diff --git a/src/actor.h b/src/actor.h
index b46917a4a..1e939d563 100644
--- a/src/actor.h
+++ b/src/actor.h
@@ -583,7 +583,6 @@ public:
 	void Destroy ();
 	~AActor ();
 
-	DECLARE_OLD_SERIAL
 	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void PostSerialize();
 
diff --git a/src/b_bot.h b/src/b_bot.h
index 9ba5e6869..5ad77707e 100644
--- a/src/b_bot.h
+++ b/src/b_bot.h
@@ -142,7 +142,6 @@ public:
 	DBot ();
 
 	void Clear ();
-	DECLARE_OLD_SERIAL
 	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void Tick ();
 
diff --git a/src/dobject.h b/src/dobject.h
index 7e0c49db6..0419e8c59 100644
--- a/src/dobject.h
+++ b/src/dobject.h
@@ -438,8 +438,6 @@ template<class T> inline void GC::Mark(TObjPtr<T> &obj)
 	GC::Mark(&obj.o);
 }
 
-#define DECLARE_OLD_SERIAL virtual void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
-
 class DObject
 {
 public:
@@ -469,7 +467,6 @@ public:
 	inline bool IsA (const PClass *type) const;
 
 	void SerializeUserVars(FArchive &arc);
-	DECLARE_OLD_SERIAL
 
 	void SerializeUserVars(FSerializer &arc);
 	virtual void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
diff --git a/src/dthinker.cpp b/src/dthinker.cpp
index 0efcecbdd..06295a4b3 100644
--- a/src/dthinker.cpp
+++ b/src/dthinker.cpp
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 #include "i_system.h"
 #include "doomerrors.h"
 #include "farchive.h"
+#include "serializer.h"
 #include "d_player.h"
 
 
@@ -103,14 +104,14 @@ bool FThinkerList::IsEmpty() const
 	return Sentinel == NULL || Sentinel->NextThinker == NULL;
 }
 
-void DThinker::SaveList(FArchive &arc, DThinker *node)
+void DThinker::SaveList(FSerializer &arc, DThinker *node)
 {
 	if (node != NULL)
 	{
 		while (!(node->ObjectFlags & OF_Sentinel))
 		{
 			assert(node->NextThinker != NULL && !(node->NextThinker->ObjectFlags & OF_EuthanizeMe));
-			arc << node;
+			::Serialize<DThinker>(arc, nullptr, node, nullptr);
 			node = node->NextThinker;
 		}
 	}
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ void DThinker::SaveList(FArchive &arc, DThinker *node)
 
 void DThinker::SerializeAll(FArchive &arc, bool hubLoad)
 {
+#if 0
 	DThinker *thinker;
 	BYTE stat;
 	int statcount;
@@ -197,6 +199,7 @@ void DThinker::SerializeAll(FArchive &arc, bool hubLoad)
 		}
 		bSerialOverride = false;
 	}
+#endif
 }
 
 DThinker::DThinker (int statnum) throw()
diff --git a/src/farchive.cpp b/src/farchive.cpp
index f454d3b7b..1151c6198 100644
--- a/src/farchive.cpp
+++ b/src/farchive.cpp
@@ -1087,6 +1087,7 @@ FArchive &FArchive::SerializeObject (DObject *&object, PClass *type)
 
 FArchive &FArchive::ReadObject (DObject* &obj, PClass *wanttype)
 {
+#if 0
 	BYTE objHead;
 	const PClass *type;
 	BYTE playerNum;
@@ -1203,6 +1204,7 @@ FArchive &FArchive::ReadObject (DObject* &obj, PClass *wanttype)
 	default:
 		I_Error ("Unknown object code (%d) in archive\n", objHead);
 	}
+#endif
 	return *this;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/farchive.h b/src/farchive.h
index e6cd9f2da..6353bda7d 100644
--- a/src/farchive.h
+++ b/src/farchive.h
@@ -288,19 +288,10 @@ inline FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, PalEntry &p)
 	return arc << p.a << p.r << p.g << p.b;
 }
 
-template<class T>
-inline FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, T* &object)
-{
-	return arc.SerializeObject ((DObject*&)object, RUNTIME_TEMPLATE_CLASS(T));
-}
-
 struct FStrifeDialogueNode;
 struct FSwitchDef;
 struct FDoorAnimation;
 struct FLinePortal;
-template<> FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FStrifeDialogueNode *&node);
-template<> FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FSwitchDef* &sw);
-template<> FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FDoorAnimation* &da);
 FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FLinePortal &da);
 FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FSectorPortal &da);
 
diff --git a/src/g_shared/hudmessages.cpp b/src/g_shared/hudmessages.cpp
index a5e97066f..531870571 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/hudmessages.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/hudmessages.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 #include "v_video.h"
 #include "cmdlib.h"
 #include "doomstat.h"
-#include "farchive.h"
+#include "serializer.h"
 
 EXTERN_CVAR(Int, con_scaletext)
 int active_con_scaletext();
@@ -56,14 +56,6 @@ IMPLEMENT_CLASS (DHUDMessageTypeOnFadeOut)
  * Basic HUD message. Appears and disappears without any special effects *
  *************************************************************************/
 
-inline FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, EColorRange &i)
-{
-	BYTE val = (BYTE)i;
-	arc << val;
-	i = (EColorRange)val;
-	return arc;
-}
-
 //============================================================================
 //
 // DHUDMessage Constructor
@@ -180,20 +172,30 @@ DHUDMessage::~DHUDMessage ()
 //
 //============================================================================
 
-void DHUDMessage::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DHUDMessage::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize(arc);
-	arc << Left << Top << CenterX << HoldTics
-		<< Tics << State << TextColor
-		//<< SBarID << SourceText << Font << Next
-		<< HUDWidth << HUDHeight
-		<< NoWrap
-		<< ClipX << ClipY << ClipWidth << ClipHeight
-		<< WrapWidth
-		<< HandleAspect
-		<< VisibilityFlags
-		<< Style << Alpha;
-	if (arc.IsLoading())
+	arc("left", Left)
+		("top", Top)
+		("centerx", CenterX)
+		("holdtics", HoldTics)
+		("tics", Tics)
+		("state", State)
+		.Enum("textcolor", TextColor)
+		("hudwidth", HUDWidth)
+		("hudheight", HUDHeight)
+		("nowrap", NoWrap)
+		("clipx", ClipX)
+		("clipy", ClipY)
+		("clipwidth", ClipWidth)
+		("clipheight", ClipHeight)
+		("wrapwidth", WrapWidth)
+		("handleaspect", HandleAspect)
+		("visibilityflags", VisibilityFlags)
+		("style", Style)
+		("alpha", Alpha);
+
+	if (arc.isReading())
 	{
 		Lines = NULL;
 		ResetText(SourceText);
@@ -504,10 +506,10 @@ DHUDMessageFadeOut::DHUDMessageFadeOut (FFont *font, const char *text, float x,
 //
 //============================================================================
 
-void DHUDMessageFadeOut::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DHUDMessageFadeOut::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize (arc);
-	arc << FadeOutTics;
+	arc("fadeouttics", FadeOutTics);
 }
 
 //============================================================================
@@ -609,10 +611,10 @@ DHUDMessageFadeInOut::DHUDMessageFadeInOut (FFont *font, const char *text, float
 //
 //============================================================================
 
-void DHUDMessageFadeInOut::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DHUDMessageFadeInOut::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize (arc);
-	arc << FadeInTics;
+	arc("fadeintics", FadeInTics);
 }
 
 //============================================================================
@@ -718,10 +720,13 @@ DHUDMessageTypeOnFadeOut::DHUDMessageTypeOnFadeOut (FFont *font, const char *tex
 //
 //============================================================================
 
-void DHUDMessageTypeOnFadeOut::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DHUDMessageTypeOnFadeOut::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize (arc);
-	arc << TypeOnTime << CurrLine << LineVisible << LineLen;
+	arc("typeontime", TypeOnTime)
+		("currline", CurrLine)
+		("linevisible", LineVisible)
+		("linelen", LineLen);
 }
 
 //============================================================================
diff --git a/src/g_shared/sbar.h b/src/g_shared/sbar.h
index 87242988e..6d5b10739 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/sbar.h
+++ b/src/g_shared/sbar.h
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public:
 		EColorRange textColor, float holdTime);
 	virtual ~DHUDMessage ();
 
-	virtual void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	virtual void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 
 	void Draw (int bottom, int visibility);
 	virtual void ResetText (const char *text);
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ public:
 	DHUDMessageFadeOut (FFont *font, const char *text, float x, float y, int hudwidth, int hudheight,
 		EColorRange textColor, float holdTime, float fadeOutTime);
 
-	virtual void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	virtual void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	virtual void DoDraw (int linenum, int x, int y, bool clean, int hudheight);
 	virtual bool Tick ();
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public:
 	DHUDMessageFadeInOut (FFont *font, const char *text, float x, float y, int hudwidth, int hudheight,
 		EColorRange textColor, float holdTime, float fadeInTime, float fadeOutTime);
 
-	virtual void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	virtual void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	virtual void DoDraw (int linenum, int x, int y, bool clean, int hudheight);
 	virtual bool Tick ();
 
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ public:
 	DHUDMessageTypeOnFadeOut (FFont *font, const char *text, float x, float y, int hudwidth, int hudheight,
 		EColorRange textColor, float typeTime, float holdTime, float fadeOutTime);
 
-	virtual void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	virtual void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	virtual void DoDraw (int linenum, int x, int y, bool clean, int hudheight);
 	virtual bool Tick ();
 	virtual void ScreenSizeChanged ();
@@ -355,7 +355,8 @@ public:
 
 	static void AddBlend (float r, float g, float b, float a, float v_blend[4]);
 
-	virtual void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	// do not make this a DObject Serialize function because it's not used like one!
+	void SerializeMessages(FSerializer &arc);
 
 	virtual void Tick ();
 	virtual void Draw (EHudState state);
diff --git a/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp b/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp
index b0a1f6a5d..a3bb76b7f 100644
--- a/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp
+++ b/src/g_shared/shared_sbar.cpp
@@ -51,8 +51,9 @@
 #include "colormatcher.h"
 #include "v_palette.h"
 #include "d_player.h"
-#include "farchive.h"
+#include "serializer.h"
 #include "gstrings.h"
+#include "r_utility.h"
 
 #include "../version.h"
 
@@ -1654,12 +1655,9 @@ void DBaseStatusBar::ReceivedWeapon (AWeapon *weapon)
 {
 }
 
-void DBaseStatusBar::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DBaseStatusBar::SerializeMessages(FSerializer &arc)
 {
-	for (size_t i = 0; i < countof(Messages); ++i)
-	{
-		arc << Messages[i];
-	}
+	arc.Array("hudmessages", Messages, 3, true);
 }
 
 void DBaseStatusBar::ScreenSizeChanged ()
diff --git a/src/json.cpp b/src/json.cpp
index 0fca84d4a..2d8c84d33 100644
--- a/src/json.cpp
+++ b/src/json.cpp
@@ -33,21 +33,6 @@ void DObject::SerializeUserVars(FSerializer &arc)
 //
 //==========================================================================
 
-void DThinker::SaveList(FSerializer &arc, DThinker *node)
-{
-	if (node != NULL)
-	{
-		while (!(node->ObjectFlags & OF_Sentinel))
-		{
-			assert(node->NextThinker != NULL && !(node->NextThinker->ObjectFlags & OF_EuthanizeMe));
-			//node->SerializeUserVars(arc);
-			::Serialize<DThinker>(arc, nullptr, node, nullptr);
-			node->CheckIfSerialized();
-			node = node->NextThinker;
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 
 void DThinker::SerializeThinkers(FSerializer &arc, bool hubLoad)
 {
diff --git a/src/p_conversation.cpp b/src/p_conversation.cpp
index 545603368..a697223e7 100644
--- a/src/p_conversation.cpp
+++ b/src/p_conversation.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@
 #include "doomstat.h"
 #include "c_console.h"
 #include "sbar.h"
-#include "farchive.h"
 #include "p_lnspec.h"
 #include "r_utility.h"
 #include "p_local.h"
@@ -1470,25 +1469,3 @@ static void TerminalResponse (const char *str)
 	}
 }
 
-
-template<> FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FStrifeDialogueNode *&node)
-{
-	DWORD convnum;
-	if (arc.IsStoring())
-	{
-		arc.WriteCount (node == NULL? ~0u : node->ThisNodeNum);
-	}
-	else 
-	{
-		convnum = arc.ReadCount();
-		if (convnum >= StrifeDialogues.Size())
-		{
-			node = NULL;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			node = StrifeDialogues[convnum];
-		}
-	}
-	return arc;
-}
diff --git a/src/p_pspr.cpp b/src/p_pspr.cpp
index 9f1233609..93b4506e3 100644
--- a/src/p_pspr.cpp
+++ b/src/p_pspr.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 #include "g_level.h"
 #include "farchive.h"
 #include "d_player.h"
+#include "serializer.h"
 
 
 // MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1446,13 +1447,23 @@ void DPSprite::Tick()
 //
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void DPSprite::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DPSprite::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize(arc);
 
-	arc << Next << Caller << Owner << Flags
-		<< State << Tics << Sprite << Frame
-		<< ID << x << y << oldx << oldy;
+	arc("next", Next)
+		("caller", Caller)
+		("owner", Owner)
+		("flags", Flags)
+		("state", State)
+		("tics", Tics)
+		.Sprite("sprite", Sprite, nullptr)
+		("frame", Frame)
+		("id", ID)
+		("x", x)
+		("y", y)
+		("oldx", oldx)
+		("oldy", oldy);
 }
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/p_pspr.h b/src/p_pspr.h
index 41d258df8..7ef5e86ec 100644
--- a/src/p_pspr.h
+++ b/src/p_pspr.h
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ public:
 private:
 	DPSprite () {}
 
-	void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void Tick();
 	void Destroy();
 
diff --git a/src/p_saveg.cpp b/src/p_saveg.cpp
index 13fac2e7e..c0f39be40 100644
--- a/src/p_saveg.cpp
+++ b/src/p_saveg.cpp
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ void G_SerializeLevel(FSerializer &arc, bool hubload)
 	arc.Array("sectors", sectors, &loadsectors[0], numsectors);
 	arc.Array("polyobjs", polyobjs, po_NumPolyobjs);
 	arc("subsectors", subsectors);
-	//StatusBar->Serialize(arc);
+	StatusBar->SerializeMessages(arc);
 	arc("zones", Zones);
 	arc("lineportals", linePortals);
 	arc("sectorportals", sectorPortals);
@@ -882,7 +882,7 @@ void G_SerializeLevel(FSerializer &arc, bool hubload)
 void P_SerializeSounds (FArchive &arc)
 {
 	S_SerializeSounds (arc);
-	DSeqNode::SerializeSequences (arc);
+	//DSeqNode::SerializeSequences (arc);
 	char *name = NULL;
 	BYTE order;
 
@@ -900,40 +900,6 @@ void P_SerializeSounds (FArchive &arc)
 	delete[] name;
 }
 
-//==========================================================================
-//
-// ArchivePolyobjs
-//
-//==========================================================================
-#define ASEG_POLYOBJS	104
-
-void P_SerializePolyobjs (FArchive &arc)
-{
-	int i;
-	FPolyObj *po;
-
-	if (arc.IsStoring ())
-	{
-		int seg = ASEG_POLYOBJS;
-		arc << seg << po_NumPolyobjs;
-		for(i = 0, po = polyobjs; i < po_NumPolyobjs; i++, po++)
-		{
-			arc << po->tag << po->Angle << po->StartSpot.pos << po->interpolation << po->bBlocked << po->bHasPortals;
-			arc << po->specialdata;
-  		}
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		int data;
-		DAngle angle;
-		DVector2 delta;
-
-		for (i = 0, po = polyobjs; i < po_NumPolyobjs; i++, po++)
-		{
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 //==========================================================================
 //
 //
@@ -976,7 +942,6 @@ void G_SerializeLevel(FArchive &arc, bool hubLoad)
 
 	// This must be saved, too, of course!
 	FCanvasTextureInfo::Serialize(arc);
-	//AM_SerializeMarkers(arc);
 
 	P_SerializePlayers(arc, hubLoad);
 	P_SerializeSounds(arc);
diff --git a/src/p_user.cpp b/src/p_user.cpp
index bfefca466..56dc8ffc9 100644
--- a/src/p_user.cpp
+++ b/src/p_user.cpp
@@ -3007,6 +3007,7 @@ void P_UnPredictPlayer ()
 
 void player_t::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 {
+#if 0
 	int i;
 	FString skinname;
 
@@ -3079,54 +3080,6 @@ void player_t::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 	for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
 		arc << frags[i];
 
-	if (SaveVersion < 4547)
-	{
-		int layer = PSP_WEAPON;
-		for (i = 0; i < 5; i++)
-		{
-			FState *state;
-			int tics;
-			double sx, sy;
-			int sprite;
-			int frame;
-
-			arc << state << tics
-				<< sx << sy
-				<< sprite << frame;
-
-			if (state != nullptr &&
-			   ((layer < PSP_TARGETCENTER && ReadyWeapon != nullptr) ||
-			   (layer >= PSP_TARGETCENTER && mo->FindInventory(RUNTIME_CLASS(APowerTargeter), true))))
-			{
-				DPSprite *pspr;
-				pspr = GetPSprite(PSPLayers(layer));
-				pspr->State = state;
-				pspr->Tics = tics;
-				pspr->Sprite = sprite;
-				pspr->Frame = frame;
-				pspr->Owner = this;
-
-				if (layer == PSP_FLASH)
-				{
-					pspr->x = 0;
-					pspr->y = 0;
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					pspr->x = sx;
-					pspr->y = sy;
-				}
-			}
-
-			if (layer == PSP_WEAPON)
-				layer = PSP_FLASH;
-			else if (layer == PSP_FLASH)
-				layer = PSP_TARGETCENTER;
-			else
-				layer++;
-		}
-	}
-	else
 		arc << psprites;
 
 	arc << CurrentPlayerClass;
@@ -3154,6 +3107,7 @@ void player_t::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 		userinfo.SkinChanged(skinname, CurrentPlayerClass);
 	}
 	arc << MUSINFOactor << MUSINFOtics;
+#endif
 }
 
 bool P_IsPlayerTotallyFrozen(const player_t *player)
diff --git a/src/r_utility.cpp b/src/r_utility.cpp
index d5ab09b4c..985081a4b 100644
--- a/src/r_utility.cpp
+++ b/src/r_utility.cpp
@@ -1043,6 +1043,7 @@ void FCanvasTextureInfo::EmptyList ()
 
 void FCanvasTextureInfo::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 {
+#if 0
 	if (arc.IsStoring ())
 	{
 		FCanvasTextureInfo *probe;
@@ -1070,6 +1071,7 @@ void FCanvasTextureInfo::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 			Add (viewpoint, picnum, fov);
 		}
 	}
+#endif
 }
 
 //==========================================================================
diff --git a/src/s_sndseq.cpp b/src/s_sndseq.cpp
index ebfbf056b..23837c28b 100644
--- a/src/s_sndseq.cpp
+++ b/src/s_sndseq.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 #include "templates.h"
 #include "c_dispatch.h"
 #include "g_level.h"
-#include "farchive.h"
+#include "serializer.h"
 #include "d_player.h"
 
 // MACROS ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class DSeqActorNode : public DSeqNode
 public:
 	DSeqActorNode(AActor *actor, int sequence, int modenum);
 	void Destroy();
-	void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void MakeSound(int loop, FSoundID id)
 	{
 		S_Sound(m_Actor, CHAN_BODY|loop, id, clamp(m_Volume, 0.f, 1.f), m_Atten);
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class DSeqPolyNode : public DSeqNode
 public:
 	DSeqPolyNode(FPolyObj *poly, int sequence, int modenum);
 	void Destroy();
-	void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void MakeSound(int loop, FSoundID id)
 	{
 		S_Sound (m_Poly, CHAN_BODY|loop, id, clamp(m_Volume, 0.f, 1.f), m_Atten);
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class DSeqSectorNode : public DSeqNode
 public:
 	DSeqSectorNode(sector_t *sec, int chan, int sequence, int modenum);
 	void Destroy();
-	void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void MakeSound(int loop, FSoundID id)
 	{
 		Channel = (Channel & 7) | CHAN_AREA | loop;
@@ -280,9 +280,9 @@ static FRandom pr_sndseq ("SndSeq");
 
 // CODE --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void DSeqNode::SerializeSequences (FArchive &arc)
+void DSeqNode::SerializeSequences (FSerializer &arc)
 {
-	arc << SequenceListHead;
+	arc("sndseqlisthead", SequenceListHead);
 }
 
 IMPLEMENT_POINTY_CLASS (DSeqNode)
@@ -298,55 +298,58 @@ DSeqNode::DSeqNode ()
 	m_Next = m_Prev = m_ChildSeqNode = m_ParentSeqNode = NULL;
 }
 
-void DSeqNode::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DSeqNode::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	int seqOffset;
 	unsigned int i;
+	FName seqName;
+	int delayTics = 0;
+	FSoundID id;
+	float volume;
+	float atten = ATTN_NORM;
+	int seqnum;
+	unsigned int numchoices;
 
-	Super::Serialize (arc);
-	if (arc.IsStoring ())
+	// copy these to local variables so that the actual serialization code does not need to be duplicated for saving and loading.
+	if (arc.isWriting())
 	{
-		seqOffset = (int)SN_GetSequenceOffset (m_Sequence, m_SequencePtr);
-		arc << seqOffset
-			<< m_DelayUntilTic
-			<< m_Volume
-			<< m_Atten
-			<< m_ModeNum
-			<< m_Next
-			<< m_Prev
-			<< m_ChildSeqNode
-			<< m_ParentSeqNode
-			<< m_CurrentSoundID
-			<< Sequences[m_Sequence]->SeqName;
+		seqOffset = (int)SN_GetSequenceOffset(m_Sequence, m_SequencePtr);
+		delayTics = m_DelayUntilTic;
+		volume = m_Volume;
+		atten = m_Atten;
+		id = m_CurrentSoundID;
+		seqName = Sequences[m_Sequence]->SeqName;
+		numchoices = m_SequenceChoices.Size();
+	}
+	Super::Serialize(arc);
 
-		arc.WriteCount (m_SequenceChoices.Size());
-		for (i = 0; i < m_SequenceChoices.Size(); ++i)
+	arc("seqoffset", seqOffset)
+		("delaytics", delayTics)
+		("volume", volume)
+		("atten", atten)
+		("modelnum", m_ModeNum)
+		("next", m_Next)
+		("prev", m_Prev)
+		("childseqnode", m_ChildSeqNode)
+		("parentseqnode", m_ParentSeqNode)
+		("id", id)
+		("seqname", seqName)
+		("numchoices", numchoices);
+
+	// The way this is saved makes it hard to encapsulate so just do it the hard way...
+	if (arc.isWriting())
+	{
+		if (numchoices > 0 && arc.BeginArray("choices"))
 		{
-			arc << Sequences[m_SequenceChoices[i]]->SeqName;
+			for (i = 0; i < m_SequenceChoices.Size(); ++i)
+			{
+				arc(nullptr, Sequences[m_SequenceChoices[i]]->SeqName);
+			}
+			arc.EndArray();
 		}
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		FName seqName;
-		int delayTics = 0;
-		FSoundID id;
-		float volume;
-		float atten = ATTN_NORM;
-		int seqnum;
-		unsigned int numchoices;
-
-		arc << seqOffset
-			<< delayTics
-			<< volume
-			<< atten
-			<< m_ModeNum
-			<< m_Next
-			<< m_Prev
-			<< m_ChildSeqNode
-			<< m_ParentSeqNode
-			<< id
-			<< seqName;
-
 		seqnum = FindSequence (seqName);
 		if (seqnum >= 0)
 		{
@@ -360,12 +363,15 @@ void DSeqNode::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 
 		ChangeData (seqOffset, delayTics - TIME_REFERENCE, volume, id);
 
-		numchoices = arc.ReadCount();
 		m_SequenceChoices.Resize(numchoices);
-		for (i = 0; i < numchoices; ++i)
+		if (numchoices > 0 && arc.BeginArray("choices"))
 		{
-			arc << seqName;
-			m_SequenceChoices[i] = FindSequence (seqName);
+			for (i = 0; i < numchoices; ++i)
+			{
+				arc(nullptr, seqName);
+				m_SequenceChoices[i] = FindSequence(seqName);
+			}
+			arc.EndArray();
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -425,15 +431,15 @@ IMPLEMENT_POINTY_CLASS (DSeqActorNode)
  DECLARE_POINTER (m_Actor)
 END_POINTERS
 
-void DSeqActorNode::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DSeqActorNode::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize (arc);
-	arc << m_Actor;
+	arc("actor", m_Actor);
 }
 
 IMPLEMENT_CLASS (DSeqPolyNode)
 
-void DSeqPolyNode::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DSeqPolyNode::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize (arc);
 	//arc << m_Poly;
@@ -441,10 +447,11 @@ void DSeqPolyNode::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
 
 IMPLEMENT_CLASS (DSeqSectorNode)
 
-void DSeqSectorNode::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
+void DSeqSectorNode::Serialize(FSerializer &arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize (arc);
-	arc << m_Sector << Channel;
+	arc("sector",m_Sector)
+		("channel", Channel);
 }
 
 //==========================================================================
diff --git a/src/s_sndseq.h b/src/s_sndseq.h
index 89a95505a..74ded5af4 100644
--- a/src/s_sndseq.h
+++ b/src/s_sndseq.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class DSeqNode : public DObject
 	DECLARE_CLASS (DSeqNode, DObject)
 	HAS_OBJECT_POINTERS
 public:
-	void Serialize(FArchive &arc);
+	void Serialize(FSerializer &arc);
 	void StopAndDestroy ();
 	void Destroy ();
 	void Tick ();
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public:
 	inline static DSeqNode *FirstSequence() { return SequenceListHead; }
 	inline DSeqNode *NextSequence() const { return m_Next; }
 
-	static void SerializeSequences (FArchive &arc);
+	static void SerializeSequences (FSerializer &arc);
 
 protected:
 	DSeqNode ();
diff --git a/src/s_sound.cpp b/src/s_sound.cpp
index 3b01b519e..93fbe735a 100644
--- a/src/s_sound.cpp
+++ b/src/s_sound.cpp
@@ -2237,7 +2237,7 @@ static FArchive &operator<<(FArchive &arc, FSoundChan &chan)
 	switch (chan.SourceType)
 	{
 	case SOURCE_None:								break;
-	case SOURCE_Actor:		arc << chan.Actor;		break;
+	//case SOURCE_Actor:		arc << chan.Actor;		break;
 	case SOURCE_Sector:		arc << chan.Sector;		break;
 	case SOURCE_Polyobj:	/*arc << chan.Poly;*/		break;
 	case SOURCE_Unattached:	arc << chan.Point[0] << chan.Point[1] << chan.Point[2];	break;
@@ -2324,7 +2324,7 @@ void S_SerializeSounds(FArchive &arc)
 		// sounds might be heard briefly before pausing for the wipe.
 		RestartEvictionsAt = level.time + 2;
 	}
-	DSeqNode::SerializeSequences(arc);
+	//DSeqNode::SerializeSequences(arc);
 	GSnd->Sync(false);
 	GSnd->UpdateSounds();
 }
diff --git a/src/zzz_old.cpp b/src/zzz_old.cpp
index 939767c87..60adcc580 100644
--- a/src/zzz_old.cpp
+++ b/src/zzz_old.cpp
@@ -35,260 +35,10 @@
 #define NEW_SPRITE			((BYTE)11)	// A new sprite name follows
 #define OLD_SPRITE			((BYTE)12)	// Reference to an old sprite name follows
 
-inline FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FLinkedSector &link)
-{
-	arc << link.Sector << link.Type;
-	return arc;
-}
-
-//
-// P_ArchiveWorld
-//
-void P_SerializeWorld (FArchive &arc)
-{
-	int i, j;
-	sector_t *sec;
-	line_t *li;
-	zone_t *zn;
-
-	// do sectors
-	for (i = 0, sec = sectors; i < numsectors; i++, sec++)
-	{
-		arc << sec->floorplane
-			<< sec->ceilingplane;
-		arc << sec->lightlevel;
-		arc << sec->special;
-		arc << sec->soundtraversed
-			<< sec->seqType
-			<< sec->friction
-			<< sec->movefactor
-			<< sec->stairlock
-			<< sec->prevsec
-			<< sec->nextsec
-			<< sec->planes[sector_t::floor]
-			<< sec->planes[sector_t::ceiling]
-			<< sec->heightsec
-			<< sec->bottommap << sec->midmap << sec->topmap
-			<< sec->gravity;
-		P_SerializeTerrain(arc, sec->terrainnum[0]);
-		P_SerializeTerrain(arc, sec->terrainnum[1]);
-		arc << sec->damageamount;
-		arc << sec->damageinterval
-			<< sec->leakydamage
-			<< sec->damagetype
-			<< sec->sky
-			<< sec->MoreFlags
-			<< sec->Flags
-			<< sec->Portals[sector_t::floor] << sec->Portals[sector_t::ceiling]
-			<< sec->ZoneNumber;
-		arc	<< sec->interpolations[0]
-			<< sec->interpolations[1]
-			<< sec->interpolations[2]
-			<< sec->interpolations[3]
-			<< sec->SeqName;
-
-		sec->e->Serialize(arc);
-		if (arc.IsStoring ())
-		{
-			arc << sec->ColorMap->Color
-				<< sec->ColorMap->Fade;
-			BYTE sat = sec->ColorMap->Desaturate;
-			arc << sat;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			PalEntry color, fade;
-			BYTE desaturate;
-			arc << color << fade
-				<< desaturate;
-			sec->ColorMap = GetSpecialLights (color, fade, desaturate);
-		}
-	}
-
-	// do lines
-	for (i = 0, li = lines; i < numlines; i++, li++)
-	{
-		arc << li->flags
-			<< li->activation
-			<< li->special
-			<< li->alpha;
-
-		if (P_IsACSSpecial(li->special))
-		{
-			P_SerializeACSScriptNumber(arc, li->args[0], false);
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			arc << li->args[0];
-		}
-		arc << li->args[1] << li->args[2] << li->args[3] << li->args[4];
-
-		arc << li->portalindex;
-		for (j = 0; j < 2; j++)
-		{
-			if (li->sidedef[j] == NULL)
-				continue;
-
-			side_t *si = li->sidedef[j];
-			arc << si->textures[side_t::top]
-				<< si->textures[side_t::mid]
-				<< si->textures[side_t::bottom]
-				<< si->Light
-				<< si->Flags
-				<< si->LeftSide
-				<< si->RightSide
-				<< si->Index;
-		}
-	}
-
-	// do zones
-	unsigned numzones = Zones.Size();
-	arc << numzones;
-
-	if (arc.IsLoading())
-	{
-		Zones.Resize(numzones);
-	}
-
-	for (i = 0, zn = &Zones[0]; i < (int)numzones; ++i, ++zn)
-	{
-		arc << zn->Environment;
-	}
-
-	arc << linePortals << sectorPortals;
-	P_CollectLinkedPortals();
-}
-
-void P_SerializeWorldActors(FArchive &arc)
-{
-	int i;
-	sector_t *sec;
-	line_t *line;
-
-	for (i = 0, sec = sectors; i < numsectors; i++, sec++)
-	{
-		arc << sec->SoundTarget
-			<< sec->SecActTarget
-			<< sec->floordata
-			<< sec->ceilingdata
-			<< sec->lightingdata;
-	}
-	for (auto &s : sectorPortals)
-	{
-		arc << s.mSkybox;
-	}
-	for (i = 0, line = lines; i < numlines; i++, line++)
-	{
-		for (int s = 0; s < 2; s++)
-		{
-			if (line->sidedef[s] != NULL)
-			{
-				//DBaseDecal::SerializeChain(arc, &line->sidedef[s]->AttachedDecals);
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-void extsector_t::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
-{
-	arc << FakeFloor.Sectors
-		<< Midtex.Floor.AttachedLines 
-		<< Midtex.Floor.AttachedSectors
-		<< Midtex.Ceiling.AttachedLines
-		<< Midtex.Ceiling.AttachedSectors
-		<< Linked.Floor.Sectors
-		<< Linked.Ceiling.Sectors;
-}
-
-FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, side_t::part &p)
-{
-	arc << p.xOffset << p.yOffset << p.interpolation << p.texture 
-		<< p.xScale << p.yScale;// << p.Light;
-	return arc;
-}
-
-FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, sector_t::splane &p)
-{
-	arc << p.xform.xOffs << p.xform.yOffs << p.xform.xScale << p.xform.yScale 
-		<< p.xform.Angle << p.xform.baseyOffs << p.xform.baseAngle
-		<< p.Flags << p.Light << p.Texture << p.TexZ << p.alpha;
-	return arc;
-}
-
-//==========================================================================
-//
-// ArchiveSubsectors
-//
-//==========================================================================
-void RecalculateDrawnSubsectors();
-
-void P_SerializeSubsectors(FArchive &arc)
-{
-	int num_verts, num_subs, num_nodes;	
-	BYTE by;
-
-	if (arc.IsStoring())
-	{
-		if (hasglnodes)
-		{
-			arc << numvertexes << numsubsectors << numnodes;	// These are only for verification
-			for(int i=0;i<numsubsectors;i+=8)
-			{
-				by = 0;
-				for(int j=0;j<8;j++)
-				{
-					if (i+j<numsubsectors && (subsectors[i+j].flags & SSECF_DRAWN))
-					{
-						by |= (1<<j);
-					}
-				}
-				arc << by;
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			int v = 0;
-			arc << v << v << v;
-		}
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		arc << num_verts << num_subs << num_nodes;
-		if (num_verts != numvertexes ||
-			num_subs != numsubsectors ||
-			num_nodes != numnodes)
-		{
-			// Nodes don't match - we can't use this info
-			for(int i=0;i<num_subs;i+=8)
-			{
-				// Skip the subsector info.
-				arc << by;
-			}
-			if (hasglnodes)
-			{
-				RecalculateDrawnSubsectors();
-			}
-			return;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			for(int i=0;i<numsubsectors;i+=8)
-			{
-				arc << by;
-				for(int j=0;j<8;j++)
-				{
-					if ((by & (1<<j)) && i+j<numsubsectors)
-					{
-						subsectors[i+j].flags |= SSECF_DRAWN;
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
 
 FArchive &FArchive::WriteObject (DObject *obj)
 {
+#if 0
 	player_t *player;
 	BYTE id[2];
 
@@ -387,49 +137,10 @@ FArchive &FArchive::WriteObject (DObject *obj)
 			}
 		}
 	}
+#endif
 	return *this;
 }
 
-void AActor::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
-{
-	Super::Serialize(arc);
-
-	{
-		FString tagstr;
-		if (arc.IsStoring() && Tag != NULL && Tag->Len() > 0) tagstr = *Tag;
-		arc << tagstr;
-		if (arc.IsLoading())
-		{
-			if (tagstr.Len() == 0) Tag = NULL;
-			else Tag = mStringPropertyData.Alloc(tagstr);
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (arc.IsLoading ())
-	{
-		touching_sectorlist = NULL;
-		LinkToWorld(false, Sector);
-
-		AddToHash ();
-		SetShade (fillcolor);
-		if (player)
-		{
-			if (playeringame[player - players] && 
-				player->cls != NULL &&
-				!(flags4 & MF4_NOSKIN) &&
-				state->sprite == GetDefaultByType (player->cls)->SpawnState->sprite)
-			{ // Give player back the skin
-				sprite = skins[player->userinfo.GetSkin()].sprite;
-			}
-			if (Speed == 0)
-			{
-				Speed = GetDefault()->Speed;
-			}
-		}
-		ClearInterpolation();
-		UpdateWaterLevel(false);
-	}
-}
 
 FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, sector_t *&sec)
 {
@@ -532,12 +243,6 @@ FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FState *&state)
 	return arc;
 }
 
-void DObject::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
-{
-	ObjectFlags |= OF_SerialSuccess;
-}
-
-
 FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, secplane_t &plane)
 {
 	arc << plane.normal << plane.D;
@@ -549,37 +254,6 @@ FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, secplane_t &plane)
 	return arc;
 }
 
-FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, botskill_t &skill)
-{
-	return arc << skill.aiming << skill.perfection << skill.reaction << skill.isp;
-}
-
-void DBot::Serialize(FArchive &arc)
-{
-	Super::Serialize(arc);
-
-	arc << player
-		<< Angle
-		<< dest
-		<< prev
-		<< enemy
-		<< missile
-		<< mate
-		<< last_mate
-		<< skill
-		<< t_active
-		<< t_respawn
-		<< t_strafe
-		<< t_react
-		<< t_fight
-		<< t_roam
-		<< t_rocket
-		<< first_shot
-		<< sleft
-		<< allround
-		<< increase
-		<< old;
-}
 void P_SerializeACSScriptNumber(FArchive &arc, int &scriptnum, bool was2byte)
 {
 	arc << scriptnum;
@@ -598,46 +272,3 @@ void P_SerializeACSScriptNumber(FArchive &arc, int &scriptnum, bool was2byte)
 		}
 	}
 }
-
-//============================================================================
-//
-// Save a line portal for savegames.
-//
-//============================================================================
-
-FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FLinePortal &port)
-{
-	arc << port.mOrigin
-		<< port.mDestination
-		<< port.mDisplacement
-		<< port.mType
-		<< port.mFlags
-		<< port.mDefFlags
-		<< port.mAlign;
-	return arc;
-}
-
-//============================================================================
-//
-// Save a sector portal for savegames.
-//
-//============================================================================
-
-FArchive &operator<< (FArchive &arc, FSectorPortal &port)
-{
-	arc << port.mType
-		<< port.mFlags
-		<< port.mPartner
-		<< port.mPlane
-		<< port.mOrigin
-		<< port.mDestination
-		<< port.mDisplacement
-		<< port.mPlaneZ;
-	if (arc.IsLoading())
-	{
-		port.mSkybox = nullptr;
-	}
-	return arc;
-}
-
-