Client Manual

Introduction

Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas is the latest in a series of fan-created multiplayer modifications for the Grand Theft Auto games (PC versions only). For the GTA3 and Vice City versions that run on the old core, visit http://www.multitheftauto.com. This mod is not endorsed by Rockstar Games or Take 2 Interactive.

Before you start

This template is no longer in use as it results in poor readability. Before you install Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas, first make sure that there are no modifications to GTA:SA installed. These will conflict with MTA. If you would like to keep your single player mods, you can create two installations by reinstalling San Andreas to a second folder on your hard drive.

Also make sure that you are running Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 or Windows 7 and that your machine is capable of running the game in single player. Note that if you are running single player on the absolute minimum requirements, you will experience slowdowns in MTA as it takes up extra processing power.

This template is no longer in use as it results in poor readability.

Make sure you head over to the Known Issues page if you have issues, or join us on IRC @ irc://irc.multitheftauto.com/mta

System requirements

The minimum system requirements for Multi Theft Auto: San Andreas are slightly higher than the original minimum requirements for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

• Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP
• 512MB DDR RAM
• Clean installation of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, version 1.0 (American or European)
• 3.7GB of free hard disk space (3.6GB for a minimum Grand Theft Auto installation)
• nVidia GeForce 4 series or ATI Radeon 8xxx series (64MB RAM and DirectX 9.0 compatible)
• DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card
• Keyboard and mouse
• Broadband internet access (for smooth online play)

For extra features, a pixel shader 2.0 compatible videocard (nVidia GeForce FX series or higher, ATI Radeon 9xxx series or higher) is recommended.

For extra loading performance, more RAM is recommended.

Installing the game

This section will need to be updated when we get an installer

1. If you haven't already, download the MTA:SA client from the download page at mtasa.com.
2. Run the installer. You will be asked which components to install:
   • Client interfaces with the game and is a required component.
   • MTA Server enables you to host your own home-brew server
   • MTA Server > Editor is used to create new maps, this is an optional component
3. You are then asked for a folder in which to install the mod. This can by anywhere and doesn't have to be in you San Andreas directory.
4. Next, you will be asked for the directory where you have San Andreas installed. The default location is: C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTA San Andreas\.
5. When the installation completes, you will be given the option to start MTA: San Andreas straight away. Choose your option and then press Finish.
6. You will be able to launch MTA:DM from your Start Menu if you wish to play.

Running the game

1. Start Multi Theft Auto by clicking the icon located in your Start Menu under MTA:San Andreas.
2. GTA: San Andreas will start and once it is loaded, you will be presented with the MTA:SA main menu. Here you will find several options:

	Browse servers – this allows you to receive a list of available servers to play on.
	Host game – this allows you to start a local server.
	Settings – this allows you to change your in-game nickname, customize controls and adjust display settings.
	About – this gives you a list of contributors to the project.
	Map editor – this allows you to create your own maps, complete with checkpoints, ramps, pickups and other objects. These can then be uploaded onto a server so that you can play them with other people.
	Quit – this returns you back to your Windows desktop.

The easiest way to play the game is to click Browse Servers on the menu. If servers have not appeared already, press the Refresh button and MTA will scan for servers, displaying them as a list.

• Under the Name tab, each server's name is displayed.
• Under the Players tab, the number of players and the maximum capacity of the server is displayed, in the format of [Used Slots] / [Maximum Slots].
• The Ping tab displays the ping, or latency, between your machine and the server. Ping is a measure of the time it takes for "packets" of data to be received back from the server after sending them, so a higher ping means that you will experience more lag on that particular server. Generally, servers closest to your location should have the lowest pings.
• The Host is the IP address of the server. You can use this address in future to connect to the same server via the Quick Connect option on the main menu.

Each tab can be clicked to arrange the respective column in ascending or descending order.

For optimal performance and gameplay, look for the best balance between players and ping.

Once you have picked a server, select it and click the Connect button in the top right-hand corner of the dialog. If all goes well, you should connect to the server and automatically join the game.

How to Play

MTA:SA offers a comprehensive scripting system that allows map creators to customize many elements of the game in order to create their own innovative game modes. The game incorporates as many single player elements as possible but some aspects are different.

There are no pedestrians and no AI traffic on the road. The only other people on the map are your opponents, or allies if it is a team game. You can talk with them using the chatbox located in the left-hand corner of the screen by pressing T. To chat only to your team members, press Y.

MTA's map editor allows map creators to add various GTA objects to their maps including roads, exploding barrels, ramps, buildings, hills and more. Not only this, but the objects can be scripted to move, change model and disappear. This offers a great deal of fun and variation to the gameplay.

Holding Tab will display the scoreboard. By default, only names and pings are displayed, but scripts can add extra columns that are specific to the particular gamemode being played. For example, a deathmatch game mode would definitely have a column listing total kills, but the map creator may choose to add extra columns for the number of deaths you have and how long you have been playing for, in order to put your score into perspective.

Controls

In-Game Keys

• F8 (or Tilde Key) - Console
• F9 - In-game help
• F11 - Show SA map (the following list is for use when the map is up)
  • numpad /- - Zoom in and out
  • numpad 4, 8, 6, 2 - move map left, up, right, down
  • numpad 0 - toggle between attach to local player (map follows player blip) and free move (map stays stationary)
• F12 - Take a screenshot
• T - Chat
• Y - Team Chat
• TAB - Player List (if Scoreboard resource is running on the server)

Console Commands

bind defaults Binds control defaults in the settings menu

Press ~ (tilde) or F8 to access the console, then type a command followed by any neccessary parameters (if applicable) then press Enter.

maps

This displays a list of all maps available on the server.

nick [nickname]

This changes your nickname whilst in-game to whatever you specify in the parameters.

msg [nickname] [message] or pm [nickname] [message]

This sends a private message to the person you specify in the [nickname] parameter. Only the person you specify can see the message. Both msg and pm perform the same function.

quit or exit

This disconnects you from the server and returns you to the Windows desktop. Performs the same function as the Quit button on the main menu.

ver

This displays the version number and copyright information for the software.

sver

This displays the version number of the server you are connected to.

time

This displays the current time.

disconnect

This disconnects you from the server and returns you to the main menu.

say [text]

This enables you to continue talking to people in the chat box whilst the console is open.

ignore [nickname]

This will not display any text typed by the player you wish to ignore. To stop ignoring a player, type ignore [nickname] again.

Tip: You can use these commands in the chatbox by putting a / (forward slash) in front of them.

A list of console commands can be seen by typing help into the console and pressing Enter. The current map may also have extra commands which can be accessed by typing commands into the console.

Error codes and their meanings

Download errors
0: UNKNOWN_ERROR
1: INVALID_FILE_DESCRIPTORS
2: INVALID_MAX_FILE_DESCRIPTOR
3: INVALID_SELECT_RETURN
4: INVALID_INITIAL_MULTI_PERFORM
5: INVALID_MULTI_PERFORM_CODE
6: INVALID_MULTI_PERFORM_CODE_NEW_DOWNLOADS
7: UNEXPECTED_CURL_MESSAGE
8: UNABLE_TO_CONNECT
9: UNABLE_TO_DOWNLOAD_FILE
10: FAILED_TO_INITIALIZE_DOWNLOAD

Fatal errors
1: no local player model on ingame event
2: no local player on ingame event
3: server downloads disabled
4: no local player model on player-list packet
5: no local player on player-list packet
6: invalid custom data length on entity-add packet
7: invalid bitstream data on entity-add packet
8: system entity on entity-add packet
9: failed to create object on entity-add packet
10: failed to create pickup on entity-add packet
11: failed to create vehicle on entity-add packet
12: invalid team-name length on entity-add packet
13: invalid lua-event name length in lua-event packet
14: invalid resource name length in resource-start packet

'Unable to enter vehicle' errors
1: script cancelled
2: script cancelled (jack)
3: current occupier is entering/exiting
4: invalid seat
5: not close enough
6: already in a vehicle
7: already entering/exiting
8: invalid vehicle (trailer)

Special: Playing MTA on Linux?

If you're one of those who have Linux as OS, and want to have the client working on Linux, please read the Client on Linux Manual