Free ‘GTA’ Mod Revives ‘San Andreas’

It seems like Rockstar’s most popular games have had a tough time getting proper virtual reality support. But there’s exciting news for fans of GTA: San Andreas. A dedicated modder known as ‘Holydh’ has rolled out a modified UEVR plugin specifically for the PC edition of GTA: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition (2021). This modification brings the classic 2004 game into the realm of PC VR headsets with fresh VR capabilities.

This mod, bearing the name ‘GTA San Andreas Definitive Edition – 6DoF UEVR Plugin,’ introduces a truly immersive experience. You can now enjoy the game in full first-person VR, complete with 6DOF motion controls on the Steam version of the game. However, it’s important to note that it won’t operate with versions available through the Epic Games Store or Rockstar launcher.

Built upon the Unreal Engine VR (UEVR) plugin initially developed by ‘praydog,’ Holydh’s creation adds several enhancements not found in the standard UEVR. Normally, the game’s camera automatically adjusts to follow CJ’s movements, but this mod gives you more freedom and control.

The plugin extends to all aspects of the game – whether you’re on foot, crouching, jetpacking around, or driving any vehicle. With tweaks for camera comfort and motion controller-supported weaponry, including operational sniper scopes, you can now play the game fully in VR, from opening scene to credits.

Curious how it all looks in action? Have a look at Holydh’s handiwork in the video demonstration below.

For those eager to dive in, Holydh’s mod is available for free on Nexus Mods. Getting it to work with the Steam version does require some initial setup. Apart from owning the game on Steam, you’ll need to download Praydog’s UEVR Nightly 01042 build, which is conveniently linked on the Nexus Mods page.

In terms of technical requirements, some users have reported that NVIDIA RTX 2080s perform well with the mod. Nonetheless, there are various graphical settings you can tweak if you have an older GPU.

It’s worth mentioning that while the mod is open-source and other developers can copy or modify it via GitHub, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two, has a history of being fairly litigious about such projects. In 2022, they took down many of Luke Ross’ famous Rockstar mods, including VR versions for GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Mafia Definitive Edition.

However, in those cases, the DMCA takedowns targeted Patreon, as the mods were behind paid access tiers. Holydh’s mod doesn’t require payment—it’s free, making it a likely safer option for enjoying GTA: San Andreas in VR over the long haul.

And if you’re waiting for an official version on Quest, you might be holding your breath for a while. The release of GTA: San Andreas on Quest has been put on hold indefinitely, so it seems official support for standalone VR won’t be coming anytime soon.