diff --git a/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.cpp b/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.cpp
index 820352ccbe..27e52fae64 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.cpp
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ void chat_draw(rct_drawpixelinfo* dpi, uint8_t chatBackgroundColor)
     }
 }
 
-void chat_history_add(const char* src)
+void chat_history_add(std::string_view s)
 {
     // Format a timestamp
     time_t timer{};
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ void chat_history_add(const char* src)
     strcatftime(timeBuffer, sizeof(timeBuffer), "[%H:%M] ", tmInfo);
 
     std::string buffer = timeBuffer;
-    buffer += src;
+    buffer += s;
 
     // Add to history list
     int32_t index = _chatHistoryIndex % CHAT_HISTORY_SIZE;
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void chat_history_add(const char* src)
     _chatHistoryIndex++;
 
     // Log to file (src only as logging does its own timestamp)
-    network_append_chat_log(src);
+    network_append_chat_log(s);
 
     Mixer_Play_Effect(OpenRCT2::Audio::SoundId::NewsItem, 0, MIXER_VOLUME_MAX, 0.5f, 1.5f, true);
 }
diff --git a/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.h b/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.h
index a51cba25a8..40db7583b9 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/interface/Chat.h
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 
 #include "../common.h"
 
+#include <string_view>
+
 #define CHAT_HISTORY_SIZE 10
 #define CHAT_INPUT_SIZE 1024
 #define CHAT_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH 200
@@ -37,7 +39,7 @@ void chat_init();
 void chat_update();
 void chat_draw(rct_drawpixelinfo* dpi, uint8_t chatBackgroundColour);
 
-void chat_history_add(const char* src);
+void chat_history_add(std::string_view s);
 void chat_input(ChatInput input);
 
 int32_t chat_string_wrapped_get_height(void* args, int32_t width);
diff --git a/src/openrct2/localisation/Formatting.cpp b/src/openrct2/localisation/Formatting.cpp
index 464185b2f5..a3a6289311 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/localisation/Formatting.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/localisation/Formatting.cpp
@@ -619,6 +619,7 @@ namespace OpenRCT2
     template void FormatArgument(FormatBuffer&, FormatToken, uint32_t);
     template void FormatArgument(FormatBuffer&, FormatToken, uint64_t);
     template void FormatArgument(FormatBuffer&, FormatToken, const char*);
+    template void FormatArgument(FormatBuffer&, FormatToken, std::string_view);
 
     bool IsRealNameStringId(rct_string_id id)
     {
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.cpp b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.cpp
index 581b125e5f..e88238c4cd 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "../actions/PeepPickupAction.h"
 #include "../core/Guard.hpp"
 #include "../core/Json.hpp"
+#include "../localisation/Formatting.h"
 #include "../platform/Platform2.h"
 #include "../scripting/ScriptEngine.h"
 #include "../ui/UiContext.h"
@@ -1064,7 +1065,7 @@ std::string NetworkBase::BeginLog(const std::string& directory, const std::strin
     return Path::Combine(directory, midName, filename);
 }
 
-void NetworkBase::AppendLog(std::ostream& fs, const std::string& s)
+void NetworkBase::AppendLog(std::ostream& fs, std::string_view s)
 {
     if (fs.fail())
     {
@@ -1079,7 +1080,7 @@ void NetworkBase::AppendLog(std::ostream& fs, const std::string& s)
         auto tmInfo = localtime(&timer);
         if (strftime(buffer, sizeof(buffer), "[%Y/%m/%d %H:%M:%S] ", tmInfo) != 0)
         {
-            String::Append(buffer, sizeof(buffer), s.c_str());
+            String::Append(buffer, sizeof(buffer), std::string(s).c_str());
             String::Append(buffer, sizeof(buffer), PLATFORM_NEWLINE);
 
             fs.write(buffer, strlen(buffer));
@@ -1105,7 +1106,7 @@ void NetworkBase::BeginChatLog()
 #    endif
 }
 
-void NetworkBase::AppendChatLog(const std::string& s)
+void NetworkBase::AppendChatLog(std::string_view s)
 {
     if (gConfigNetwork.log_chat && _chat_log_fs.is_open())
     {
@@ -2230,8 +2231,9 @@ void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_AUTH(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacke
             break;
         case NetworkAuth::BadVersion:
         {
-            const char* version = packet.ReadString();
-            connection.SetLastDisconnectReason(STR_MULTIPLAYER_INCORRECT_SOFTWARE_VERSION, &version);
+            auto version = std::string(packet.ReadString());
+            auto versionp = version.c_str();
+            connection.SetLastDisconnectReason(STR_MULTIPLAYER_INCORRECT_SOFTWARE_VERSION, &versionp);
             connection.Disconnect();
             break;
         }
@@ -2261,9 +2263,9 @@ void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_AUTH(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacke
     }
 }
 
-void NetworkBase::Server_Client_Joined(const char* name, const std::string& keyhash, NetworkConnection& connection)
+void NetworkBase::Server_Client_Joined(std::string_view name, const std::string& keyhash, NetworkConnection& connection)
 {
-    auto player = AddPlayer(name, keyhash);
+    auto player = AddPlayer(std::string(name), keyhash);
     connection.Player = player;
     if (player != nullptr)
     {
@@ -2510,15 +2512,14 @@ void NetworkBase::Server_Handle_AUTH(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacke
 {
     if (connection.AuthStatus != NetworkAuth::Ok)
     {
-        const char* hostName = connection.Socket->GetHostName();
-
-        const char* gameversion = packet.ReadString();
-        const char* name = packet.ReadString();
-        const char* password = packet.ReadString();
-        const char* pubkey = packet.ReadString();
+        auto* hostName = connection.Socket->GetHostName();
+        auto gameversion = packet.ReadString();
+        auto name = packet.ReadString();
+        auto password = packet.ReadString();
+        auto pubkey = packet.ReadString();
         uint32_t sigsize;
         packet >> sigsize;
-        if (pubkey == nullptr)
+        if (pubkey.empty())
         {
             connection.AuthStatus = NetworkAuth::VerificationFailure;
         }
@@ -2537,7 +2538,7 @@ void NetworkBase::Server_Handle_AUTH(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacke
 
                 std::memcpy(signature.data(), signatureData, sigsize);
 
-                auto ms = MemoryStream(pubkey, strlen(pubkey));
+                auto ms = MemoryStream(pubkey.data(), pubkey.size());
                 if (!connection.Key.LoadPublic(&ms))
                 {
                     throw std::runtime_error("Failed to load public key.");
@@ -2577,24 +2578,24 @@ void NetworkBase::Server_Handle_AUTH(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacke
             const NetworkGroup* group = GetGroupByID(GetGroupIDByHash(connection.Key.PublicKeyHash()));
             passwordless = group->CanPerformCommand(GameCommand::PasswordlessLogin);
         }
-        if (!gameversion || network_get_version() != gameversion)
+        if (gameversion != network_get_version())
         {
             connection.AuthStatus = NetworkAuth::BadVersion;
             log_info("Connection %s: Bad version.", hostName);
         }
-        else if (!name)
+        else if (name.empty())
         {
             connection.AuthStatus = NetworkAuth::BadName;
             log_info("Connection %s: Bad name.", connection.Socket->GetHostName());
         }
         else if (!passwordless)
         {
-            if ((!password || strlen(password) == 0) && !_password.empty())
+            if (password.empty() && !_password.empty())
             {
                 connection.AuthStatus = NetworkAuth::RequirePassword;
                 log_info("Connection %s: Requires password.", hostName);
             }
-            else if (password && _password != password)
+            else if (!password.empty() && _password != password)
             {
                 connection.AuthStatus = NetworkAuth::BadPassword;
                 log_info("Connection %s: Bad password.", hostName);
@@ -2830,10 +2831,10 @@ bool NetworkBase::SaveMap(IStream* stream, const std::vector<const ObjectReposit
 
 void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_CHAT([[maybe_unused]] NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet)
 {
-    const char* text = packet.ReadString();
-    if (text)
+    auto text = packet.ReadString();
+    if (!text.empty())
     {
-        chat_history_add(text);
+        chat_history_add(std::string(text));
     }
 }
 
@@ -2876,7 +2877,7 @@ static bool ProcessChatMessagePluginHooks(uint8_t playerId, std::string& text)
 void NetworkBase::Server_Handle_CHAT(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet)
 {
     auto szText = packet.ReadString();
-    if (szText == nullptr || szText[0] == '\0')
+    if (szText.empty())
         return;
 
     if (connection.Player)
@@ -2888,7 +2889,7 @@ void NetworkBase::Server_Handle_CHAT(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacke
         }
     }
 
-    std::string text = szText;
+    std::string text(szText);
     if (connection.Player != nullptr)
     {
         if (!ProcessChatMessagePluginHooks(connection.Player->Id, text))
@@ -3025,8 +3026,8 @@ void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_TICK([[maybe_unused]] NetworkConnection& connect
 
     if (flags & NETWORK_TICK_FLAG_CHECKSUMS)
     {
-        const char* text = packet.ReadString();
-        if (text != nullptr)
+        auto text = packet.ReadString();
+        if (!text.empty())
         {
             tickData.spriteHash = text;
         }
@@ -3110,12 +3111,10 @@ void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_PINGLIST([[maybe_unused]] NetworkConnection& con
 
 void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_SETDISCONNECTMSG(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet)
 {
-    static std::string msg;
-    const char* disconnectmsg = packet.ReadString();
-    if (disconnectmsg)
+    auto disconnectmsg = packet.ReadString();
+    if (!disconnectmsg.empty())
     {
-        msg = disconnectmsg;
-        connection.SetLastDisconnectReason(msg.c_str());
+        connection.SetLastDisconnectReason(disconnectmsg);
     }
 }
 
@@ -3147,32 +3146,31 @@ void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_GROUPLIST([[maybe_unused]] NetworkConnection& co
 
 void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_EVENT([[maybe_unused]] NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet)
 {
-    char text[256];
     uint16_t eventType;
     packet >> eventType;
     switch (eventType)
     {
         case SERVER_EVENT_PLAYER_JOINED:
         {
-            const char* playerName = packet.ReadString();
-            format_string(text, 256, STR_MULTIPLAYER_PLAYER_HAS_JOINED_THE_GAME, &playerName);
-            chat_history_add(text);
+            auto playerName = packet.ReadString();
+            auto message = FormatStringId(STR_MULTIPLAYER_PLAYER_HAS_JOINED_THE_GAME, playerName);
+            chat_history_add(message.c_str());
             break;
         }
         case SERVER_EVENT_PLAYER_DISCONNECTED:
         {
-            const char* playerName = packet.ReadString();
-            const char* reason = packet.ReadString();
-            const char* args[] = { playerName, reason };
-            if (str_is_null_or_empty(reason))
+            auto playerName = packet.ReadString();
+            auto reason = packet.ReadString();
+            std::string message;
+            if (reason.empty())
             {
-                format_string(text, 256, STR_MULTIPLAYER_PLAYER_HAS_DISCONNECTED_NO_REASON, args);
+                message = FormatStringId(STR_MULTIPLAYER_PLAYER_HAS_DISCONNECTED_NO_REASON, playerName);
             }
             else
             {
-                format_string(text, 256, STR_MULTIPLAYER_PLAYER_HAS_DISCONNECTED_WITH_REASON, args);
+                message = FormatStringId(STR_MULTIPLAYER_PLAYER_HAS_DISCONNECTED_WITH_REASON, playerName, reason);
             }
-            chat_history_add(text);
+            chat_history_add(message.c_str());
             break;
         }
     }
@@ -3187,7 +3185,7 @@ void NetworkBase::Client_Send_GAMEINFO()
 
 void NetworkBase::Client_Handle_GAMEINFO([[maybe_unused]] NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet)
 {
-    const char* jsonString = packet.ReadString();
+    auto jsonString = packet.ReadString();
     packet >> _serverState.gamestateSnapshotsEnabled;
 
     json_t jsonData = Json::FromString(jsonString);
@@ -3915,7 +3913,7 @@ void network_set_password(const char* password)
     network.SetPassword(password);
 }
 
-void network_append_chat_log(const utf8* text)
+void network_append_chat_log(std::string_view text)
 {
     auto& network = OpenRCT2::GetContext()->GetNetwork();
     network.AppendChatLog(text);
@@ -4216,7 +4214,7 @@ int32_t network_get_current_player_group_index()
 {
     return 0;
 }
-void network_append_chat_log(const utf8* text)
+void network_append_chat_log(std::string_view)
 {
 }
 void network_append_server_log(const utf8* text)
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.h b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.h
index 73f31cf726..95d6dc8db2 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkBase.h
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ public: // Common
     void SetPassword(const char* password);
     uint8_t GetDefaultGroup();
     std::string BeginLog(const std::string& directory, const std::string& midName, const std::string& filenameFormat);
-    void AppendLog(std::ostream& fs, const std::string& s);
+    void AppendLog(std::ostream& fs, std::string_view s);
     void BeginChatLog();
-    void AppendChatLog(const std::string& s);
+    void AppendChatLog(std::string_view text);
     void CloseChatLog();
     NetworkStats_t GetStats() const;
     json_t GetServerInfoAsJson() const;
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ public: // Server
     void Server_Handle_REQUEST_GAMESTATE(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet);
     void Server_Handle_HEARTBEAT(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet);
     void Server_Handle_AUTH(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet);
-    void Server_Client_Joined(const char* name, const std::string& keyhash, NetworkConnection& connection);
+    void Server_Client_Joined(std::string_view name, const std::string& keyhash, NetworkConnection& connection);
     void Server_Handle_CHAT(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet);
     void Server_Handle_GAME_ACTION(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet);
     void Server_Handle_PING(NetworkConnection& connection, NetworkPacket& packet);
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.cpp b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.cpp
index 14039d7888..6419ae95a6 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ NetworkConnection::NetworkConnection()
 
 NetworkConnection::~NetworkConnection()
 {
-    delete[] _lastDisconnectReason;
 }
 
 NetworkReadPacket NetworkConnection::ReadPacket()
@@ -192,23 +191,12 @@ bool NetworkConnection::ReceivedPacketRecently()
 
 const utf8* NetworkConnection::GetLastDisconnectReason() const
 {
-    return this->_lastDisconnectReason;
+    return this->_lastDisconnectReason.c_str();
 }
 
-void NetworkConnection::SetLastDisconnectReason(const utf8* src)
+void NetworkConnection::SetLastDisconnectReason(std::string_view src)
 {
-    if (src == nullptr)
-    {
-        delete[] _lastDisconnectReason;
-        _lastDisconnectReason = nullptr;
-        return;
-    }
-
-    if (_lastDisconnectReason == nullptr)
-    {
-        _lastDisconnectReason = new utf8[NETWORK_DISCONNECT_REASON_BUFFER_SIZE];
-    }
-    String::Set(_lastDisconnectReason, NETWORK_DISCONNECT_REASON_BUFFER_SIZE, src);
+    _lastDisconnectReason = src;
 }
 
 void NetworkConnection::SetLastDisconnectReason(const rct_string_id string_id, void* args)
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.h b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.h
index d5a94d5056..66bc5bb480 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkConnection.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 #    include <deque>
 #    include <memory>
+#    include <string_view>
 #    include <vector>
 
 class NetworkPlayer;
@@ -58,13 +59,13 @@ public:
     bool ReceivedPacketRecently();
 
     const utf8* GetLastDisconnectReason() const;
-    void SetLastDisconnectReason(const utf8* src);
+    void SetLastDisconnectReason(std::string_view src);
     void SetLastDisconnectReason(const rct_string_id string_id, void* args = nullptr);
 
 private:
     std::deque<NetworkPacket> _outboundPackets;
     uint32_t _lastPacketTime = 0;
-    utf8* _lastDisconnectReason = nullptr;
+    std::string _lastDisconnectReason;
 
     void RecordPacketStats(const NetworkPacket& packet, bool sending);
     bool SendPacket(NetworkPacket& packet);
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.cpp b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.cpp
index 50b7eb343e..a95d7c5098 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ const std::string& NetworkGroup::GetName() const
     return _name;
 }
 
-void NetworkGroup::SetName(std::string name)
+void NetworkGroup::SetName(std::string_view name)
 {
     _name = name;
 }
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.h b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.h
index 0083a2406e..1038f163b7 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkGroup.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 
 #include <array>
 #include <string>
+#include <string_view>
 
 enum class NetworkPermission : uint32_t;
 
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ public:
     static NetworkGroup FromJson(json_t& json);
 
     const std::string& GetName() const;
-    void SetName(std::string name);
+    void SetName(std::string_view name);
 
     void Read(NetworkPacket& packet);
     void Write(NetworkPacket& packet);
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.cpp b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.cpp
index 078fd7eab6..44ed917bf4 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.cpp
@@ -66,9 +66,10 @@ void NetworkPacket::Write(const void* bytes, size_t size)
     Data.insert(Data.end(), src, src + size);
 }
 
-void NetworkPacket::WriteString(const utf8* string)
+void NetworkPacket::WriteString(std::string_view s)
 {
-    Write(reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(string), strlen(string) + 1);
+    Write(s.data(), s.size());
+    Data.push_back(0);
 }
 
 const uint8_t* NetworkPacket::Read(size_t size)
@@ -83,10 +84,10 @@ const uint8_t* NetworkPacket::Read(size_t size)
     return data;
 }
 
-const utf8* NetworkPacket::ReadString()
+std::string_view NetworkPacket::ReadString()
 {
     if (BytesRead >= Data.size())
-        return nullptr;
+        return {};
 
     const char* str = reinterpret_cast<const char*>(Data.data() + BytesRead);
 
@@ -98,12 +99,12 @@ const utf8* NetworkPacket::ReadString()
     }
 
     if (str[stringLen] != '\0')
-        return nullptr;
+        return {};
 
     // Skip null terminator.
     BytesRead++;
 
-    return str;
+    return std::string_view(str, stringLen);
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.h b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.h
index ffa464333a..be4c0fd3ae 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPacket.h
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@ struct NetworkPacket final
     bool CommandRequiresAuth();
 
     const uint8_t* Read(size_t size);
-    const utf8* ReadString();
+    std::string_view ReadString();
 
     void Write(const void* bytes, size_t size);
-    void WriteString(const utf8* string);
+    void WriteString(std::string_view s);
 
     template<typename T> NetworkPacket& operator>>(T& value)
     {
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.cpp b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.cpp
index 09cdd51ee6..9492216eb8 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.cpp
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 #    include "../localisation/Localisation.h"
 #    include "NetworkPacket.h"
 
-void NetworkPlayer::SetName(const std::string& name)
+void NetworkPlayer::SetName(std::string_view name)
 {
     // 36 == 31 + strlen(" #255");
     Name = name.substr(0, 36);
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ void NetworkPlayer::SetName(const std::string& name)
 
 void NetworkPlayer::Read(NetworkPacket& packet)
 {
-    const utf8* name = packet.ReadString();
+    auto name = packet.ReadString();
     SetName(name);
     packet >> Id >> Flags >> Group >> LastAction >> LastActionCoord.x >> LastActionCoord.y >> LastActionCoord.z >> MoneySpent
         >> CommandsRan;
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.h b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.h
index c589900b56..f68afa95e1 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/NetworkPlayer.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include "../world/Map.h"
 
 #include <string>
+#include <string_view>
 #include <unordered_map>
 
 struct NetworkPacket;
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ public:
     std::unordered_map<GameCommand, int32_t> CooldownTime;
     NetworkPlayer() = default;
 
-    void SetName(const std::string& name);
+    void SetName(std::string_view name);
 
     void Read(NetworkPacket& packet);
     void Write(NetworkPacket& packet);
diff --git a/src/openrct2/network/network.h b/src/openrct2/network/network.h
index 310a04b339..3bde48a7ee 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/network/network.h
+++ b/src/openrct2/network/network.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
+#include <string_view>
 #include <vector>
 
 struct GameAction;
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ void network_send_password(const std::string& password);
 
 void network_set_password(const char* password);
 
-void network_append_chat_log(const utf8* text);
+void network_append_chat_log(std::string_view text);
 void network_append_server_log(const utf8* text);
 [[nodiscard]] const utf8* network_get_server_name();
 [[nodiscard]] const utf8* network_get_server_description();