diff --git a/code/engine/xrCore/FS.cpp b/code/engine/xrCore/FS.cpp
index fe3c7a843..423a3db81 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrCore/FS.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrCore/FS.cpp
@@ -366,6 +366,11 @@ void IReader::r_stringZ(xr_string& dest) {
     Pos += int(dest.size() + 1);
 }
 
+void IReader::r_stringZ(std::string& dest) {
+    dest = data + Pos;
+    Pos += int(dest.size() + 1);
+}
+
 void IReader::skip_stringZ() {
     char* src = data;
     while ((src[Pos] != 0) && !eof())
diff --git a/code/engine/xrCore/FS.h b/code/engine/xrCore/FS.h
index 7654971ad..2dd3d8d19 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrCore/FS.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrCore/FS.h
@@ -60,9 +60,15 @@ class XRCORE_API IWriter {
     }
 
     void w_stringZ(const xr_string& p) {
-        w(p.c_str() ? p.c_str() : "", p.size());
+        w(p.c_str(), p.size());
         w_u8(0);
     }
+
+    void w_stringZ(const std::string& p) {
+        w(p.c_str(), p.size());
+        w_u8(0);
+    }
+
     void w_fcolor(const Fcolor& v) { w(&v, sizeof(Fcolor)); }
     void w_fvector4(const Fvector4& v) { w(&v, sizeof(Fvector4)); }
     void w_fvector3(const Fvector3& v) { w(&v, sizeof(Fvector3)); }
@@ -380,6 +386,7 @@ class XRCORE_API IReader : public IReaderBase<IReader> {
     void r_stringZ(char* dest, const size_t tgt_sz);
     void r_stringZ(shared_str& dest);
     void r_stringZ(xr_string& dest);
+    void r_stringZ(std::string& dest);
 
     void close();
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrCore/xrstring.h b/code/engine/xrCore/xrstring.h
index 3b7551de0..fcb402560 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrCore/xrstring.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrCore/xrstring.h
@@ -162,11 +162,18 @@ IC int xr_strcmp(const shared_str& a, const shared_str& b) {
     else
         return xr_strcmp(*a, *b);
 }
-IC void xr_strlwr(xr_string& src) {
-    for (xr_string::iterator it = src.begin(); it != src.end(); it++)
-        *it = xr_string::value_type(tolower(*it));
+
+[[deprecated]]
+inline void xr_strlwr(xr_string& src) {
+    _strlwr(src.data());
+}
+
+[[deprecated]]
+inline void xr_strlwr(std::string& src) {
+    _strlwr(src.data());
 }
-IC void xr_strlwr(shared_str& src) {
+
+inline void xr_strlwr(shared_str& src) {
     if (*src) {
         LPSTR lp = xr_strdup(*src);
         xr_strlwr(lp);
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/Environment_misc.cpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/Environment_misc.cpp
index f5aa398f9..5726c59d4 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/Environment_misc.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/Environment_misc.cpp
@@ -501,9 +501,10 @@ void CEnvironment::mods_load() {
 void CEnvironment::mods_unload() { Modifiers.clear(); }
 
 void CEnvironment::load_level_specific_ambients() {
-    const shared_str level_name = g_pGameLevel->name();
+    const auto& level_name = g_pGameLevel->name();
 
     string_path path;
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
     strconcat(sizeof(path), path, "environment\\ambients\\", level_name.c_str(), ".ltx");
 
     string_path full_path;
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/FDemoRecord.cpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/FDemoRecord.cpp
index a3d57c64e..32c10b008 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/FDemoRecord.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/FDemoRecord.cpp
@@ -187,9 +187,11 @@ void CDemoRecord::MakeLevelMapProcess() {
 
         string_path tmp;
         if (m_iLMScreenshotFragment == -1)
-            xr_sprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "map_%s", *g_pGameLevel->name());
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            xr_sprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "map_%s", g_pGameLevel->name().c_str());
         else
-            xr_sprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "map_%s#%d", *g_pGameLevel->name(),
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            xr_sprintf(tmp, sizeof(tmp), "map_%s#%d", g_pGameLevel->name().c_str(),
                        m_iLMScreenshotFragment);
 
         if (m_iLMScreenshotFragment != -1) {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/IGame_Level.h b/code/engine/xrEngine/IGame_Level.h
index 2a0b9b7b3..771c0489a 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/IGame_Level.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/IGame_Level.h
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class ENGINE_API IGame_Level : public DLL_Pure,
     IGame_Level();
     virtual ~IGame_Level();
 
-    virtual shared_str name() const = 0;
+    virtual const std::string& name() const = 0;
     virtual void GetLevelInfo(CServerInfo* si) = 0;
 
     virtual BOOL net_Start(LPCSTR op_server, LPCSTR op_client) = 0;
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.cpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.cpp
index 88c625525..d0a8c45ca 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.cpp
@@ -127,12 +127,12 @@ CConsole::CConsole() : m_hShader_back(NULL) {
 void CConsole::Initialize() {
     scroll_delta = 0;
     bVisible = false;
-    pFont = NULL;
-    pFont2 = NULL;
+    pFont = nullptr;
+    pFont2 = nullptr;
 
     m_mouse_pos.x = 0;
     m_mouse_pos.y = 0;
-    m_last_cmd = NULL;
+    m_last_cmd.clear();
 
     m_cmd_history.reserve(m_cmd_history_max + 2);
     m_cmd_history.clear();
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ void CConsole::Initialize() {
 
     m_tips_mode = 0;
     m_prev_length_str = 0;
-    m_cur_cmd = NULL;
+    m_cur_cmd.clear();
     reset_selected_tip();
 
     // Commands
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ void CConsole::ExecuteCommand(LPCSTR cmd_str, bool record_cmd) {
         c[0] = mark2;
         c[1] = 0;
 
-        if (m_last_cmd.c_str() == 0 || xr_strcmp(m_last_cmd, edt) != 0) {
+        if (m_last_cmd.empty() || m_last_cmd != edt) {
             Log(c, edt);
             add_cmd_history(edt);
             m_last_cmd = edt;
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ void CConsole::ExecuteScript(LPCSTR str) {
 
 // -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-IConsole_Command* CConsole::find_next_cmd(LPCSTR in_str, shared_str& out_str) {
+IConsole_Command* CConsole::find_next_cmd(LPCSTR in_str, std::string& out_str) {
     LPCSTR radmin_cmd_name = "ra ";
     bool b_ra = (in_str == strstr(in_str, radmin_cmd_name));
     u32 offset = (b_ra) ? xr_strlen(radmin_cmd_name) : 0;
@@ -655,10 +655,10 @@ IConsole_Command* CConsole::find_next_cmd(LPCSTR in_str, shared_str& out_str) {
         xr_strcpy(new_str, offset + name_cmd_size + 2, (b_ra) ? radmin_cmd_name : "");
         xr_strcat(new_str, offset + name_cmd_size + 2, name_cmd);
 
-        out_str._set((LPCSTR)new_str);
+        out_str = (LPCSTR)new_str;
         return cc;
     }
-    return NULL;
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 bool CConsole::add_next_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v) {
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ bool CConsole::add_next_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v) {
     LPSTR t2;
     STRCONCAT(t2, in_str, " ");
 
-    shared_str temp;
+    std::string temp;
     IConsole_Command* cc = find_next_cmd(t2, temp);
     if (!cc || temp.size() == 0) {
         return false;
@@ -679,11 +679,10 @@ bool CConsole::add_next_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v) {
     bool res = false;
     for (u32 i = cur_count; i < MAX_TIPS_COUNT * 2; ++i) // fake=protect
     {
-        temp._set(cc->Name());
-        bool dup = (std::find(out_v.begin(), out_v.end(), temp) != out_v.end());
+        temp = cc->Name();
+        const bool dup = (std::find(out_v.begin(), out_v.end(), temp) != out_v.end());
         if (!dup) {
-            TipString ts(temp);
-            out_v.push_back(ts);
+            out_v.push_back(TipString(temp));
             res = true;
         }
         if (out_v.size() >= MAX_TIPS_COUNT) {
@@ -720,11 +719,10 @@ bool CConsole::add_internal_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v) {
             name2[in_sz] = 0;
 
             if (!stricmp(name2, in_str)) {
-                shared_str temp;
-                temp._set(name);
-                bool dup = (std::find(out_v.begin(), out_v.end(), temp) != out_v.end());
+                std::string temp(name);
+                const bool dup = std::find(out_v.begin(), out_v.end(), temp) != out_v.end();
                 if (!dup) {
-                    out_v.push_back(TipString(temp, 0, in_sz));
+                    out_v.push_back(TipString(std::move(temp), 0, in_sz));
                     res = true;
                 }
             }
@@ -742,13 +740,12 @@ bool CConsole::add_internal_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v) {
         LPCSTR name = itb->first;
         LPCSTR fd_str = strstr(name, in_str);
         if (fd_str) {
-            shared_str temp;
-            temp._set(name);
+            std::string temp(name);
             bool dup = (std::find(out_v.begin(), out_v.end(), temp) != out_v.end());
             if (!dup) {
-                u32 name_sz = xr_strlen(name);
-                int fd_sz = name_sz - xr_strlen(fd_str);
-                out_v.push_back(TipString(temp, fd_sz, fd_sz + in_sz));
+                const u32 name_sz = xr_strlen(name);
+                const int fd_sz = name_sz - xr_strlen(fd_str);
+                out_v.push_back(TipString(std::move(temp), fd_sz, fd_sz + in_sz));
                 res = true;
             }
         }
@@ -764,7 +761,7 @@ void CConsole::update_tips() {
     m_temp_tips.clear();
     m_tips.clear();
 
-    m_cur_cmd = NULL;
+    m_cur_cmd.clear();
     if (!bVisible) {
         return;
     }
@@ -808,7 +805,7 @@ void CConsole::update_tips() {
 
                 cc->fill_tips(m_temp_tips, mode);
                 m_tips_mode = 2;
-                m_cur_cmd._set(first);
+                m_cur_cmd = first;
                 select_for_filter(last, m_temp_tips, m_tips);
 
                 if (m_tips.size() == 0) {
@@ -838,27 +835,24 @@ void CConsole::update_tips() {
     }
 }
 
-void CConsole::select_for_filter(LPCSTR filter_str, vecTips& in_v, vecTipsEx& out_v) {
+void CConsole::select_for_filter(const char* filter_str, vecTips& in_v, vecTipsEx& out_v) const {
     out_v.clear();
-    u32 in_count = in_v.size();
-    if (in_count == 0 || !filter_str) {
+    if (in_v.empty() || !filter_str) {
         return;
     }
 
-    bool all = (xr_strlen(filter_str) == 0);
+    const std::string_view filter = filter_str;
+    const bool all = filter.empty();
 
-    vecTips::iterator itb = in_v.begin();
-    vecTips::iterator ite = in_v.end();
-    for (; itb != ite; ++itb) {
-        shared_str const& str = (*itb);
+    for (const auto& str : in_v) {
         if (all) {
             out_v.push_back(TipString(str));
         } else {
-            LPCSTR fd_str = strstr(str.c_str(), filter_str);
-            if (fd_str) {
-                int fd_sz = str.size() - xr_strlen(fd_str);
-                TipString ts(str, fd_sz, fd_sz + xr_strlen(filter_str));
-                out_v.push_back(ts);
+            const auto pos = str.find(filter);
+            if (pos != std::string::npos) {
+                const int fd_sz = str.size() - pos;
+                TipString ts(str, fd_sz, fd_sz + filter.size());
+                out_v.push_back(std::move(ts));
             }
         }
     } // for
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.h b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.h
index 3340d5cc1..aaed57ae4 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole.h
@@ -17,31 +17,23 @@ class line_edit_control;
 }; // namespace text_editor
 
 struct TipString {
-    shared_str text;
+    std::string text;
     int HL_start; // Highlight
     int HL_finish;
 
-    TipString() {
-        text._set("");
-        HL_start = 0;
-        HL_finish = 0;
-    }
-    TipString(shared_str const& tips_text, int start_pos, int finish_pos) {
-        text._set(tips_text);
-        HL_start = start_pos;
-        HL_finish = finish_pos;
-    }
-    TipString(LPCSTR tips_text, int start_pos, int finish_pos) {
-        text._set(tips_text);
-        HL_start = start_pos;
-        HL_finish = finish_pos;
-    }
-    TipString(shared_str const& tips_text) {
-        text._set(tips_text);
-        HL_start = 0;
-        HL_finish = 0;
-    }
-    IC bool operator==(shared_str const& tips_text) { return (text == tips_text); }
+    TipString() = default;
+
+    TipString(std::string tips_text, const int start_pos = 0, const int finish_pos = 0)
+        : text(std::move(tips_text)),
+          HL_start(start_pos),
+          HL_finish(finish_pos)
+    {}
+
+    TipString(const std::string_view tips_text, const int start_pos, const int finish_pos)
+        : TipString(std::string(tips_text), start_pos, finish_pos)
+    {}
+
+    bool operator==(const std::string_view tips_text) { return text == tips_text; }
 };
 
 class ENGINE_API CConsole : public pureRender,
@@ -55,8 +47,8 @@ class ENGINE_API CConsole : public pureRender,
     typedef vecCMD::iterator vecCMD_IT;
     typedef vecCMD::const_iterator vecCMD_CIT;
     typedef fastdelegate::FastDelegate0<void> Callback;
-    typedef xr_vector<shared_str> vecHistory;
-    typedef xr_vector<shared_str> vecTips;
+    typedef xr_vector<std::string> vecHistory;
+    typedef xr_vector<std::string> vecTips;
     typedef xr_vector<TipString> vecTipsEx;
 
     enum { CONSOLE_BUF_SIZE = 1024 };
@@ -77,13 +69,13 @@ class ENGINE_API CConsole : public pureRender,
     vecHistory m_cmd_history;
     u32 m_cmd_history_max;
     int m_cmd_history_idx;
-    shared_str m_last_cmd;
+    std::string m_last_cmd;
     BENCH_SEC_SCRAMBLEMEMBER1
 
     vecTips m_temp_tips;
     vecTipsEx m_tips;
     u32 m_tips_mode;
-    shared_str m_cur_cmd;
+    std::string m_cur_cmd;
     int m_select_tip;
     int m_start_tip;
     u32 m_prev_length_str;
@@ -178,7 +170,7 @@ class ENGINE_API CConsole : public pureRender,
     void xr_stdcall GamePause();
 
 protected:
-    void add_cmd_history(shared_str const& str);
+    void add_cmd_history(std::string str);
     void next_cmd_history_idx();
     void prev_cmd_history_idx();
     void reset_cmd_history_idx();
@@ -189,12 +181,12 @@ class ENGINE_API CConsole : public pureRender,
     void check_prev_selected_tip();
     void reset_selected_tip();
 
-    IConsole_Command* find_next_cmd(LPCSTR in_str, shared_str& out_str);
+    IConsole_Command* find_next_cmd(LPCSTR in_str, std::string& out_str);
     bool add_next_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v);
     bool add_internal_cmds(LPCSTR in_str, vecTipsEx& out_v);
 
     void update_tips();
-    void select_for_filter(LPCSTR filter_str, vecTips& in_v, vecTipsEx& out_v);
+    void select_for_filter(const char* filter_str, vecTips& in_v, vecTipsEx& out_v) const;
 
 }; // class CConsole
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_callback.cpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_callback.cpp
index bcf4f5204..c83f2a457 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_callback.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_callback.cpp
@@ -68,11 +68,11 @@ void CConsole::End_log() // PAGE_DOWN+Ctrl
 
 void CConsole::Find_cmd() // DIK_TAB
 {
-    shared_str out_str;
+    std::string out_str;
 
     IConsole_Command* cc = find_next_cmd(ec().str_edit(), out_str);
-    if (cc && out_str.size()) {
-        ec().set_edit(out_str.c_str());
+    if (cc && !out_str.empty()) {
+        ec().set_edit(out_str.c_str()); // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
     }
 }
 
@@ -153,14 +153,14 @@ void CConsole::PageDown_tips() {
 void CConsole::Execute_cmd() // DIK_RETURN, DIK_NUMPADENTER
 {
     if (0 <= m_select_tip && m_select_tip < (int)m_tips.size()) {
-        shared_str const& str = m_tips[m_select_tip].text;
+        const auto& str = m_tips[m_select_tip].text;
         if (m_tips_mode == 1) {
             LPSTR buf;
-            STRCONCAT(buf, str.c_str(), " ");
+            STRCONCAT(buf, str.c_str(), " "); // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
             ec().set_edit(buf);
         } else if (m_tips_mode == 2) {
             LPSTR buf;
-            STRCONCAT(buf, m_cur_cmd.c_str(), " ", str.c_str());
+            STRCONCAT(buf, m_cur_cmd.c_str(), " ", str.c_str()); // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
             ec().set_edit(buf);
         }
         reset_selected_tip();
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_control.cpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_control.cpp
index a3756de64..02f46df30 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_control.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/XR_IOConsole_control.cpp
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 #include "stdafx.h"
 #include "XR_IOConsole.h"
 
-void CConsole::add_cmd_history(shared_str const& str) {
-    if (str.size() == 0) {
+void CConsole::add_cmd_history(std::string str) {
+    if (str.empty()) {
         return;
     }
-    m_cmd_history.push_back(str);
+    m_cmd_history.push_back(std::move(str));
     if (m_cmd_history.size() > m_cmd_history_max) {
         m_cmd_history.erase(m_cmd_history.begin());
     }
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/editor_environment_ambients_ambient.hpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/editor_environment_ambients_ambient.hpp
index e80ddaf4a..937fde7e4 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/editor_environment_ambients_ambient.hpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/editor_environment_ambients_ambient.hpp
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@
 //	Description : editor environment ambients ambient class
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#ifndef EDITOR_WEATHER_AMBIENTS_AMBIENT_HPP_INCLUDED
-#define EDITOR_WEATHER_AMBIENTS_AMBIENT_HPP_INCLUDED
+#pragma once
 
 #ifdef INGAME_EDITOR
 
@@ -33,7 +32,6 @@ class effect_id;
 class sound_id;
 
 class ambient : public CEnvAmbient, public editor::property_holder_holder {
-private:
     typedef CEnvAmbient inherited;
 
 public:
@@ -88,6 +86,4 @@ class ambient : public CEnvAmbient, public editor::property_holder_holder {
 } // namespace environment
 } // namespace editor
 
-#endif // #ifdef INGAME_EDITOR
-
-#endif // ifndef EDITOR_WEATHER_AMBIENTS_AMBIENT_HPP_INCLUDED
\ No newline at end of file
+#endif // #ifdef INGAME_EDITOR
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection.hpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection.hpp
index d740b05c4..91b5532fa 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection.hpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection.hpp
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@
 //	Description : property collection template class
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#ifndef PROPERTY_COLLECTION_HPP_INCLUDED
-#define PROPERTY_COLLECTION_HPP_INCLUDED
+#pragma once
 
 #include "editor/property_holder.hpp"
 #include "../xrServerEntities/object_broker.h"
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ class property_collection : public editor::property_holder_collection {
 
 public:
     bool unique_id(LPCSTR id) const;
-    shared_str generate_unique_id(LPCSTR prefix) const;
+    std::string generate_unique_id(const std::string_view prefix) const;
 
 private:
     inline void make_state_changed();
@@ -66,6 +65,4 @@ class property_collection : public editor::property_holder_collection {
     bool* m_changed;
 }; // class property_collection
 
-#include "property_collection_inline.hpp"
-
-#endif // #ifndef PROPERTY_COLLECTION_HPP_INCLUDED
\ No newline at end of file
+#include "property_collection_inline.hpp"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection_inline.hpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection_inline.hpp
index cf9f82dc7..182cc5899 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection_inline.hpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/property_collection_inline.hpp
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@
 //	Description : property collection template class inline functions
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#ifndef PROPERTY_COLLECTION_INLINE_HPP_INCLUDED
-#define PROPERTY_COLLECTION_INLINE_HPP_INCLUDED
+#pragma once
 
 #define SPECIALIZATION template <typename container_type, typename holder_type>
 #define PROPERTY_COLLECTION property_collection<container_type, holder_type>
@@ -109,19 +108,15 @@ bool PROPERTY_COLLECTION::unique_id(LPCSTR id) const {
 }
 
 SPECIALIZATION
-shared_str PROPERTY_COLLECTION::generate_unique_id(LPCSTR prefix) const {
-    for (u32 i = 0;; ++i) {
-        string_path result;
-        xr_strcpy(result, prefix);
+std::string PROPERTY_COLLECTION::generate_unique_id(const std::string_view prefix) const {
+    for (size_t i = 0;; ++i) {
+        XrWriterAs<string_path> writer;
+        writer.write("{0}{1}", prefix, i);
 
-        string_path number;
-        R_ASSERT(!_itoa_s(i, number, 10));
-        xr_strcat(result, number);
-
-        if (!unique_id(result))
+        if (!unique_id(writer.c_str()))
             continue;
 
-        return (result);
+        return writer.str();
     }
 }
 
@@ -134,6 +129,4 @@ inline void PROPERTY_COLLECTION::make_state_changed() {
 }
 
 #undef PROPERTY_COLLECTION
-#undef SPECIALIZATION
-
-#endif // #ifndef PROPERTY_COLLECTION_INLINE_HPP_INCLUDED
\ No newline at end of file
+#undef SPECIALIZATION
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.cpp b/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.cpp
index 40538c8a4..5b47105b5 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.cpp
@@ -15,19 +15,19 @@
 
 #include "xr_object.h"
 
-xr_token* vid_quality_token = NULL;
+xr_token* vid_quality_token = nullptr;
 
 xr_token vid_bpp_token[] = { { "16", 16 }, { "32", 32 }, { 0, 0 } };
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void IConsole_Command::add_to_LRU(shared_str const& arg) {
-    if (arg.size() == 0 || bEmptyArgsHandled) {
+void IConsole_Command::add_to_LRU(std::string arg) {
+    if (arg.empty() || bEmptyArgsHandled) {
         return;
     }
 
-    bool dup = (std::find(m_LRU.begin(), m_LRU.end(), arg) != m_LRU.end());
+    const bool dup = std::find(m_LRU.begin(), m_LRU.end(), arg) != m_LRU.end();
     if (!dup) {
-        m_LRU.push_back(arg);
+        m_LRU.push_back(std::move(arg));
         if (m_LRU.size() > LRU_MAX_COUNT) {
             m_LRU.erase(m_LRU.begin());
         }
@@ -35,10 +35,9 @@ void IConsole_Command::add_to_LRU(shared_str const& arg) {
 }
 
 void IConsole_Command::add_LRU_to_tips(vecTips& tips) {
-    vecLRU::reverse_iterator it_rb = m_LRU.rbegin();
-    vecLRU::reverse_iterator it_re = m_LRU.rend();
-    for (; it_rb != it_re; ++it_rb) {
-        tips.push_back((*it_rb));
+    tips.reserve(m_LRU.size());
+    for (auto it_rb = m_LRU.rbegin(); it_rb != m_LRU.rend(); ++it_rb) {
+        tips.push_back(*it_rb);
     }
 }
 
@@ -354,7 +353,7 @@ class CCC_VidMode : public CCC_Token {
             psCurrentVidMode[0] = _w;
             psCurrentVidMode[1] = _h;
         } else {
-            Msg("! Wrong video mode [%s]", args);
+            LogMsg("! Wrong video mode [{}]", args);
             return;
         }
     }
diff --git a/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.h b/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.h
index a27d02a53..49e532815 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrEngine/xr_ioc_cmd.h
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ class ENGINE_API IConsole_Command {
     friend class CConsole;
     typedef char TInfo[256];
     typedef char TStatus[256];
-    typedef xr_vector<shared_str> vecTips;
-    typedef xr_vector<shared_str> vecLRU;
+    typedef xr_vector<std::string> vecTips;
+    typedef xr_vector<std::string> vecLRU;
 
 protected:
     LPCSTR cName;
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ class ENGINE_API IConsole_Command {
 
     vecLRU m_LRU;
 
-    enum { LRU_MAX_COUNT = 10 };
+    static constexpr size_t LRU_MAX_COUNT = 10;
 
-    IC bool EQ(LPCSTR S1, LPCSTR S2) { return xr_strcmp(S1, S2) == 0; }
+    bool EQ(LPCSTR S1, LPCSTR S2) { return xr_strcmp(S1, S2) == 0; }
 
 public:
     IConsole_Command(LPCSTR N BENCH_SEC_SIGN)
-        : cName(N), bEnabled(TRUE), bLowerCaseArgs(TRUE), bEmptyArgsHandled(FALSE) {
+        : cName(N), bEnabled(true), bLowerCaseArgs(true), bEmptyArgsHandled(false) {
         m_LRU.reserve(LRU_MAX_COUNT + 1);
         m_LRU.clear();
     }
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ class ENGINE_API IConsole_Command {
 
     virtual void fill_tips(vecTips& tips, u32 mode) { add_LRU_to_tips(tips); }
     //			vecLRU&	LRU				() { return m_LRU; }
-    virtual void add_to_LRU(shared_str const& arg);
+    virtual void add_to_LRU(std::string arg);
     void add_LRU_to_tips(vecTips& tips);
 
 }; // class IConsole_Command
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/ActorCondition.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/ActorCondition.cpp
index 46a9000f1..e2bc0fd99 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/ActorCondition.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/ActorCondition.cpp
@@ -239,11 +239,13 @@ void CActorCondition::UpdateCondition() {
         }
 
         string512 pp_sect_name;
-        shared_str ln = Level().name();
-        if (ln.size()) {
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+        const auto& ln = Level().name();
+        if (!ln.empty()) {
             CEffectorPP* ppe = object().Cameras().GetPPEffector((EEffectorPPType)effPsyHealth);
 
-            strconcat(sizeof(pp_sect_name), pp_sect_name, "effector_psy_health", "_", *ln);
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            strconcat(sizeof(pp_sect_name), pp_sect_name, "effector_psy_health", "_", ln.c_str());
             if (!pSettings->section_exist(pp_sect_name))
                 xr_strcpy(pp_sect_name, "effector_psy_health");
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/DemoInfo.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/DemoInfo.cpp
index 30e272156..63904327a 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/DemoInfo.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/DemoInfo.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ void demo_info::sort_players(sorting_less_comparator sorting_comparator) {
 }
 
 void demo_info::load_from_game() {
-    m_map_name = Level().name();
+    // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
+    m_map_name = shared_str(Level().name().c_str());
     m_map_version = Level().version();
     m_game_type = GameTypeToString(Game().Type(), true);
     m_game_score = "";
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Level.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/Level.cpp
index eb1fcdd7b..dcbd9cc50 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Level.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Level.cpp
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ CLevel::~CLevel() {
     deinit_compression();
 }
 
-shared_str CLevel::name() const { return (map_data.m_name); }
+const std::string& CLevel::name() const { return map_data.m_name; }
 
 void CLevel::GetLevelInfo(CServerInfo* si) {
     if (Server && game) {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Level.h b/code/engine/xrGame/Level.h
index 06910947d..dc3e6a276 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Level.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Level.h
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ class CLevel : public IGame_Level, public IPureClient {
     virtual ~CLevel();
 
     //названияе текущего уровня
-    virtual shared_str name() const;
+    virtual const std::string& name() const;
     shared_str version() const {
         return map_data.m_map_version.c_str();
     } // this method can be used ONLY from CCC_ChangeGameType
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.cpp
index 832f41a8e..44d57c166 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 static const u32 r_buffer_size = 131072; // 128 Kb
 void CLevel::CalculateLevelCrc32() {
     void* read_buffer = _alloca(r_buffer_size);
-    Msg("* calculating checksum of level.geom");
+    Log("* calculating checksum of level.geom");
     CStreamReader* geom = FS.rs_open("$level$", "level.geom");
     R_ASSERT2(geom, "failed to open level.geom file");
     u32 remaind = geom->elapsed();
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.h b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.h
index 39aefa3db..15a344c00 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_map_sync.h
@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
-#ifndef LEVEL_NETWORK_MAP_SYNC_H
-#define LEVEL_NETWORK_MAP_SYNC_H
+#pragma once
 
 struct LevelMapSyncData {
     bool m_sended_map_name_request;
     bool m_map_sync_received;
     bool m_map_loaded;
-    shared_str m_name;        // map name that currently loaded
-    shared_str m_map_version; // map version that currently loaded
-    shared_str m_map_download_url;
+    std::string m_name;        // map name that currently loaded
+    std::string m_map_version; // map version that currently loaded
+    std::string m_map_download_url;
     u32 m_level_geom_crc32;
 
     u32 m_wait_map_time;
@@ -31,6 +30,4 @@ struct LevelMapSyncData {
     inline bool IsInvalidMapOrVersion() { return invalid_map_or_version; }
     inline bool IsInvalidClientChecksum() { return invalid_geom_checksum; }
 
-}; // class LevelMapSyncData
-
-#endif
\ No newline at end of file
+}; // class LevelMapSyncData
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_start_client.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_start_client.cpp
index a8118680b..0bb9e689b 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_start_client.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_network_start_client.cpp
@@ -61,20 +61,24 @@ bool CLevel::net_start_client2() {
 
 bool CLevel::net_start_client3() {
     if (connected_to_server) {
-        LPCSTR level_name = NULL;
-        LPCSTR level_ver = NULL;
-        LPCSTR download_url = NULL;
+        LPCSTR level_name = "";
+        LPCSTR level_ver = "";
+        LPCSTR download_url = "";
 
         shared_str const& server_options = Server->GetConnectOptions();
+        // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
         level_name = name().c_str(); // Server->level_name		(server_options).c_str();
+        level_name = level_name ? level_name : "";
+        // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
         level_ver = Server->level_version(server_options).c_str(); // 1.0
+        level_ver = level_ver ? level_ver : "";
         // Determine internal level-ID
         int level_id = pApp->Level_ID(level_name, level_ver, true);
         if (level_id == -1) {
             Disconnect();
 
             connected_to_server = FALSE;
-            Msg("! Level (name:%s), (version:%s), not found, try to download from:%s", level_name,
+            LogMsg("! Level (name:{0}), (version:{1}), not found, try to download from:{2}", level_name,
                 level_ver, download_url);
             map_data.m_name = level_name;
             map_data.m_map_version = level_ver;
@@ -83,7 +87,7 @@ bool CLevel::net_start_client3() {
             return false;
         }
 #ifdef DEBUG
-        Msg("--- net_start_client3: level_id [%d], level_name[%s], level_version[%s]", level_id,
+        LogMsg("--- net_start_client3: level_id [{0}], level_name[{1}], level_version[{2}]", level_id,
             level_name, level_ver);
 #endif // #ifdef DEBUG
         map_data.m_name = level_name;
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_start.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_start.cpp
index ff43024b8..8ebc7c9c6 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Level_start.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Level_start.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,8 @@ bool CLevel::net_start1() {
 
             map_data.m_name = game_sv_GameState::parse_level_name(m_caServerOptions);
 
-            g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle(true, map_data.m_name);
+            // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
+            g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle(true, shared_str(map_data.m_name.c_str()));
 
             int id = pApp->Level_ID(map_data.m_name.c_str(), l_ver.c_str(), true);
 
@@ -127,12 +128,12 @@ bool CLevel::net_start2() {
         if ((m_connect_server_err = Server->Connect(m_caServerOptions, game_descr)) !=
             xrServer::ErrNoError) {
             net_start_result_total = false;
-            Msg("! Failed to start server.");
+            Log("! Failed to start server.");
             return true;
         }
         Server->SLS_Default();
         map_data.m_name = Server->level_name(m_caServerOptions);
-        g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle(true, map_data.m_name);
+        g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle(true, shared_str(map_data.m_name.c_str()));
     }
     return true;
 }
@@ -229,12 +230,13 @@ bool CLevel::net_start6() {
             m_bConnectResult) // if (map_data.m_name == "") - level not loaded, see
                               // CLevel::net_start_client3
         {
-            LPCSTR level_id_string = NULL;
-            LPCSTR dialog_string = NULL;
-            LPCSTR download_url =
-                !!map_data.m_map_download_url ? map_data.m_map_download_url.c_str() : "";
+            LPCSTR level_id_string = nullptr;
+            LPCSTR dialog_string = nullptr;
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            LPCSTR download_url = map_data.m_map_download_url.c_str();
             CStringTable st;
-            LPCSTR tmp_map_ver = !!map_data.m_map_version ? map_data.m_map_version.c_str() : "";
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            LPCSTR tmp_map_ver = map_data.m_map_version.c_str();
 
             STRCONCAT(level_id_string, st.translate("st_level"), ":", map_data.m_name.c_str(), "(",
                       tmp_map_ver, "). ");
@@ -246,12 +248,13 @@ bool CLevel::net_start6() {
             MainMenu()->SwitchToMultiplayerMenu();
             MainMenu()->Show_DownloadMPMap(dialog_string, download_url);
         } else if (map_data.IsInvalidClientChecksum()) {
-            LPCSTR level_id_string = NULL;
-            LPCSTR dialog_string = NULL;
-            LPCSTR download_url =
-                !!map_data.m_map_download_url ? map_data.m_map_download_url.c_str() : "";
+            LPCSTR level_id_string = nullptr;
+            LPCSTR dialog_string = nullptr;
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            LPCSTR download_url = map_data.m_map_download_url.c_str();
             CStringTable st;
-            LPCSTR tmp_map_ver = !!map_data.m_map_version ? map_data.m_map_version.c_str() : "";
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            LPCSTR tmp_map_ver = map_data.m_map_version.c_str();
 
             STRCONCAT(level_id_string, st.translate("st_level"), ":", map_data.m_name.c_str(), "(",
                       tmp_map_ver, "). ");
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/Torch.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/Torch.cpp
index 445e450d1..05afa8995 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/Torch.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/Torch.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,8 @@ void CTorch::SwitchNightVision(bool vision_on, bool use_sounds) {
         m_night_vision = xr_new<CNightVisionEffector>(cNameSect());
 
     LPCSTR disabled_names = pSettings->r_string(cNameSect(), "disabled_maps");
-    LPCSTR curr_map = *Level().name();
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    LPCSTR curr_map = Level().name().c_str();
     u32 cnt = _GetItemCount(disabled_names);
     bool b_allow = true;
     string512 tmp;
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_graph_registry.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_graph_registry.cpp
index efd019f9e..7ec579747 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_graph_registry.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_graph_registry.cpp
@@ -82,9 +82,11 @@ void CALifeGraphRegistry::setup_current_level() {
         ai().game_graph().vertex(actor()->m_tGraphID)->level_id());
     R_ASSERT2(ai().game_graph().header().levels().end() != I, "Graph point level ID not found!");
 
-    int id = pApp->Level_ID(*(*I).second.name(), "1.0", true);
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    int id = pApp->Level_ID((*I).second.name().c_str(), "1.0", true);
     VERIFY3(id >= 0, "Level is corrupted or doesn't exist", *(*I).second.name());
-    ai().load(*(*I).second.name());
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    ai().load((*I).second.name().c_str());
 }
 
 void CALifeGraphRegistry::attach(CSE_Abstract& object, CSE_ALifeInventoryItem* item,
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.cpp
index db1d2f077..a8dc80c0e 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.cpp
@@ -345,6 +345,6 @@ void CALifeSimulatorBase::assign_death_position(CSE_ALifeCreatureAbstract* tpALi
             l_tpALifeMonsterAbstract->m_tGraphID;
 }
 
-shared_str CALifeSimulatorBase::level_name() const {
-    return (ai().game_graph().header().level(ai().level_graph().level_id()).name());
+const std::string& CALifeSimulatorBase::level_name() const {
+    return ai().game_graph().header().level(ai().level_graph().level_id()).name();
 }
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.h b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.h
index 43bde7131..85dea07ab 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_base.h
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class CALifeSimulatorBase : public IPureDestroyableObject {
                              GameGraph::_GRAPH_ID game_vertex_id, u16 parent_id,
                              bool registration = true);
     void append_item_vector(ALife::OBJECT_VECTOR& tObjectVector, ALife::ITEM_P_VECTOR& tItemList);
-    shared_str level_name() const;
+    const std::string& level_name() const;
     void on_death(CSE_Abstract* killed, CSE_Abstract* killer);
 
 public:
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_script.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_script.cpp
index 0ae8195e2..854e9a040 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_script.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_simulator_script.cpp
@@ -266,8 +266,8 @@ void CALifeSimulator__release(CALifeSimulator* self, CSE_Abstract* object, bool)
 }
 
 LPCSTR get_level_name(const CALifeSimulator* self, int level_id) {
-    LPCSTR result = *ai().game_graph().header().level((GameGraph::_LEVEL_ID)level_id).name();
-    return (result);
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    return ai().game_graph().header().level((GameGraph::_LEVEL_ID)level_id).name().c_str();
 }
 
 CSE_ALifeCreatureActor* get_actor(const CALifeSimulator* self) {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_update_manager.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_update_manager.cpp
index 93918f96a..2a92c50cb 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/alife_update_manager.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/alife_update_manager.cpp
@@ -251,11 +251,12 @@ void CALifeUpdateManager::load(LPCSTR game_name, bool no_assert, bool new_only)
         Level().OnAlifeSimulatorLoaded();
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
-    Msg("* Loading alife simulator is successfully completed (%7.3f Mb)",
+    LogMsg("* Loading alife simulator is successfully completed ({:7.3f} Mb)",
         float(Memory.mem_usage() - memory_usage) / 1048576.0);
 #endif
     //	g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle		("st_server_connecting");
-    g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle(true, g_pGameLevel->name());
+    // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
+    g_pGamePersistent->LoadTitle(true, shared_str(g_pGameLevel->name().c_str()));
 }
 
 void CALifeUpdateManager::reload(LPCSTR section) {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/console_commands.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/console_commands.cpp
index a5f8bce42..05c32ecda 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/console_commands.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/console_commands.cpp
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ bool valid_saved_game_name(LPCSTR file_name) {
     return (true);
 }
 
-void get_files_list(xr_vector<shared_str>& files, LPCSTR dir, LPCSTR file_ext) {
+void get_files_list(xr_vector<std::string>& files, LPCSTR dir, LPCSTR file_ext) {
     VERIFY(dir && file_ext);
     files.clear();
 
@@ -1080,14 +1080,13 @@ struct CCC_JumpToLevel : public IConsole_Command {
             return;
         }
 
-        GameGraph::LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator I = ai().game_graph().header().levels().begin();
-        GameGraph::LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator E = ai().game_graph().header().levels().end();
-        for (; I != E; ++I)
-            if (!xr_strcmp((*I).second.name(), level)) {
+        for (const auto& I : ai().game_graph().header().levels()) {
+            if (I.second.name() == level) {
                 ai().alife().jump_to_level(level);
                 return;
             }
-        Msg("! There is no level \"%s\" in the game graph!", level);
+        }
+        LogMsg(R"(! There is no level "{}" in the game graph!)", level);
     }
 
     virtual void Save(IWriter* F){}
@@ -1097,10 +1096,8 @@ struct CCC_JumpToLevel : public IConsole_Command {
             return;
         }
 
-        GameGraph::LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator itb = ai().game_graph().header().levels().begin();
-        GameGraph::LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator ite = ai().game_graph().header().levels().end();
-        for (; itb != ite; ++itb) {
-            tips.push_back((*itb).second.name());
+        for (const auto& level : ai().game_graph().header().levels()) {
+            tips.push_back(std::string(level.second.name()));
         }
     }
 };
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/game_graph_inline.h b/code/engine/xrGame/game_graph_inline.h
index 15055b51a..d8ed90018 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/game_graph_inline.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/game_graph_inline.h
@@ -124,14 +124,13 @@ IC const GameGraph::SLevel& GameGraph::CHeader::level(const _LEVEL_ID& id) const
 }
 
 IC const GameGraph::SLevel& GameGraph::CHeader::level(LPCSTR level_name) const {
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator I = levels().begin();
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator E = levels().end();
-    for (; I != E; ++I)
-        if (!xr_strcmp((*I).second.name(), level_name))
-            return ((*I).second);
+    for (const auto& l : levels()) {
+        if (l.second.name() == level_name)
+            return l.second;
+    }
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
-    Msg("! There is no specified level %s in the game graph!", level_name);
+    LogMsg("! There is no specified level {} in the game graph!", level_name);
     return (levels().begin()->second);
 #else
     R_ASSERT3(false, "There is no specified level in the game graph!", level_name);
@@ -140,13 +139,11 @@ IC const GameGraph::SLevel& GameGraph::CHeader::level(LPCSTR level_name) const {
 }
 
 IC const GameGraph::SLevel* GameGraph::CHeader::level(LPCSTR level_name, bool) const {
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator I = levels().begin();
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator E = levels().end();
-    for (; I != E; ++I)
-        if (!xr_strcmp((*I).second.name(), level_name))
-            return (&(*I).second);
-
-    return (0);
+    for (const auto& l : levels()) {
+        if (l.second.name() == level_name)
+            return &(l.second);
+    }
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 IC const xrGUID& CGameGraph::CHeader::guid() const { return (m_guid); }
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.cpp
index 0a10659e9..6c374075d 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.cpp
@@ -871,7 +871,7 @@ void game_sv_GameState::SaveMapList() {
     FS.w_close(fs);
 };
 
-shared_str game_sv_GameState::level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const {
+std::string game_sv_GameState::level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const {
     return parse_level_name(server_options);
 }
 
@@ -893,10 +893,10 @@ shared_str game_sv_GameState::parse_level_version(const shared_str& server_optio
     return shared_str(result_version);
 }
 
-shared_str game_sv_GameState::parse_level_name(const shared_str& server_options) {
+std::string game_sv_GameState::parse_level_name(const shared_str& server_options) {
     string64 l_name = "";
     VERIFY(_GetItemCount(*server_options, '/'));
-    return (_GetItem(*server_options, 0, l_name, '/'));
+    return _GetItem(*server_options, 0, l_name, '/');
 }
 
 void game_sv_GameState::on_death(CSE_Abstract* e_dest, CSE_Abstract* e_src) {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.h b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.h
index 238d23df8..45686a446 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_base.h
@@ -188,9 +188,9 @@ class game_sv_GameState : public game_GameState {
     virtual void remove_all_restrictions(NET_Packet& packet, u16 id);
     virtual bool custom_sls_default() { return false; };
     virtual void sls_default(){};
-    virtual shared_str level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const;
+    virtual std::string level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const;
 
-    static shared_str parse_level_name(const shared_str& server_options);
+    static std::string parse_level_name(const shared_str& server_options);
     static shared_str parse_level_version(const shared_str& server_options);
 
     virtual void on_death(CSE_Abstract* e_dest, CSE_Abstract* e_src);
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.cpp
index 339102a70..b537f7449 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.cpp
@@ -288,10 +288,10 @@ void game_sv_Single::remove_all_restrictions(NET_Packet& packet, u16 id) {
 
 void game_sv_Single::sls_default() { alife().update_switch(); }
 
-shared_str game_sv_Single::level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const {
+std::string game_sv_Single::level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const {
     if (!ai().get_alife())
         return (inherited::level_name(server_options));
-    return (alife().level_name());
+    return alife().level_name();
 }
 
 void game_sv_Single::on_death(CSE_Abstract* e_dest, CSE_Abstract* e_src) {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.h b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.h
index 6558b47d4..33e6ec621 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/game_sv_single.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ class game_sv_Single : public game_sv_GameState {
     virtual void remove_all_restrictions(NET_Packet& packet, u16 id);
     virtual bool custom_sls_default() { return !!m_alife_simulator; };
     virtual void sls_default();
-    virtual shared_str level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const;
+    virtual std::string level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const;
     virtual void on_death(CSE_Abstract* e_dest, CSE_Abstract* e_src);
     void restart_simulator(LPCSTR saved_game_name);
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/level_script.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/level_script.cpp
index 9d59568d4..0aa8cd728 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/level_script.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/level_script.cpp
@@ -246,7 +246,8 @@ bool patrol_path_exists(LPCSTR patrol_path) {
     return (!!ai().patrol_paths().path(patrol_path, true));
 }
 
-LPCSTR get_name() { return (*Level().name()); }
+// TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+LPCSTR get_name() { return Level().name().c_str(); }
 
 void prefetch_sound(LPCSTR name) { Level().PrefetchSound(name); }
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/level_sounds.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/level_sounds.cpp
index 8af2ae883..12b0f95c6 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/level_sounds.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/level_sounds.cpp
@@ -140,9 +140,12 @@ void CLevelSoundManager::Load() {
 
     CInifile& gameLtx = *pGameIni;
 
-    if (gameLtx.section_exist(Level().name())) {
-        if (gameLtx.line_exist(Level().name(), "music_tracks")) {
-            LPCSTR music_sect = gameLtx.r_string(Level().name(), "music_tracks");
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    if (gameLtx.section_exist(Level().name().c_str())) {
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+        if (gameLtx.line_exist(Level().name().c_str(), "music_tracks")) {
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            LPCSTR music_sect = gameLtx.r_string(Level().name().c_str(), "music_tracks");
             if (music_sect && music_sect[0]) {
 #ifdef DEBUG
                 Msg("- Loading music tracks from '%s'...", music_sect);
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.cpp
index c5c0acbbc..9fa6980ee 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.cpp
@@ -395,28 +395,28 @@ void CMapLocation::UpdateSpot(CUICustomMap* map, CMapSpot* sp) {
             //}
             static bool bbb = false;
             if (!bDone && bbb) {
-                Msg("! Error. Path from actor to selected map spot does not contain level changer "
+                Log("! Error. Path from actor to selected map spot does not contain level changer "
                     ":(");
-                Msg("Path:");
+                Log("Path:");
                 xr_vector<u32>::iterator it = map_point_path.begin();
                 xr_vector<u32>::iterator it_e = map_point_path.end();
                 for (; it != it_e; ++it) {
                     //					Msg("%d-%s",(*it),ai().game_graph().vertex(*it));
-                    Msg("[%d] level[%s]", (*it),
-                        *ai().game_graph()
+                    LogMsg("[{0}] level[{1}]", (*it),
+                        ai().game_graph()
                              .header()
                              .level(ai().game_graph().vertex(*it)->level_id())
                              .name());
                 }
-                Msg("- Available LevelChangers:");
+                Log("- Available LevelChangers:");
                 xr_vector<CLevelChanger*>::iterator lit, lit_e;
                 lit_e = g_lchangers.end();
                 for (lit = g_lchangers.begin(); lit != lit_e; ++lit) {
                     GameGraph::_GRAPH_ID gid = (*lit)->ai_location().game_vertex_id();
-                    Msg("[%d]", gid);
+                    LogMsg("[{}]", gid);
                     Fvector p = ai().game_graph().vertex(gid)->level_point();
-                    Msg("lch_name=%s pos=%f %f %f",
-                        *ai().game_graph()
+                    LogMsg("lch_name={0} pos={1} {2} {3}",
+                        ai().game_graph()
                              .header()
                              .level(ai().game_graph().vertex(gid)->level_id())
                              .name(),
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ void CMapLocation::UpdateSpot(CUICustomMap* map, CMapSpot* sp) {
                 xr_vector<u32>::reverse_iterator it = map_point_path.rbegin();
                 xr_vector<u32>::reverse_iterator it_e = map_point_path.rend();
                 for (; (it != it_e) && (!bDone); ++it) {
-                    if (*ai().game_graph()
+                    if (ai().game_graph()
                              .header()
                              .level(ai().game_graph().vertex(*it)->level_id())
                              .name() == Level().name())
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.h b/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.h
index b69f2cc50..09ecfe830 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/map_location.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class CMapLocation : public IPureDestroyableObject {
         GameGraph::_GRAPH_ID m_graphID;
         Fvector2 m_Position;
         Fvector2 m_Direction;
-        shared_str m_LevelName;
+        std::string m_LevelName;
         bool m_Actuality;
     };
     SCachedValues m_cached;
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class CMapLocation : public IPureDestroyableObject {
 
     void CalcPosition();
     const Fvector2& CalcDirection();
-    IC const shared_str& GetLevelName() { return m_cached.m_LevelName; }
+    const std::string& GetLevelName() { return m_cached.m_LevelName; }
     const Fvector2& GetPosition() { return m_cached.m_Position; }
 
     u16 ObjectID() { return m_objectID; }
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/movement_manager_game.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/movement_manager_game.cpp
index d6386a3ba..2bdc5a6eb 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/movement_manager_game.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/movement_manager_game.cpp
@@ -24,25 +24,25 @@
 #include "mt_config.h"
 
 void CMovementManager::show_game_path_info() {
-    Msg("! Cannot build GAME path! (object %s)", *object().cName());
-    Msg("! CURRENT LEVEL : %s", *Level().name());
+    LogMsg("! Cannot build GAME path! (object {})", *object().cName());
+    LogMsg("! CURRENT LEVEL : {}", Level().name());
     Fvector temp = ai().game_graph().vertex(object().ai_location().game_vertex_id())->level_point();
-    Msg("! CURRENT game point position : [%f][%f][%f]", VPUSH(temp));
+    LogMsg("! CURRENT game point position : [{0}][{1}][{2}]", VPUSH(temp));
     const GameGraph::CVertex* vertex = ai().game_graph().vertex(game_dest_vertex_id());
-    Msg("! TARGET LEVEL : %s", *ai().game_graph().header().level(vertex->level_id()).name());
+    LogMsg("! TARGET LEVEL : {}", ai().game_graph().header().level(vertex->level_id()).name());
     temp = vertex->level_point();
-    Msg("! TARGET  game point position : [%f][%f][%f]", VPUSH(temp));
+    LogMsg("! TARGET  game point position : [{0}][{1}][{2}]", VPUSH(temp));
     const u8* target_vertex_type = ai().game_graph().vertex(game_dest_vertex_id())->vertex_type();
-    Msg("! Target point mask [%d][%d][%d][%d]", target_vertex_type[0], target_vertex_type[1],
+    LogMsg("! Target point mask [{0}][{1}][{2}][{3}]", target_vertex_type[0], target_vertex_type[1],
         target_vertex_type[2], target_vertex_type[3]);
 
-    Msg("! Object masks (%d) :", m_location_manager->vertex_types().size());
+    LogMsg("! Object masks ({}) :", m_location_manager->vertex_types().size());
 
     typedef GameGraph::TERRAIN_VECTOR::const_iterator const_iterator;
     const_iterator I = m_location_manager->vertex_types().begin();
     const_iterator E = m_location_manager->vertex_types().end();
     for (; I != E; ++I)
-        Msg("!   [%d][%d][%d][%d]", (*I).tMask[0], (*I).tMask[1], (*I).tMask[2], (*I).tMask[3]);
+        LogMsg("!   [{0}][{1}][{2}][{3}]", (*I).tMask[0], (*I).tMask[1], (*I).tMask[2], (*I).tMask[3]);
 }
 
 void CMovementManager::process_game_path() {
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/saved_game_wrapper.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/saved_game_wrapper.cpp
index 641af6e60..95248a776 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/saved_game_wrapper.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/saved_game_wrapper.cpp
@@ -150,7 +150,8 @@ CSavedGameWrapper::CSavedGameWrapper(LPCSTR saved_game_name) {
         {
             CGameGraph graph(*chunk);
             m_level_id = graph.vertex(object->m_tGraphID)->level_id();
-            m_level_name = graph.header().level(m_level_id).name();
+            // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
+            m_level_name = shared_str(graph.header().level(m_level_id).name().c_str());
         }
 
         chunk->close();
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.cpp
index e04394fb8..6476ad3c2 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.cpp
@@ -18,24 +18,25 @@ CUICustomMap::CUICustomMap() {
     SetPointerDistance(0.0f);
 }
 
-void CUICustomMap::Initialize(shared_str name, LPCSTR sh_name) {
-    CInifile* levelIni = NULL;
+void CUICustomMap::Initialize(std::string name, LPCSTR sh_name) {
+    CInifile* levelIni = nullptr;
     if (name == g_pGameLevel->name())
         levelIni = g_pGameLevel->pLevel;
     else {
         string_path map_cfg_fn;
         string_path fname;
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
         strconcat(sizeof(fname), fname, name.c_str(), "\\level.ltx");
         FS.update_path(map_cfg_fn, "$game_levels$", fname);
         levelIni = xr_new<CInifile>(map_cfg_fn);
     }
 
     if (levelIni->section_exist("level_map")) {
-        Init_internal(name, *levelIni, "level_map", sh_name);
+        Init_internal(std::move(name), *levelIni, "level_map", sh_name);
     } else {
-        Msg("! default LevelMap used for level[%s]", name.c_str());
+        LogMsg("! default LevelMap used for level[{}]", name);
         Init_internal(name, *pGameIni, "def_map", sh_name);
-        m_name = name;
+        m_name = std::move(name);
     }
     if (levelIni != g_pGameLevel->pLevel)
         xr_delete(levelIni);
@@ -57,9 +58,9 @@ void CUICustomMap::Draw() {
     UI().PopScissor();
 }
 
-void CUICustomMap::Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx,
+void CUICustomMap::Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx,
                                  const shared_str& sect_name, LPCSTR sh_name) {
-    m_name = name;
+    m_name = std::move(name);
     Fvector4 tmp;
 
     m_texture = pLtx.r_string(sect_name, "texture");
@@ -262,11 +263,12 @@ void CUIGlobalMap::Initialize() {
     Init_internal("global_map", *pGameIni, "global_map", "hud\\default");
 }
 
-void CUIGlobalMap::Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx,
+void CUIGlobalMap::Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx,
                                  const shared_str& sect_name, LPCSTR sh_name) {
-    inherited::Init_internal(name, pLtx, sect_name, sh_name);
+    inherited::Init_internal(std::move(name), pLtx, sect_name, sh_name);
     //	Fvector2 size = CUIStatic::GetWndSize();
-    SetMaxZoom(pLtx.r_float(m_name, "max_zoom"));
+    // TODO: [imdex] use_string_view
+    SetMaxZoom(pLtx.r_float(m_name.c_str(), "max_zoom"));
 }
 
 void CUIGlobalMap::Update() {
@@ -389,10 +391,11 @@ void CUILevelMap::Draw() {
     inherited::Draw();
 }
 
-void CUILevelMap::Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
+void CUILevelMap::Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
                                 LPCSTR sh_name) {
-    inherited::Init_internal(name, pLtx, sect_name, sh_name);
-    Fvector4 tmp = pGameIni->r_fvector4(MapName(), "global_rect");
+    inherited::Init_internal(std::move(name), pLtx, sect_name, sh_name);
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    Fvector4 tmp = pGameIni->r_fvector4(MapName().c_str(), "global_rect");
 
     tmp.x *= UI().get_current_kx();
     tmp.z *= UI().get_current_kx();
@@ -512,9 +515,9 @@ CUIMiniMap::CUIMiniMap() {}
 
 CUIMiniMap::~CUIMiniMap() {}
 
-void CUIMiniMap::Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
+void CUIMiniMap::Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
                                LPCSTR sh_name) {
-    inherited::Init_internal(name, pLtx, sect_name, sh_name);
+    inherited::Init_internal(std::move(name), pLtx, sect_name, sh_name);
     CUIStatic::SetTextureColor(0x7fffffff);
 }
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.h b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.h
index 9de1b9042..325717406 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMap.h
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ class CUIMapWnd;
 
 class CUICustomMap : public CUIStatic, public CUIWndCallback {
 protected:
-    shared_str m_name;
+    std::string m_name;
 
     Frect m_BoundRect_; // real map size (meters)
     Flags16 m_flags;
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class CUICustomMap : public CUIStatic, public CUIWndCallback {
 
     virtual void SetActivePoint(const Fvector& vNewPoint);
 
-    void Initialize(shared_str name, LPCSTR sh_name);
+    void Initialize(std::string name, LPCSTR sh_name);
     virtual Fvector2
     ConvertRealToLocal(const Fvector2& src,
                        bool for_drawing); // meters->pixels (relatively own left-top pos)
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ class CUICustomMap : public CUIStatic, public CUIWndCallback {
     const Frect& BoundRect() const { return m_BoundRect_; }
     virtual void OptimalFit(const Frect& r);
 
-    const shared_str& MapName() { return m_name; }
-    virtual CUIGlobalMapSpot* GlobalMapSpot() { return NULL; }
+    const std::string& MapName() { return m_name; }
+    virtual CUIGlobalMapSpot* GlobalMapSpot() { return nullptr; }
 
     virtual void Draw();
     virtual void Update();
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class CUICustomMap : public CUIStatic, public CUIWndCallback {
     float GetPointerDistance() { return m_pointer_dist; };
 
 protected:
-    virtual void Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
+    virtual void Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
                                LPCSTR sh_name);
     virtual void UpdateSpots(){};
 };
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class CUIGlobalMap : public CUICustomMap {
     void Initialize();
 
 protected:
-    virtual void Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
+    virtual void Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
                                LPCSTR sh_name);
 };
 
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class CUILevelMap : public CUICustomMap {
 
 protected:
     virtual void UpdateSpots();
-    virtual void Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
+    virtual void Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
                                LPCSTR sh_name);
 };
 
@@ -151,6 +151,6 @@ class CUIMiniMap : public CUICustomMap {
 
 protected:
     virtual void UpdateSpots();
-    virtual void Init_internal(const shared_str& name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
+    virtual void Init_internal(std::string name, CInifile& pLtx, const shared_str& sect_name,
                                LPCSTR sh_name);
 };
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.cpp
index 31c448b4f..7d9894e87 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.cpp
@@ -42,20 +42,22 @@ CUIMapWnd::CUIMapWnd() {
     //	UIMainMapHeader			= NULL;
     m_scroll_mode = false;
     m_nav_timing = Device.dwTimeGlobal;
-    hint_wnd = NULL;
+    hint_wnd = nullptr;
     g_map_wnd = this;
 }
 
 CUIMapWnd::~CUIMapWnd() {
     delete_data(m_ActionPlanner);
-    delete_data(m_GameMaps);
+    for (auto& item : m_GameMaps) {
+        xr_delete(item.second);
+    }
     delete_data(m_map_location_hint);
     /*
     #ifdef DEBUG
             delete_data( m_dbg_text_hint );
             delete_data( m_dbg_info );
     #endif // DEBUG/**/
-    g_map_wnd = NULL;
+    g_map_wnd = nullptr;
 }
 
 void CUIMapWnd::Init(LPCSTR xml_name, LPCSTR start_from) {
@@ -144,7 +146,8 @@ void CUIMapWnd::Init(LPCSTR xml_name, LPCSTR start_from) {
         CInifile::Sect& S = pGameIni->r_section(sect_name.c_str());
         auto it = S.Data.cbegin(), end = S.Data.cend();
         for (; it != end; it++) {
-            shared_str map_name = it->first;
+            // TODO: [imdex] remove shared_str
+            std::string map_name(*it->first);
             xr_strlwr(map_name);
             R_ASSERT2(m_GameMaps.end() == m_GameMaps.find(map_name),
                       "Duplicate level name not allowed");
@@ -152,7 +155,8 @@ void CUIMapWnd::Init(LPCSTR xml_name, LPCSTR start_from) {
             CUICustomMap*& l = m_GameMaps[map_name];
 
             l = xr_new<CUILevelMap>(this);
-            R_ASSERT2(pGameIni->section_exist(map_name), map_name.c_str());
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+            R_ASSERT2(pGameIni->section_exist(map_name.c_str()), map_name.c_str());
             l->Initialize(map_name, "hud\\default");
 
             l->OptimalFit(m_UILevelFrame->GetWndRect());
@@ -171,9 +175,9 @@ void CUIMapWnd::Init(LPCSTR xml_name, LPCSTR start_from) {
             CUILevelMap* l2 = smart_cast<CUILevelMap*>(it2->second);
             VERIFY(l2);
             if (l->GlobalRect().intersected(l2->GlobalRect())) {
-                Msg(" --error-incorrect map definition global rect of map [%s] intersects with "
-                    "[%s]",
-                    *l->MapName(), *l2->MapName());
+                LogMsg(" --error-incorrect map definition global rect of map [{0}] intersects with "
+                    "[{1}]",
+                    l->MapName(), l2->MapName());
             }
         }
         if (FALSE == l->GlobalRect().intersected(GlobalMap()->BoundRect())) {
@@ -243,7 +247,7 @@ void CUIMapWnd::RemoveMapToRender(CUICustomMap* m) {
         m_UILevelFrame->DetachChild(smart_cast<CUIWindow*>(m));
 }
 
-void CUIMapWnd::SetTargetMap(const shared_str& name, const Fvector2& pos, bool bZoomIn) {
+void CUIMapWnd::SetTargetMap(const std::string& name, const Fvector2& pos, bool bZoomIn) {
     u16 idx = GetIdxByName(name);
     if (idx != u16(-1)) {
         CUICustomMap* lm = GetMapByIdx(idx);
@@ -251,7 +255,7 @@ void CUIMapWnd::SetTargetMap(const shared_str& name, const Fvector2& pos, bool b
     }
 }
 
-void CUIMapWnd::SetTargetMap(const shared_str& name, bool bZoomIn) {
+void CUIMapWnd::SetTargetMap(const std::string& name, bool bZoomIn) {
     u16 idx = GetIdxByName(name);
     if (idx != u16(-1)) {
         CUICustomMap* lm = GetMapByIdx(idx);
@@ -450,10 +454,10 @@ CUICustomMap* CUIMapWnd::GetMapByIdx(u16 idx) {
     return it->second;
 }
 
-u16 CUIMapWnd::GetIdxByName(const shared_str& map_name) {
+u16 CUIMapWnd::GetIdxByName(const std::string& map_name) {
     auto it = m_GameMaps.find(map_name);
     if (it == m_GameMaps.end()) {
-        Msg("~ Level Map '%s' not registered", map_name.c_str());
+        LogMsg("~ Level Map '{}' not registered", map_name);
         return u16(-1);
     }
     return (u16)std::distance(m_GameMaps.begin(), it);
@@ -607,7 +611,7 @@ void CUIMapWnd::HideHint(CUIWindow* parent) {
 
 void CUIMapWnd::HideCurHint() { m_map_location_hint->SetOwner(NULL); }
 
-void CUIMapWnd::Hint(const shared_str& text) {
+void CUIMapWnd::Hint(const std::string_view text) {
     /*
 #ifdef DEBUG
     m_dbg_text_hint->SetTextST( *text );
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.h b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.h
index 44ea9544e..42997ffb2 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/ui/UIMapWnd.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class CGameTask;
 class CUIXml;
 class UIHint;
 
-using GameMaps = xr_map<shared_str, CUICustomMap*>;
+using GameMaps = xr_map<std::string, CUICustomMap*>;
 
 class CUIMapWnd : public CUIWindow, public CUIWndCallback {
     typedef CUIWindow inherited;
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ class CUIMapWnd : public CUIWindow, public CUIWndCallback {
 
     void HideHint(CUIWindow* parent);
     void HideCurHint();
-    void Hint(const shared_str& text);
+    void Hint(const std::string_view text);
     virtual bool OnMouseAction(float x, float y, EUIMessages mouse_action);
     virtual bool OnKeyboardAction(int dik, EUIMessages keyboard_action);
     virtual bool OnKeyboardHold(int dik);
@@ -141,8 +141,8 @@ class CUIMapWnd : public CUIWindow, public CUIWndCallback {
 
     void SetTargetMap(CUICustomMap* m, bool bZoomIn = false);
     void SetTargetMap(CUICustomMap* m, const Fvector2& pos, bool bZoomIn = false);
-    void SetTargetMap(const shared_str& name, const Fvector2& pos, bool bZoomIn = false);
-    void SetTargetMap(const shared_str& name, bool bZoomIn = false);
+    void SetTargetMap(const std::string& name, const Fvector2& pos, bool bZoomIn = false);
+    void SetTargetMap(const std::string& name, bool bZoomIn = false);
 
     void MapLocationRelcase(CMapLocation* ml);
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class CUIMapWnd : public CUIWindow, public CUIWndCallback {
     CUIGlobalMap* GlobalMap() { return m_GlobalMap; };
     const GameMaps& GameMaps() { return m_GameMaps; };
     CUICustomMap* GetMapByIdx(u16 idx);
-    u16 GetIdxByName(const shared_str& map_name);
+    u16 GetIdxByName(const std::string& map_name);
     void UpdateScroll();
     shared_str cName() const { return "ui_map_wnd"; };
 };
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.cpp b/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.cpp
index 716f81a2c..535f1e991 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.cpp
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.cpp
@@ -767,8 +767,8 @@ void xrServer::verify_entity(const CSE_Abstract* entity) const {
 
 #endif // DEBUG
 
-shared_str xrServer::level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const {
-    return (game->level_name(server_options));
+std::string xrServer::level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const {
+    return game->level_name(server_options);
 }
 shared_str xrServer::level_version(const shared_str& server_options) const {
     return (game_sv_GameState::parse_level_version(server_options));
diff --git a/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.h b/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.h
index 3d0657d26..cbcd82244 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrGame/xrServer.h
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ class xrServer : public IPureServer {
     void SLS_Clear();
     void SLS_Save(IWriter& fs);
     void SLS_Load(IReader& fs);
-    shared_str level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const;
+    std::string level_name(const shared_str& server_options) const;
     shared_str level_version(const shared_str& server_options) const;
     static LPCSTR get_map_download_url(LPCSTR level_name, LPCSTR level_version);
 
diff --git a/code/engine/xrServerEntities/game_graph_space.h b/code/engine/xrServerEntities/game_graph_space.h
index 39f62b499..38c0e9e7c 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrServerEntities/game_graph_space.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrServerEntities/game_graph_space.h
@@ -32,22 +32,23 @@ struct
 class
 #endif
     SLevel {
-    shared_str m_name;
+    std::string m_name;
     Fvector m_offset;
     _LEVEL_ID m_id;
-    shared_str m_section;
+    std::string m_section;
     xrGUID m_guid;
 
 public:
-    IC const shared_str& name() const { return (m_name); }
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    const std::string& name() const { return m_name; }
 
-    IC const Fvector& offset() const { return (m_offset); }
+    Fvector offset() const { return m_offset; }
 
-    IC const _LEVEL_ID& id() const { return (m_id); }
+    const _LEVEL_ID& id() const { return m_id; }
 
-    IC const shared_str& section() const { return (m_section); }
+    std::string_view section() const { return m_section; }
 
-    IC const xrGUID& guid() const { return (m_guid); }
+    const xrGUID& guid() const { return m_guid; }
 
     IC void load(IReader* reader);
     IC void save(IWriter* writer);
diff --git a/code/engine/xrServerEntities/object_destroyer.h b/code/engine/xrServerEntities/object_destroyer.h
index 4109f06b8..80f990c0c 100644
--- a/code/engine/xrServerEntities/object_destroyer.h
+++ b/code/engine/xrServerEntities/object_destroyer.h
@@ -9,18 +9,18 @@
 #pragma once
 
 struct CDestroyer {
-    IC static void delete_data(LPCSTR data) {}
+    static void delete_data(LPCSTR data) {}
 
-    IC static void delete_data(LPSTR data) { xr_free(data); }
+    static void delete_data(LPSTR data) { xr_free(data); }
 
     template <typename T1, typename T2>
-    IC static void delete_data(std::pair<T1, T2>& data) {
+    static void delete_data(std::pair<T1, T2>& data) {
         delete_data(data.first);
         delete_data(data.second);
     }
 
     template <typename T, int size>
-    IC static void delete_data(svector<T, size>& data) {
+    static void delete_data(svector<T, size>& data) {
         svector<T, size>::iterator I = data.begin();
         svector<T, size>::iterator E = data.end();
         for (; I != E; ++I)
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ struct CDestroyer {
     }
 
     template <typename T, int n>
-    IC static void delete_data(T (&array)[n]) {
+    static void delete_data(T (&array)[n]) {
         T* I = array;
         T* E = array + n;
         for (; I != E; ++I)
@@ -37,14 +37,14 @@ struct CDestroyer {
     }
 
     template <typename T1, typename T2>
-    IC static void delete_data(std::queue<T1, T2>& data) {
+    static void delete_data(std::queue<T1, T2>& data) {
         std::queue<T1, T2> temp = data;
         for (; !temp.empty(); temp.pop())
             delete_data(temp.front());
     }
 
     template <template <typename _1, typename _2> class T1, typename T2, typename T3>
-    IC static void delete_data(T1<T2, T3>& data, bool) {
+    static void delete_data(T1<T2, T3>& data, bool) {
         T1<T2, T3> temp = data;
         for (; !temp.empty(); temp.pop())
             delete_data(temp.top());
@@ -52,29 +52,29 @@ struct CDestroyer {
 
     template <template <typename _1, typename _2, typename _3> class T1, typename T2, typename T3,
               typename T4>
-    IC static void delete_data(T1<T2, T3, T4>& data, bool) {
+    static void delete_data(T1<T2, T3, T4>& data, bool) {
         T1<T2, T3, T4> temp = data;
         for (; !temp.empty(); temp.pop())
             delete_data(temp.top());
     }
 
     template <typename T1, typename T2>
-    IC static void delete_data(xr_stack<T1, T2>& data) {
+    static void delete_data(xr_stack<T1, T2>& data) {
         delete_data(data, true);
     }
 
     template <typename T1, typename T2, typename T3>
-    IC static void delete_data(std::priority_queue<T1, T2, T3>& data) {
+    static void delete_data(std::priority_queue<T1, T2, T3>& data) {
         delete_data(data, true);
     }
 
     template <typename T>
     struct CHelper1 {
         template <bool a>
-        IC static void delete_data(T&) {}
+        static void delete_data(T&) {}
 
         template <>
-        IC static void delete_data<true>(T& data) {
+        static void delete_data<true>(T& data) {
             data.destroy();
         }
     };
@@ -82,13 +82,13 @@ struct CDestroyer {
     template <typename T>
     struct CHelper2 {
         template <bool a>
-        IC static void delete_data(T& data) {
+        static void delete_data(T& data) {
             CHelper1<T>::delete_data<
                 object_type_traits::is_base_and_derived<IPureDestroyableObject, T>::value>(data);
         }
 
         template <>
-        IC static void delete_data<true>(T& data) {
+        static void delete_data<true>(T& data) {
             if (data)
                 CDestroyer::delete_data(*data);
             xr_delete(data);
@@ -97,9 +97,9 @@ struct CDestroyer {
 
     struct CHelper3 {
         template <typename T>
-        IC static void delete_data(T& data) {
-            T::iterator I = data.begin();
-            T::iterator E = data.end();
+        static void delete_data(T& data) {
+            auto I = data.begin();
+            auto E = data.end();
             for (; I != E; ++I)
                 CDestroyer::delete_data(*I);
             data.clear();
@@ -109,24 +109,24 @@ struct CDestroyer {
     template <typename T>
     struct CHelper4 {
         template <bool a>
-        IC static void delete_data(T& data) {
+        static void delete_data(T& data) {
             CHelper2<T>::delete_data<object_type_traits::is_pointer<T>::value>(data);
         }
 
         template <>
-        IC static void delete_data<true>(T& data) {
+        static void delete_data<true>(T& data) {
             CHelper3::delete_data(data);
         }
     };
 
     template <typename T>
-    IC static void delete_data(T& data) {
+    static void delete_data(T& data) {
         CHelper4<T>::delete_data<object_type_traits::is_stl_container<T>::value>(data);
     }
 };
 
 template <typename T>
-IC void delete_data(const T& data) {
+void delete_data(const T& data) {
     T* temp = const_cast<T*>(&data);
     CDestroyer::delete_data(*temp);
 }
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.cpp b/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.cpp
index 23945a9bb..031a01106 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.cpp
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.cpp
@@ -46,12 +46,13 @@ void CGameGraphBuilder::create_graph(const float& start, const float& amount) {
 void CGameGraphBuilder::load_level_graph(const float& start, const float& amount) {
     Progress(start);
 
-    Msg("Loading AI map");
+    Log("Loading AI map");
 
     VERIFY(!m_level_graph);
-    m_level_graph = xr_new<CLevelGraph>(*m_level_name);
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    m_level_graph = xr_new<CLevelGraph>(m_level_name.c_str());
 
-    Msg("%d nodes loaded", level_graph().header().vertex_count());
+    LogMsg("{} nodes loaded", level_graph().header().vertex_count());
 
     Progress(start + amount);
 }
@@ -137,10 +138,11 @@ void CGameGraphBuilder::load_graph_point(NET_Packet& net_packet) {
 void CGameGraphBuilder::load_graph_points(const float& start, const float& amount) {
     Progress(start);
 
-    Msg("Loading graph points");
+    Log("Loading graph points");
 
     string_path spawn_file_name;
-    strconcat(sizeof(spawn_file_name), spawn_file_name, *m_level_name, "level.spawn");
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    strconcat(sizeof(spawn_file_name), spawn_file_name, m_level_name.c_str(), "level.spawn");
     IReader* reader = FS.r_open(spawn_file_name);
     u32 id;
     NET_Packet net_packet;
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.h b/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.h
index e3fc94a65..85791b180 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.h
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_builder.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class CGameGraphBuilder {
     LPCSTR m_cross_table_name;
 
 private:
-    shared_str m_level_name;
+    std::string m_level_name;
 
 private:
     CLevelGraph* m_level_graph;
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_inline.h b/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_inline.h
index 26d96e877..f6288bc57 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_inline.h
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/game_graph_inline.h
@@ -124,11 +124,10 @@ IC const GameGraph::SLevel& GameGraph::CHeader::level(const _LEVEL_ID& id) const
 }
 
 IC const GameGraph::SLevel& GameGraph::CHeader::level(LPCSTR level_name) const {
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator I = levels().begin();
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator E = levels().end();
-    for (; I != E; ++I)
-        if (!xr_strcmp((*I).second.name(), level_name))
-            return ((*I).second);
+    for (const auto& I : levels()) {
+        if (I.second.name() == level_name)
+            return I.second;
+    }
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
     Msg("! There is no specified level %s in the game graph!", level_name);
@@ -140,13 +139,11 @@ IC const GameGraph::SLevel& GameGraph::CHeader::level(LPCSTR level_name) const {
 }
 
 IC const GameGraph::SLevel* GameGraph::CHeader::level(LPCSTR level_name, bool) const {
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator I = levels().begin();
-    LEVEL_MAP::const_iterator E = levels().end();
-    for (; I != E; ++I)
-        if (!xr_strcmp((*I).second.name(), level_name))
-            return (&(*I).second);
-
-    return (0);
+    for (const auto& I : levels()) {
+        if (I.second.name() == level_name)
+            return &(I.second);
+    }
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 IC const xrGUID& CGameGraph::CHeader::guid() const { return (m_guid); }
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.cpp b/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.cpp
index 31e6c95a3..99ee5df3a 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.cpp
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.cpp
@@ -37,12 +37,10 @@ CGameSpawnConstructor::~CGameSpawnConstructor() {
     xr_delete(m_patrol_path_storage);
 }
 
-IC shared_str CGameSpawnConstructor::actor_level_name() {
-    string256 temp;
-    return (strconcat(
-        sizeof(temp), temp,
-        *game_graph().header().level(game_graph().vertex(m_actor->m_tGraphID)->level_id()).name(),
-        ".spawn"));
+IC std::string CGameSpawnConstructor::actor_level_name() const {
+    XrWriterAs<string256> writer;
+    writer.write("{0}.spawn", game_graph().header().level(game_graph().vertex(m_actor->m_tGraphID)->level_id()).name());
+    return writer.str();
 }
 
 extern void read_levels(CInifile* ini, xr_set<CLevelInfo>& m_levels, bool rebuild_graph,
@@ -77,13 +75,11 @@ void CGameSpawnConstructor::load_spawns(LPCSTR name, bool no_separator_check) {
 
     // load levels
     GameGraph::SLevel level;
-    LEVEL_INFO_STORAGE::const_iterator I = m_levels.begin();
-    LEVEL_INFO_STORAGE::const_iterator E = m_levels.end();
-    for (; I != E; ++I) {
-        level.m_offset = (*I).m_offset;
-        level.m_name = (*I).m_name;
-        level.m_id = (*I).m_id;
-        Msg("%9s %2d %s", "level", level.id(), *(*I).m_name);
+    for (const auto& l : m_levels) {
+        level.m_offset = l.m_offset;
+        level.m_name = l.m_name;
+        level.m_id = l.m_id;
+        LogMsg("{:9s} {:2d} {}", "level", level.id(), l.m_name);
         m_level_spawns.push_back(xr_new<CLevelSpawnConstructor>(level, this, no_separator_check));
     }
 
@@ -182,20 +178,22 @@ void CGameSpawnConstructor::save_spawn(LPCSTR name, LPCSTR output) {
     m_game_graph->save(stream);
     stream.close_chunk();
 
-    stream.save_to(*spawn_name(output));
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    stream.save_to(spawn_name(output).c_str());
 }
 
-shared_str CGameSpawnConstructor::spawn_name(LPCSTR output) {
+IC std::string CGameSpawnConstructor::spawn_name(LPCSTR output) {
     string_path file_name;
     if (!output)
-        FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_spawn$", *actor_level_name());
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+        FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_spawn$", actor_level_name().c_str());
     else {
         actor_level_name();
         string_path out;
         strconcat(sizeof(out), out, output, ".spawn");
         FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_spawn$", out);
     }
-    return (file_name);
+    return file_name;
 }
 
 void CGameSpawnConstructor::add_story_object(ALife::_STORY_ID id, CSE_ALifeDynamicObject* object,
@@ -233,8 +231,8 @@ void CGameSpawnConstructor::process_actor(LPCSTR start_level_name) {
         if (!(*I)->actor())
             continue;
 
-        Msg("Actor is on the level %s",
-            *game_graph()
+        LogMsg("Actor is on the level {}",
+             game_graph()
                  .header()
                  .level(game_graph().vertex((*I)->actor()->m_tGraphID)->level_id())
                  .name());
@@ -247,7 +245,7 @@ void CGameSpawnConstructor::process_actor(LPCSTR start_level_name) {
     if (!start_level_name)
         return;
 
-    if (!xr_strcmp(*actor_level_name(), start_level_name))
+    if (actor_level_name() == start_level_name)
         return;
 
     const CGameGraph::SLevel& level = game_graph().header().level(start_level_name);
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.h b/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.h
index 7e44979b8..06b9f1489 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.h
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/game_spawn_constructor.h
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ class CGameSpawnConstructor {
     string_path m_game_graph_id;
 
 private:
-    IC shared_str actor_level_name();
-    IC shared_str spawn_name(LPCSTR output);
+    IC std::string actor_level_name() const;
+    IC std::string spawn_name(LPCSTR output);
     void save_spawn(LPCSTR name, LPCSTR output);
     void verify_level_changers();
     void verify_spawns(ALife::_SPAWN_ID spawn_id);
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/level_spawn_constructor.cpp b/code/utils/xrAI/level_spawn_constructor.cpp
index 55cc59de0..7f60dba07 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/level_spawn_constructor.cpp
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/level_spawn_constructor.cpp
@@ -60,17 +60,20 @@ IC CGraphEngine& CLevelSpawnConstructor::graph_engine() const { return (*m_graph
 void CLevelSpawnConstructor::init() {
     // loading level graph
     string_path file_name;
-    FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_levels$", *m_level.name());
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_levels$", m_level.name().c_str());
     xr_strcat(file_name, "\\");
     m_level_graph = xr_new<CLevelGraph>(file_name);
 
     // loading cross table
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
     m_game_spawn_constructor->game_graph().set_current_level(
-        game_graph().header().level(*m_level.name()).id());
+        game_graph().header().level(m_level.name().c_str()).id());
     m_cross_table = &game_graph().cross_table();
 
     // loading patrol paths
-    FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_levels$", *m_level.name());
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_levels$", m_level.name().c_str());
     xr_strcat(file_name, "\\level.game");
     if (FS.exist(file_name)) {
         IReader* stream = FS.r_open(file_name);
@@ -120,8 +123,9 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::add_graph_point(CSE_Abstract* abstract) {
 //}
 
 void CLevelSpawnConstructor::add_story_object(CSE_ALifeDynamicObject* dynamic_object) {
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
     m_game_spawn_constructor->add_story_object(dynamic_object->m_story_id, dynamic_object,
-                                               *m_level.name());
+                                               m_level.name().c_str());
 }
 
 void CLevelSpawnConstructor::add_space_restrictor(CSE_ALifeDynamicObject* dynamic_object) {
@@ -175,7 +179,8 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::add_free_object(CSE_Abstract* abstract) {
 void CLevelSpawnConstructor::load_objects() {
     // loading spawn points
     string_path file_name;
-    FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_levels$", *m_level.name());
+    // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+    FS.update_path(file_name, "$game_levels$", m_level.name().c_str());
     xr_strcat(file_name, "\\level.spawn");
     IReader* level_spawn = FS.r_open(file_name);
     u32 id;
@@ -205,7 +210,7 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::load_objects() {
 
         CSE_ALifeCreatureActor* actor = smart_cast<CSE_ALifeCreatureActor*>(alife_object);
         if (actor) {
-            R_ASSERT3(!m_actor, "Too many actors on the level ", *m_level.name());
+            R_ASSERT3(!m_actor, "Too many actors on the level ", m_level.name());
             m_actor = actor;
         }
 
@@ -304,10 +309,9 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::correct_objects() {
             }
         }
     if (dwStart >= dwFinish) {
-        string4096 S;
-        xr_sprintf(S, "There are no graph vertices in the game graph for the level '%s' !\n",
-                   *m_level.name());
-        R_ASSERT2(dwStart < dwFinish, S);
+        XrWriterAs<string4096> writer;
+        writer.write("There are no graph vertices in the game graph for the level '{}' !\n", m_level.name());
+        R_ASSERT2(dwStart < dwFinish, writer.strView());
     }
 
     for (int i = 0; i < (int)m_spawns.size(); i++) {
@@ -325,8 +329,9 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::correct_objects() {
         if (m_spawns[i]->used_ai_locations() &&
             !level_graph().inside(level_graph().vertex(m_spawns[i]->m_tNodeID), position)) {
             Fvector new_position = level_graph().vertex_position(m_spawns[i]->m_tNodeID);
+            // TODO: [imdex] refactor clMsg + use string_view
             clMsg("[%s][%s][%s] : position changed from [%f][%f][%f] -> [%f][%f][%f]",
-                  *m_level.name(), *m_spawns[i]->s_name, m_spawns[i]->name_replace(),
+                  m_level.name().c_str(), *m_spawns[i]->s_name, m_spawns[i]->name_replace(),
                   VPUSH(position), VPUSH(new_position));
             m_spawns[i]->o_Position = new_position;
         }
@@ -338,12 +343,14 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::correct_objects() {
                 S, sizeof(S1) - (S1 - &S[0]),
                 "Corresponding graph vertex for the spawn point is located on the ANOTHER level\n",
                 m_spawns[i]->name_replace());
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
             S += xr_sprintf(S, sizeof(S1) - (S1 - &S[0]), "Current level  : [%d][%s]\n",
-                            m_level.id(), *game_graph().header().level(m_level.id()).name());
+                            m_level.id(), game_graph().header().level(m_level.id()).name().c_str());
+            // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
             S += xr_sprintf(
                 S, sizeof(S1) - (S1 - &S[0]), "Conflict level : [%d][%s]\n",
                 game_graph().vertex(dwBest)->level_id(),
-                *game_graph().header().level(game_graph().vertex(dwBest)->level_id()).name());
+                game_graph().header().level(game_graph().vertex(dwBest)->level_id()).name().c_str());
             S += xr_sprintf(S, sizeof(S1) - (S1 - &S[0]),
                             "Probably, you filled offsets in \"game_levels.ltx\" incorrect");
             R_ASSERT2(game_graph().vertex(dwBest)->level_id() == m_level.id(), S1);
@@ -622,7 +629,7 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::update() {
 }
 
 void CLevelSpawnConstructor::verify_space_restrictors() {
-    Msg("Level [%s] : searching for AI map separators space restrictors", *m_level.name());
+    LogMsg("Level [{}] : searching for AI map separators space restrictors", m_level.name());
     SPACE_RESTRICTORS::iterator I = m_space_restrictors.begin();
     SPACE_RESTRICTORS::iterator E = m_space_restrictors.end();
     for (; I != E; ++I) {
@@ -637,5 +644,5 @@ void CLevelSpawnConstructor::verify_space_restrictors() {
     delete_data(m_space_restrictors);
 
     if (m_no_separator_check)
-        Msg("Level [%s] : no separators found", *m_level.name());
+        LogMsg("Level [{}] : no separators found", m_level.name());
 }
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.cpp b/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.cpp
index ab0bf5f5c..15a9bbbb8 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.cpp
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.cpp
@@ -269,16 +269,16 @@ class CLevelGameGraph {
                 F_entity_Destroy(E);
             }
             if (i != m_tpGraph->header().vertex_count())
-                Msg("Graph for the level %s doesn't correspond to the graph points from Level "
-                    "Editor! (%d : %d)",
-                    *m_tLevel.name(), i, m_tpGraph->header().vertex_count());
+                LogMsg("Graph for the level {0} doesn't correspond to the graph points from Level "
+                    "Editor! ({1} : {2})",
+                    m_tLevel.name(), i, m_tpGraph->header().vertex_count());
 
             VERTEX_MAP::const_iterator I = m_tVertexMap.begin();
             VERTEX_MAP::const_iterator E = m_tVertexMap.end();
             for (; I != E; ++I) {
                 R_ASSERT3(!xr_strlen((*I).second.caConnectName) ||
                               ((*I).second.tGraphID < m_tpVertices.size()),
-                          "Rebuild graph for the level", *m_tLevel.name());
+                          "Rebuild graph for the level", m_tLevel.name());
             }
 
             //			VERIFY3									(i == m_tpGraph->header().vertex_count(), "Rebuild
@@ -458,23 +458,19 @@ void read_levels(CInifile* Ini, xr_set<CLevelInfo>& levels, bool rebuild_graph,
 
         {
             bool ok = true;
-            xr_set<CLevelInfo>::const_iterator I = levels.begin();
-            xr_set<CLevelInfo>::const_iterator E = levels.end();
-            for (; I != E; ++I) {
-                if (!xr_strcmp((*I).m_section, N)) {
-                    Msg("! Duplicated line %s in section \"levels\" in the %s", N, GAME_CONFIG);
+            for (const auto& I : levels) {
+                if (I.m_section == N) {
+                    LogMsg(R"(! Duplicated line {0} in section "levels" in the {1})", N, GAME_CONFIG);
                     ok = false;
                     break;
                 }
-                if (!xr_strcmp((*I).m_name, S)) {
-                    Msg("! Duplicated level name %s in the %s, sections %s, %s", S, GAME_CONFIG,
-                        *(*I).m_section, N);
+                if (I.m_name == S) {
+                    LogMsg("! Duplicated level name {0} in the {1}, sections {2}, {3}", S, GAME_CONFIG, I.m_section, N);
                     ok = false;
                     break;
                 }
-                if ((*I).m_id == id) {
-                    Msg("! Duplicated level id %d in the %s, section %s, level %s", id, GAME_CONFIG,
-                        N, S);
+                if (I.m_id == id) {
+                    LogMsg("! Duplicated level id {0} in the {1}, section {2}, level {3}", id, GAME_CONFIG, N, S);
                     ok = false;
                     break;
                 }
@@ -568,22 +564,23 @@ CGraphMerger::CGraphMerger(LPCSTR game_graph_id, LPCSTR name, bool rebuild) {
 
     read_levels(Ini, levels, rebuild, &needed_levels);
 
-    xr_set<CLevelInfo>::const_iterator I = levels.begin();
-    xr_set<CLevelInfo>::const_iterator E = levels.end();
-    for (; I != E; ++I) {
-        tLevel.m_offset = (*I).m_offset;
-        tLevel.m_name = (*I).m_name;
-        xr_strcpy(S1, sizeof(S1), *(*I).m_name);
+    for (const auto& I : levels) {
+        tLevel.m_offset = I.m_offset;
+        tLevel.m_name = I.m_name;
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+        xr_strcpy(S1, sizeof(S1), I.m_name.c_str());
         strconcat(sizeof(S2), S2, name, S1);
         strconcat(sizeof(S1), S1, S2, "\\");
-        tLevel.m_id = (*I).m_id;
-        tLevel.m_section = (*I).m_section;
-        Msg("%9s %2d %s", "level", tLevel.id(), *tLevel.m_name);
+        tLevel.m_id = I.m_id;
+        tLevel.m_section = I.m_section;
+        LogMsg("{:9s} {:2d} {}", "level", tLevel.id(), tLevel.m_name);
         string_path _0, _1;
-        generate_temp_file_name("local_graph_", *tLevel.m_name, _0);
-        generate_temp_file_name("raw_cross_table_", *tLevel.m_name, _1);
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+        generate_temp_file_name("local_graph_", tLevel.m_name.c_str(), _0);
+        generate_temp_file_name("raw_cross_table_", tLevel.m_name.c_str(), _1);
         string_path level_folder;
-        FS.update_path(level_folder, "$game_levels$", *tLevel.m_name);
+        // TODO: [imdex] use string_view
+        FS.update_path(level_folder, "$game_levels$", tLevel.m_name.c_str());
         xr_strcat(level_folder, "\\");
         CGameGraphBuilder().build_graph(_0, _1, level_folder);
         ::CLevelGameGraph* tpLevelGraph =
@@ -617,10 +614,10 @@ CGraphMerger::CGraphMerger(LPCSTR game_graph_id, LPCSTR name, bool rebuild) {
                     R_ASSERT(K != tpGraphs.end());
                     auto M = (*K).second->m_tVertexMap.find(tConnectionVertex.caConnectName);
                     if (M == (*K).second->m_tVertexMap.end()) {
-                        Msg("Level %s with id %d has an INVALID connection point %s,\nwhich "
-                            "references to graph point %s on the level %s with id %d\n",
-                            *(*I).second->m_tLevel.name(), (*I).second->m_tLevel.id(), (*i).first,
-                            tConnectionVertex.caConnectName, *(*K).second->m_tLevel.name(),
+                        LogMsg("Level {0} with id {1} has an INVALID connection point {2},\nwhich "
+                            "references to graph point {3} on the level {4} with id {5}\n",
+                            (*I).second->m_tLevel.name(), (*I).second->m_tLevel.id(), (*i).first,
+                            tConnectionVertex.caConnectName, (*K).second->m_tLevel.name(),
                             (*K).second->m_tLevel.id());
                         R_ASSERT(M != (*K).second->m_tVertexMap.end());
                     }
@@ -629,10 +626,10 @@ CGraphMerger::CGraphMerger(LPCSTR game_graph_id, LPCSTR name, bool rebuild) {
                     //{
                     //						__asm int 3;
                     //					}
-                    Msg("Level %s with id %d has VALID connection point %s,\nwhich references to "
-                        "graph point %s on the level %s with id %d\n",
-                        *(*I).second->m_tLevel.name(), (*I).second->m_tLevel.id(), (*i).first,
-                        tConnectionVertex.caConnectName, *(*K).second->m_tLevel.name(),
+                    LogMsg("Level {0} with id {1} has VALID connection point {2},\nwhich references to "
+                        "graph point {3} on the level {4} with id {5}\n",
+                        (*I).second->m_tLevel.name(), (*I).second->m_tLevel.id(), (*i).first,
+                        tConnectionVertex.caConnectName, (*K).second->m_tLevel.name(),
                         (*K).second->m_tLevel.id());
 
                     VERIFY(((*M).second.tGraphID + (*K).second->m_dwOffset) <
diff --git a/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.h b/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.h
index 6a01e5006..0625cf9bf 100644
--- a/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.h
+++ b/code/utils/xrAI/xr_graph_merge.h
@@ -10,14 +10,14 @@
 
 struct CLevelInfo {
     u8 m_id;
-    shared_str m_name;
+    std::string m_name;
     Fvector m_offset;
-    shared_str m_section;
+    std::string m_section;
 
-    CLevelInfo(u8 id, shared_str name, const Fvector& offset, shared_str section)
-        : m_id(id), m_name(name), m_offset(offset), m_section(section) {}
+    CLevelInfo(const u8 id, std::string name, const Fvector& offset, std::string section)
+        : m_id(id), m_name(std::move(name)), m_offset(offset), m_section(std::move(section)) {}
 
-    IC bool operator<(const CLevelInfo& info) const { return (m_id < info.m_id); }
+    bool operator<(const CLevelInfo& info) const { return m_id < info.m_id; }
 };
 
 extern void xrMergeGraphs(LPCSTR game_graph_id, LPCSTR name, bool rebuild);
\ No newline at end of file