3.dll
These names can point to legacy DirectX components. Do not download loose files from DLL sites.
Visual C++ DLL and 0xc000007b errors
Choose the Microsoft runtime that matches the missing filename; DLL errors do not all have one fix.
Game will not launch, black screen or gta_sa.set
Use a reversible settings test to investigate launch hangs and broken display settings.
ASI, CLEO, ENB or mod conflicts
Comparing with a clean game helps isolate whether a mod is involved.
How to investigate a SA-MP crash code
An address such as 0xC0000005 does not identify one guaranteed fix.
0x0059F8B4 and samp.img
This address has been associated with SA-MP being unable to access samp.img.
Crashing near an object, vehicle or skin
A repeatable location or action is as useful as the crash address.
0.3.DL model download is stuck
If skins or objects stop downloading after connection, record the last file and message.
CRC errors and downloaded model files
For a CRC mismatch, first identify the exact file the server expects.
An approved skin is not showing in game
Approval, loading the model into the running game and account delivery need separate checks.
FPS, ping and packet loss: which is the problem?
A stuttering picture and other players teleporting may have different causes.
Mouse does not work or turn in game
Check game focus and add-ons before adding an unknown mouse fix file.
Game will not return after Alt-Tab
If launch works but switching windows hangs, compare display settings first.
Missing chat, small text or broken characters
Missing chat, text size and incorrect characters need different checks.
F8 screenshot cannot be saved
Check the save location and message when a screenshot is not created.
No game sound or only the radio is silent
Losing all audio and losing one server music stream may be different problems.
Security warning or blocked game download
Do not bypass a warning based on a filename; check the source and full warning first.
Kick, ban or “Server closed the connection”
Read any server explanation first; reinstalling does not remove an account penalty.
What should I send to support?
A short, reproducible description helps us investigate without repeating the same checks.
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