OP1: Well. Try this:

Open Notepad
Inside notepad write this:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
start /w Gangsters.exe
start explorer.exe

Then click Save As.

Remember to save as "All files" not as as ".txt" and save the file as "fix.bat"

Save the file to your desktop or My Documents folder. Then copy this file to your "Gangsters" game folder where the game exe is.

Make a shortcut to desktop and use this to start the game.

JKDC: I'm getting a NVidia driver failure and recover message when I hit the streets. It runs for a sec then freezes and crashes.

Edit:
It looks like I was able to fix it based on the information in this thread:

http://www.gog.com/forum/gangsters_organized_crime/does_not_work_in_windows_8/page1

I used the Microsoft Compatibility Toolkit 5.6 (free download). I only added the ForceDirectDrawEmulation mode to the gangsters.exe (no need to use the gog launcher) and it works after hitting the streets. The loading screens have corrupted colors, but everything else seems good so far. The mouse seems smoother as well to me.

I'm not sure how to use the tool very well so I think you need to keep it open while you play the game. You can save the database and load it then run the game. I don't think it alters the file itself. Gangsters worked last year fine without a problem so its either a newer driver or my new video card.

So hopefully others can try it and see if it works for them too.

Edit 2:

Apparently you can hit install in the top menu and it will install the fix into your programs list in control panel. That way you don't need to keep the compatibility app open. Just change the existing shortcut or add a new shortcut (preferred)to the gangsters.exe.