diff --git a/src/blitter/factory.hpp b/src/blitter/factory.hpp
index 30a70570be..c7776f4a46 100644
--- a/src/blitter/factory.hpp
+++ b/src/blitter/factory.hpp
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@
  */
 class BlitterFactory {
 private:
-	const char *name;        ///< The name of the blitter factory.
-	const char *description; ///< The description of the blitter.
+	const std::string name;        ///< The name of the blitter factory.
+	const std::string description; ///< The description of the blitter.
 
-	typedef std::map<const char *, BlitterFactory *, StringCompare> Blitters; ///< Map of blitter factories.
+	typedef std::map<std::string, BlitterFactory *> Blitters; ///< Map of blitter factories.
 
 	/**
 	 * Get the map with currently known blitters.
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ protected:
 	 * @pre There is no blitter registered with this name.
 	 */
 	BlitterFactory(const char *name, const char *description, bool usable = true) :
-			name(stredup(name)), description(stredup(description))
+			name(name), description(description)
 	{
 		if (usable) {
 			/*
@@ -78,9 +78,6 @@ public:
 	{
 		GetBlitters().erase(this->name);
 		if (GetBlitters().empty()) delete &GetBlitters();
-
-		free(this->name);
-		free(this->description);
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -88,7 +85,7 @@ public:
 	 * @param name the blitter to select.
 	 * @post Sets the blitter so GetCurrentBlitter() returns it too.
 	 */
-	static Blitter *SelectBlitter(const char *name)
+	static Blitter *SelectBlitter(const std::string &name)
 	{
 		BlitterFactory *b = GetBlitterFactory(name);
 		if (b == nullptr) return nullptr;
@@ -97,7 +94,7 @@ public:
 		delete *GetActiveBlitter();
 		*GetActiveBlitter() = newb;
 
-		DEBUG(driver, 1, "Successfully %s blitter '%s'", StrEmpty(name) ? "probed" : "loaded", newb->GetName());
+		DEBUG(driver, 1, "Successfully %s blitter '%s'", name.empty() ? "probed" : "loaded", newb->GetName());
 		return newb;
 	}
 
@@ -106,7 +103,7 @@ public:
 	 * @param name the blitter factory to select.
 	 * @return The blitter factory, or nullptr when there isn't one with the wanted name.
 	 */
-	static BlitterFactory *GetBlitterFactory(const char *name)
+	static BlitterFactory *GetBlitterFactory(const std::string &name)
 	{
 #if defined(DEDICATED)
 		const char *default_blitter = "null";
@@ -116,12 +113,12 @@ public:
 		const char *default_blitter = "8bpp-optimized";
 #endif
 		if (GetBlitters().size() == 0) return nullptr;
-		const char *bname = (StrEmpty(name)) ? default_blitter : name;
+		const char *bname = name.empty() ? default_blitter : name.c_str();
 
 		Blitters::iterator it = GetBlitters().begin();
 		for (; it != GetBlitters().end(); it++) {
 			BlitterFactory *b = (*it).second;
-			if (strcasecmp(bname, b->name) == 0) {
+			if (strcasecmp(bname, b->name.c_str()) == 0) {
 				return b;
 			}
 		}
@@ -148,7 +145,7 @@ public:
 		Blitters::iterator it = GetBlitters().begin();
 		for (; it != GetBlitters().end(); it++) {
 			BlitterFactory *b = (*it).second;
-			p += seprintf(p, last, "%18s: %s\n", b->name, b->GetDescription());
+			p += seprintf(p, last, "%18s: %s\n", b->name.c_str(), b->GetDescription().c_str());
 		}
 		p += seprintf(p, last, "\n");
 
@@ -158,7 +155,7 @@ public:
 	/**
 	 * Get the long, human readable, name for the Blitter-class.
 	 */
-	const char *GetName() const
+	const std::string &GetName() const
 	{
 		return this->name;
 	}
@@ -166,7 +163,7 @@ public:
 	/**
 	 * Get a nice description of the blitter-class.
 	 */
-	const char *GetDescription() const
+	const std::string &GetDescription() const
 	{
 		return this->description;
 	}
@@ -177,7 +174,7 @@ public:
 	virtual Blitter *CreateInstance() = 0;
 };
 
-extern char *_ini_blitter;
+extern std::string _ini_blitter;
 extern bool _blitter_autodetected;
 
 #endif /* BLITTER_FACTORY_HPP */
diff --git a/src/driver.cpp b/src/driver.cpp
index a642a2f867..c4efd35692 100644
--- a/src/driver.cpp
+++ b/src/driver.cpp
@@ -13,19 +13,21 @@
 #include "music/music_driver.hpp"
 #include "video/video_driver.hpp"
 #include "string_func.h"
+#include <string>
+#include <sstream>
 
 #include "safeguards.h"
 
-char *_ini_videodriver;              ///< The video driver a stored in the configuration file.
+std::string _ini_videodriver;        ///< The video driver a stored in the configuration file.
 std::vector<Dimension> _resolutions; ///< List of resolutions.
 Dimension _cur_resolution;           ///< The current resolution.
 bool _rightclick_emulate;            ///< Whether right clicking is emulated.
 
-char *_ini_sounddriver;              ///< The sound driver a stored in the configuration file.
+std::string _ini_sounddriver;        ///< The sound driver a stored in the configuration file.
 
-char *_ini_musicdriver;              ///< The music driver a stored in the configuration file.
+std::string _ini_musicdriver;        ///< The music driver a stored in the configuration file.
 
-char *_ini_blitter;                  ///< The blitter as stored in the configuration file.
+std::string _ini_blitter;            ///< The blitter as stored in the configuration file.
 bool _blitter_autodetected;          ///< Was the blitter autodetected or specified by the user?
 
 /**
@@ -34,19 +36,15 @@ bool _blitter_autodetected;          ///< Was the blitter autodetected or specif
  * @param name The parameter name we're looking for.
  * @return The parameter value.
  */
-const char *GetDriverParam(const char * const *parm, const char *name)
+const char *GetDriverParam(const StringList &parm, const char *name)
 {
-	size_t len;
+	if (parm.empty()) return nullptr;
 
-	if (parm == nullptr) return nullptr;
-
-	len = strlen(name);
-	for (; *parm != nullptr; parm++) {
-		const char *p = *parm;
-
-		if (strncmp(p, name, len) == 0) {
-			if (p[len] == '=')  return p + len + 1;
-			if (p[len] == '\0') return p + len;
+	size_t len = strlen(name);
+	for (auto &p : parm) {
+		if (p.compare(0, len, name) == 0) {
+			if (p.length() == len) return "";
+			if (p[len] == '=') return p.c_str() + len + 1;
 		}
 	}
 	return nullptr;
@@ -58,7 +56,7 @@ const char *GetDriverParam(const char * const *parm, const char *name)
  * @param name The parameter name we're looking for.
  * @return The parameter value.
  */
-bool GetDriverParamBool(const char * const *parm, const char *name)
+bool GetDriverParamBool(const StringList &parm, const char *name)
 {
 	return GetDriverParam(parm, name) != nullptr;
 }
@@ -70,7 +68,7 @@ bool GetDriverParamBool(const char * const *parm, const char *name)
  * @param def  The default value if the parameter doesn't exist.
  * @return The parameter value.
  */
-int GetDriverParamInt(const char * const *parm, const char *name, int def)
+int GetDriverParamInt(const StringList &parm, const char *name, int def)
 {
 	const char *p = GetDriverParam(parm, name);
 	return p != nullptr ? atoi(p) : def;
@@ -82,12 +80,12 @@ int GetDriverParamInt(const char * const *parm, const char *name, int def)
  * @param type the type of driver to select
  * @post Sets the driver so GetCurrentDriver() returns it too.
  */
-void DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriver(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
+void DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriver(const std::string &name, Driver::Type type)
 {
 	if (!DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(name, type)) {
-		StrEmpty(name) ?
+		name.empty() ?
 			usererror("Failed to autoprobe %s driver", GetDriverTypeName(type)) :
-			usererror("Failed to select requested %s driver '%s'", GetDriverTypeName(type), name);
+			usererror("Failed to select requested %s driver '%s'", GetDriverTypeName(type), name.c_str());
 	}
 }
 
@@ -98,11 +96,11 @@ void DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriver(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
  * @post Sets the driver so GetCurrentDriver() returns it too.
  * @return True upon success, otherwise false.
  */
-bool DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
+bool DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(const std::string &name, Driver::Type type)
 {
 	if (GetDrivers().size() == 0) return false;
 
-	if (StrEmpty(name)) {
+	if (name.empty()) {
 		/* Probe for this driver, but do not fall back to dedicated/null! */
 		for (int priority = 10; priority > 0; priority--) {
 			Drivers::iterator it = GetDrivers().begin();
@@ -117,7 +115,7 @@ bool DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
 				Driver *newd = d->CreateInstance();
 				*GetActiveDriver(type) = newd;
 
-				const char *err = newd->Start(nullptr);
+				const char *err = newd->Start({});
 				if (err == nullptr) {
 					DEBUG(driver, 1, "Successfully probed %s driver '%s'", GetDriverTypeName(type), d->name);
 					delete oldd;
@@ -131,23 +129,15 @@ bool DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
 		}
 		usererror("Couldn't find any suitable %s driver", GetDriverTypeName(type));
 	} else {
-		char *parm;
-		char buffer[256];
-		const char *parms[32];
-
 		/* Extract the driver name and put parameter list in parm */
-		strecpy(buffer, name, lastof(buffer));
-		parm = strchr(buffer, ':');
-		parms[0] = nullptr;
-		if (parm != nullptr) {
-			uint np = 0;
-			/* Tokenize the parm. */
-			do {
-				*parm++ = '\0';
-				if (np < lengthof(parms) - 1) parms[np++] = parm;
-				while (*parm != '\0' && *parm != ',') parm++;
-			} while (*parm == ',');
-			parms[np] = nullptr;
+		std::istringstream buffer(name);
+		std::string dname;
+		std::getline(buffer, dname, ':');
+
+		std::string param;
+		std::vector<std::string> parms;
+		while (std::getline(buffer, param, ',')) {
+			parms.push_back(param);
 		}
 
 		/* Find this driver */
@@ -159,7 +149,7 @@ bool DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
 			if (d->type != type) continue;
 
 			/* Check driver name */
-			if (strcasecmp(buffer, d->name) != 0) continue;
+			if (strcasecmp(dname.c_str(), d->name) != 0) continue;
 
 			/* Found our driver, let's try it */
 			Driver *newd = d->CreateInstance();
@@ -175,7 +165,7 @@ bool DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriverImpl(const char *name, Driver::Type type)
 			*GetActiveDriver(type) = newd;
 			return true;
 		}
-		usererror("No such %s driver: %s\n", GetDriverTypeName(type), buffer);
+		usererror("No such %s driver: %s\n", GetDriverTypeName(type), dname.c_str());
 	}
 }
 
@@ -221,9 +211,7 @@ DriverFactoryBase::DriverFactoryBase(Driver::Type type, int priority, const char
 	strecpy(buf, GetDriverTypeName(type), lastof(buf));
 	strecpy(buf + 5, name, lastof(buf));
 
-	const char *longname = stredup(buf);
-
-	std::pair<Drivers::iterator, bool> P = GetDrivers().insert(Drivers::value_type(longname, this));
+	std::pair<Drivers::iterator, bool> P = GetDrivers().insert(Drivers::value_type(buf, this));
 	assert(P.second);
 }
 
@@ -240,10 +228,6 @@ DriverFactoryBase::~DriverFactoryBase()
 	Drivers::iterator it = GetDrivers().find(buf);
 	assert(it != GetDrivers().end());
 
-	const char *longname = (*it).first;
-
 	GetDrivers().erase(it);
-	free(longname);
-
 	if (GetDrivers().empty()) delete &GetDrivers();
 }
diff --git a/src/driver.h b/src/driver.h
index 3ac4f7f8a4..68d9fac929 100644
--- a/src/driver.h
+++ b/src/driver.h
@@ -12,11 +12,12 @@
 
 #include "core/enum_type.hpp"
 #include "core/string_compare_type.hpp"
+#include "string_type.h"
 #include <map>
 
-const char *GetDriverParam(const char * const *parm, const char *name);
-bool GetDriverParamBool(const char * const *parm, const char *name);
-int GetDriverParamInt(const char * const *parm, const char *name, int def);
+const char *GetDriverParam(const StringList &parm, const char *name);
+bool GetDriverParamBool(const StringList &parm, const char *name);
+int GetDriverParamInt(const StringList &parm, const char *name, int def);
 
 /** A driver for communicating with the user. */
 class Driver {
@@ -26,7 +27,7 @@ public:
 	 * @param parm Parameters passed to the driver.
 	 * @return nullptr if everything went okay, otherwise an error message.
 	 */
-	virtual const char *Start(const char * const *parm) = 0;
+	virtual const char *Start(const StringList &parm) = 0;
 
 	/**
 	 * Stop this driver.
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ private:
 	const char *name;        ///< The name of the drivers of this factory.
 	const char *description; ///< The description of this driver.
 
-	typedef std::map<const char *, DriverFactoryBase *, StringCompare> Drivers; ///< Type for a map of drivers.
+	typedef std::map<std::string, DriverFactoryBase *> Drivers; ///< Type for a map of drivers.
 
 	/**
 	 * Get the map with drivers.
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ private:
 		return driver_type_name[type];
 	}
 
-	static bool SelectDriverImpl(const char *name, Driver::Type type);
+	static bool SelectDriverImpl(const std::string &name, Driver::Type type);
 
 protected:
 	DriverFactoryBase(Driver::Type type, int priority, const char *name, const char *description);
@@ -118,7 +119,7 @@ public:
 		}
 	}
 
-	static void SelectDriver(const char *name, Driver::Type type);
+	static void SelectDriver(const std::string &name, Driver::Type type);
 	static char *GetDriversInfo(char *p, const char *last);
 
 	/**
diff --git a/src/music/allegro_m.cpp b/src/music/allegro_m.cpp
index 4f90bce061..6d06ce87ec 100644
--- a/src/music/allegro_m.cpp
+++ b/src/music/allegro_m.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ static MIDI *_midi = nullptr;
  */
 extern int _allegro_instance_count;
 
-const char *MusicDriver_Allegro::Start(const char * const *param)
+const char *MusicDriver_Allegro::Start(const StringList &param)
 {
 	if (_allegro_instance_count == 0 && install_allegro(SYSTEM_AUTODETECT, &errno, nullptr)) {
 		DEBUG(driver, 0, "allegro: install_allegro failed '%s'", allegro_error);
diff --git a/src/music/allegro_m.h b/src/music/allegro_m.h
index 1965626ca2..b07a7073b6 100644
--- a/src/music/allegro_m.h
+++ b/src/music/allegro_m.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Allegro's music player. */
 class MusicDriver_Allegro : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/bemidi.cpp b/src/music/bemidi.cpp
index c3ea152dae..4175f526b0 100644
--- a/src/music/bemidi.cpp
+++ b/src/music/bemidi.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ static BMidiSynthFile midiSynthFile;
 /** Factory for BeOS' midi player. */
 static FMusicDriver_BeMidi iFMusicDriver_BeMidi;
 
-const char *MusicDriver_BeMidi::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *MusicDriver_BeMidi::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	return nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/src/music/bemidi.h b/src/music/bemidi.h
index a524069db0..8e96acc8d7 100644
--- a/src/music/bemidi.h
+++ b/src/music/bemidi.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The midi player for BeOS. */
 class MusicDriver_BeMidi : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/cocoa_m.cpp b/src/music/cocoa_m.cpp
index 9fec5ba15b..a989cfe769 100644
--- a/src/music/cocoa_m.cpp
+++ b/src/music/cocoa_m.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ static void DoSetVolume()
 /**
  * Initialized the MIDI player, including QuickTime initialization.
  */
-const char *MusicDriver_Cocoa::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *MusicDriver_Cocoa::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	if (NewMusicPlayer(&_player) != noErr) return "failed to create music player";
 
diff --git a/src/music/cocoa_m.h b/src/music/cocoa_m.h
index aa477eddaf..046a60c386 100644
--- a/src/music/cocoa_m.h
+++ b/src/music/cocoa_m.h
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 class MusicDriver_Cocoa : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/dmusic.cpp b/src/music/dmusic.cpp
index 4a7461ee8f..780666142c 100644
--- a/src/music/dmusic.cpp
+++ b/src/music/dmusic.cpp
@@ -1071,7 +1071,7 @@ static const char *LoadDefaultDLSFile(const char *user_dls)
 }
 
 
-const char *MusicDriver_DMusic::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *MusicDriver_DMusic::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	/* Initialize COM */
 	if (FAILED(CoInitializeEx(nullptr, COINITBASE_MULTITHREADED))) return "COM initialization failed";
diff --git a/src/music/dmusic.h b/src/music/dmusic.h
index bfbb07f16d..616bf01208 100644
--- a/src/music/dmusic.h
+++ b/src/music/dmusic.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class MusicDriver_DMusic : public MusicDriver {
 public:
 	virtual ~MusicDriver_DMusic();
 
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/extmidi.cpp b/src/music/extmidi.cpp
index b7e7e63b90..f882452501 100644
--- a/src/music/extmidi.cpp
+++ b/src/music/extmidi.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 /** Factory for the midi player that uses external players. */
 static FMusicDriver_ExtMidi iFMusicDriver_ExtMidi;
 
-const char *MusicDriver_ExtMidi::Start(const char * const * parm)
+const char *MusicDriver_ExtMidi::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	if (strcmp(VideoDriver::GetInstance()->GetName(), "allegro") == 0 ||
 			strcmp(SoundDriver::GetInstance()->GetName(), "allegro") == 0) {
diff --git a/src/music/extmidi.h b/src/music/extmidi.h
index 495e9a72cf..f43bbad179 100644
--- a/src/music/extmidi.h
+++ b/src/music/extmidi.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ private:
 	void DoStop();
 
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/fluidsynth.cpp b/src/music/fluidsynth.cpp
index 64abe0e538..61686a441e 100644
--- a/src/music/fluidsynth.cpp
+++ b/src/music/fluidsynth.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ static void RenderMusicStream(int16 *buffer, size_t samples)
 	fluid_synth_write_s16(_midi.synth, samples, buffer, 0, 2, buffer, 1, 2);
 }
 
-const char *MusicDriver_FluidSynth::Start(const char * const *param)
+const char *MusicDriver_FluidSynth::Start(const StringList &param)
 {
 	std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock{ _midi.synth_mutex };
 
diff --git a/src/music/fluidsynth.h b/src/music/fluidsynth.h
index 71d43fec4c..91543662d0 100644
--- a/src/music/fluidsynth.h
+++ b/src/music/fluidsynth.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Music driver making use of FluidSynth. */
 class MusicDriver_FluidSynth : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/music_driver.hpp b/src/music/music_driver.hpp
index 601cc6d475..3953685bf0 100644
--- a/src/music/music_driver.hpp
+++ b/src/music/music_driver.hpp
@@ -48,6 +48,6 @@ public:
 	}
 };
 
-extern char *_ini_musicdriver;
+extern std::string _ini_musicdriver;
 
 #endif /* MUSIC_MUSIC_DRIVER_HPP */
diff --git a/src/music/null_m.h b/src/music/null_m.h
index 09f84e35ce..3a034110dc 100644
--- a/src/music/null_m.h
+++ b/src/music/null_m.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The music player that does nothing. */
 class MusicDriver_Null : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override { return nullptr; }
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override { return nullptr; }
 
 	void Stop() override { }
 
diff --git a/src/music/os2_m.cpp b/src/music/os2_m.cpp
index f66c2bd9e8..4736065678 100644
--- a/src/music/os2_m.cpp
+++ b/src/music/os2_m.cpp
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ bool MusicDriver_OS2::IsSongPlaying()
 	return strcmp(buf, "playing") == 0 || strcmp(buf, "seeking") == 0;
 }
 
-const char *MusicDriver_OS2::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *MusicDriver_OS2::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/music/os2_m.h b/src/music/os2_m.h
index d0a4809b2c..a60f5bbfc7 100644
--- a/src/music/os2_m.h
+++ b/src/music/os2_m.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** OS/2's music player. */
 class MusicDriver_OS2 : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/music/win32_m.cpp b/src/music/win32_m.cpp
index b4f656b141..249fc5b6d7 100644
--- a/src/music/win32_m.cpp
+++ b/src/music/win32_m.cpp
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ void MusicDriver_Win32::SetVolume(byte vol)
 	_midi.new_volume = vol;
 }
 
-const char *MusicDriver_Win32::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *MusicDriver_Win32::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	DEBUG(driver, 2, "Win32-MIDI: Start: initializing");
 
diff --git a/src/music/win32_m.h b/src/music/win32_m.h
index 394c3d9909..5101d29321 100644
--- a/src/music/win32_m.h
+++ b/src/music/win32_m.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The Windows music player. */
 class MusicDriver_Win32 : public MusicDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/openttd.cpp b/src/openttd.cpp
index e5a6d1b054..980eb2f13e 100644
--- a/src/openttd.cpp
+++ b/src/openttd.cpp
@@ -533,10 +533,10 @@ static const OptionData _options[] = {
  */
 int openttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-	char *musicdriver = nullptr;
-	char *sounddriver = nullptr;
-	char *videodriver = nullptr;
-	char *blitter = nullptr;
+	std::string musicdriver;
+	std::string sounddriver;
+	std::string videodriver;
+	std::string blitter;
 	std::string graphics_set;
 	std::string sounds_set;
 	std::string music_set;
@@ -566,19 +566,15 @@ int openttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		case 'I': graphics_set = mgo.opt; break;
 		case 'S': sounds_set = mgo.opt; break;
 		case 'M': music_set = mgo.opt; break;
-		case 'm': free(musicdriver); musicdriver = stredup(mgo.opt); break;
-		case 's': free(sounddriver); sounddriver = stredup(mgo.opt); break;
-		case 'v': free(videodriver); videodriver = stredup(mgo.opt); break;
-		case 'b': free(blitter); blitter = stredup(mgo.opt); break;
+		case 'm': musicdriver = mgo.opt; break;
+		case 's': sounddriver = mgo.opt; break;
+		case 'v': videodriver = mgo.opt; break;
+		case 'b': blitter = mgo.opt; break;
 		case 'D':
-			free(musicdriver);
-			free(sounddriver);
-			free(videodriver);
-			free(blitter);
-			musicdriver = stredup("null");
-			sounddriver = stredup("null");
-			videodriver = stredup("dedicated");
-			blitter = stredup("null");
+			musicdriver = "null";
+			sounddriver = "null";
+			videodriver = "dedicated";
+			blitter = "null";
 			dedicated = true;
 			SetDebugString("net=6");
 			if (mgo.opt != nullptr) {
@@ -746,8 +742,8 @@ int openttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	GfxInitPalettes();
 
 	DEBUG(misc, 1, "Loading blitter...");
-	if (blitter == nullptr && _ini_blitter != nullptr) blitter = stredup(_ini_blitter);
-	_blitter_autodetected = StrEmpty(blitter);
+	if (blitter.empty() && !_ini_blitter.empty()) blitter = _ini_blitter;
+	_blitter_autodetected = blitter.empty();
 	/* Activate the initial blitter.
 	 * This is only some initial guess, after NewGRFs have been loaded SwitchNewGRFBlitter may switch to a different one.
 	 *  - Never guess anything, if the user specified a blitter. (_blitter_autodetected)
@@ -758,16 +754,14 @@ int openttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			(_support8bpp != S8BPP_NONE && (BaseGraphics::GetUsedSet() == nullptr || BaseGraphics::GetUsedSet()->blitter == BLT_8BPP)) ||
 			BlitterFactory::SelectBlitter("32bpp-anim") == nullptr) {
 		if (BlitterFactory::SelectBlitter(blitter) == nullptr) {
-			StrEmpty(blitter) ?
+			blitter.empty() ?
 				usererror("Failed to autoprobe blitter") :
-				usererror("Failed to select requested blitter '%s'; does it exist?", blitter);
+				usererror("Failed to select requested blitter '%s'; does it exist?", blitter.c_str());
 		}
 	}
-	free(blitter);
 
-	if (videodriver == nullptr && _ini_videodriver != nullptr) videodriver = stredup(_ini_videodriver);
+	if (videodriver.empty() && !_ini_videodriver.empty()) videodriver = _ini_videodriver;
 	DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriver(videodriver, Driver::DT_VIDEO);
-	free(videodriver);
 
 	InitializeSpriteSorter();
 
@@ -824,13 +818,11 @@ int openttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (sounddriver == nullptr && _ini_sounddriver != nullptr) sounddriver = stredup(_ini_sounddriver);
+	if (sounddriver.empty() && !_ini_sounddriver.empty()) sounddriver = _ini_sounddriver;
 	DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriver(sounddriver, Driver::DT_SOUND);
-	free(sounddriver);
 
-	if (musicdriver == nullptr && _ini_musicdriver != nullptr) musicdriver = stredup(_ini_musicdriver);
+	if (musicdriver.empty() && !_ini_musicdriver.empty()) musicdriver = _ini_musicdriver;
 	DriverFactoryBase::SelectDriver(musicdriver, Driver::DT_MUSIC);
-	free(musicdriver);
 
 	/* Take our initial lock on whatever we might want to do! */
 	try {
@@ -868,23 +860,9 @@ int openttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	/* Reset windowing system, stop drivers, free used memory, ... */
 	ShutdownGame();
-	goto exit_normal;
 
 exit_noshutdown:
-	/* These three are normally freed before bootstrap. */
-	free(videodriver);
-	free(blitter);
-
 exit_bootstrap:
-	/* These are normally freed before exit, but after bootstrap. */
-	free(musicdriver);
-	free(sounddriver);
-
-exit_normal:
-	free(_ini_musicdriver);
-	free(_ini_sounddriver);
-	free(_ini_videodriver);
-	free(_ini_blitter);
 
 	delete scanner;
 
diff --git a/src/sound/allegro_s.cpp b/src/sound/allegro_s.cpp
index f7fa5df08b..09198100bf 100644
--- a/src/sound/allegro_s.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/allegro_s.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ void SoundDriver_Allegro::MainLoop()
  */
 extern int _allegro_instance_count;
 
-const char *SoundDriver_Allegro::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *SoundDriver_Allegro::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	if (_allegro_instance_count == 0 && install_allegro(SYSTEM_AUTODETECT, &errno, nullptr)) {
 		DEBUG(driver, 0, "allegro: install_allegro failed '%s'", allegro_error);
diff --git a/src/sound/allegro_s.h b/src/sound/allegro_s.h
index 307d10fca4..6d40c58760 100644
--- a/src/sound/allegro_s.h
+++ b/src/sound/allegro_s.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Implementation of the allegro sound driver. */
 class SoundDriver_Allegro : public SoundDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param);
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param);
 
 	void Stop();
 
diff --git a/src/sound/cocoa_s.cpp b/src/sound/cocoa_s.cpp
index cb1bc59e80..f5003a23c3 100644
--- a/src/sound/cocoa_s.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/cocoa_s.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ static OSStatus audioCallback(void *inRefCon, AudioUnitRenderActionFlags *inActi
 }
 
 
-const char *SoundDriver_Cocoa::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *SoundDriver_Cocoa::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	struct AURenderCallbackStruct callback;
 	AudioStreamBasicDescription requestedDesc;
diff --git a/src/sound/cocoa_s.h b/src/sound/cocoa_s.h
index 43646504d7..dca5421915 100644
--- a/src/sound/cocoa_s.h
+++ b/src/sound/cocoa_s.h
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 class SoundDriver_Cocoa : public SoundDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 	const char *GetName() const override { return "cocoa"; }
diff --git a/src/sound/null_s.h b/src/sound/null_s.h
index 5b883dde1e..c01eae32a6 100644
--- a/src/sound/null_s.h
+++ b/src/sound/null_s.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Implementation of the null sound driver. */
 class SoundDriver_Null : public SoundDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override { return nullptr; }
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override { return nullptr; }
 
 	void Stop() override { }
 	const char *GetName() const override { return "null"; }
diff --git a/src/sound/sdl2_s.cpp b/src/sound/sdl2_s.cpp
index 0b4e6c086d..9d1e47fabb 100644
--- a/src/sound/sdl2_s.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/sdl2_s.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ static void CDECL fill_sound_buffer(void *userdata, Uint8 *stream, int len)
 	MxMixSamples(stream, len / 4);
 }
 
-const char *SoundDriver_SDL::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *SoundDriver_SDL::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	SDL_AudioSpec spec;
 	SDL_AudioSpec spec_actual;
diff --git a/src/sound/sdl_s.cpp b/src/sound/sdl_s.cpp
index aac786dab5..737192a7ed 100644
--- a/src/sound/sdl_s.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/sdl_s.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ static void CDECL fill_sound_buffer(void *userdata, Uint8 *stream, int len)
 	MxMixSamples(stream, len / 4);
 }
 
-const char *SoundDriver_SDL::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *SoundDriver_SDL::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	SDL_AudioSpec spec;
 
diff --git a/src/sound/sdl_s.h b/src/sound/sdl_s.h
index 4f746107c7..2b3be4d14c 100644
--- a/src/sound/sdl_s.h
+++ b/src/sound/sdl_s.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Implementation of the SDL sound driver. */
 class SoundDriver_SDL : public SoundDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 	const char *GetName() const override { return "sdl"; }
diff --git a/src/sound/sound_driver.hpp b/src/sound/sound_driver.hpp
index f1a0519f83..6de66d74e9 100644
--- a/src/sound/sound_driver.hpp
+++ b/src/sound/sound_driver.hpp
@@ -26,6 +26,6 @@ public:
 	}
 };
 
-extern char *_ini_sounddriver;
+extern std::string _ini_sounddriver;
 
 #endif /* SOUND_SOUND_DRIVER_HPP */
diff --git a/src/sound/win32_s.cpp b/src/sound/win32_s.cpp
index f45a619b53..4551778bd6 100644
--- a/src/sound/win32_s.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/win32_s.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ static DWORD WINAPI SoundThread(LPVOID arg)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-const char *SoundDriver_Win32::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *SoundDriver_Win32::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	WAVEFORMATEX wfex;
 	wfex.wFormatTag = WAVE_FORMAT_PCM;
diff --git a/src/sound/win32_s.h b/src/sound/win32_s.h
index be48a055c5..6f8f9791db 100644
--- a/src/sound/win32_s.h
+++ b/src/sound/win32_s.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Implementation of the sound driver for Windows. */
 class SoundDriver_Win32 : public SoundDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 	const char *GetName() const override { return "win32"; }
diff --git a/src/sound/xaudio2_s.cpp b/src/sound/xaudio2_s.cpp
index 8b9afbd1b1..5aa0580407 100644
--- a/src/sound/xaudio2_s.cpp
+++ b/src/sound/xaudio2_s.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ static StreamingVoiceContext* _voice_context = nullptr;
 * @return An error message if unsuccessful, or nullptr otherwise.
 *
 */
-const char *SoundDriver_XAudio2::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *SoundDriver_XAudio2::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	HRESULT hr = CoInitializeEx(nullptr, COINIT_MULTITHREADED);
 
diff --git a/src/sound/xaudio2_s.h b/src/sound/xaudio2_s.h
index 70b4d80cc9..9fcd26fd0a 100644
--- a/src/sound/xaudio2_s.h
+++ b/src/sound/xaudio2_s.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** Implementation of the XAudio2 sound driver. */
 class SoundDriver_XAudio2 : public SoundDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 	const char *GetName() const override { return "xaudio2"; }
diff --git a/src/table/misc_settings.ini b/src/table/misc_settings.ini
index c97663605b..60799a4369 100644
--- a/src/table/misc_settings.ini
+++ b/src/table/misc_settings.ini
@@ -80,28 +80,28 @@ var      = BaseMusic::ini_set
 def      = nullptr
 cat      = SC_BASIC
 
-[SDTG_STR]
+[SDTG_SSTR]
 name     = ""videodriver""
 type     = SLE_STRQ
 var      = _ini_videodriver
 def      = nullptr
 cat      = SC_EXPERT
 
-[SDTG_STR]
+[SDTG_SSTR]
 name     = ""musicdriver""
 type     = SLE_STRQ
 var      = _ini_musicdriver
 def      = nullptr
 cat      = SC_EXPERT
 
-[SDTG_STR]
+[SDTG_SSTR]
 name     = ""sounddriver""
 type     = SLE_STRQ
 var      = _ini_sounddriver
 def      = nullptr
 cat      = SC_EXPERT
 
-[SDTG_STR]
+[SDTG_SSTR]
 name     = ""blitter""
 type     = SLE_STRQ
 var      = _ini_blitter
diff --git a/src/video/allegro_v.cpp b/src/video/allegro_v.cpp
index 88e5c528ff..9b0bef1ac7 100644
--- a/src/video/allegro_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/allegro_v.cpp
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ static void PollEvent()
  */
 int _allegro_instance_count = 0;
 
-const char *VideoDriver_Allegro::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_Allegro::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	if (_allegro_instance_count == 0 && install_allegro(SYSTEM_AUTODETECT, &errno, nullptr)) {
 		DEBUG(driver, 0, "allegro: install_allegro failed '%s'", allegro_error);
diff --git a/src/video/allegro_v.h b/src/video/allegro_v.h
index fb7b84ee2c..641e3d6c2f 100644
--- a/src/video/allegro_v.h
+++ b/src/video/allegro_v.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The allegro video driver. */
 class VideoDriver_Allegro : public VideoDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.h b/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.h
index 7286c685b8..3da6848d09 100644
--- a/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.h
+++ b/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.h
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 
 class VideoDriver_Cocoa : public VideoDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	/** Stop the video driver */
 	void Stop() override;
diff --git a/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.mm b/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.mm
index 13a9cc9c47..10f30027bc 100644
--- a/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.mm
+++ b/src/video/cocoa/cocoa_v.mm
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ void VideoDriver_Cocoa::Stop()
 /**
  * Initialize a cocoa video subdriver.
  */
-const char *VideoDriver_Cocoa::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_Cocoa::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	if (!MacOSVersionIsAtLeast(10, 6, 0)) return "The Cocoa video driver requires Mac OS X 10.6 or later.";
 
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ void CocoaDialog(const char *title, const char *message, const char *buttonLabel
 	bool wasstarted = _cocoa_video_started;
 	if (VideoDriver::GetInstance() == NULL) {
 		setupApplication(); // Setup application before showing dialog
-	} else if (!_cocoa_video_started && VideoDriver::GetInstance()->Start(NULL) != NULL) {
+	} else if (!_cocoa_video_started && VideoDriver::GetInstance()->Start(StringList()) != NULL) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "%s: %s\n", title, message);
 		return;
 	}
diff --git a/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp b/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp
index ac7d38bb7f..0089d163df 100644
--- a/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ extern bool SafeLoad(const char *filename, SaveLoadOperation fop, DetailedFileTy
 static FVideoDriver_Dedicated iFVideoDriver_Dedicated;
 
 
-const char *VideoDriver_Dedicated::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_Dedicated::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	int bpp = BlitterFactory::GetCurrentBlitter()->GetScreenDepth();
 	_dedicated_video_mem = (bpp == 0) ? nullptr : MallocT<byte>(_cur_resolution.width * _cur_resolution.height * (bpp / 8));
diff --git a/src/video/dedicated_v.h b/src/video/dedicated_v.h
index 27401aae91..54e2dd402b 100644
--- a/src/video/dedicated_v.h
+++ b/src/video/dedicated_v.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The dedicated server video driver. */
 class VideoDriver_Dedicated : public VideoDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/video/null_v.cpp b/src/video/null_v.cpp
index 3e98ea9258..2fa45e1bc8 100644
--- a/src/video/null_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/null_v.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 /** Factory for the null video driver. */
 static FVideoDriver_Null iFVideoDriver_Null;
 
-const char *VideoDriver_Null::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_Null::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 #ifdef _MSC_VER
 	/* Disable the MSVC assertion message box. */
diff --git a/src/video/null_v.h b/src/video/null_v.h
index ed563bffb7..ee83de7e65 100644
--- a/src/video/null_v.h
+++ b/src/video/null_v.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ private:
 	uint ticks; ///< Amount of ticks to run.
 
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/video/sdl2_v.cpp b/src/video/sdl2_v.cpp
index 0b3b9b8e30..0442a0e87a 100644
--- a/src/video/sdl2_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/sdl2_v.cpp
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ int VideoDriver_SDL::PollEvent()
 	return -1;
 }
 
-const char *VideoDriver_SDL::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_SDL::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	/* Explicitly disable hardware acceleration. Enabling this causes
 	 * UpdateWindowSurface() to update the window's texture instead of
@@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ const char *VideoDriver_SDL::Start(const char * const *parm)
 
 	MarkWholeScreenDirty();
 
-	_draw_threaded = GetDriverParam(parm, "no_threads") == nullptr && GetDriverParam(parm, "no_thread") == nullptr;
+	_draw_threaded = !GetDriverParamBool(parm, "no_threads") && !GetDriverParamBool(parm, "no_thread");
 
 	SDL_StopTextInput();
 	this->edit_box_focused = false;
diff --git a/src/video/sdl2_v.h b/src/video/sdl2_v.h
index ae456a39d1..80d4018a77 100644
--- a/src/video/sdl2_v.h
+++ b/src/video/sdl2_v.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The SDL video driver. */
 class VideoDriver_SDL : public VideoDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/video/sdl_v.cpp b/src/video/sdl_v.cpp
index aacd3f2cba..fba6166c9c 100644
--- a/src/video/sdl_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/sdl_v.cpp
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ int VideoDriver_SDL::PollEvent()
 	return -1;
 }
 
-const char *VideoDriver_SDL::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_SDL::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	char buf[30];
 	_use_hwpalette = GetDriverParamInt(parm, "hw_palette", 2);
@@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ const char *VideoDriver_SDL::Start(const char * const *parm)
 	MarkWholeScreenDirty();
 	SetupKeyboard();
 
-	_draw_threaded = GetDriverParam(parm, "no_threads") == nullptr && GetDriverParam(parm, "no_thread") == nullptr;
+	_draw_threaded = !GetDriverParamBool(parm, "no_threads") && !GetDriverParamBool(parm, "no_thread");
 
 	return nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/src/video/sdl_v.h b/src/video/sdl_v.h
index 39c77e5d33..ffebd041e0 100644
--- a/src/video/sdl_v.h
+++ b/src/video/sdl_v.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The SDL video driver. */
 class VideoDriver_SDL : public VideoDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;
 
diff --git a/src/video/video_driver.hpp b/src/video/video_driver.hpp
index 2cca66d3b2..15dd5d0d48 100644
--- a/src/video/video_driver.hpp
+++ b/src/video/video_driver.hpp
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ public:
 	}
 };
 
-extern char *_ini_videodriver;
+extern std::string _ini_videodriver;
 extern std::vector<Dimension> _resolutions;
 extern Dimension _cur_resolution;
 extern bool _rightclick_emulate;
diff --git a/src/video/win32_v.cpp b/src/video/win32_v.cpp
index 3deb0beb06..3411873201 100644
--- a/src/video/win32_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/win32_v.cpp
@@ -1111,7 +1111,7 @@ static void FindResolutions()
 
 static FVideoDriver_Win32 iFVideoDriver_Win32;
 
-const char *VideoDriver_Win32::Start(const char * const *parm)
+const char *VideoDriver_Win32::Start(const StringList &parm)
 {
 	memset(&_wnd, 0, sizeof(_wnd));
 
@@ -1132,7 +1132,7 @@ const char *VideoDriver_Win32::Start(const char * const *parm)
 
 	MarkWholeScreenDirty();
 
-	_draw_threaded = GetDriverParam(parm, "no_threads") == nullptr && GetDriverParam(parm, "no_thread") == nullptr && std::thread::hardware_concurrency() > 1;
+	_draw_threaded = !GetDriverParamBool(parm, "no_threads") && !GetDriverParamBool(parm, "no_thread") && std::thread::hardware_concurrency() > 1;
 
 	return nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/src/video/win32_v.h b/src/video/win32_v.h
index a0b5c7e161..5c1b20322f 100644
--- a/src/video/win32_v.h
+++ b/src/video/win32_v.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /** The video driver for windows. */
 class VideoDriver_Win32 : public VideoDriver {
 public:
-	const char *Start(const char * const *param) override;
+	const char *Start(const StringList &param) override;
 
 	void Stop() override;