Rockstar’s games have always been fan favorites, yet they’ve often lacked proper VR support. However, the modding community is taking matters into their own hands. A modder known as ‘Holydh’ has crafted an innovative UEVR plugin tailored for the PC edition of GTA: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition (2021), now enabling this classic to be fully experienced on PC VR headsets.
This mod, aptly named ‘GTA San Andreas Definitive Edition – 6DoF UEVR Plugin,’ introduces a first-person VR perspective and integrates 6DOF motion controls, though it’s strictly compatible with the Steam version and won’t support Epic Games Store or Rockstar launcher versions.
Built upon the Unreal Engine VR (UEVR) plugin originally developed by ‘praydog,’ Holydh’s version enriches the experience with features not present in the base plugin. For instance, it stops the game’s camera from automatically panning to keep up with CJ’s movements, giving players more control.
In this enhanced VR setup, every on-foot move is covered, including crouching. You can also drive any vehicle (even the iconic jetpack) with ease. The mod includes various tweaks for camera comfort, automatic UEVR camera settings for cutscenes, and supports motion-controlled weapons. Sniper scopes are functional too, ensuring the game can be enjoyed in VR from start to finish.
If you’re curious about how this mod transforms the game, you can see it in action through a demo by Holydh.
Getting your hands on Holydh’s mod is simple and free, available via Nexus Mods. To get it working with the Steam version, you’ll need to follow a few steps. Make sure you own the Steam copy of the game and download Praydog’s UEVR Nightly 01042 build, conveniently linked on the Nexus Mods page.
In terms of system requirements, users have reported smooth performance on NVIDIA RTX 2080s, though there are plenty of settings to tweak if you’re running older hardware.
Though this project is open-source and can be modified or copied from GitHub, it’s important to note that Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two, has a history of legally challenging similar mods. In 2022, they removed a series of popular VR mods by Luke Ross, including those for GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Mafia Definitive Edition.
However, since Holydh’s plugin is free and not distributed through a paid platform like Patreon — unlike Ross’s early access tiers which led to a takedown — it stands as a promising option for VR enthusiasts looking to dive into San Andreas.
For now, don’t expect an official VR release on Quest, as the GTA: San Andreas version for this platform has been put on hold indefinitely.
