Getting Started with FiveM Development
Gravity Development Team
March 15, 2024
Getting Started with FiveM Development
FiveM is a modification framework for Grand Theft Auto V that allows you to play on custom multiplayer servers. If you're interested in creating custom scripts and resources for FiveM servers, this guide will walk you through the fundamentals.
What is FiveM?
FiveM is a modification framework that enables you to create custom multiplayer experiences in GTA V. Unlike the standard GTA Online, FiveM servers can have completely custom scripts, resources, and gameplay mechanics. This flexibility has made it incredibly popular for roleplay servers and custom game modes.
Prerequisites
Before you start developing for FiveM, you'll need:
- GTA V: The base game is required
- FiveM Client: Download from fivem.net
- Code Editor: Visual Studio Code is recommended
- Basic Programming Knowledge: Familiarity with Lua or JavaScript helps
- Server Access: Either your own server or a development environment
Understanding FiveM Resources
In FiveM, everything is organized into "resources." A resource is a folder containing scripts, configuration files, and assets. Resources can be:
- Client-side scripts: Run on the player's computer
- Server-side scripts: Run on the server
- Shared scripts: Used by both client and server
Your First Resource
Let's create a simple "Hello World" resource to get you started:
1. Create the Resource Folder
Create a new folder in your server's resources directory. Name it something like my-first-resource.
2. Create fxmanifest.lua
Every resource needs a fxmanifest.lua file that tells FiveM how to load it:
```lua fx_version 'cerulean' game 'gta5'
author 'Your Name' description 'My First FiveM Resource' version '1.0.0'
client_script 'client.lua' server_script 'server.lua' ```
3. Create client.lua
This script runs on the client (player's computer):
3. Create server.lua
This script runs on the server:
Testing Your Resource
Common Development Patterns
Events
Events are the primary way to communicate between client and server:
NUI (User Interface)
FiveM supports HTML/CSS/JavaScript for creating custom UIs:
Best Practices
Next Steps
Now that you understand the basics, you can:
- Explore existing resources to learn from
- Join the FiveM development community
- Start building more complex features
- Consider using frameworks like ESX or QBCore
Conclusion
FiveM development opens up endless possibilities for creating custom multiplayer experiences. Start small, learn the fundamentals, and gradually build more complex features. The FiveM community is welcoming and helpful, so don't hesitate to ask questions!
Happy coding!