Found us through the World of Darkness community but never touched FiveM before? You're in the right place. This guide walks you from zero to your first night on the streets, step by step.
The short version, for those coming from the tabletop world.
FiveM is a free modification for Grand Theft Auto V that lets communities run their own dedicated roleplay servers. Think of it as the platform we use to bring the World of Darkness to life: a persistent, living Los Santos where your character exists in real time alongside everyone else's.
You don't need to know anything about GTA's story mode. What matters is your character: their sheet, their story, and the choices they make after dark. FiveM is simply the stage. Our custom systems handle the dice, the disciplines, the gifts, and everything else that makes a World of Darkness chronicle sing.
It is free to install and safe to use, but it does require that you own a legitimate copy of GTA V. More on that below.
Four things stand between you and your first scene. Here's the checklist.
Take these in order. Steps 4 and 5 can be started while you install; they're reviewed by our team, so the sooner you apply, the better.
You'll need a legitimate copy of Grand Theft Auto V from Steam, the Epic Games Store, or the Rockstar Games Launcher. FiveM checks that you own the game, so pirated copies will not connect.
Important: Rockstar released a newer GTA V Enhanced edition, but FiveM currently runs on the original GTA V Legacy edition. If you own GTA V on Steam or Rockstar, the Legacy version is included; you just need to make sure Legacy is the version installed and launched.
If you only have "GTA V Enhanced" installed, FiveM won't work with it yet. Install the Legacy edition (it downloads as a separate option in your game library) before continuing.Head to fivem.net and click Download Client. Run the installer. It's lightweight and installs to your user folder by default.
The first time you launch FiveM, it will locate your GTA V installation and cache the game files. This first run can take several minutes, so let it finish. Once you see the FiveM main menu, you're ready to go.
FiveM is developed by Cfx.re and is safe. Some antivirus tools flag it on first run because it modifies how GTA launches, but this is normal. If yours quarantines it, allow the FiveM folder and reinstall.Our Discord community is home base. It's where you'll link your account for the whitelist, ask questions, get announcements, and connect with other players and Storytellers.
Read the welcome and rules channels when you arrive. The whitelist process is tied to your Discord account, so you'll want to be a member before you apply.
The Entry Whitelist is your application to join Los Santos After Dark. It covers your understanding of our community, our rules, and roleplay expectations. This is the first gate, and everyone completes it.
Start it here: Entry Whitelist →. You'll sign in with Discord, answer the questions thoughtfully, and submit for staff review.
Take your time and write in your own words. Low-effort answers are the most common reason applications are sent back.Once your Entry Whitelist is approved, you'll complete a Splat Whitelist for the supernatural lineage, or mortal path, you want to play. This is where your World of Darkness knowledge shines: your concept, your lore understanding, and your character's place in the night.
Apply here: Splat Whitelist →. Not sure which splat is for you? Browse the Playable Splats and our Lore Primers first.
Both whitelists must be approved before you can play. Mortals are the most beginner-friendly path if you're new to the setting.With FiveM installed and both whitelists approved, it's time to step into Los Santos. Our server address is:
play.lossantosafterdark.com
There are three easy ways to connect:
• Direct Connect: Open FiveM → Play → the Direct Connect tab → paste play.lossantosafterdark.com → Connect.
• F8 Console: On the FiveM main menu press F8, type connect play.lossantosafterdark.com, and hit Enter.
• Server List: Search "Los Santos After Dark" in the server browser and click the star to favorite us for one-click joining.
If you know the World of Darkness from the books and the dice, you already know most of what matters. Here's how it translates.
Attributes, Abilities, disciplines, gifts, backgrounds: your character sheet lives in-game and drives real outcomes. Every dot counts, just like at the table.
No need to roll physical dice or do the math. Our systems handle dice pools, difficulties, and successes for you, so you focus on the story and the game handles the mechanics.
Our Storyteller team weaves plots, adjudicates the tricky moments, and keeps the chronicle alive, the same role your ST played at the table, now guiding a living city.
Yes. FiveM requires a legitimate copy of GTA V (Legacy edition). It works with the Steam, Epic Games, and Rockstar Launcher versions. It goes on sale frequently and is often very affordable.
FiveM itself is completely free and is maintained by Cfx.re. It's widely used and safe. You only pay for GTA V, never for FiveM.
The Entry Whitelist comes first and applies to everyone. Once it's approved, you complete a Splat Whitelist for the character you want to play.
Absolutely. Start with our Lore Primers to get grounded, and consider a Mortal character; it's the most beginner-friendly way to experience the setting before diving into the supernatural. Our community and Storytellers are happy to help you learn.
If you can run GTA V, you can run FiveM. Custom servers add some overhead, but Los Santos After Dark runs on a wide range of hardware. Ask in Discord if you're unsure about your setup.
Join the community, then begin your application. We'll see you after dark.