diff --git a/code/globalincs/memory/memory.h b/code/globalincs/memory/memory.h
index a25c2974a58..f3b7214a336 100644
--- a/code/globalincs/memory/memory.h
+++ b/code/globalincs/memory/memory.h
@@ -4,8 +4,6 @@
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <cstdlib>
 
-#include "globalincs/pstypes.h"
-
 namespace memory
 {
 	struct quiet_alloc_t { quiet_alloc_t(){} };
diff --git a/code/globalincs/memory/utils.h b/code/globalincs/memory/utils.h
index adc3386b48b..967b81f2579 100644
--- a/code/globalincs/memory/utils.h
+++ b/code/globalincs/memory/utils.h
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
-#pragma once
+#ifndef MEMORY_UTILS_H
+#define MEMORY_UTILS_H
 
 #include <cstring>
 
-#include "globalincs/pstypes.h"
-
-inline char *vm_strndup(const char *ptr, size_t size)
+inline char *vm_strndup(const char *ptr, size_t len)
 {
-	char *dst = (char *) vm_malloc(size + 1);
+	char *dst = static_cast<char *>(vm_malloc(len + 1));
 
 	if (!dst)
-		return NULL;
+		return nullptr;
 
-	std::strncpy(dst, ptr, size);
+	std::strncpy(dst, ptr, len);
 	// make sure it has a NULL terminiator
-	dst[size] = '\0';
+	dst[len] = '\0';
 
 	return dst;
 }
@@ -24,3 +23,5 @@ inline char *vm_strdup(const char *ptr)
 
 	return vm_strndup(ptr, len);
 }
+
+#endif // MEMORY_UTILS_H
diff --git a/code/globalincs/toolchain/clang.h b/code/globalincs/toolchain/clang.h
index 2f4ae40242c..1056c893bd2 100644
--- a/code/globalincs/toolchain/clang.h
+++ b/code/globalincs/toolchain/clang.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #if defined(__clang__)
 
 #define SCP_FORMAT_STRING
+// from gcc: Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit this argument, the arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when giving values for string-index and first-to-check.
 #define SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(x,y)  __attribute__((format(printf, x, y)))
 
 #define __UNUSED __attribute__((__unused__))
diff --git a/code/globalincs/toolchain/gcc.h b/code/globalincs/toolchain/gcc.h
index 8e884653719..80c603ccd39 100644
--- a/code/globalincs/toolchain/gcc.h
+++ b/code/globalincs/toolchain/gcc.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #if defined(__GNUC__) && !defined(__clang__)
 
 #define SCP_FORMAT_STRING
+// from gcc: Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit this argument, the arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when giving values for string-index and first-to-check.
 #define SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(x,y)  __attribute__((format(printf, x, y)))
 
 #define __UNUSED __attribute__((__unused__))
diff --git a/code/globalincs/toolchain/mingw.h b/code/globalincs/toolchain/mingw.h
index 5b7924b3dea..6f454689f47 100644
--- a/code/globalincs/toolchain/mingw.h
+++ b/code/globalincs/toolchain/mingw.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include <stdio.h>
 
 #define SCP_FORMAT_STRING
+// from gcc: Since non-static C++ methods have an implicit this argument, the arguments of such methods should be counted from two, not one, when giving values for string-index and first-to-check.
 #define SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(x,y)  __attribute__((format(__MINGW_PRINTF_FORMAT, x, y)))
 
 #define __UNUSED __attribute__((__unused__))
diff --git a/code/graphics/2d.h b/code/graphics/2d.h
index b701bdeefc6..6d12454a150 100644
--- a/code/graphics/2d.h
+++ b/code/graphics/2d.h
@@ -1043,13 +1043,17 @@ bool gr_resize_screen_posf(float *x, float *y, float *w = NULL, float *h = NULL,
 // Does formatted printing.  This calls gr_string after formatting,
 // so if you don't need to format the string, then call gr_string
 // directly.
-extern void gr_printf( int x, int y, const char * format, SCP_FORMAT_STRING ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf( int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf( int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(4, 5);
 // same as gr_printf but positions text correctly in menus
-extern void gr_printf_menu( int x, int y, const char * format, SCP_FORMAT_STRING ... )  SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf_menu( int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf_menu( int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(4, 5);
 // same as gr_printf_menu but accounts for menu zooming
-extern void gr_printf_menu_zoomed( int x, int y, const char * format, SCP_FORMAT_STRING ... )  SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf_menu_zoomed( int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf_menu_zoomed( int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(4, 5);
 // same as gr_printf but doesn't resize for non-standard resolutions
-extern void gr_printf_no_resize( int x, int y, const char * format, SCP_FORMAT_STRING ... )  SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf_no_resize( int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(3, 4);
+extern void gr_printf_no_resize( int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... ) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(4, 5);
 
 // Returns the size of the string in pixels in w and h
 extern void gr_get_string_size( int *w, int *h, const char * text, float scaleMultiplier = 1.0f, size_t len = std::string::npos);
diff --git a/code/graphics/paths/nanovg/stb_truetype.h b/code/graphics/paths/nanovg/stb_truetype.h
index be7315e4a0d..71250dd8f41 100644
--- a/code/graphics/paths/nanovg/stb_truetype.h
+++ b/code/graphics/paths/nanovg/stb_truetype.h
@@ -407,6 +407,7 @@ int main(int arg, char **argv)
 }
 #endif
 
+#include "globalincs/toolchain.h"
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -432,7 +433,7 @@ typedef char stbtt__check_size32[sizeof(stbtt_int32) == 4 ? 1 : -1];
 typedef char stbtt__check_size16[sizeof(stbtt_int16) == 2 ? 1 : -1];
 
 // Function from NanoVGRenderer.cpp to provide log printing capabilities here.
-extern void nvgOldCPrintf(const char *string, ...);
+extern void nvgOldCPrintf(SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *string, ...) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(2, 3);
 // e.g. #define your own STBTT_ifloor/STBTT_iceil() to avoid math.h
 #ifndef STBTT_ifloor
 #include <math.h>
diff --git a/code/graphics/software/font.cpp b/code/graphics/software/font.cpp
index 1d8b542a38d..f4b8bfdd085 100644
--- a/code/graphics/software/font.cpp
+++ b/code/graphics/software/font.cpp
@@ -803,7 +803,7 @@ void gr_string_win(int x, int y, char *s)
 
 char grx_printf_text[2048];
 
-void gr_printf(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
+void gr_printf(int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
 {
 	va_list args;
 
@@ -817,7 +817,21 @@ void gr_printf(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
 	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text);
 }
 
-void gr_printf_menu(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
+void gr_printf(int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	if (!FontManager::isReady()) return;
+
+	va_start(args, format);
+	vsnprintf(grx_printf_text, len+1, format, args);
+	va_end(args);
+	grx_printf_text[len] = '\0';
+
+	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_FULL, 1.0f, len);
+}
+
+void gr_printf_menu(int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
 {
 	va_list args;
 
@@ -831,7 +845,21 @@ void gr_printf_menu(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
 	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_MENU);
 }
 
-void gr_printf_menu_zoomed(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
+void gr_printf_menu(int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	if (!FontManager::isReady()) return;
+
+	va_start(args, format);
+	vsnprintf(grx_printf_text, len+1, format, args);
+	va_end(args);
+	grx_printf_text[len] = '\0';
+
+	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_MENU, 1.0f, len);
+}
+
+void gr_printf_menu_zoomed(int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
 {
 	va_list args;
 
@@ -845,7 +873,21 @@ void gr_printf_menu_zoomed(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
 	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_MENU_ZOOMED);
 }
 
-void gr_printf_no_resize(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
+void gr_printf_menu_zoomed(int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	if (!FontManager::isReady()) return;
+
+	va_start(args, format);
+	vsnprintf(grx_printf_text, len+1, format, args);
+	va_end(args);
+	grx_printf_text[len] = '\0';
+
+	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_MENU_ZOOMED, 1.0f, len);
+}
+
+void gr_printf_no_resize(int x, int y, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
 {
 	va_list args;
 
@@ -858,3 +900,17 @@ void gr_printf_no_resize(int x, int y, const char * format, ...)
 
 	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_NONE);
 }
+
+void gr_printf_no_resize(int x, int y, size_t len, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ... )
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	if (!FontManager::isReady()) return;
+
+	va_start(args, format);
+	vsnprintf(grx_printf_text, len+1, format, args);
+	va_end(args);
+	grx_printf_text[len] = '\0';
+
+	gr_string(x, y, grx_printf_text, GR_RESIZE_NONE, 1.0f, len);
+}
diff --git a/code/hud/hud.cpp b/code/hud/hud.cpp
index ee3da79cfbb..2761a3e1545 100644
--- a/code/hud/hud.cpp
+++ b/code/hud/hud.cpp
@@ -896,7 +896,12 @@ void HudGauge::render(float /*frametime*/, bool config)
 	}
 }
 
-void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, float scale, bool config)
+void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, float scale, bool config) const
+{
+	renderString(x, y, str, std::string::npos, scale, config);
+}
+
+void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, size_t len, float scale, bool config) const
 {
 	int nx = 0, ny = 0;
 	int resize = GR_RESIZE_FULL;
@@ -923,15 +928,20 @@ void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, float scale, bool con
 	if (HUD_shadows) {
 		color cur = gr_screen.current_color;
 		gr_set_color_fast(&Color_black);
-		gr_string(x + nx + 1, y + ny + 1, str, resize, scale);
+		gr_string(x + nx + 1, y + ny + 1, str, resize, scale, len);
 		gr_set_color_fast(&cur);
 	}
 
-	gr_string(x + nx, y + ny, str, resize, scale);
+	gr_string(x + nx, y + ny, str, resize, scale, len);
 	gr_reset_screen_scale();
 }
 
-void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, float scale, bool config)
+void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, float scale, bool config) const
+{
+	renderString(x, y, gauge_id, str, std::string::npos, scale, config);
+}
+
+void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, size_t len, float scale, bool config) const
 {
 	int nx = 0, ny = 0;
 	int resize = GR_RESIZE_FULL;
@@ -960,32 +970,37 @@ void HudGauge::renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, float s
 		if (HUD_shadows) {
 			color cur = gr_screen.current_color;
 			gr_set_color_fast(&Color_black);
-			emp_hud_string(x + nx + 1, y + ny + 1, gauge_id, str, resize, scale);
+			emp_hud_string(x + nx + 1, y + ny + 1, gauge_id, str, len, resize, scale);
 			gr_set_color_fast(&cur);
 		}
-		emp_hud_string(x + nx, y + ny, gauge_id, str, resize, scale);
+		emp_hud_string(x + nx, y + ny, gauge_id, str, len, resize, scale);
 	} else {
 		if (HUD_shadows) {
 			color cur = gr_screen.current_color;
 			gr_set_color_fast(&Color_black);
-			gr_string(x + nx + 1, y + ny + 1, str, resize, scale);
+			gr_string(x + nx + 1, y + ny + 1, str, resize, scale, len);
 			gr_set_color_fast(&cur);
 		}
-		gr_string(x + nx, y + ny, str, resize, scale);
+		gr_string(x + nx, y + ny, str, resize, scale, len);
 	}
 
 	gr_reset_screen_scale();
 }
 
-void HudGauge::renderStringAlignCenter(int x, int y, int area_width, const char *s, float scale, bool config)
+void HudGauge::renderStringAlignCenter(int x, int y, int area_width, const char *s, float scale, bool config) const
+{
+	renderStringAlignCenter(x, y, area_width, s, std::string::npos, scale, config);
+}
+
+void HudGauge::renderStringAlignCenter(int x, int y, int area_width, const char *s, size_t len, float scale, bool config) const
 {
 	int w, h;
 
-	gr_get_string_size(&w, &h, s, scale);
-	renderString(x + ((area_width - w) / 2), y, s, scale, config);
+	gr_get_string_size(&w, &h, s, scale, len);
+	renderString(x + ((area_width - w) / 2), y, s, len, scale, config);
 }
 
-void HudGauge::renderPrintf(int x, int y, float scale, bool config, const char* format, ...)
+void HudGauge::renderPrintf(int x, int y, float scale, bool config, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* format, ...) const
 {
 	SCP_string tmp;
 	va_list args;
@@ -998,7 +1013,7 @@ void HudGauge::renderPrintf(int x, int y, float scale, bool config, const char*
 	renderString(x, y, tmp.c_str(), scale, config);
 }
 
-void HudGauge::renderPrintfWithGauge(int x, int y, int gauge_id, float scale, bool config, const char* format, ...)
+void HudGauge::renderPrintfWithGauge(int x, int y, int gauge_id, float scale, bool config, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* format, ...) const
 {
 	SCP_string tmp;
 	va_list args;
diff --git a/code/hud/hud.h b/code/hud/hud.h
index ccefec7d3fa..9c8979e89d9 100644
--- a/code/hud/hud.h
+++ b/code/hud/hud.h
@@ -366,11 +366,14 @@ class HudGauge
 	void renderBitmap(int frame, int x, int y, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
 	void renderBitmapColor(int frame, int x, int y, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
 	void renderBitmapEx(int frame, int x, int y, int w, int h, int sx, int sy, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
-	void renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false);
-	void renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false);
-	void renderStringAlignCenter(int x, int y, int area_width, const char *s, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false);
-	void renderPrintf(int x, int y, float scale, bool config, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* format, ...) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(6, 7);
-	void renderPrintfWithGauge(int x, int y, int gauge_id, float scale, bool config, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* format, ...)  SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(7, 8);
+	void renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
+	void renderString(int x, int y, const char *str, size_t len, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
+	void renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
+	void renderString(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, size_t len, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
+	void renderStringAlignCenter(int x, int y, int area_width, const char *s, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
+	void renderStringAlignCenter(int x, int y, int area_width, const char *s, size_t len, float scale = 1.0f, bool config = false) const;
+	void renderPrintf(int x, int y, float scale, bool config, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* format, ...) const SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(6, 7);
+	void renderPrintfWithGauge(int x, int y, int gauge_id, float scale, bool config, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* format, ...) const SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(7, 8);
 	void renderLine(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, bool config = false) const;
 	void renderGradientLine(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2, bool config = false) const;
 	void renderRect(int x, int y, int w, int h, bool config = false) const;
diff --git a/code/hud/hudmessage.cpp b/code/hud/hudmessage.cpp
index 348b0a207d3..4cbaac87c6c 100644
--- a/code/hud/hudmessage.cpp
+++ b/code/hud/hudmessage.cpp
@@ -331,15 +331,9 @@ void HudGaugeMessages::processMessageBuffer()
 
 void HudGaugeMessages::addPending(const char *text, int source, int x)
 {
-	Assert(text != NULL);
+	Assert(text != nullptr);
 
-	HUD_message_data new_message;
-
-	new_message.text = text;
-	new_message.source = source;
-	new_message.x = x;
-
-	pending_messages.push(new_message);
+	pending_messages.emplace(text, source, x);
 }
 
 void HudGaugeMessages::scrollMessages()
@@ -484,7 +478,7 @@ void HudGaugeMessages::render(float  /*frametime*/, bool config)
 }
 
 //	Similar to HUD printf, but shows only one message at a time, at a fixed location.
-void HUD_fixed_printf(float duration, color col, const char *format, ...)
+void HUD_fixed_printf(float duration, color col, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ...)
 {
 	va_list	args;
 
@@ -525,8 +519,7 @@ int HUD_source_get_team(int source)
 	return source - HUD_SOURCE_TEAM_OFFSET;
 }
 
-
-void HUD_printf(const char *format, ...)
+void HUD_printf(SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ...)
 {
 	va_list args;
 	SCP_string tmp;
@@ -551,7 +544,7 @@ void HUD_printf(const char *format, ...)
 // message on the HUD.  Text is split into multiple lines if width exceeds msg display area
 // width.  'source' is used to indicate who send the message, and is used to color code text.
 //
-void HUD_sourced_printf(int source, const char *format, ...)
+void HUD_sourced_printf(int source, SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char *format, ...)
 {
 	va_list args;
 	SCP_string tmp;
@@ -579,13 +572,7 @@ void hud_sourced_print(int source, const SCP_string &msg)
 	// add message to the scrollback log first
 	hud_add_msg_to_scrollback(msg.c_str(), source, Missiontime);
 
-	HUD_message_data new_msg;
-
-	new_msg.text = msg;
-	new_msg.source = source;
-	new_msg.x = 0;
-
-	HUD_msg_buffer.push_back(new_msg);
+	HUD_msg_buffer.emplace_back(msg, source, 0);
 
 	// Invoke the scripting hook
 	if (OnHudMessageReceivedHook->isActive()) {
@@ -604,13 +591,7 @@ void hud_sourced_print(int source, const char *msg)
 	// add message to the scrollback log first
 	hud_add_msg_to_scrollback(msg, source, Missiontime);
 
-	HUD_message_data new_msg;
-
-	new_msg.text = SCP_string(msg);
-	new_msg.source = source;
-	new_msg.x = 0;
-
-	HUD_msg_buffer.push_back(new_msg);
+	HUD_msg_buffer.emplace_back(msg, source, 0);
 
 	// Invoke the scripting hook
 	if (OnHudMessageReceivedHook->isActive()) {
@@ -663,10 +644,7 @@ void hud_add_msg_to_scrollback(const char *text, int source, int t)
 	}
 
 	// create the new node for the vector
-	line_node newLine = {t, The_mission.HUD_timer_padding, source, 0, 1, w, ""};
-	newLine.text = text;
-
-	Msg_scrollback_vec.push_back(newLine);
+	Msg_scrollback_vec.emplace_back(t, The_mission.HUD_timer_padding, source, 0, 1, w, text);
 }
 
 // how many lines to skip
diff --git a/code/hud/hudmessage.h b/code/hud/hudmessage.h
index ebfbef29d46..6ce2cdfb053 100644
--- a/code/hud/hudmessage.h
+++ b/code/hud/hudmessage.h
@@ -30,13 +30,20 @@
 
 #define HUD_SOURCE_TEAM_OFFSET	8	// must be higher than any previous hud source
 
-typedef struct HUD_message_data {
+struct HUD_message_data
+{
 	SCP_string text;
 	int source;  // where this message came from so we can color code it
 	int x;
-} HUD_message_data;
 
-typedef struct line_node {
+	HUD_message_data() = default;
+	HUD_message_data(SCP_string _text, int _source, int _x)
+		: text(std::move(_text)), source(_source), x(_x)
+	{}
+};
+
+struct line_node
+{
 	fix time;  // timestamp when message was added
 	int timer_padding; // the mission timer padding, in seconds, at the time the message was added
 	int source;  // who/what the source of the message was (for color coding)
@@ -44,7 +51,11 @@ typedef struct line_node {
 	int y;
 	int underline_width;
 	SCP_string text;
-} line_node;
+
+	line_node(fix _time, int _timer_padding, int _source, int _x, int _y, int _underline_width, SCP_string _text)
+		: time(_time), timer_padding(_timer_padding), source(_source), x(_x), y(_y), underline_width(_underline_width), text(std::move(_text))
+	{}
+};
 
 extern SCP_vector<line_node> Msg_scrollback_vec;
 
diff --git a/code/weapon/emp.cpp b/code/weapon/emp.cpp
index 32fbf1fb887..36f406a156f 100644
--- a/code/weapon/emp.cpp
+++ b/code/weapon/emp.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ char Emp_random_char[NUM_RANDOM_CHARS] =
 //
 
 // maybe reformat a string 
-void emp_maybe_reformat_text(char *text, int max_len, int gauge_id);
+void emp_maybe_reformat_text(char *text, size_t max_len, int gauge_id);
 
 // randomize the chars in a string
 void emp_randomize_chars(char *str);
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ int emp_should_blit_gauge()
 }
 
 // emp hud string
-void emp_hud_string(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, int resize_mode, float scale)
+void emp_hud_string(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, size_t len, int resize_mode, float scale)
 {
 	// maybe bail
 	if (!*str)
@@ -495,25 +495,28 @@ void emp_hud_string(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, int resize_mode
 
 	// if the emp effect is not active, don't even bother messing with the text
 	if(emp_active_local()){
+		auto tmp_len = std::min(len, i2sz(255));
+
 		// use a copied string rather than the original
 		char tmp[256] = "";
-		strcpy_s(tmp, str);
+		strncpy(tmp, str, tmp_len);
+		tmp[tmp_len] = '\0';
 
-		emp_maybe_reformat_text(tmp, 256, gauge_id);
+		emp_maybe_reformat_text(tmp, tmp_len, gauge_id);
 
 		// jitter the coords
 		emp_hud_jitter(&x, &y);
 
 		// print the string out
-		gr_string(x, y, tmp, resize_mode, scale);
+		gr_string(x, y, tmp, resize_mode, scale, len);
 	} else {
 		// print the original string out
-		gr_string(x, y, str, resize_mode, scale);
+		gr_string(x, y, str, resize_mode, scale, len);
 	}
 }
 
 // maybe reformat a string 
-void emp_maybe_reformat_text(char *text, int  /*max_len*/, int gauge_id)
+void emp_maybe_reformat_text(char *text, size_t /*max_len*/, int gauge_id)
 {
 	wacky_text *wt;
 
diff --git a/code/weapon/emp.h b/code/weapon/emp.h
index 71c48d44d0d..6af24faf3fe 100644
--- a/code/weapon/emp.h
+++ b/code/weapon/emp.h
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ void emp_process_local();
 int emp_should_blit_gauge();
 
 // emp hud string
-void emp_hud_string(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, int resize_mode, float scale = 1.0f);
+void emp_hud_string(int x, int y, int gauge_id, const char *str, size_t len, int resize_mode, float scale = 1.0f);
 
 // throw some jitter into HUD x and y coords
 void emp_hud_jitter(int *x, int *y);
diff --git a/qtfred/src/mission/Editor.h b/qtfred/src/mission/Editor.h
index 463fdec0e3a..e6c4e468013 100644
--- a/qtfred/src/mission/Editor.h
+++ b/qtfred/src/mission/Editor.h
@@ -314,8 +314,8 @@ class Editor : public QObject {
 
 	int global_error_check_impl();
 
-	int error(SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* msg, ...) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(2, 3);
-	int internal_error(SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* msg, ...) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(2, 3);
+	int error(SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* msg, ...) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(1, 2);
+	int internal_error(SCP_FORMAT_STRING const char* msg, ...) SCP_FORMAT_STRING_ARGS(1, 2);
 
 	int fred_check_sexp(int sexp, int type, const char* location, ...);