THEME HOSPITAL Strategy PC Game CD + WIN XP INSTALL!

Welcome to a Digital Ostrich auction! I'm a former professional game designer (ten years at Electronic Arts and other companies) with two simple beliefs: you should get what you pay for, and compatibility is MY responsibility, not yours. You shouldn't have to guess whether a game will work on your computer before you buy it; if you purchase from me, you will be able to play. Guaranteed.

This auction is for one of my classic game setups, in which I've taken an old favorite that normally won't run in Windows, then installed, configured and packaged it into a ready-to-play folder that just needs to be copied to your computer. It's really that simple -- you install, then double-click to play. All the work to make the game compatible has already been done for you. Read on for details!

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• First and most importantly, you will receive an original, genuine, Theme Hospital CD. Although you will not need to use the CD (all my setups play without a CD in the drive), it is included so you own a full, legal license to the game.  Your CD will range from GEM MINT PERFECT to having light contact marks; I don't sell scratchy CDs.
  
• Second, you will receive a setup CD with the "ready to play in Windows" game on it. You use this CD to install the game, which will look, sound and play exactly like you remember with NO CHANGES TO YOUR COMPUTER WHATSOEVER -- everything has been fully configured in  a self-contained program, with great attention paid to fine levels of detail - I was always the designer who spent time on all the little extras that make a good game great, and still am. My setup CDs are professionally designed and printed with a variant of the DIGITAL OSTRICH logo, so they not only look nice, but they'll be easy to find in your collection later. PLEASE NOTE THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF FULL DISCLOSURE, I should mention that Theme Hospital was released (and re-released) in a Windows-native version, but I do not know to what extent it works in XP or beyond. My setup DOES work.
  
• Everything comes in a new DVD case with custom DIGITAL OSTRICH art (see third picture for one of the versions). The whole set (original CD(s), install CD, and case) will present quite nicely if you're giving the setup as a gift.
• On-screen documents are included.
  
• You will also have access to free, fast and friendly email technical support. You are unlikely to need assistance; I have been doing these setups for years, and I rarely hear from my customers other than happy letters asking if I can help with another game (yes!).
  
• Finally, you have my 100% money-back guarantee. If you have a problem, and I can't fix it in a couple of emails, I will take the game back and refund you in full. Period. This has happened exactly once in the last five years, and I now know that I could have fixed that customer's problem.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS & COMPATIBILITY GUARANTEE: I want you to be absolutely confident in your purchase, and will guarantee good performance on any Windows computer WORLDWIDE purchased new in 2006 or later, with 1GB or more memory. This is approximately a Pentium IV or later, with enough memory to run Windows at an appropriate speed; most computers that were purchased new meet these requirements unless they were an extreme bargain-basement model. If you're a computer novice and aren't sure what you have, feel free to contact me through the "Ask Seller a Question" link at the upper right of this page, and I will show you how to get this information. Please note that I do not support network / modem / online play for any of my setups, even if the original game did so.

UPGRADE GUARANTEE: Planning to buy a new computer or upgrade your version of Windows? No problem! I'll guarantee compatibility for a full year after purchase.

PAYPAL ONLY, PLEASE: for a variety of reasons too boring to discuss here, this is the only payment type I accept. It just makes everything easier.

PACKAGING: everything I sell ships in new, professional-grade packaging (fourth picture). My classic game setups that come in DVD cases ship in bubble mailers. Collectible, boxed games ship in sturdy, crush-resistant boxes with appropriate amounts of bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts. I know the pain of purchasing a beautiful, rare game on eBay only to have it arrive wrapped in brown paper, crushed, and with tape stuck to the box.

UK DELIVERY: I generally post within 3 business days, Air Mail from the United States. Your parcel will be delivered by Royal Mail once it clears customs; typical delivery time is 7-10 days after posting, though I have seen it as quickly as four. Holiday delivery will usually take longer. I am an experienced UK shipper, and will not create any unnecessary customs problems.

OUTSIDE THE UK: I generally post within 3 business days, Air Mail from the United States. Your parcel will arrive in customs approximately 7 days after posting, and wil be delivered once it clears. This time varies by country, with holiday delivery times being longer.  I am an experienced international shipper, and will not create any unnecessary customs problems.

EXPEDITED DELIVERY: the optional, non-free delivery option is for "International Priority Mail" from the USA. These packages are treated as overnight mail until they leave the USA, and then are subject to how your particular country handles such packages. This mail service can result in faster delivery, especially during the holiday season.

Be sure to read the WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE and SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS & COMPATIBILITY GUARANTEE sections of the auction. They tell you everything you need to know! If you still have questions, click the ASK SELLER A QUESTION link at the top right of this page. Please don't check the box to hide your email from me -- I prefer to reply directly (and I don't collect email addresses).

YEP, I really did used to work as a game designer. I left the industry in 2004, partially for practical reasons (mandatory 80-hour weeks of unpaid overtime are not uncommon), and partially for personal ones; I wanted more creative control over my projects than being one guy on a 30-person team could offer. Those years I spent working with level builders, configuration files and compilers stuck with me, though, and combined with a 35-year gaming habit, I just can't help tinkering.

I can't get you E3 tickets, autographs or a job, but I did write an essay that discusses what it's like to be a game designer and how to get a job as one. If you'd like a free copy, click the ASK SELLER A QUESTION link at the upper right of this page. Be sure to leave the "hide my email" box unchecked -- my essay is too big to send through the eBay servers.