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Difference between revisions of "Theme Hospital"

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Revision as of 14:35, 30 May 2016

Theme Hospital
Theme Hospital cover
Developers
Bullfrog Productions
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Release dates
DOS March 31, 1997
Windows March 31, 1997
macOS (OS X) October 18, 2012[1]
Theme Hospital guide on StrategyWiki
Theme Hospital on Wikipedia

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game needs a fix to work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later (see API for details).
Theme Park
Theme Park 1994
Theme Hospital 1997
Shin Theme Park 1997
Theme Park World 1999
Theme Park Inc. 2001

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions
GOG.com Support Page

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
DRM details are not known
Native Windows version has compatibility problems.
DOS
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
DOS version pre-packaged with DOSBox.[2]
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Origin
Origin
DOS version pre-packaged with DOSBox.
Windows

Version differences

Corsix-TH - Open Source Clone

Corsix-TH is an open source clone of Theme Hospital, however, it can be seen as a (slightly buggy and unfinished) patch to get Theme Hospital to work on the latest machines. Simply download the latest archive files here and then extract them into the folder where you have the game saved. Then download the installer from the same place and run that. Whenever you get any options for folder placement make sure that you insert the exact folder of where you installed the game files. Remember, once you have this installed you don't run the HOSPITAL.EXE, instead you run one of the three Corsix files, where you can choose to run the game with DirectX, OpenGL or SDL.

While the version linked above is the most stable, it is only updated every three months. To get the latest fixes you need to install the development snapshots which won't be as stable but will have more bug fixes. Windows users can download it here and those on other operating systems download it here. To install, simply extract all the files into your HOSP folder. You will automatically get the latest development versions via SVN (make sure you have a SVN client installed like Tortoise SVN).

When using Corsix-TH it is advisable to install it over a "clean" (i.e. not patched) version.

Retail Version

Getting the game to run at all on modern machines is difficult due to the age of the game. However, there are several steps you can follow that may get it working. It is suggested to check if the game works after each paragraphs as different users will have different settings.

The first is to transfer the HOSP folder from your CD copy onto your storage device, making sure to save the files close to the root of the drive (the entire folder location needing to be under 8 characters, e.g. C:\ThemeH\. You will also need to edit the configuration file to allow saves to work (see Game data).

Now change your EXE compatibly settings (which may depend on what OS you are using). Right click HOSPITAL.EXE and click properties. going over to Compatibility and choose Windows 95. Then, under Settings check Run in 256 colours, Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution as well as Run this program as an administrator. Fiddle around with these options for the one that suits you if you know what you are doing.

There is also a patched version available, which you can download here. Copy and paste it over to your HOSP folder (replacing any existing files, remembering to edit the configuration file again if you replace that too). If this now gives you mouse lag, see Patches.

If none of those steps work for you, then you will have to use Corsix-TH (see "Corsix-TH").

Essential improvements

Patches

Mouse Lag Patch - this sets the CPU affinity to 3 instead of 1, though you may need to fiddle with this number. Save this file where your HOSP folder is and run it instead of Hospital.exe.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

Save game data location

Edit HOSPITAL.CFG after where it says INSTALL PATH= to the installation folder, making sure to put a trailing backslash (\) at the end of the folder name. This tells the game where to save the save files.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Origin

Video settings

300px
Graphics settings (GOG.com version)

Template:Video settings

Input settings

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
4 Added in the last patch.
Online play
For DOSBox use DOSBox IPX/modem emulation.

Connection types

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DOS video modes SVGA
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) MS-DOS 6.2
Processor (CPU) 66 MHz
System memory (RAM) 8 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 20 MB
Video card (GPU) SVGA
The minimum requirements are for the retail version of Theme Hospital, while the recommended requirements are for the GOG.com version.
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.6.8 or later
Processor (CPU) Intel Core Duo 2 GHz+
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 200 MB
Video card (GPU) 64 MB of VRAM

References