# How to run SA:MP on Linux

> How to run GTA: San Andreas with SAMP 0.3.7, CLEO, SAMPFUNCS and MoonLoader on Ubuntu via PlayOnLinux and Wine 3.2: system setup, Wine settings, common font issues.

- URL: https://pakulichev.com/en/wiki/samp-linux
- Author: Pakulichev (https://pakulichev.com/)
- Language: en
- Updated: 2026-10-15
- Whole site for LLMs: https://pakulichev.com/llms.txt (index), https://pakulichev.com/llms-full.txt (full text)

I published this guide on BLAST.HK on **December 28, 2019**. It's meant for Ubuntu-based distributions. Wine has come a long way since then, so the versions below are the ones everything worked on in 2019. Thanks to Crazy Aim for the help.

The setup is simple: **PlayOnLinux** (a graphical front end for Wine) + a specific version, **Wine 3.2** + a pre-assembled game folder.

## 1. Preparing the system

1. Update your graphics drivers.
2. Install the Russian locale in two encodings at once: **UTF-8** and **CP1251**. SA:MP and many scripts work in CP1251, and without it Russian text in the game breaks.
3. Install PlayOnLinux and reboot.

## 2. Wine 3.2

In PlayOnLinux, open Tools → Manage Wine versions and install **Wine 3.2**. With this version the SA:MP + CLEO + SAMPFUNCS + MoonLoader combo ran stably for me.

## 3. The game

In the guide I used the PlayOnLinux Vault plugin: it restores a ready-made "application" from an archive (the "Restore an application" option). My build had:

| Component | Version |
| --- | --- |
| SA:MP | 0.3.7-R1 |
| CLEO | 4.3 |
| SAMPFUNCS | 5.4.1 Final |
| MoonLoader | 0.27-preview3 |

If you're installing things yourself, run the `.exe` installers through Miscellaneous → Run a .exe file in this virtual drive. The default game path is `drive_c/GTA`. CLEO, SAMPFUNCS and Lua scripts install the same way as on Windows. The User Files folder is in the virtual drive's Documents folder.

## 4. Configuring Wine

In the Wine settings for this drive, pick version 3.2 and enable a virtual desktop at your screen resolution. **I don't recommend fullscreen mode**: the game can freeze.

## 5. Launching

Open the SA:MP client, add a server, enter your nick and connect.

## Broken characters in chat

If the chat shows garbage instead of Russian letters, install the Verdana font or switch the system locale to ru_RU.UTF-8. I have a separate BLAST.HK thread about this problem from December 26, 2019.

## FAQ

### Does SA:MP work on Linux?

Yes, through Wine. In Pakulichev's 2019 guide, the SA:MP 0.3.7-R1 client with CLEO 4, SAMPFUNCS and MoonLoader ran on Ubuntu through PlayOnLinux and Wine 3.2.

### What if the SA:MP chat on Linux shows garbage instead of Russian letters?

Switching to the Verdana font or to a Russian UTF-8 system locale helps. When preparing the system, it's also worth installing the Russian locale in two variants: UTF-8 and CP1251.

### Can I run SA:MP on Linux in fullscreen mode?

It's not recommended: in fullscreen the game can freeze under Wine. Windowed mode at your screen resolution is more reliable.