Interview: How Gabz Became the #1 FiveM Mapper

We sat down with Gabz, the most renowned MLO mapper in the FiveM community, to learn about his journey, creative process, and vision for the future of FiveM mapping.

The Beginning

"I started mapping as a hobby back in 2020," Gabz tells us. "I was running my own FiveM server and wasn't satisfied with the available interiors. So I decided to learn 3D modeling and create my own."

What started as simple room interiors quickly evolved. "My first police station MLO got so much attention that I realized there was a huge demand for quality maps. That's when I started taking it seriously."

The Craft

"Each MLO takes me between 2 to 4 weeks to complete. I spend about 30% of the time on the initial design, 50% on the actual modeling and texturing, and 20% on optimization and testing."

Performance is a major focus. "Every map I create is optimized with proper LODs, collision, and texture streaming. A beautiful map that tanks FPS is useless."

The Business Model

Gabz pioneered the subscription model for FiveM maps. "Instead of selling individual maps for high prices, I offer a subscription that gives access to all my maps. It's better for server owners and gives me a stable income."

Advice for Aspiring Mappers

"Start small. Create a simple interior for a shop or an apartment. Learn the tools — CodeWalker, 3ds Max, and Blender are your best friends. And most importantly, test everything in-game. What looks good in a 3D editor doesn't always work in GTA V."