SA-MP gameplay

Host a SA-MP Dedicated Server

SA-MP (San Andreas Multiplayer) is a free multiplayer modification for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Host custom game modes, roleplay servers, deathmatch arenas, and more with full Pawn scripting support.

Hardware Requirements

Here's what you need to run a SA-MP dedicated server.

Economy

Small private server, 1-30 players

CPU0.13 cores
RAM256 MB
Storage1 GB

Standard

Community server, 30-100 players

CPU0.25 cores
RAM512 MB
Storage1 GB

Pro

Large RP/DM server with plugins, 100-500 players

CPU0.5 cores
RAM1 GB
Storage1 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a SA-MP server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and SA-MP configuration instantly. Automatic port forwarding means your friends can connect without touching your router. Start local, scale to a VPS when you're ready.

Get Started FreeNo credit card required

Setup in 4 Steps

Skip the manual installation, port forwarding, and configuration. Install on your own computer and start hosting instantly.

The Manual Way vs. GameCP

Manual Setup

  • Configure 1+ firewall ports and router settings
  • Write systemd service files
  • SSH into server to edit configs
  • Requires a VPS or dedicated server
  • 30-60 minutes if experienced

With GameCP

  • Automatic port forwarding — no router config
  • Host from your own PC, VPS, or dedicated server
  • Docker container with auto-restart
  • Visual config editor in browser
  • Under 5 minutes total

Under the Hood

The full manual process to host a SA-MP dedicated server on a VPS. Or install GameCP on your own computer and skip all of this.

Step 1

Configure & Prepare

Set your server settings, then install Docker, and pull the SA-MP container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands
terminal
# Update system and install Docker
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

# Create game server directory
sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver

# Server configuration
export RCON_ENABLED="1"
export GAMEMODE="grandlarc"
export ANNOUNCE="1"
export QUERY="1"
export LANGUAGE="English"
export MAPNAME="San Andreas"
export LANMODE="0"
export MAX_NPC="0"
export STREAM_DISTANCE="300.0"
export STREAM_RATE="1000"
export ONFOOT_RATE="40"
export INCAR_RATE="40"
export WEAPON_RATE="40"
export TIMESTAMP="1"
export VERSION="0.3.7"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:samp
Step 2

Run the Installation Script

SA-MP uses a custom install script to download and configure the server files.

Installation Script
#!/bin/bash

apt update && apt install -y curl tar

# Normalize version (strip leading R if present)
if [[ -n "$VERSION" && "$VERSION" == R* ]]; then
    VERSION="0.3.7"
    echo "Normalized VERSION to: $VERSION"
fi

VERSION=${VERSION:-0.3.7}

cd /tmp || exit
echo "Downloading SA-MP server v${VERSION}..."
curl -sSL -o samp.tar.gz "https://sampcenter.com/download/server/linux/${VERSION}.tar.gz"

mkdir -p /opt/gameserver
tar -xzvf samp.tar.gz --strip-components=1 -C /opt/gameserver/
rm -f samp.tar.gz

cd /opt/gameserver || exit
chown -R root:root /mnt

echo "-----------------------------------------"
echo "SA-MP v${VERSION} installation complete"
echo "-----------------------------------------"
Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

SA-MP requires 1 port to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal
sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
7777/UDP(PORT)
Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the SA-MP server using the configuration from Step 1.

terminal
docker run -d \
  --name sa-mp-server \
  -p 7777:7777/udp \
  -e RCON_ENABLED="1" \
  -e GAMEMODE="grandlarc" \
  -e ANNOUNCE="1" \
  -e QUERY="1" \
  -e LANGUAGE="English" \
  -e MAPNAME="San Andreas" \
  -e LANMODE="0" \
  -e MAX_NPC="0" \
  -e STREAM_DISTANCE="300.0" \
  -e STREAM_RATE="1000" \
  -e ONFOOT_RATE="40" \
  -e INCAR_RATE="40" \
  -e WEAPON_RATE="40" \
  -e TIMESTAMP="1" \
  -e VERSION="0.3.7" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:samp

Or skip all of this

GameCP automates every step above: Docker, port forwarding, startup, and config. Install on your own PC and deploy a SA-MP server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP

Ready to Host Your SA-MP Server?

Install GameCP on your own computer and start hosting in minutes. Automatic port forwarding, zero config — your friends connect instantly.

No credit card required · Free tier available · Install local, scale later

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