Can we have the WIndows-native version? [of Timeshock]
My CD version isn't a DOS version, so I was a bit dismayed to find that the GOG version wants to run through DOSBox. Is this really necessary?

I second this, though I imagine there are reasons why the Windows version wasn't chosen. Still, it is very unfortunate that this version maxes out at a resolution of 1024x768 (and lowers to 800x600 if the 16M color setting is chosen) when 1600x1200 is potentially available.

This is because DOSBOX allows virtual audio soundtracks to be placed inside in the form of music files where the Windows Version ran the audio for the disc. Theres no current way to emulate music on a Windows Box.

Yeah, the redbook music issue was the entire reason I purchased this version, as (a) I hate having to have a CD/DVD in the drive to play a game, (b) my optical drive seems to really hate my Timeshock CD, and (c) I found I was getting heinous issues running it on my current machine (I hadn't tried installing Timeshock on this box previously).
However! I'm delighted to say that I now have my Windows version running smooth as silk, music and all, on my WinXP/SP2 and Intel dual-core CPU machine.
I resolved the redbook issue by way of the wonderful Daemon Tools, which nowadays seems to have perfect emulation of an optical drive playing redbook audio off a CD. I downloaded and installed Daemon Tools Lite (I suggest saying "no" to the DT Toolbar feature), I used its built-in imaging feature to make an image of the CD in DT's native .mdf format, and then I mounted the image on the virtual drive and ran the game (it was already installed from the real CD).
The other problems turned out to be solved trivially by setting Timeshock!.exe to Windows 95 compatibility mode, so before running the game just go to your installation directory, right-click the executable, and use the Compatability tab.
I didn't need to set CPU affinity or anything else. It just works, 1600x1200, 24-bit colour, perfect music. Everything.
Happy me :)
Naturally, this means that I REALLY REALLY want Empire and GOG to provide an ISO of the WIndows version as an option for anyone who buys a Pro Pinball game, because with a bit of external effort (as described above), some of us will be able to run it perfectly in that format (and I don't have Big Race USA on CD!)
The benefits are:
* Higher-resolution (for me, the DOS version was restricted to 1024x768)
* Higher colour depth (24-bit colour)
* Better performance (no need to emulate a DOS machine as well as run the game)
You needn't support that version. The DOS version can remain the official GOG version of the game, But please please provide it, so that we can try it out, just in case it works.

I thought Big Race USA and beyond _only_ came in Windows versions. Timeshock was originally for DOS though, as was The Web.
As for the soundtrack issue on the Windows version, couldn't it just be patched to play MP3s instead? I thought there was already a version that did that, which the authors (who are now Fuse Games) had..

According to my Big Race USA disc, it requires Windows 95/98/NT or DOS to install... strangely, it had severe issues working correctly under 2000 and XP, but installs and works flawlessly under Vista. And I know for sure that at least BRUSA plays the audio fine from the hard drive if you select to do a full install.

Thank you GOG for the WIndows-native version of BRUSA!
Ironically, my machine is having some kind of issues playing this one at high resolutions, so I've had to drop to 1024x768. (Timeshock is smooth as silk in 24-bit colour at 1600x1200).
Very odd, but never mind.

I'd much prefer the DOS version, because you don't have any of the problems you get with the Windows 95 versions, just look at the audio popping threads, quite a few people are having that problem.
I agree a choice would be best, but you CAN run the DOS version at higher resolutions and more colors, you just need to find a custom version of DOSBox that supports it and replace it, there's a thread here on it actually!

Hi there!
I have this Music Problem with timeshock,it rans absolutely perfect with 1600x1200 on win xp sp3,every setting maxed..but there ist no music..i mounted the mdf image with daemon tools 3.47 which provides analog audio emulation,but it wont play the music..thats strange cause i have "PP The Web" also and its playing the music,in "The Web" its the same with audio played from cd..Any suggestions due to this music issue? i really miss the music,its an important part for the feeling of this pinball...strange thing that under the options menü i have only the option to switch between music volume "0" and "10"..

Hi Oriega,
I'm using Daemon Tools (Lite) 4.30.3. I don't know if that's the reason for the different behaviour, but if nothing else works then you might want to look at upgrading.
I also have the all-or-nothing music volume control.

Update:thanks to Shadowcat,ive downloaded this daemon tools version and BAM i have the music..im so glad! thanks for the tip

ps:and the music fucking rocks! :-) i was 8years old when i played timeshock the first time,now with the music its a perfect flashback!

Hello the gog dosbox single conf file list settings
I had the same problem when I attempted to run it under linux. I used version the offline one.
There is a cue file thats actually labled pptime.inst you can rename it to pptime.cue. the gog file pptime.gog may be a type of iso file, also irq5, the cue file points to the music directory with ogg files in it.
using sock8.exe instead of shock.exe supposidely uses a lower memory version of the game;
The imgmount command lines will have to be changed in the conf file, for linux you will have to create a directory for the path for linux to store a virtual drive (or something) hope this helps someone