
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
Standard
Community server, 30-100 players
Pro
Large RP/DM server with plugins, 100-500 players
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.
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.
Configure & Prepare
Set your server settings, then install Docker, and pull the SA-MP container image.
# 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
Run the Installation Script
SA-MP uses a custom install script to download and configure the server files.
#!/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 "-----------------------------------------"Open Firewall Ports
SA-MP requires 1 port to be open for game traffic and queries.
sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
Launch the Server
Start the SA-MP server using the configuration from Step 1.
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 GameCPMore Hosting Guides
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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