diff --git a/src/client/content_cao.cpp b/src/client/content_cao.cpp
index 599139aa3..71a9d4b54 100644
--- a/src/client/content_cao.cpp
+++ b/src/client/content_cao.cpp
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ void GenericCAO::processInitData(const std::string &data)
 	}
 
 	// PROTOCOL_VERSION >= 37
-	m_name = deSerializeString(is);
+	m_name = deSerializeString16(is);
 	m_is_player = readU8(is);
 	m_id = readU16(is);
 	m_position = readV3F32(is);
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ void GenericCAO::processInitData(const std::string &data)
 	const u8 num_messages = readU8(is);
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_messages; i++) {
-		std::string message = deSerializeLongString(is);
+		std::string message = deSerializeString32(is);
 		processMessage(message);
 	}
 
@@ -1657,7 +1657,7 @@ void GenericCAO::processMessage(const std::string &data)
 		rot_translator.update(m_rotation, false, update_interval);
 		updateNodePos();
 	} else if (cmd == AO_CMD_SET_TEXTURE_MOD) {
-		std::string mod = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string mod = deSerializeString16(is);
 
 		// immediately reset a engine issued texture modifier if a mod sends a different one
 		if (m_reset_textures_timer > 0) {
@@ -1735,7 +1735,7 @@ void GenericCAO::processMessage(const std::string &data)
 		m_animation_speed = readF32(is);
 		updateAnimationSpeed();
 	} else if (cmd == AO_CMD_SET_BONE_POSITION) {
-		std::string bone = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string bone = deSerializeString16(is);
 		v3f position = readV3F32(is);
 		v3f rotation = readV3F32(is);
 		m_bone_position[bone] = core::vector2d<v3f>(position, rotation);
@@ -1743,7 +1743,7 @@ void GenericCAO::processMessage(const std::string &data)
 		// updateBonePosition(); now called every step
 	} else if (cmd == AO_CMD_ATTACH_TO) {
 		u16 parent_id = readS16(is);
-		std::string bone = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string bone = deSerializeString16(is);
 		v3f position = readV3F32(is);
 		v3f rotation = readV3F32(is);
 
@@ -1793,7 +1793,7 @@ void GenericCAO::processMessage(const std::string &data)
 		int armor_groups_size = readU16(is);
 		for(int i=0; i<armor_groups_size; i++)
 		{
-			std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
+			std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
 			int rating = readS16(is);
 			m_armor_groups[name] = rating;
 		}
diff --git a/src/content_nodemeta.cpp b/src/content_nodemeta.cpp
index fc2859d27..39743c11f 100644
--- a/src/content_nodemeta.cpp
+++ b/src/content_nodemeta.cpp
@@ -43,26 +43,26 @@ static bool content_nodemeta_deserialize_legacy_body(
 	if(id == NODEMETA_GENERIC) // GenericNodeMetadata (0.4-dev)
 	{
 		meta->getInventory()->deSerialize(is);
-		deSerializeLongString(is);  // m_text
-		deSerializeString(is);  // m_owner
+		deSerializeString32(is);  // m_text
+		deSerializeString16(is);  // m_owner
 
-		meta->setString("infotext",deSerializeString(is));
-		meta->setString("formspec",deSerializeString(is));
+		meta->setString("infotext",deSerializeString16(is));
+		meta->setString("formspec",deSerializeString16(is));
 		readU8(is);  // m_allow_text_input
 		readU8(is);  // m_allow_removal
 		readU8(is);  // m_enforce_owner
 
 		int num_vars = readU32(is);
 		for(int i=0; i<num_vars; i++){
-			std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
-			std::string var = deSerializeLongString(is);
+			std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
+			std::string var = deSerializeString32(is);
 			meta->setString(name, var);
 		}
 		return false;
 	}
 	else if(id == NODEMETA_SIGN) // SignNodeMetadata
 	{
-		meta->setString("text", deSerializeString(is));
+		meta->setString("text", deSerializeString16(is));
 		//meta->setString("infotext","\"${text}\"");
 		meta->setString("infotext",
 				std::string("\"") + meta->getString("text") + "\"");
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ static bool content_nodemeta_deserialize_legacy_body(
 	}
 	else if(id == NODEMETA_LOCKABLE_CHEST) // LockingChestNodeMetadata
 	{
-		meta->setString("owner", deSerializeString(is));
+		meta->setString("owner", deSerializeString16(is));
 		meta->getInventory()->deSerialize(is);
 
 		// Rename inventory list "0" to "main"
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ static bool content_nodemeta_deserialize_legacy_meta(
 	s16 id = readS16(is);
 
 	// Read data
-	std::string data = deSerializeString(is);
+	std::string data = deSerializeString16(is);
 	std::istringstream tmp_is(data, std::ios::binary);
 	return content_nodemeta_deserialize_legacy_body(tmp_is, id, meta);
 }
diff --git a/src/database/database-leveldb.cpp b/src/database/database-leveldb.cpp
index 1976ae13d..73cd63f6d 100644
--- a/src/database/database-leveldb.cpp
+++ b/src/database/database-leveldb.cpp
@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ void PlayerDatabaseLevelDB::savePlayer(RemotePlayer *player)
 	StringMap stringvars = sao->getMeta().getStrings();
 	writeU32(os, stringvars.size());
 	for (const auto &it : stringvars) {
-		os << serializeString(it.first);
-		os << serializeLongString(it.second);
+		os << serializeString16(it.first);
+		os << serializeString32(it.second);
 	}
 
 	player->inventory.serialize(os);
@@ -183,8 +183,8 @@ bool PlayerDatabaseLevelDB::loadPlayer(RemotePlayer *player, PlayerSAO *sao)
 
 	u32 attribute_count = readU32(is);
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < attribute_count; i++) {
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
-		std::string value = deSerializeLongString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
+		std::string value = deSerializeString32(is);
 		sao->getMeta().setString(name, value);
 	}
 	sao->getMeta().setModified(false);
@@ -247,13 +247,13 @@ bool AuthDatabaseLevelDB::getAuth(const std::string &name, AuthEntry &res)
 
 	res.id = 1;
 	res.name = name;
-	res.password = deSerializeString(is);
+	res.password = deSerializeString16(is);
 
 	u16 privilege_count = readU16(is);
 	res.privileges.clear();
 	res.privileges.reserve(privilege_count);
 	for (u16 i = 0; i < privilege_count; i++) {
-		res.privileges.push_back(deSerializeString(is));
+		res.privileges.push_back(deSerializeString16(is));
 	}
 
 	res.last_login = readS64(is);
@@ -264,14 +264,14 @@ bool AuthDatabaseLevelDB::saveAuth(const AuthEntry &authEntry)
 {
 	std::ostringstream os;
 	writeU8(os, 1);
-	os << serializeString(authEntry.password);
+	os << serializeString16(authEntry.password);
 
 	size_t privilege_count = authEntry.privileges.size();
 	FATAL_ERROR_IF(privilege_count > U16_MAX,
 		"Unsupported number of privileges");
 	writeU16(os, privilege_count);
 	for (const std::string &privilege : authEntry.privileges) {
-		os << serializeString(privilege);
+		os << serializeString16(privilege);
 	}
 
 	writeS64(os, authEntry.last_login);
diff --git a/src/itemdef.cpp b/src/itemdef.cpp
index 8e0492827..df20bdf15 100644
--- a/src/itemdef.cpp
+++ b/src/itemdef.cpp
@@ -128,10 +128,10 @@ void ItemDefinition::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	u8 version = 6;
 	writeU8(os, version);
 	writeU8(os, type);
-	os << serializeString(name);
-	os << serializeString(description);
-	os << serializeString(inventory_image);
-	os << serializeString(wield_image);
+	os << serializeString16(name);
+	os << serializeString16(description);
+	os << serializeString16(inventory_image);
+	os << serializeString16(wield_image);
 	writeV3F32(os, wield_scale);
 	writeS16(os, stack_max);
 	writeU8(os, usable);
@@ -143,25 +143,25 @@ void ItemDefinition::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 		tool_capabilities->serialize(tmp_os, protocol_version);
 		tool_capabilities_s = tmp_os.str();
 	}
-	os << serializeString(tool_capabilities_s);
+	os << serializeString16(tool_capabilities_s);
 
 	writeU16(os, groups.size());
 	for (const auto &group : groups) {
-		os << serializeString(group.first);
+		os << serializeString16(group.first);
 		writeS16(os, group.second);
 	}
 
-	os << serializeString(node_placement_prediction);
+	os << serializeString16(node_placement_prediction);
 
 	// Version from ContentFeatures::serialize to keep in sync
 	sound_place.serialize(os, CONTENTFEATURES_VERSION);
 	sound_place_failed.serialize(os, CONTENTFEATURES_VERSION);
 
 	writeF32(os, range);
-	os << serializeString(palette_image);
+	os << serializeString16(palette_image);
 	writeARGB8(os, color);
-	os << serializeString(inventory_overlay);
-	os << serializeString(wield_overlay);
+	os << serializeString16(inventory_overlay);
+	os << serializeString16(wield_overlay);
 }
 
 void ItemDefinition::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
@@ -175,16 +175,16 @@ void ItemDefinition::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 		throw SerializationError("unsupported ItemDefinition version");
 
 	type = (enum ItemType)readU8(is);
-	name = deSerializeString(is);
-	description = deSerializeString(is);
-	inventory_image = deSerializeString(is);
-	wield_image = deSerializeString(is);
+	name = deSerializeString16(is);
+	description = deSerializeString16(is);
+	inventory_image = deSerializeString16(is);
+	wield_image = deSerializeString16(is);
 	wield_scale = readV3F32(is);
 	stack_max = readS16(is);
 	usable = readU8(is);
 	liquids_pointable = readU8(is);
 
-	std::string tool_capabilities_s = deSerializeString(is);
+	std::string tool_capabilities_s = deSerializeString16(is);
 	if (!tool_capabilities_s.empty()) {
 		std::istringstream tmp_is(tool_capabilities_s, std::ios::binary);
 		tool_capabilities = new ToolCapabilities;
@@ -194,22 +194,22 @@ void ItemDefinition::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	groups.clear();
 	u32 groups_size = readU16(is);
 	for(u32 i=0; i<groups_size; i++){
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
 		int value = readS16(is);
 		groups[name] = value;
 	}
 
-	node_placement_prediction = deSerializeString(is);
+	node_placement_prediction = deSerializeString16(is);
 
 	// Version from ContentFeatures::serialize to keep in sync
 	sound_place.deSerialize(is, CONTENTFEATURES_VERSION);
 	sound_place_failed.deSerialize(is, CONTENTFEATURES_VERSION);
 
 	range = readF32(is);
-	palette_image = deSerializeString(is);
+	palette_image = deSerializeString16(is);
 	color = readARGB8(is);
-	inventory_overlay = deSerializeString(is);
-	wield_overlay = deSerializeString(is);
+	inventory_overlay = deSerializeString16(is);
+	wield_overlay = deSerializeString16(is);
 
 	// If you add anything here, insert it primarily inside the try-catch
 	// block to not need to increase the version.
@@ -521,14 +521,14 @@ public:
 			// Serialize ItemDefinition and write wrapped in a string
 			std::ostringstream tmp_os(std::ios::binary);
 			def->serialize(tmp_os, protocol_version);
-			os << serializeString(tmp_os.str());
+			os << serializeString16(tmp_os.str());
 		}
 
 		writeU16(os, m_aliases.size());
 
 		for (const auto &it : m_aliases) {
-			os << serializeString(it.first);
-			os << serializeString(it.second);
+			os << serializeString16(it.first);
+			os << serializeString16(it.second);
 		}
 	}
 	void deSerialize(std::istream &is)
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ public:
 		for(u16 i=0; i<count; i++)
 		{
 			// Deserialize a string and grab an ItemDefinition from it
-			std::istringstream tmp_is(deSerializeString(is), std::ios::binary);
+			std::istringstream tmp_is(deSerializeString16(is), std::ios::binary);
 			ItemDefinition def;
 			def.deSerialize(tmp_is);
 			// Register
@@ -552,8 +552,8 @@ public:
 		u16 num_aliases = readU16(is);
 		for(u16 i=0; i<num_aliases; i++)
 		{
-			std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
-			std::string convert_to = deSerializeString(is);
+			std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
+			std::string convert_to = deSerializeString16(is);
 			registerAlias(name, convert_to);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/src/mapblock.cpp b/src/mapblock.cpp
index 5b755b7a6..5fb6b221b 100644
--- a/src/mapblock.cpp
+++ b/src/mapblock.cpp
@@ -668,13 +668,13 @@ void MapBlock::deSerialize_pre22(std::istream &is, u8 version, bool disk)
 			// Ignore errors
 			try {
 				if (version <= 15) {
-					std::string data = deSerializeString(is);
+					std::string data = deSerializeString16(is);
 					std::istringstream iss(data, std::ios_base::binary);
 					content_nodemeta_deserialize_legacy(iss,
 						&m_node_metadata, &m_node_timers,
 						m_gamedef->idef());
 				} else {
-					//std::string data = deSerializeLongString(is);
+					//std::string data = deSerializeString32(is);
 					std::ostringstream oss(std::ios_base::binary);
 					decompressZlib(is, oss);
 					std::istringstream iss(oss.str(), std::ios_base::binary);
diff --git a/src/mapgen/mg_schematic.cpp b/src/mapgen/mg_schematic.cpp
index ba102d997..dfd414709 100644
--- a/src/mapgen/mg_schematic.cpp
+++ b/src/mapgen/mg_schematic.cpp
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ bool Schematic::deserializeFromMts(std::istream *is,
 	//// Read node names
 	u16 nidmapcount = readU16(ss);
 	for (int i = 0; i != nidmapcount; i++) {
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(ss);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(ss);
 
 		// Instances of "ignore" from v1 are converted to air (and instances
 		// are fixed to have MTSCHEM_PROB_NEVER later on).
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ bool Schematic::serializeToMts(std::ostream *os,
 
 	writeU16(ss, names.size()); // name count
 	for (size_t i = 0; i != names.size(); i++)
-		ss << serializeString(names[i]); // node names
+		ss << serializeString16(names[i]); // node names
 
 	// compressed bulk node data
 	MapNode::serializeBulk(ss, SER_FMT_VER_HIGHEST_WRITE,
diff --git a/src/nameidmapping.cpp b/src/nameidmapping.cpp
index bd5bb1fc8..05cfae069 100644
--- a/src/nameidmapping.cpp
+++ b/src/nameidmapping.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ void NameIdMapping::serialize(std::ostream &os) const
 	writeU16(os, m_id_to_name.size());
 	for (const auto &i : m_id_to_name) {
 		writeU16(os, i.first);
-		os << serializeString(i.second);
+		os << serializeString16(i.second);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ void NameIdMapping::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	m_name_to_id.clear();
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < count; i++) {
 		u16 id = readU16(is);
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
 		m_id_to_name[id] = name;
 		m_name_to_id[name] = id;
 	}
diff --git a/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp b/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp
index 8d87ff8f2..5683564a0 100644
--- a/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp
+++ b/src/network/clientpackethandler.cpp
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ void Client::handleCommand_ActiveObjectMessages(NetworkPacket* pkt)
 			if (!is.good())
 				break;
 
-			std::string message = deSerializeString(is);
+			std::string message = deSerializeString16(is);
 
 			// Pass on to the environment
 			m_env.processActiveObjectMessage(id, message);
@@ -994,7 +994,7 @@ void Client::handleCommand_AddParticleSpawner(NetworkPacket* pkt)
 	p.minsize            = readF32(is);
 	p.maxsize            = readF32(is);
 	p.collisiondetection = readU8(is);
-	p.texture            = deSerializeLongString(is);
+	p.texture            = deSerializeString32(is);
 
 	server_id = readU32(is);
 
@@ -1207,11 +1207,11 @@ void Client::handleCommand_HudSetSky(NetworkPacket* pkt)
 
 		SkyboxParams skybox;
 		skybox.bgcolor = video::SColor(readARGB8(is));
-		skybox.type = std::string(deSerializeString(is));
+		skybox.type = std::string(deSerializeString16(is));
 		u16 count = readU16(is);
 
 		for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++)
-			skybox.textures.emplace_back(deSerializeString(is));
+			skybox.textures.emplace_back(deSerializeString16(is));
 
 		skybox.clouds = true;
 		try {
diff --git a/src/nodedef.cpp b/src/nodedef.cpp
index 392f5eb98..3a5934cf3 100644
--- a/src/nodedef.cpp
+++ b/src/nodedef.cpp
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ void TileDef::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	u8 version = 6;
 	writeU8(os, version);
 
-	os << serializeString(name);
+	os << serializeString16(name);
 	animation.serialize(os, version);
 	bool has_scale = scale > 0;
 	u16 flags = 0;
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ void TileDef::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u8 contentfeatures_version,
 	int version = readU8(is);
 	if (version < 6)
 		throw SerializationError("unsupported TileDef version");
-	name = deSerializeString(is);
+	name = deSerializeString16(is);
 	animation.deSerialize(is, version);
 	u16 flags = readU16(is);
 	backface_culling = flags & TILE_FLAG_BACKFACE_CULLING;
@@ -416,10 +416,10 @@ void ContentFeatures::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	writeU8(os, version);
 
 	// general
-	os << serializeString(name);
+	os << serializeString16(name);
 	writeU16(os, groups.size());
 	for (const auto &group : groups) {
-		os << serializeString(group.first);
+		os << serializeString16(group.first);
 		writeS16(os, group.second);
 	}
 	writeU8(os, param_type);
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ void ContentFeatures::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 
 	// visual
 	writeU8(os, drawtype);
-	os << serializeString(mesh);
+	os << serializeString16(mesh);
 	writeF32(os, visual_scale);
 	writeU8(os, 6);
 	for (const TileDef &td : tiledef)
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ void ContentFeatures::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	writeU8(os, color.getRed());
 	writeU8(os, color.getGreen());
 	writeU8(os, color.getBlue());
-	os << serializeString(palette_name);
+	os << serializeString16(palette_name);
 	writeU8(os, waving);
 	writeU8(os, connect_sides);
 	writeU16(os, connects_to_ids.size());
@@ -470,8 +470,8 @@ void ContentFeatures::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 
 	// liquid
 	writeU8(os, liquid_type);
-	os << serializeString(liquid_alternative_flowing);
-	os << serializeString(liquid_alternative_source);
+	os << serializeString16(liquid_alternative_flowing);
+	os << serializeString16(liquid_alternative_source);
 	writeU8(os, liquid_viscosity);
 	writeU8(os, liquid_renewable);
 	writeU8(os, liquid_range);
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ void ContentFeatures::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	writeU8(os, legacy_facedir_simple);
 	writeU8(os, legacy_wallmounted);
 
-	os << serializeString(node_dig_prediction);
+	os << serializeString16(node_dig_prediction);
 	writeU8(os, leveled_max);
 }
 
@@ -519,11 +519,11 @@ void ContentFeatures::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 		throw SerializationError("unsupported ContentFeatures version");
 
 	// general
-	name = deSerializeString(is);
+	name = deSerializeString16(is);
 	groups.clear();
 	u32 groups_size = readU16(is);
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < groups_size; i++) {
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
 		int value = readS16(is);
 		groups[name] = value;
 	}
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ void ContentFeatures::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 
 	// visual
 	drawtype = (enum NodeDrawType) readU8(is);
-	mesh = deSerializeString(is);
+	mesh = deSerializeString16(is);
 	visual_scale = readF32(is);
 	if (readU8(is) != 6)
 		throw SerializationError("unsupported tile count");
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@ void ContentFeatures::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	color.setRed(readU8(is));
 	color.setGreen(readU8(is));
 	color.setBlue(readU8(is));
-	palette_name = deSerializeString(is);
+	palette_name = deSerializeString16(is);
 	waving = readU8(is);
 	connect_sides = readU8(is);
 	u16 connects_to_size = readU16(is);
@@ -578,8 +578,8 @@ void ContentFeatures::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 
 	// liquid
 	liquid_type = (enum LiquidType) readU8(is);
-	liquid_alternative_flowing = deSerializeString(is);
-	liquid_alternative_source = deSerializeString(is);
+	liquid_alternative_flowing = deSerializeString16(is);
+	liquid_alternative_source = deSerializeString16(is);
 	liquid_viscosity = readU8(is);
 	liquid_renewable = readU8(is);
 	liquid_range = readU8(is);
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ void ContentFeatures::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	legacy_wallmounted = readU8(is);
 
 	try {
-		node_dig_prediction = deSerializeString(is);
+		node_dig_prediction = deSerializeString16(is);
 		u8 tmp_leveled_max = readU8(is);
 		if (is.eof()) /* readU8 doesn't throw exceptions so we have to do this */
 			throw SerializationError("");
@@ -1472,7 +1472,7 @@ void NodeDefManager::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 		// strict version incompatibilities
 		std::ostringstream wrapper_os(std::ios::binary);
 		f->serialize(wrapper_os, protocol_version);
-		os2<<serializeString(wrapper_os.str());
+		os2<<serializeString16(wrapper_os.str());
 
 		// must not overflow
 		u16 next = count + 1;
@@ -1480,7 +1480,7 @@ void NodeDefManager::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 		count++;
 	}
 	writeU16(os, count);
-	os << serializeLongString(os2.str());
+	os << serializeString32(os2.str());
 }
 
 
@@ -1491,13 +1491,13 @@ void NodeDefManager::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	if (version != 1)
 		throw SerializationError("unsupported NodeDefinitionManager version");
 	u16 count = readU16(is);
-	std::istringstream is2(deSerializeLongString(is), std::ios::binary);
+	std::istringstream is2(deSerializeString32(is), std::ios::binary);
 	ContentFeatures f;
 	for (u16 n = 0; n < count; n++) {
 		u16 i = readU16(is2);
 
 		// Read it from the string wrapper
-		std::string wrapper = deSerializeString(is2);
+		std::string wrapper = deSerializeString16(is2);
 		std::istringstream wrapper_is(wrapper, std::ios::binary);
 		f.deSerialize(wrapper_is);
 
diff --git a/src/nodemetadata.cpp b/src/nodemetadata.cpp
index b84ffc8cb..6447c8785 100644
--- a/src/nodemetadata.cpp
+++ b/src/nodemetadata.cpp
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ void NodeMetadata::serialize(std::ostream &os, u8 version, bool disk) const
 		if (!disk && priv)
 			continue;
 
-		os << serializeString(sv.first);
-		os << serializeLongString(sv.second);
+		os << serializeString16(sv.first);
+		os << serializeString32(sv.second);
 		if (version >= 2)
 			writeU8(os, (priv) ? 1 : 0);
 	}
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ void NodeMetadata::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u8 version)
 	clear();
 	int num_vars = readU32(is);
 	for(int i=0; i<num_vars; i++){
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
-		std::string var = deSerializeLongString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
+		std::string var = deSerializeString32(is);
 		m_stringvars[name] = var;
 		if (version >= 2) {
 			if (readU8(is) == 1)
diff --git a/src/object_properties.cpp b/src/object_properties.cpp
index 8d51bcbfa..c31c667e7 100644
--- a/src/object_properties.cpp
+++ b/src/object_properties.cpp
@@ -84,11 +84,11 @@ void ObjectProperties::serialize(std::ostream &os) const
 	writeV3F32(os, selectionbox.MinEdge);
 	writeV3F32(os, selectionbox.MaxEdge);
 	writeU8(os, pointable);
-	os << serializeString(visual);
+	os << serializeString16(visual);
 	writeV3F32(os, visual_size);
 	writeU16(os, textures.size());
 	for (const std::string &texture : textures) {
-		os << serializeString(texture);
+		os << serializeString16(texture);
 	}
 	writeV2S16(os, spritediv);
 	writeV2S16(os, initial_sprite_basepos);
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ void ObjectProperties::serialize(std::ostream &os) const
 	writeU8(os, makes_footstep_sound);
 	writeF32(os, automatic_rotate);
 	// Added in protocol version 14
-	os << serializeString(mesh);
+	os << serializeString16(mesh);
 	writeU16(os, colors.size());
 	for (video::SColor color : colors) {
 		writeARGB8(os, color);
@@ -106,17 +106,17 @@ void ObjectProperties::serialize(std::ostream &os) const
 	writeU8(os, automatic_face_movement_dir);
 	writeF32(os, automatic_face_movement_dir_offset);
 	writeU8(os, backface_culling);
-	os << serializeString(nametag);
+	os << serializeString16(nametag);
 	writeARGB8(os, nametag_color);
 	writeF32(os, automatic_face_movement_max_rotation_per_sec);
-	os << serializeString(infotext);
-	os << serializeString(wield_item);
+	os << serializeString16(infotext);
+	os << serializeString16(wield_item);
 	writeS8(os, glow);
 	writeU16(os, breath_max);
 	writeF32(os, eye_height);
 	writeF32(os, zoom_fov);
 	writeU8(os, use_texture_alpha);
-	os << serializeString(damage_texture_modifier);
+	os << serializeString16(damage_texture_modifier);
 	writeU8(os, shaded);
 
 	// Add stuff only at the bottom.
@@ -137,19 +137,19 @@ void ObjectProperties::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	selectionbox.MinEdge = readV3F32(is);
 	selectionbox.MaxEdge = readV3F32(is);
 	pointable = readU8(is);
-	visual = deSerializeString(is);
+	visual = deSerializeString16(is);
 	visual_size = readV3F32(is);
 	textures.clear();
 	u32 texture_count = readU16(is);
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < texture_count; i++){
-		textures.push_back(deSerializeString(is));
+		textures.push_back(deSerializeString16(is));
 	}
 	spritediv = readV2S16(is);
 	initial_sprite_basepos = readV2S16(is);
 	is_visible = readU8(is);
 	makes_footstep_sound = readU8(is);
 	automatic_rotate = readF32(is);
-	mesh = deSerializeString(is);
+	mesh = deSerializeString16(is);
 	colors.clear();
 	u32 color_count = readU16(is);
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < color_count; i++){
@@ -160,18 +160,18 @@ void ObjectProperties::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	automatic_face_movement_dir = readU8(is);
 	automatic_face_movement_dir_offset = readF32(is);
 	backface_culling = readU8(is);
-	nametag = deSerializeString(is);
+	nametag = deSerializeString16(is);
 	nametag_color = readARGB8(is);
 	automatic_face_movement_max_rotation_per_sec = readF32(is);
-	infotext = deSerializeString(is);
-	wield_item = deSerializeString(is);
+	infotext = deSerializeString16(is);
+	wield_item = deSerializeString16(is);
 	glow = readS8(is);
 	breath_max = readU16(is);
 	eye_height = readF32(is);
 	zoom_fov = readF32(is);
 	use_texture_alpha = readU8(is);
 	try {
-		damage_texture_modifier = deSerializeString(is);
+		damage_texture_modifier = deSerializeString16(is);
 		u8 tmp = readU8(is);
 		if (is.eof())
 			throw SerializationError("");
diff --git a/src/particles.cpp b/src/particles.cpp
index fd81238dc..14c987958 100644
--- a/src/particles.cpp
+++ b/src/particles.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ void ParticleParameters::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_ver) const
 	writeF32(os, expirationtime);
 	writeF32(os, size);
 	writeU8(os, collisiondetection);
-	os << serializeLongString(texture);
+	os << serializeString32(texture);
 	writeU8(os, vertical);
 	writeU8(os, collision_removal);
 	animation.serialize(os, 6); /* NOT the protocol ver */
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ void ParticleParameters::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u16 protocol_ver)
 	expirationtime     = readF32(is);
 	size               = readF32(is);
 	collisiondetection = readU8(is);
-	texture            = deSerializeLongString(is);
+	texture            = deSerializeString32(is);
 	vertical           = readU8(is);
 	collision_removal  = readU8(is);
 	animation.deSerialize(is, 6); /* NOT the protocol ver */
diff --git a/src/server.cpp b/src/server.cpp
index d40ff259f..982f904f4 100644
--- a/src/server.cpp
+++ b/src/server.cpp
@@ -802,7 +802,7 @@ void Server::AsyncRunStep(bool initial_step)
 					// u16 id
 					// std::string data
 					buffer.append(idbuf, sizeof(idbuf));
-					buffer.append(serializeString(aom.datastring));
+					buffer.append(serializeString16(aom.datastring));
 				}
 			}
 			/*
@@ -1993,7 +1993,7 @@ void Server::SendActiveObjectRemoveAdd(RemoteClient *client, PlayerSAO *playersa
 		writeU8((u8*)buf, type);
 		data.append(buf, 1);
 
-		data.append(serializeLongString(
+		data.append(serializeString32(
 			obj->getClientInitializationData(client->net_proto_version)));
 
 		// Add to known objects
diff --git a/src/server/luaentity_sao.cpp b/src/server/luaentity_sao.cpp
index d504c42ca..f20914f7f 100644
--- a/src/server/luaentity_sao.cpp
+++ b/src/server/luaentity_sao.cpp
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ LuaEntitySAO::LuaEntitySAO(ServerEnvironment *env, v3f pos, const std::string &d
 		u8 version2 = 0;
 		u8 version = readU8(is);
 
-		name = deSerializeString(is);
-		state = deSerializeLongString(is);
+		name = deSerializeString16(is);
+		state = deSerializeString32(is);
 
 		if (version < 1)
 			break;
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ std::string LuaEntitySAO::getClientInitializationData(u16 protocol_version)
 
 	// PROTOCOL_VERSION >= 37
 	writeU8(os, 1); // version
-	os << serializeString(""); // name
+	os << serializeString16(""); // name
 	writeU8(os, 0); // is_player
 	writeU16(os, getId()); //id
 	writeV3F32(os, m_base_position);
@@ -233,26 +233,26 @@ std::string LuaEntitySAO::getClientInitializationData(u16 protocol_version)
 	writeU16(os, m_hp);
 
 	std::ostringstream msg_os(std::ios::binary);
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(getPropertyPacket()); // message 1
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateArmorGroupsCommand()); // 2
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateAnimationCommand()); // 3
+	msg_os << serializeString32(getPropertyPacket()); // message 1
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateArmorGroupsCommand()); // 2
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateAnimationCommand()); // 3
 	for (const auto &bone_pos : m_bone_position) {
-		msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateBonePositionCommand(
+		msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateBonePositionCommand(
 			bone_pos.first, bone_pos.second.X, bone_pos.second.Y)); // m_bone_position.size
 	}
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateAttachmentCommand()); // 4
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateAttachmentCommand()); // 4
 
 	int message_count = 4 + m_bone_position.size();
 
 	for (const auto &id : getAttachmentChildIds()) {
 		if (ServerActiveObject *obj = m_env->getActiveObject(id)) {
 			message_count++;
-			msg_os << serializeLongString(obj->generateUpdateInfantCommand(
+			msg_os << serializeString32(obj->generateUpdateInfantCommand(
 				id, protocol_version));
 		}
 	}
 
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateSetTextureModCommand());
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateSetTextureModCommand());
 	message_count++;
 
 	writeU8(os, message_count);
@@ -270,14 +270,14 @@ void LuaEntitySAO::getStaticData(std::string *result) const
 	// version must be 1 to keep backwards-compatibility. See version2
 	writeU8(os, 1);
 	// name
-	os<<serializeString(m_init_name);
+	os<<serializeString16(m_init_name);
 	// state
 	if(m_registered){
 		std::string state = m_env->getScriptIface()->
 			luaentity_GetStaticdata(m_id);
-		os<<serializeLongString(state);
+		os<<serializeString32(state);
 	} else {
-		os<<serializeLongString(m_init_state);
+		os<<serializeString32(m_init_state);
 	}
 	writeU16(os, m_hp);
 	writeV3F1000(os, m_velocity);
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ std::string LuaEntitySAO::generateSetTextureModCommand() const
 	// command
 	writeU8(os, AO_CMD_SET_TEXTURE_MOD);
 	// parameters
-	os << serializeString(m_current_texture_modifier);
+	os << serializeString16(m_current_texture_modifier);
 	return os.str();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/server/player_sao.cpp b/src/server/player_sao.cpp
index e5b239bba..8d4938c3c 100644
--- a/src/server/player_sao.cpp
+++ b/src/server/player_sao.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ std::string PlayerSAO::getClientInitializationData(u16 protocol_version)
 
 	// Protocol >= 15
 	writeU8(os, 1); // version
-	os << serializeString(m_player->getName()); // name
+	os << serializeString16(m_player->getName()); // name
 	writeU8(os, 1); // is_player
 	writeS16(os, getId()); // id
 	writeV3F32(os, m_base_position);
@@ -117,22 +117,22 @@ std::string PlayerSAO::getClientInitializationData(u16 protocol_version)
 	writeU16(os, getHP());
 
 	std::ostringstream msg_os(std::ios::binary);
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(getPropertyPacket()); // message 1
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateArmorGroupsCommand()); // 2
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateAnimationCommand()); // 3
+	msg_os << serializeString32(getPropertyPacket()); // message 1
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateArmorGroupsCommand()); // 2
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateAnimationCommand()); // 3
 	for (const auto &bone_pos : m_bone_position) {
-		msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateBonePositionCommand(
+		msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateBonePositionCommand(
 			bone_pos.first, bone_pos.second.X, bone_pos.second.Y)); // m_bone_position.size
 	}
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdateAttachmentCommand()); // 4
-	msg_os << serializeLongString(generateUpdatePhysicsOverrideCommand()); // 5
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdateAttachmentCommand()); // 4
+	msg_os << serializeString32(generateUpdatePhysicsOverrideCommand()); // 5
 
 	int message_count = 5 + m_bone_position.size();
 
 	for (const auto &id : getAttachmentChildIds()) {
 		if (ServerActiveObject *obj = m_env->getActiveObject(id)) {
 			message_count++;
-			msg_os << serializeLongString(obj->generateUpdateInfantCommand(
+			msg_os << serializeString32(obj->generateUpdateInfantCommand(
 				id, protocol_version));
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/src/server/serveractiveobject.cpp b/src/server/serveractiveobject.cpp
index 3341dc008..8cb59b2d6 100644
--- a/src/server/serveractiveobject.cpp
+++ b/src/server/serveractiveobject.cpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ std::string ServerActiveObject::generateUpdateInfantCommand(u16 infant_id, u16 p
 		// Clients since 4aa9a66 so no longer need this data
 		// Version 38 is the first bump after that commit.
 		// See also: ClientEnvironment::addActiveObject
-		os << serializeLongString(getClientInitializationData(protocol_version));
+		os << serializeString32(getClientInitializationData(protocol_version));
 	}
 	return os.str();
 }
diff --git a/src/server/unit_sao.cpp b/src/server/unit_sao.cpp
index ef0e87f2c..d906e885e 100644
--- a/src/server/unit_sao.cpp
+++ b/src/server/unit_sao.cpp
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ std::string UnitSAO::generateUpdateAttachmentCommand() const
 	writeU8(os, AO_CMD_ATTACH_TO);
 	// parameters
 	writeS16(os, m_attachment_parent_id);
-	os << serializeString(m_attachment_bone);
+	os << serializeString16(m_attachment_bone);
 	writeV3F32(os, m_attachment_position);
 	writeV3F32(os, m_attachment_rotation);
 	return os.str();
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ std::string UnitSAO::generateUpdateBonePositionCommand(
 	// command
 	writeU8(os, AO_CMD_SET_BONE_POSITION);
 	// parameters
-	os << serializeString(bone);
+	os << serializeString16(bone);
 	writeV3F32(os, position);
 	writeV3F32(os, rotation);
 	return os.str();
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ std::string UnitSAO::generateUpdateArmorGroupsCommand() const
 	writeU8(os, AO_CMD_UPDATE_ARMOR_GROUPS);
 	writeU16(os, m_armor_groups.size());
 	for (const auto &armor_group : m_armor_groups) {
-		os << serializeString(armor_group.first);
+		os << serializeString16(armor_group.first);
 		writeS16(os, armor_group.second);
 	}
 	return os.str();
diff --git a/src/sound.h b/src/sound.h
index 6cbd55e8f..6f7b0a1af 100644
--- a/src/sound.h
+++ b/src/sound.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ struct SimpleSoundSpec
 	// keep in sync with item definitions
 	void serialize(std::ostream &os, u8 cf_version) const
 	{
-		os << serializeString(name);
+		os << serializeString16(name);
 		writeF32(os, gain);
 		writeF32(os, pitch);
 		writeF32(os, fade);
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ struct SimpleSoundSpec
 
 	void deSerialize(std::istream &is, u8 cf_version)
 	{
-		name = deSerializeString(is);
+		name = deSerializeString16(is);
 		gain = readF32(is);
 		pitch = readF32(is);
 		fade = readF32(is);
diff --git a/src/staticobject.cpp b/src/staticobject.cpp
index 5ccb7baf5..86e455b9f 100644
--- a/src/staticobject.cpp
+++ b/src/staticobject.cpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ void StaticObject::serialize(std::ostream &os)
 	// pos
 	writeV3F1000(os, pos);
 	// data
-	os<<serializeString(data);
+	os<<serializeString16(data);
 }
 void StaticObject::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u8 version)
 {
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ void StaticObject::deSerialize(std::istream &is, u8 version)
 	// pos
 	pos = readV3F1000(is);
 	// data
-	data = deSerializeString(is);
+	data = deSerializeString16(is);
 }
 
 void StaticObjectList::serialize(std::ostream &os)
diff --git a/src/tool.cpp b/src/tool.cpp
index 22e41d28e..90f4f9c12 100644
--- a/src/tool.cpp
+++ b/src/tool.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ void ToolCapabilities::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	for (const auto &groupcap : groupcaps) {
 		const std::string *name = &groupcap.first;
 		const ToolGroupCap *cap = &groupcap.second;
-		os << serializeString(*name);
+		os << serializeString16(*name);
 		writeS16(os, cap->uses);
 		writeS16(os, cap->maxlevel);
 		writeU32(os, cap->times.size());
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ void ToolCapabilities::serialize(std::ostream &os, u16 protocol_version) const
 	writeU32(os, damageGroups.size());
 
 	for (const auto &damageGroup : damageGroups) {
-		os << serializeString(damageGroup.first);
+		os << serializeString16(damageGroup.first);
 		writeS16(os, damageGroup.second);
 	}
 
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void ToolCapabilities::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 	groupcaps.clear();
 	u32 groupcaps_size = readU32(is);
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < groupcaps_size; i++) {
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
 		ToolGroupCap cap;
 		cap.uses = readS16(is);
 		cap.maxlevel = readS16(is);
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ void ToolCapabilities::deSerialize(std::istream &is)
 
 	u32 damage_groups_size = readU32(is);
 	for (u32 i = 0; i < damage_groups_size; i++) {
-		std::string name = deSerializeString(is);
+		std::string name = deSerializeString16(is);
 		s16 rating = readS16(is);
 		damageGroups[name] = rating;
 	}
diff --git a/src/unittest/test_serialization.cpp b/src/unittest/test_serialization.cpp
index d72bf0d4c..660d77d02 100644
--- a/src/unittest/test_serialization.cpp
+++ b/src/unittest/test_serialization.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public:
 	std::wstring teststring2_w;
 	std::string teststring2_w_encoded;
 
-	static const u8 test_serialized_data[12 * 13 - 8];
+	static const u8 test_serialized_data[12 * 11 - 2];
 };
 
 static TestSerialization g_test_instance;
@@ -91,21 +91,21 @@ void TestSerialization::buildTestStrings()
 void TestSerialization::testSerializeString()
 {
 	// Test blank string
-	UASSERT(serializeString("") == mkstr("\0\0"));
+	UASSERT(serializeString16("") == mkstr("\0\0"));
 
 	// Test basic string
-	UASSERT(serializeString("Hello world!") == mkstr("\0\14Hello world!"));
+	UASSERT(serializeString16("Hello world!") == mkstr("\0\14Hello world!"));
 
 	// Test character range
-	UASSERT(serializeString(teststring2) == mkstr("\1\0") + teststring2);
+	UASSERT(serializeString16(teststring2) == mkstr("\1\0") + teststring2);
 }
 
 void TestSerialization::testDeSerializeString()
 {
 	// Test deserialize
 	{
-		std::istringstream is(serializeString(teststring2), std::ios::binary);
-		UASSERT(deSerializeString(is) == teststring2);
+		std::istringstream is(serializeString16(teststring2), std::ios::binary);
+		UASSERT(deSerializeString16(is) == teststring2);
 		UASSERT(!is.eof());
 		is.get();
 		UASSERT(is.eof());
@@ -114,34 +114,34 @@ void TestSerialization::testDeSerializeString()
 	// Test deserialize an incomplete length specifier
 	{
 		std::istringstream is(mkstr("\x53"), std::ios::binary);
-		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString(is));
+		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString16(is));
 	}
 
 	// Test deserialize a string with incomplete data
 	{
 		std::istringstream is(mkstr("\x00\x55 abcdefg"), std::ios::binary);
-		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString(is));
+		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString16(is));
 	}
 }
 
 void TestSerialization::testSerializeLongString()
 {
 	// Test blank string
-	UASSERT(serializeLongString("") == mkstr("\0\0\0\0"));
+	UASSERT(serializeString32("") == mkstr("\0\0\0\0"));
 
 	// Test basic string
-	UASSERT(serializeLongString("Hello world!") == mkstr("\0\0\0\14Hello world!"));
+	UASSERT(serializeString32("Hello world!") == mkstr("\0\0\0\14Hello world!"));
 
 	// Test character range
-	UASSERT(serializeLongString(teststring2) == mkstr("\0\0\1\0") + teststring2);
+	UASSERT(serializeString32(teststring2) == mkstr("\0\0\1\0") + teststring2);
 }
 
 void TestSerialization::testDeSerializeLongString()
 {
 	// Test deserialize
 	{
-		std::istringstream is(serializeLongString(teststring2), std::ios::binary);
-		UASSERT(deSerializeLongString(is) == teststring2);
+		std::istringstream is(serializeString32(teststring2), std::ios::binary);
+		UASSERT(deSerializeString32(is) == teststring2);
 		UASSERT(!is.eof());
 		is.get();
 		UASSERT(is.eof());
@@ -150,19 +150,19 @@ void TestSerialization::testDeSerializeLongString()
 	// Test deserialize an incomplete length specifier
 	{
 		std::istringstream is(mkstr("\x53"), std::ios::binary);
-		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeLongString(is));
+		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString32(is));
 	}
 
 	// Test deserialize a string with incomplete data
 	{
 		std::istringstream is(mkstr("\x00\x00\x00\x05 abc"), std::ios::binary);
-		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeLongString(is));
+		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString32(is));
 	}
 
 	// Test deserialize a string with a length too large
 	{
 		std::istringstream is(mkstr("\xFF\xFF\xFF\xFF blah"), std::ios::binary);
-		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeLongString(is));
+		EXCEPTION_CHECK(SerializationError, deSerializeString32(is));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -235,19 +235,17 @@ void TestSerialization::testStreamRead()
 	UASSERT(readF1000(is) == F1000_MIN);
 	UASSERT(readF1000(is) == F1000_MAX);
 
-	UASSERT(deSerializeString(is) == "foobar!");
+	UASSERT(deSerializeString16(is) == "foobar!");
 
 	UASSERT(readV2S16(is) == v2s16(500, 500));
 	UASSERT(readV3S16(is) == v3s16(4207, 604, -30));
 	UASSERT(readV2S32(is) == v2s32(1920, 1080));
 	UASSERT(readV3S32(is) == v3s32(-400, 6400054, 290549855));
 
-	UASSERT(deSerializeWideString(is) == L"\x02~woof~\x5455");
-
 	UASSERT(readV3F1000(is) == v3f(500, 10024.2f, -192.54f));
 	UASSERT(readARGB8(is) == video::SColor(255, 128, 50, 128));
 
-	UASSERT(deSerializeLongString(is) == "some longer string here");
+	UASSERT(deSerializeString32(is) == "some longer string here");
 
 	UASSERT(is.rdbuf()->in_avail() == 2);
 	UASSERT(readU16(is) == 0xF00D);
@@ -275,7 +273,7 @@ void TestSerialization::testStreamWrite()
 	writeF1000(os, F1000_MIN);
 	writeF1000(os, F1000_MAX);
 
-	os << serializeString("foobar!");
+	os << serializeString16("foobar!");
 
 	data = os.str();
 	UASSERT(data.size() < sizeof(test_serialized_data));
@@ -286,12 +284,10 @@ void TestSerialization::testStreamWrite()
 	writeV2S32(os, v2s32(1920, 1080));
 	writeV3S32(os, v3s32(-400, 6400054, 290549855));
 
-	os << serializeWideString(L"\x02~woof~\x5455");
-
 	writeV3F1000(os, v3f(500, 10024.2f, -192.54f));
 	writeARGB8(os, video::SColor(255, 128, 50, 128));
 
-	os << serializeLongString("some longer string here");
+	os << serializeString32("some longer string here");
 
 	writeU16(os, 0xF00D);
 
@@ -384,7 +380,7 @@ void TestSerialization::testFloatFormat()
 		UASSERT(test_single(i));
 }
 
-const u8 TestSerialization::test_serialized_data[12 * 13 - 8] = {
+const u8 TestSerialization::test_serialized_data[12 * 11 - 2] = {
 	0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88, 0x99, 0xaa, 0xbb, 0xcc,
 	0xdd, 0xee, 0xff, 0x80, 0x75, 0x30, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xfa, 0xff, 0xff,
 	0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xd5, 0x00, 0x00, 0xd1, 0x1e, 0xee, 0x1e,
@@ -392,9 +388,7 @@ const u8 TestSerialization::test_serialized_data[12 * 13 - 8] = {
 	0x66, 0x6f, 0x6f, 0x62, 0x61, 0x72, 0x21, 0x01, 0xf4, 0x01, 0xf4, 0x10,
 	0x6f, 0x02, 0x5c, 0xff, 0xe2, 0x00, 0x00, 0x07, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x04,
 	0x38, 0xff, 0xff, 0xfe, 0x70, 0x00, 0x61, 0xa8, 0x36, 0x11, 0x51, 0x70,
-	0x5f, 0x00, 0x08, 0x00,
-	0x02, 0x00, 0x7e, 0x00,  'w', 0x00,  'o', 0x00,  'o', 0x00,  'f', 0x00, // \x02~woof~\x5455
-	0x7e, 0x54, 0x55, 0x00, 0x07, 0xa1, 0x20, 0x00, 0x98, 0xf5, 0x08, 0xff,
+	0x5f, 0x00, 0x07, 0xa1, 0x20, 0x00, 0x98, 0xf5, 0x08, 0xff,
 	0xfd, 0x0f, 0xe4, 0xff, 0x80, 0x32, 0x80, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x17, 0x73,
 	0x6f, 0x6d, 0x65, 0x20, 0x6c, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x65, 0x72, 0x20, 0x73,
 	0x74, 0x72, 0x69, 0x6e, 0x67, 0x20, 0x68, 0x65, 0x72, 0x65, 0xF0, 0x0D,
diff --git a/src/util/serialize.cpp b/src/util/serialize.cpp
index fd5cbda21..d770101f2 100644
--- a/src/util/serialize.cpp
+++ b/src/util/serialize.cpp
@@ -35,13 +35,13 @@ FloatType g_serialize_f32_type = FLOATTYPE_UNKNOWN;
 //// String
 ////
 
-std::string serializeString(const std::string &plain)
+std::string serializeString16(const std::string &plain)
 {
 	std::string s;
 	char buf[2];
 
 	if (plain.size() > STRING_MAX_LEN)
-		throw SerializationError("String too long for serializeString");
+		throw SerializationError("String too long for serializeString16");
 	s.reserve(2 + plain.size());
 
 	writeU16((u8 *)&buf[0], plain.size());
@@ -51,14 +51,14 @@ std::string serializeString(const std::string &plain)
 	return s;
 }
 
-std::string deSerializeString(std::istream &is)
+std::string deSerializeString16(std::istream &is)
 {
 	std::string s;
 	char buf[2];
 
 	is.read(buf, 2);
 	if (is.gcount() != 2)
-		throw SerializationError("deSerializeString: size not read");
+		throw SerializationError("deSerializeString16: size not read");
 
 	u16 s_size = readU16((u8 *)buf);
 	if (s_size == 0)
@@ -67,66 +67,17 @@ std::string deSerializeString(std::istream &is)
 	s.resize(s_size);
 	is.read(&s[0], s_size);
 	if (is.gcount() != s_size)
-		throw SerializationError("deSerializeString: couldn't read all chars");
+		throw SerializationError("deSerializeString16: couldn't read all chars");
 
 	return s;
 }
 
-////
-//// Wide String
-////
-
-std::string serializeWideString(const std::wstring &plain)
-{
-	std::string s;
-	char buf[2];
-
-	if (plain.size() > WIDE_STRING_MAX_LEN)
-		throw SerializationError("String too long for serializeWideString");
-	s.reserve(2 + 2 * plain.size());
-
-	writeU16((u8 *)buf, plain.size());
-	s.append(buf, 2);
-
-	for (wchar_t i : plain) {
-		writeU16((u8 *)buf, i);
-		s.append(buf, 2);
-	}
-	return s;
-}
-
-std::wstring deSerializeWideString(std::istream &is)
-{
-	std::wstring s;
-	char buf[2];
-
-	is.read(buf, 2);
-	if (is.gcount() != 2)
-		throw SerializationError("deSerializeWideString: size not read");
-
-	u16 s_size = readU16((u8 *)buf);
-	if (s_size == 0)
-		return s;
-
-	s.reserve(s_size);
-	for (u32 i = 0; i < s_size; i++) {
-		is.read(&buf[0], 2);
-		if (is.gcount() != 2) {
-			throw SerializationError(
-				"deSerializeWideString: couldn't read all chars");
-		}
-
-		wchar_t c16 = readU16((u8 *)buf);
-		s.append(&c16, 1);
-	}
-	return s;
-}
 
 ////
 //// Long String
 ////
 
-std::string serializeLongString(const std::string &plain)
+std::string serializeString32(const std::string &plain)
 {
 	std::string s;
 	char buf[4];
@@ -141,7 +92,7 @@ std::string serializeLongString(const std::string &plain)
 	return s;
 }
 
-std::string deSerializeLongString(std::istream &is)
+std::string deSerializeString32(std::istream &is)
 {
 	std::string s;
 	char buf[4];
diff --git a/src/util/serialize.h b/src/util/serialize.h
index a988a8f78..b3ec28eab 100644
--- a/src/util/serialize.h
+++ b/src/util/serialize.h
@@ -440,16 +440,16 @@ MAKE_STREAM_WRITE_FXN(video::SColor, ARGB8, 4);
 ////
 
 // Creates a string with the length as the first two bytes
-std::string serializeString(const std::string &plain);
+std::string serializeString16(const std::string &plain);
 
 // Reads a string with the length as the first two bytes
-std::string deSerializeString(std::istream &is);
+std::string deSerializeString16(std::istream &is);
 
 // Creates a string with the length as the first four bytes
-std::string serializeLongString(const std::string &plain);
+std::string serializeString32(const std::string &plain);
 
 // Reads a string with the length as the first four bytes
-std::string deSerializeLongString(std::istream &is);
+std::string deSerializeString32(std::istream &is);
 
 // Creates a string encoded in JSON format (almost equivalent to a C string literal)
 std::string serializeJsonString(const std::string &plain);