Statistics

Statistics in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The smaller statistics menu in GTA San Andreas (PC/PS2/Xbox version).

Statistics are used in GTA III Era games to indicate progression in certain areas, or to enumerate certain activities — for example, a "Longest wheelie" statistic will measure how long a player has sustained a wheelie on a motorcycle; "Packages collected" counts how many Hidden Packages a player has acquired; "Hospital visits" counts how many times a player has been Wasted on their current playthrough, etc.

Many of these statistics are also present in older GTA games, but they are not detailed here.

HUD Stats

Rather than recording progress or activities, these statistics are displayed onscreen during gameplay in the Heads Up Display (HUD), to give the player a greater awareness of the protagonist's condition and situation.

• Health - Health indicates the player's condition, and as such, is reduced by sustaining injuries. When the player's health is depleted, they are Wasted, which results in mission failure [if the player is doing a mission at time of death], and the player being sent to hospital to be revived. Health can be regained by eating food, saving, or picking up a health "power-up" or first-aid kit. Entering an Ambulance will also restore a small amount of health.
  • It is shown by a number of triple-digit hitpoints (pre-GTA San Andreas), and a health bar (from GTA San Andreas onwards).

• Armor - Armor counts as an extra "layer" of health; it can be acquired via an Armor pickup, purchased at an Ammu-Nation store, or, in some games, acquired by entering the Police Enforcer. The exact abilities of Armor vary from game to game — generally, Armor will absorb all gunfire and explosive damage until it is entirely depleted; damage from falls and vehicle impacts may deplete Armor, or may leave Armor intact and deplete Health.

• Wanted Level - The Wanted Level indicates the level of police interest in the player, rated from a 6-head scale (GTA 1→2), 6-star scale (GTA III and IV Eras), and a 5-star scale (Grand Theft Auto V). If the player commits serious crimes (and the police are aware of them), it will indicate the extent of the crimes, and how much force Police will employ in capturing (or killing) the player. If the police successfully catch the player, they will be Busted.

• Altitude Meter - The Altitude Meter is a bar that rises or falls according to how high up the player is from sea level. This meter is only available when in an aircraft or when using a parachute.

GTA San Andreas Statistics

GTA San Andreas has the most sophisticated miscellaneous statistics in any GTA game to this date, viewable either by holding the 'status' button or key, or via the Main Menu. On the mobile (iOS and Android) versions of the game, the statistics can be viewed by tapping and holding the weapon icon. These reflect Carl Johnson's physique, physical abilities, and expertise; unlike in other GTA games, these change according to the player's actions.

Fat

This statistic measures CJ's body fat. Fat is increased by eating food. Fat is decreased by exercising, either at a gym or in the world at large. Being overweight naturally changes CJ's appearance, and eventually lessens most physical capabilities (including health) and possibly lead to random heart attacks (that can kill CJ), but CJ is required to have at least a small amount of fat - without it, exercising will reduce CJ's muscle instead of his fat.

Food is available at Well Stacked Pizza Co., Cluckin' Bell, and Burger Shot. Their meals will add either 0, 1, 2, or 3% to CJ's Fat level.

For every 150 seconds of running, or every 100 seconds of biking or swimming, CJ will shed 1.5% fat. At a gym, this is much faster - on the treadmill or stationary bike, CJ will shed 2.5% fat every 14 seconds. When lifting weights, CJ will shed 2.5% fat for each repetition. Also, if the player waits 48 ingame hours without eating, CJ will shed fat at a rate of 2.5% per in-game hour. Before this happens, the player is given the following warning: “You are starting to feel hungry and you are starting to lose energy. You need to find something to eat.” If the player has no more fat to shed, the hunger will start hampering muscle instead. If there is no fat or muscle to shed, health will continue to deplete until it eventually kills CJ.

Eating too much in one sitting will cause CJ to vomit. It is dangerous to eat somewhere between 9 to 12 of the largest or salad meal at any restaurant. The magic number depends on health, fat, muscle, time, etc. If this happens, the player will not be served in any restaurant until 11 game hours have passed. Oddly enough, eating til purge does count as eating; while it won't regain health, it will stave off hunger and weight loss like normal.

Muscle

This indicates CJ's muscular development. Muscle influences the Respect and Sex Appeal stats. Muscle is increased by working out at a gym, or otherwise exercising (running, riding bikes, swimming). Having more muscle will make melee attacks that CJ makes more effective. A 100% muscle statistic is detrimental to Sex appeal and will prevent CJ from initiating contact with some girlfriends. To prevent this, obtain all 50 Oysters, buy high-end outfits and haircuts, and drive a high-end vehicle, such as a tuner or supercar.

Using the treadmill or stationary bike at a gym for 14 seconds will gain 1% muscle. Lifting weights will gain 1% muscle for each repetition. 150 seconds (2.5 minutes) of running in-game, or 100 seconds (1.667 minutes) of swimming or biking, will cause CJ to gain 1% muscle.

Oddly, swimming, cycling, and running somehow reduce CJ's muscle as opposed to increasing it. This is likely due to fatigue caused by these activities.

Respect

Respect indicates CJ's level of influence in the Grove Street Families. Having high enough Respect allows CJ to recruit gang members. Many missions increase Respect when completed, as do successful gang wars. Respect is gained by killing rival gang members and police. Respect is lost by not wearing gang colors in gang territory. CJ will also lose respect if he kills members of his gang, or loses territory to other gangs.

Sex Appeal

This statistic indicates how women will react to CJ. It is influenced by CJ's current vehicle (and its condition), Hairstyle, Clothing, Fat, and Muscle. Collecting all 50 Oysters can prevent some of the pitfalls of low Sex Appeal (girlfriends being dissatisfied with CJ's appearance, or potential girlfriends not wanting to talk to CJ).

Stamina

The Stamina statistic indicates endurance with regards to running, swimming, and cycling. Low stamina means CJ will grow fatigued easily and stop sprinting after short distances. Stamina has to be built up over the course of the entire game by exercising. In GTA Vice City Stories, a stamina bar also exists whenever the player is in the water. If it runs out, the player will drown.

For every 150 seconds (2.5 minutes) of swimming, or every 300 seconds (5 minutes) for running or biking, CJ will gain 5% Stamina. At the Gyms, the treadmill and stationary bike will grant CJ 4% Stamina for every 14 seconds.

Lung Capacity

Oxygen represents how long CJ can hold his breath underwater. An oxygen meter is displayed whenever CJ dives underwater. Lung capacity is increased by swimming underwater for extended periods, and by collecting Oysters. If the player stays underwater long enough for the oxygen meter to deplete, CJ will start rapidly losing health until he either drowns or comes up for air. After coming up for air CJ will not regain lost health if this happens, only oxygen.

Trying to push an underwater vehicle back on land can be a good way to increase lung capacity, but the player must resurface when the oxygen meter lowers to around 20%.