diff --git a/source/blood/src/levels.cpp b/source/blood/src/levels.cpp
index c1ad24fae..e477c7265 100644
--- a/source/blood/src/levels.cpp
+++ b/source/blood/src/levels.cpp
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "sfx.h"
 #include "view.h"
 #include "eventq.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 
 BEGIN_BLD_NS
 
@@ -236,7 +237,9 @@ void levelLoadDefaults(void)
         if (!BloodINI->SectionExists(buffer))
             break;
         EPISODEINFO *pEpisodeInfo = &gEpisodeInfo[i];
-        strncpy(pEpisodeInfo->at0, BloodINI->GetKeyString(buffer, "Title", buffer), 31);
+		auto ep_str = BloodINI->GetKeyString(buffer, "Title", buffer);
+        strncpy(pEpisodeInfo->at0, ep_str, 31);
+		gVolumeNames[i] = ep_str; // For the menu.
         strncpy(pEpisodeInfo->at8f08, BloodINI->GetKeyString(buffer, "CutSceneA", ""), BMAX_PATH);
         pEpisodeInfo->at9028 = BloodINI->GetKeyInt(buffer, "CutWavA", -1);
         if (pEpisodeInfo->at9028 == 0)
diff --git a/source/common/gamecontrol.cpp b/source/common/gamecontrol.cpp
index d6f32708e..12981b4c7 100644
--- a/source/common/gamecontrol.cpp
+++ b/source/common/gamecontrol.cpp
@@ -259,6 +259,49 @@ int GameMain()
 	return r;
 }
 
+//==========================================================================
+//
+// Try to keep all initializations of global string variables in this one place
+//
+//==========================================================================
+
+#define LOCALIZED_STRING(s) s // change to "${" s "}" later, once all text output functions can replace text macros
+
+void SetDefaultStrings()
+{
+	// Hard coded texts for the episode and skill selection menus.
+	if (g_gameType & GAMEFLAG_DUKE)
+	{
+		gVolumeNames[0] = LOCALIZED_STRING("L.A. Meltdown");
+		gVolumeNames[1] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Lunar Apocalypse");
+		gVolumeNames[2] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Shrapnel City");
+		gSkillNames[0] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Piece Of Cake");
+		gSkillNames[1] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Let's Rock");
+		gSkillNames[2] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Come Get Some");
+		gSkillNames[3] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Damn I'm Good");
+	}
+	else if (g_gameType & GAMEFLAG_BLOOD)
+	{
+		gSkillNames[0] = LOCALIZED_STRING("STILL KICKING");
+		gSkillNames[1] = LOCALIZED_STRING("PINK ON THE INSIDE");
+		gSkillNames[2] = LOCALIZED_STRING("LIGHTLY BROILED");
+		gSkillNames[3] = LOCALIZED_STRING("WELL DONE");
+		gSkillNames[4] = LOCALIZED_STRING("EXTRA CRISPY");
+	}
+	else if (g_gameType & GAMEFLAG_SW)
+	{
+		gVolumeNames[0] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Enter the Wang");
+		gVolumeNames[1] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Code of Honor");
+
+		gVolumeSubtitles[0] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Four levels (Shareware Version)");
+		gVolumeSubtitles[1] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Eighteen levels (Full Version Only)");
+
+		gSkillNames[0] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Tiny grasshopper");
+		gSkillNames[1] = LOCALIZED_STRING("I Have No Fear");
+		gSkillNames[2] = LOCALIZED_STRING("Who Wants Wang");
+		gSkillNames[3] = LOCALIZED_STRING("No Pain, No Gain");
+	}
+}
 //==========================================================================
 //
 //
@@ -385,9 +428,7 @@ int CONFIG_Init()
 	Mus_Init();
 	InitStatistics();
 	M_Init();
-
-
-
+	SetDefaultStrings();
 	return gi->app_main();
 }
 
diff --git a/source/common/menu/menu.h b/source/common/menu/menu.h
index 5214e2900..fe5c4b3e3 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/menu.h
+++ b/source/common/menu/menu.h
@@ -12,6 +12,17 @@
 EXTERN_CVAR(Float, snd_menuvolume)
 EXTERN_CVAR(Int, m_use_mouse);
 
+enum
+{
+	MAXSKILLS = 7,
+	MAXVOLUMES = 7,
+};
+
+// These get filled in by the map definition parsers of the front ends.
+extern FString gSkillNames[MAXSKILLS];
+extern FString gVolumeNames[MAXVOLUMES];
+extern FString gVolumeSubtitles[MAXVOLUMES];
+extern int32_t gVolumeFlags[MAXVOLUMES];
 
 const int MENU_TICRATE = 30;
 extern bool help_disabled, credits_disabled;
@@ -654,4 +665,4 @@ template<class Menu> struct TMenuClassDescriptor : public MenuClassDescriptor
 	}
 };
 
-#endif
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif
diff --git a/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp b/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp
index 33b188b07..6f479e368 100644
--- a/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp
+++ b/source/common/menu/menudef.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,11 @@
 
 void ClearSaveGames();
 
+FString gSkillNames[MAXSKILLS];
+FString gVolumeNames[MAXVOLUMES];
+FString gVolumeSubtitles[MAXVOLUMES];
+int32_t gVolumeFlags[MAXVOLUMES];
+
 MenuDescriptorList MenuDescriptors;
 static FListMenuDescriptor DefaultListMenuSettings;	// contains common settings for all list menus
 static FOptionMenuDescriptor DefaultOptionMenuSettings;	// contains common settings for all Option menus
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/d_menu.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/d_menu.cpp
index fb94c809b..d4c6c71eb 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/d_menu.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/d_menu.cpp
@@ -128,35 +128,23 @@ void Menu_Init(void)
 
 	// prepare episodes
 	k = 0;
-	for (i = 0; i < g_volumeCnt; ++i)
+
+	if (gVolumeNames[i].IsNotEmpty())
 	{
-		if (g_volumeNames[i][0])
+		if (!(gVolumeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMSP))
 		{
-			if (!(g_volumeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMSP))
-			{
-				MEL_EPISODE[i] = &ME_EPISODE[i];
-				ME_EPISODE[i] = ME_EPISODE_TEMPLATE;
-				ME_EPISODE[i].name = g_volumeNames[i];
-			}
-
-			// if (!(EpisodeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMMP))
-			{
-				MEOSN_NetEpisodes[k] = g_volumeNames[i];
-				MEOSV_NetEpisodes[k] = i;
-
-				k++;
-			}
+			MEL_EPISODE[i] = &ME_EPISODE[i];
+			ME_EPISODE[i] = ME_EPISODE_TEMPLATE;
+			ME_EPISODE[i].name = gVolumeNames[i];
 		}
 
-		// prepare levels
-		MEOS_NETOPTIONS_LEVEL[i] = MEOS_NETOPTIONS_LEVEL_TEMPLATE;
-		for (j = 0; j < MAXLEVELS; ++j)
+		// if (!(EpisodeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMMP))
 		{
-			MEOSN_NetLevels[i][j] = g_mapInfo[MAXLEVELS * i + j].name;
-			if (g_mapInfo[i * MAXLEVELS + j].filename != NULL)
-				MEOS_NETOPTIONS_LEVEL[i].numOptions = j + 1;
+			MEOSN_NetEpisodes[k] = gVolumeNames[i];
+			MEOSV_NetEpisodes[k] = i;
+
+			k++;
 		}
-		MEOS_NETOPTIONS_LEVEL[i].optionNames = MEOSN_NetLevels[i];
 	}
 	M_EPISODE.numEntries = g_volumeCnt + 2;
 
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
index c4093393d..8af2b6b0c 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/gamedef.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "savegame.h"
 #include "printf.h"
 #include "m_argv.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 
 BEGIN_DUKE_NS
 
@@ -2033,7 +2034,7 @@ void C_DefineVolumeFlags(int32_t vol, int32_t flags)
 {
     Bassert((unsigned)vol < MAXVOLUMES);
 
-    g_volumeFlags[vol] = flags;
+    gVolumeFlags[vol] = flags;
 }
 
 void C_UndefineVolume(int32_t vol)
@@ -2043,12 +2044,12 @@ void C_UndefineVolume(int32_t vol)
     for (bssize_t i = 0; i < MAXLEVELS; i++)
         C_UndefineLevel(vol, i);
 
-    g_volumeNames[vol][0] = '\0';
+    gVolumeNames[vol] = "";
 
     g_volumeCnt = 0;
     for (bssize_t i = MAXVOLUMES-1; i >= 0; i--)
     {
-        if (g_volumeNames[i][0])
+        if (gVolumeNames[i].IsNotEmpty())
         {
             g_volumeCnt = i+1;
             break;
@@ -2060,12 +2061,12 @@ void C_UndefineSkill(int32_t skill)
 {
     Bassert((unsigned)skill < MAXSKILLS);
 
-    g_skillNames[skill][0] = '\0';
+    gSkillNames[skill] = "";
 
     g_skillCnt = 0;
     for (bssize_t i = MAXSKILLS-1; i >= 0; i--)
     {
-        if (g_skillNames[i][0])
+        if (gSkillNames[i][0])
         {
             g_skillCnt = i+1;
             break;
@@ -5015,23 +5016,11 @@ repeatcase:
                 continue;
             }
 
-            i = 0;
-
-            while (*textptr != 0x0a && *textptr != 0x0d && *textptr != 0)
-            {
-                g_volumeNames[j][i] = *textptr;
-                textptr++,i++;
-                if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(i >= (signed)sizeof(g_volumeNames[j])-1))
-                {
-                    initprintf("%s:%d: warning: truncating volume name to %d characters.\n",
-                        g_scriptFileName,g_lineNumber,(int32_t)sizeof(g_volumeNames[j])-1);
-                    g_warningCnt++;
-                    scriptSkipLine();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
+			i = strcspn(textptr, "\r\n");
+			gVolumeNames[j] = FString(textptr, i);
+			textptr += i;
+  
             g_volumeCnt = j+1;
-            g_volumeNames[j][i] = '\0';
             continue;
 
         case CON_DEFINEVOLUMEFLAGS:
@@ -5128,27 +5117,14 @@ repeatcase:
                 continue;
             }
 
-            i = 0;
-
-            while (*textptr != 0x0a && *textptr != 0x0d && *textptr != 0)
-            {
-                g_skillNames[j][i] = *textptr;
-                textptr++,i++;
-                if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(i >= (signed)sizeof(g_skillNames[j])-1))
-                {
-                    initprintf("%s:%d: warning: truncating skill name to %d characters.\n",
-                        g_scriptFileName,g_lineNumber,(int32_t)sizeof(g_skillNames[j])-1);
-                    g_warningCnt++;
-                    scriptSkipLine();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            g_skillNames[j][i] = '\0';
+			i = strcspn(textptr, "\r\n");
+			gSkillNames[j] = FString(textptr, i);
+			textptr+=i;
 
             for (i=0; i<MAXSKILLS; i++)
-                if (g_skillNames[i][0] == 0)
+                if (gSkillNames[i].IsEmpty())
                     break;
+
             g_skillCnt = i;
 
             continue;
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/gameexec.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/gameexec.cpp
index 9d6e871a6..e9f15c183 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/gameexec.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/gameexec.cpp
@@ -3827,7 +3827,9 @@ badindex:
                                         CON_ERRPRINTF("invalid volume %d\n", ud.volume_number);
                                         abort_after_error();
                                     }
-                                    Bstrcpy(apStrings[q], g_volumeNames[ud.volume_number]);
+									// length is no longer limited so a check is needed.
+                                    Bstrncpy(apStrings[q], gVolumeNames[ud.volume_number], MAXQUOTELEN);
+									apStrings[q][MAXQUOTELEN-1] = 0;
                                     break;
                                 case STR_YOURTIME:        Bstrcpy(apStrings[q], G_PrintYourTime());     break;
                                 case STR_PARTIME:         Bstrcpy(apStrings[q], G_PrintParTime());      break;
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/global.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/global.cpp
index 6cb1673b6..5709ad1d3 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/global.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/global.cpp
@@ -35,19 +35,14 @@ const char *s_buildDate = "20120522";
 
 
 #ifndef EDUKE32_STANDALONE
-char    g_volumeNames[MAXVOLUMES][33] = { "L.A. Meltdown", "Lunar Apocalypse", "Shrapnel City" };
-char    g_skillNames[MAXSKILLS][33] = { "Piece Of Cake", "Let's Rock", "Come Get Some", "Damn I'm Good" };
+
 char    g_gametypeNames[MAXGAMETYPES][33]
 = { "DukeMatch (Spawn)", "Cooperative Play", "DukeMatch (No Spawn)", "Team DM (Spawn)", "Team DM (No Spawn)" };
 #else
-char    g_volumeNames[MAXVOLUMES][33];
-char    g_skillNames[MAXSKILLS][33];
 char    g_gametypeNames[MAXGAMETYPES][33]
 = { "Deathmatch (Spawn)", "Cooperative Play", "Deathmatch (No Spawn)", "Team DM (Spawn)", "Team DM (No Spawn)" };
 #endif
 
-int32_t g_volumeFlags[MAXVOLUMES];
-
 int32_t g_gametypeFlags[MAXGAMETYPES] =
 {
     GAMETYPE_FRAGBAR |
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/global.h b/source/duke3d/src/global.h
index f50f685ff..8737daff4 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/global.h
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/global.h
@@ -163,8 +163,6 @@ extern double g_gameUpdateAvgTime;
 #ifndef global_c_
 extern char CheatKeys[2];
 extern char g_gametypeNames[MAXGAMETYPES][33];
-extern char g_skillNames[MAXSKILLS][33];
-extern char g_volumeNames[MAXVOLUMES][33];
 
 extern int32_t g_actorRespawnTime;
 extern int32_t g_bouncemineRadius;
@@ -186,7 +184,7 @@ extern int32_t g_volumeCnt;
 
 extern int16_t g_blimpSpawnItems[15];
 extern int32_t g_gametypeFlags[MAXGAMETYPES];
-extern int32_t g_volumeFlags[MAXVOLUMES];
+
 
 extern const char *s_buildDate;
 #endif
@@ -194,7 +192,6 @@ extern const char *s_buildDate;
 enum
 {
     EF_HIDEFROMSP = 1<<0,
-    // EF_HIDEFROMMP = 1<<1,
 };
 
 EXTERN_INLINE_HEADER void G_UpdateInterpolations(void);
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/menus.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/menus.cpp
index 970eed8c7..017368850 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/menus.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/menus.cpp
@@ -1552,29 +1552,6 @@ void Menu_Init(void)
 		MEOSN_Keys[i] = KB_ScanCodeToString(i);
     MEOSN_Keys[NUMKEYS-1] = MenuKeyNone;
 
-
-    // prepare episodes
-    k = 0;
-    for (i = 0; i < g_volumeCnt; ++i)
-    {
-        if (g_volumeNames[i][0])
-        {
-            if (!(g_volumeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMSP))
-            {
-                MEL_EPISODE[i] = &ME_EPISODE[i];
-                ME_EPISODE[i] = ME_EPISODE_TEMPLATE;
-                ME_EPISODE[i].name = g_volumeNames[i];
-            }
-
-            // if (!(EpisodeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMMP))
-            {
-                MEOSN_NetEpisodes[k] = g_volumeNames[i];
-                MEOSV_NetEpisodes[k] = i;
-
-                k++;
-            }
-        }
-
         // prepare levels
         MEOS_NETOPTIONS_LEVEL[i] = MEOS_NETOPTIONS_LEVEL_TEMPLATE;
         for (j = 0; j < MAXLEVELS; ++j)
@@ -2156,7 +2133,7 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
 
         mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + (90<<16), g_gametypeNames[m_coop], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
 
-        mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8)<<16), g_volumeNames[ud.m_volume_number], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
+        mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8)<<16), gVolumeNames[ud.m_volume_number], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
         mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8+8)<<16), g_mapInfo[MAXLEVELS*ud.m_volume_number+m_level_number].name, MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
         if (ud.m_monsters_off == 0 || ud.m_player_skill > 0)
             mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8+8+8)<<16), g_skillNames[ud.m_player_skill], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
@@ -2302,15 +2279,6 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
         break;
     }
 
-#ifdef EDUKE32_ANDROID_MENU
-    case MENU_SKILL:
-    {
-        static const char *s[] = { "EASY - Few enemies, and lots of stuff.", "MEDIUM - Normal difficulty.", "HARD - For experienced players.", "EXPERTS - Lots of enemies, plus they respawn!" };
-        if (M_SKILL.currentEntry < ARRAY_SSIZE(s))
-            mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (168<<16), s[M_SKILL.currentEntry]);
-    }
-        break;
-#endif
 
     case MENU_SAVECLEANVERIFY:
         videoFadeToBlack(1);
@@ -2334,16 +2302,6 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
             Bsprintf(tempbuf, "Resume game from sequence point:\n\"%s\"", msv.brief.name);
             Menu_DrawVerifyPrompt(origin.x, origin.y, tempbuf, 2);
         }
-        else if (msv.isOldVer)
-        {
-#if 1
-            mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (90<<16), "You're not supposed to be here.");
-#else
-            Bsprintf(tempbuf, "Start new game:\n%s / %s"
-            , g_mapInfo[(ud.volume_number*MAXLEVELS) + ud.level_number].name, g_skillNames[ud.player_skill-1]);
-            Menu_DrawVerifyPrompt(origin.x, origin.y, tempbuf, 2);
-#endif
-        }
         else
         {
             Bsprintf(tempbuf, "Load game:\n\"%s\"", msv.brief.name);
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/premap.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/premap.cpp
index ac66b21c4..a8dc821cf 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/premap.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/premap.cpp
@@ -1339,7 +1339,7 @@ void G_NewGame(int volumeNum, int levelNum, int skillNum)
     ud.secretlevel   = 0;
     ud.skill_voice   = -1;
     ud.volume_number = volumeNum;
-	STAT_StartNewGame(g_volumeNames[volumeNum], skillNum);
+	STAT_StartNewGame(gVolumeNames[volumeNum], skillNum);
 
     g_lastAutoSaveArbitraryID = -1;
     g_lastautosave.reset();
diff --git a/source/duke3d/src/screens.cpp b/source/duke3d/src/screens.cpp
index d0f4d5eee..8ef72c260 100644
--- a/source/duke3d/src/screens.cpp
+++ b/source/duke3d/src/screens.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "sbar.h"
 #include "screens.h"
 #include "gamecvars.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 
 BEGIN_DUKE_NS
 
@@ -961,7 +962,7 @@ void G_DisplayRest(int32_t smoothratio)
                 if (G_HaveUserMap())
                     levelname = boardfilename;
                 else if (!(G_GetLogoFlags() & LOGO_HIDEEPISODE))
-                    minitext(5, a+6, g_volumeNames[ud.volume_number], 0, 2+8+16+256);
+                    minitext(5, a+6, gVolumeNames[ud.volume_number], 0, 2+8+16+256);
                 minitext(5, a+6+6, levelname, 0, 2+8+16+256);
             }
         }
diff --git a/source/glbackend/gl_texture.cpp b/source/glbackend/gl_texture.cpp
index 37cc41136..f6d153bd1 100644
--- a/source/glbackend/gl_texture.cpp
+++ b/source/glbackend/gl_texture.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,6 @@ void FlipNonSquareBlock(T* dst, const T* src, int x, int y, int srcpitch)
 FHardwareTexture* GLInstance::CreateIndexedTexture(FTexture* tex)
 {
 	auto siz = tex->GetSize();
-	bool npoty = false;
 
 	const uint8_t* p = tex->Get8BitPixels();
 	TArray<uint8_t> store(siz.x * siz.y, true);
@@ -96,9 +95,6 @@ FHardwareTexture* GLInstance::CreateIndexedTexture(FTexture* tex)
 
 FHardwareTexture* GLInstance::CreateTrueColorTexture(FTexture* tex, int palid, bool checkfulltransparency, bool rgb8bit)
 {
-	auto siz = tex->GetSize();
-	bool npoty = false;
-
 	auto palette = palid < 0? nullptr : palmanager.GetPaletteData(palid);
 	if (palette == nullptr) return nullptr;
 	auto texbuffer = tex->CreateTexBuffer(palette, CTF_ProcessData);
@@ -266,7 +262,7 @@ bool GLInstance::SetTextureInternal(int picnum, FTexture* tex, int palette, int
 				auto brep = tex->FindReplacement(BRIGHTPAL);
 				if (brep)
 				{
-					auto htex = LoadTexture(brep->faces[0], TT_HICREPLACE, 0);
+					LoadTexture(brep->faces[0], TT_HICREPLACE, 0);
 					UseBrightmaps(true);
 					BindTexture(5, mtex, sampler);
 				}
diff --git a/source/rr/src/gamedef.cpp b/source/rr/src/gamedef.cpp
index 992076693..da4d67fc2 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/gamedef.cpp
+++ b/source/rr/src/gamedef.cpp
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "osd.h"
 #include "m_crc32.h"
 #include "printf.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 
 BEGIN_RR_NS
 
@@ -894,7 +895,7 @@ void C_DefineVolumeFlags(int32_t vol, int32_t flags)
 {
     Bassert((unsigned)vol < MAXVOLUMES);
 
-    g_volumeFlags[vol] = flags;
+    gVolumeFlags[vol] = flags;
 }
 
 int32_t C_AllocQuote(int32_t qnum)
@@ -1884,23 +1885,10 @@ static int32_t C_ParseCommand(int32_t loop)
                 continue;
             }
 
-            i = 0;
-
-            while (*textptr != 0x0a && *textptr != 0x0d && *textptr != 0)
-            {
-                g_volumeNames[j][i] = *textptr;
-                textptr++,i++;
-                if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(i >= (signed)sizeof(g_volumeNames[j])-1))
-                {
-                    initprintf("%s:%d: warning: truncating volume name to %d characters.\n",
-                        g_scriptFileName,g_lineNumber,(int32_t)sizeof(g_volumeNames[j])-1);
-                    g_warningCnt++;
-                    C_NextLine();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
+			i = strcspn(textptr, "\r\n");
+			gVolumeNames[j] = FString(textptr, i);
+			textptr+=i;
             g_volumeCnt = j+1;
-            g_volumeNames[j][i] = '\0';
             continue;
 
         case CON_DEFINESKILLNAME:
@@ -1921,26 +1909,12 @@ static int32_t C_ParseCommand(int32_t loop)
                 continue;
             }
 
-            i = 0;
-
-            while (*textptr != 0x0a && *textptr != 0x0d && *textptr != 0)
-            {
-                g_skillNames[j][i] = *textptr;
-                textptr++,i++;
-                if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE(i >= (signed)sizeof(g_skillNames[j])-1))
-                {
-                    initprintf("%s:%d: warning: truncating skill name to %d characters.\n",
-                        g_scriptFileName,g_lineNumber,(int32_t)sizeof(g_skillNames[j])-1);
-                    g_warningCnt++;
-                    C_NextLine();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            g_skillNames[j][i] = '\0';
+			i = strcspn(textptr, "\r\n");
+			gSkillNames[j] = FString(textptr, i);
+			textptr+=i;
 
             for (i=0; i<MAXSKILLS; i++)
-                if (g_skillNames[i][0] == 0)
+                if (gSkillNames[i].IsEmpty())
                     break;
             g_skillCnt = i;
 
diff --git a/source/rr/src/global.cpp b/source/rr/src/global.cpp
index e5a09cf09..09922db2b 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/global.cpp
+++ b/source/rr/src/global.cpp
@@ -31,13 +31,9 @@ user_defs ud;
 
 const char *s_buildDate = "20120522";
 
-char    g_volumeNames[MAXVOLUMES][33] = { "L.A. Meltdown", "Lunar Apocalypse", "Shrapnel City" };
-char    g_skillNames[MAXSKILLS][33] = { "Piece Of Cake", "Let's Rock", "Come Get Some", "Damn I'm Good" };
 char    g_gametypeNames[MAXGAMETYPES][33]
 = { "DukeMatch (Spawn)", "Cooperative Play", "DukeMatch (No Spawn)", "Team DM (Spawn)", "Team DM (No Spawn)" };
 
-int32_t g_volumeFlags[MAXVOLUMES];
-
 int32_t g_gametypeFlags[MAXGAMETYPES] =
 {
     GAMETYPE_FRAGBAR |
diff --git a/source/rr/src/global.h b/source/rr/src/global.h
index dfa1a66a7..55da0a63e 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/global.h
+++ b/source/rr/src/global.h
@@ -261,8 +261,6 @@ extern float g_gameUpdateAvgTime;
 #ifndef global_c_
 extern char CheatKeys[2];
 extern char g_gametypeNames[MAXGAMETYPES][33];
-extern char g_skillNames[MAXSKILLS][33];
-extern char g_volumeNames[MAXVOLUMES][33];
 
 extern int32_t g_actorRespawnTime;
 extern int32_t g_bouncemineRadius;
@@ -284,7 +282,6 @@ extern int32_t g_volumeCnt;
 
 extern int16_t g_blimpSpawnItems[15];
 extern int32_t g_gametypeFlags[MAXGAMETYPES];
-extern int32_t g_volumeFlags[MAXVOLUMES];
 
 extern const char *s_buildDate;
 #endif
@@ -292,7 +289,6 @@ extern const char *s_buildDate;
 enum
 {
     EF_HIDEFROMSP = 1<<0,
-    // EF_HIDEFROMMP = 1<<1,
 };
 
 EXTERN_INLINE_HEADER void G_UpdateInterpolations(void);
diff --git a/source/rr/src/menus.cpp b/source/rr/src/menus.cpp
index e246ea230..2abc44a29 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/menus.cpp
+++ b/source/rr/src/menus.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "menus.h"
 #include "cheats.h"
 #include "gamecvars.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 #include "../../glbackend/glbackend.h"
 
 BEGIN_RR_NS
@@ -1535,18 +1536,18 @@ void Menu_Init(void)
     k = 0;
     for (i = 0; i < g_volumeCnt; ++i)
     {
-        if (g_volumeNames[i][0])
+        if (gVolumeNames[i].IsNotEmpty())
         {
-            if (!(g_volumeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMSP))
+            if (!(gVolumeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMSP))
             {
                 MEL_EPISODE[i] = &ME_EPISODE[i];
                 ME_EPISODE[i] = ME_EPISODE_TEMPLATE;
-                ME_EPISODE[i].name = g_volumeNames[i];
+                ME_EPISODE[i].name = gVolumeNames[i];
             }
 
             // if (!(EpisodeFlags[i] & EF_HIDEFROMMP))
             {
-                MEOSN_NetEpisodes[k] = g_volumeNames[i];
+                MEOSN_NetEpisodes[k] = gVolumeNames[i];
                 MEOSV_NetEpisodes[k] = i;
 
                 k++;
@@ -1582,13 +1583,13 @@ void Menu_Init(void)
 
     // prepare skills
     k = -1;
-    for (i = 0; i < g_skillCnt && g_skillNames[i][0]; ++i)
+    for (i = 0; i < g_skillCnt && gSkillNames[i].IsNotEmpty(); ++i)
     {
         MEL_SKILL[i] = &ME_SKILL[i];
         ME_SKILL[i] = ME_SKILL_TEMPLATE;
-        ME_SKILL[i].name = g_skillNames[i];
+        ME_SKILL[i].name = gSkillNames[i];
 
-        MEOSN_NetSkills[i] = g_skillNames[i];
+        MEOSN_NetSkills[i] = gSkillNames[i];
 
         k = i;
     }
@@ -2120,10 +2121,10 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
 
         mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + (90<<16), g_gametypeNames[m_coop], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
 
-        mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8)<<16), g_volumeNames[ud.m_volume_number], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
+        mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8)<<16), gVolumeNames[ud.m_volume_number], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
         mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8+8)<<16), g_mapInfo[MAXLEVELS*ud.m_volume_number+m_level_number].name, MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
         if (ud.m_monsters_off == 0 || ud.m_player_skill > 0)
-            mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8+8+8)<<16), g_skillNames[ud.m_player_skill], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
+            mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8+8+8)<<16), gSkillNames[ud.m_player_skill], MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
         else mminitext(origin.x + ((90+60)<<16), origin.y + ((90+8+8+8)<<16), "None", MF_Minifont.pal_deselected_right);
         if (m_coop == 0)
         {
@@ -2199,7 +2200,7 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
 
             {
                 const char *name = g_mapInfo[(savehead.volnum*MAXLEVELS) + savehead.levnum].name;
-                Bsprintf(tempbuf, "%s / %s", name ? name : "^10unnamed^0", g_skillNames[savehead.skill-1]);
+                Bsprintf(tempbuf, "%s / %s", name ? name : "^10unnamed^0", gSkillNames[savehead.skill-1].GetChars());
             }
 
             mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (168<<16), tempbuf);
@@ -2261,7 +2262,7 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
             mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (156<<16), tempbuf);
         }
 
-        Bsprintf(tempbuf,"%s / %s",g_mapInfo[(ud.volume_number*MAXLEVELS) + ud.level_number].name, g_skillNames[ud.player_skill-1]);
+        Bsprintf(tempbuf,"%s / %s",g_mapInfo[(ud.volume_number*MAXLEVELS) + ud.level_number].name, gSkillNames[ud.player_skill-1].GetChars());
         mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (168<<16), tempbuf);
         if (ud.volume_number == 0 && ud.level_number == 7)
             mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (180<<16), currentboardfilename);
@@ -2305,7 +2306,7 @@ static void Menu_PreDraw(MenuID_t cm, MenuEntry_t *entry, const vec2_t origin)
 #ifndef EDUKE32_ANDROID_MENU
                               "\n(Y/N)"
 #endif
-            , g_mapInfo[(ud.volume_number*MAXLEVELS) + ud.level_number].name, g_skillNames[ud.player_skill-1]);
+            , g_mapInfo[(ud.volume_number*MAXLEVELS) + ud.level_number].name, gSkillNames[ud.player_skill-1].GetChars());
             mgametextcenter(origin.x, origin.y + (90<<16), tempbuf);
         }
         else
diff --git a/source/rr/src/premap.cpp b/source/rr/src/premap.cpp
index b7f4b9316..7b369be2b 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/premap.cpp
+++ b/source/rr/src/premap.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "savegame.h"
 #include "cmdline.h"
 #include "statistics.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 
 BEGIN_RR_NS
 
@@ -1900,7 +1901,7 @@ void G_NewGame(int volumeNum, int levelNum, int skillNum)
     ud.player_skill = skillNum;
     ud.secretlevel = 0;
     ud.from_bonus = 0;
-	STAT_StartNewGame(g_volumeNames[volumeNum], skillNum);
+	STAT_StartNewGame(gVolumeNames[volumeNum], skillNum);
 
     ud.last_level = -1;
     g_lastAutoSaveArbitraryID = -1;
diff --git a/source/rr/src/screens.cpp b/source/rr/src/screens.cpp
index 87bbf83ba..6bdcdad61 100644
--- a/source/rr/src/screens.cpp
+++ b/source/rr/src/screens.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
 #include "demo.h"
 #include "mdsprite.h"
 #include "gamecvars.h"
+#include "menu/menu.h"
 
 BEGIN_RR_NS
 
@@ -993,7 +994,7 @@ void G_DisplayRest(int32_t smoothratio)
                 else
                 {
                     if (!G_HaveUserMap())
-                        minitext(5, a+6, g_volumeNames[ud.volume_number], 0, 2+8+16+256);
+                        minitext(5, a+6, gVolumeNames[ud.volume_number], 0, 2+8+16+256);
                     minitext(5, a+6+6, g_mapInfo[ud.volume_number*MAXLEVELS + ud.level_number].name, 0, 2+8+16+256);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/demolition/menudef.txt b/wadsrc/static/demolition/menudef.txt
index 36b32ff4f..2be188358 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/demolition/menudef.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/demolition/menudef.txt
@@ -134,15 +134,25 @@ LISTMENU "EpisodeMenu"
 {
 	ScriptId 100
 	// Episode names filled in programmatically
-	NativeTextItem "1", "", "SkillMenu", 1
-	NativeTextItem "2", "", "SkillMenu", 2
-	NativeTextItem "3", "", "SkillMenu", 3
-	NativeTextItem "4", "", "SkillMenu", 4
-	NativeTextItem "5", "", "SkillMenu", 5
-	NativeTextItem "6", "", "SkillMenu", 6
-	NativeTextItem "7", "", "SkillMenu", 7
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 1
+	NativeStaticTextItem ""
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 2
+	NativeStaticTextItem ""
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 3
+	NativeStaticTextItem ""
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 4
+	NativeStaticTextItem ""
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 5
+	NativeStaticTextItem ""
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 6
+	NativeStaticTextItem ""
+	NativeTextItem "", "", "SkillMenu", 7
 	//Spacer
 	NativeTextItem "$MNU_USERMAP", "u", "UserMap"
+	ifgame(ShadowWarrior)
+	{
+		NativeStaticTextItem "$MNU_SELECTUSERMAP"
+	}
 }
 
 LISTMENU "SkillMenu"