I want to install this mod but no matter what I do, I watched all the videos and I can't
Here we go
This is a quick and simple guide to the basics of installing and playing with mods on Grand Theft Auto V for Single Player.
Setting things up
For a fresh start, you'll need the following things:
- An updated, clean, unmodded, legit copy of Grand Theft Auto V (both Steam/Social Club are fine) that works normally
- An internet connection
- An archive manager. I recommend
- Enable showing file extensions in Explorer
- Patience. Read the manuals!
It's best to start out with a clean, unmodded game, to prevent conflicts and instabilities. If you've tampered with the files, it's best to either re-install the game or to let Steam or Social Club verify your files before continuing. If you also had script mods installed and don't remember what to delete, just start out clean.
For reference, the following files enable loading and running mods from the normal launcher:
- dinput8.dll - ASI loader
- ScriptHookV.dll - Script hook
- OpenIV.asi - OpenIV archive loader
If you recognize any of these and don't exactly know why these are there, start out from scratch.
From now on, I'll refer to the GTA V installation folder as "GTAV_root". Where it's installed depends on where you got the game and your installation preferences. For example, the default folder for an install on Steam is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto V.
Finding it on Steam: Library -> Right-click Grand Theft Auto V -> Manage -> Browse local files
Rockstar Games and Epic Games sadly don't have an installation folder shortcut, so you'll need to find these on your own.
Essentials
GTA V mods roughly exist in two distinct categories: resource mods and scripts. You'll need a couple of things to get this to work!
-
enabled scripts for GTA V.
-
enables modifying archives and adding archives.
- Optional:
enables scripts written in .NET languages. It relies on ScriptHookV.
- Optional:
is like ScriptHookVDotNet, but works standalone and uses a custom launcher for the game.
Download the archives or installers from the websites.
Installation: Follow the READMEs!
- ScriptHookV: Open the archive, extract the files inside the bin folder to your GTA V root.
- ScriptHookVDotNet: Open the archive, extract ScriptHookVDotNet.asi and ScriptHookVDotNet2.dll to your GTA V root.
- OpenIV: Run the installer.
ScriptHookVDotNet has its scripts inside a separate folder inside the GTA V root folder, so create a scripts folder in there. .dll and .cs scripts you download will go in here.
OpenIV needs some additional setup. Run the program and point it to your GTA V directory if necessary. Go to Tools -> ASI Manager and install ASI Loader and OpenIV.ASI if they aren't installed already. You'll also want to
. This keeps your original game files clean! As a start, put your update.rpf in the mods folder. You'll need to edit it anyway.
Downloading mods
It's a good idea to only download mods from trusted websites, especially script mods. Remember that scripts are just libraries and can execute any code. Mods that change textures, vehicles and the like are less risky, but always do your research before downloading mods from random websites.
Good resources are:
Installing mods
Resource replacement mods (peds, vehicles, maps)
If you download a mod that replaces an original resource, like a vehicle mod that replaces a default vehicle, you'll need to use OpenIV. The mod you download should have come with instructions with which file to replace in which exact folder and archive.
FOLLOW THOSE INSTRUCTIONS.
Resource add-on mods (peds, vehicles, maps)
If you download a mod that's marked as an add-on, it means it doesn't replace existing resources. They are added as DLCs. In general they follow the following set-up:
- The data files are placed in GTAV_root/mods/update/x64/dlcpacks/<mod name>/dlc.rpf
- The entry is added to dlclist.xml. The exact location is GTAV_root/mods/update/update.rpf/common/data/dlclist.xml. This entry looks like <Item>dlcpacks:\myCoolModName\</Item>
When adding an entry to dlclist.xml, take care to keep the opening and closing tags are
exactly Item. If they are different, the file is invalidated.
Some mod authors also tell you to change extratitleupdatedata.meta, but this is
NOT necessary!
You also need to install the following tools, as they are required to make the game deal with loading more resources:
WHAT VERSION AM I RUNNING?
There are two versions, the GTA:O version and the executable version. ScriptHookV, ScriptHookVDotNet, RagePluginHook and most version-dependent mods (scripts) use the executable version. You can find this by right-clicking the GTA5.exe file and checking the Details Tab -> File Version. As of writing, the version is 1.0.2215.0.
After this You are ready to use mods.. Get some mods and install