diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp
index 11d794d2..eabd4e25 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp
@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
         plResManager* resMgr = new plResManager;
         hsgResMgr::Init(resMgr);
 #ifndef _DEBUG
+    } catch (std::exception &e) {
+        printf(" ***crashed on init: %s\n", e.what());
+        return 2;
     } catch (...) {
         puts(" ***crashed on init");
         return 2;
@@ -75,6 +78,10 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
         optimizer.Optimize();
     }
 #ifndef _DEBUG
+    catch (std::exception &e) {
+        printf(" ***crashed on optimizing: %s\n", e.what());
+        return 2;
+    }
     catch (...) {
         puts(" ***crashed on optimizing");
         return 2;
@@ -92,6 +99,9 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
 
         hsgResMgr::Shutdown();
 #ifndef _DEBUG
+    } catch (std::exception &e) {
+        printf(" ***crashed on shutdown: %s\n", e.what());
+        return 2;
     } catch (...) {
         puts(" ***crashed on shutdown");
         return 2;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/CMakeLists.txt b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/CMakeLists.txt
index 21abff68..759e6384 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ set(CoreLib_SOURCES
     hsBounds.cpp
     hsCpuID.cpp
     hsCritSect.cpp
+    hsExceptions.cpp
     hsExceptionStack.cpp
     hsFastMath.cpp
     hsGeometry3.cpp
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ set(CoreLib_HEADERS
     hsCpuID.h
     hsCritSect.h
     hsExceptions.h
+    hsExceptionStack.h
     hsFastMath.h
     hsGeometry3.h
     hsHashTable.h
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/HeadSpin.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/HeadSpin.h
index 98de089a..c31d9876 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/HeadSpin.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/HeadSpin.h
@@ -130,6 +130,22 @@ typedef int32_t   hsError;
 #   define hsDeprecated(message)
 #endif
 
+#ifdef HAVE_OVERRIDE
+#   define HS_OVERRIDE  override
+#   define HS_FINAL     final
+#else
+#   define HS_OVERRIDE
+#   define HS_FINAL
+#endif
+
+#ifdef HAVE_NOEXCEPT
+#   define HS_NOEXCEPT          noexcept
+#   define HS_NOEXCEPT_IF(cond) noexcept(cond)
+#else
+#   define HS_NOEXCEPT          throw()
+#   define HS_NOEXCEPT_IF(cond)
+#endif
+
 //======================================
 // Endian swap funcitions
 //======================================
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptionStack.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptionStack.cpp
index 4e9d47b7..44eadd19 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptionStack.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptionStack.cpp
@@ -48,4 +48,4 @@ void hsExceptionStack::FreeInstance()
 {
     delete fExceptionStack;
     fExceptionStack = nil;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..cbb81069
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#include "hsExceptions.h"
+
+#include <cstring>
+
+hsException::hsException(hsErrorEnum error, long param) HS_NOEXCEPT
+    : fError(error), fParam(param)
+{
+    static const char *kErrorNames[] = {
+        "kNo_hsError",
+        "kNilParam_hsError",
+        "kBadParam_hsError",
+        "kInternal_hsError",
+        "kOS_hsError"
+    };
+    static_assert(arrsize(kErrorNames) == hsErrorEnum_MAX,
+        "kErrorNames not in sync with hsErrorEnum");
+
+    if (fError >= 0 && fError < hsErrorEnum_MAX)
+        snprintf(fWhat, arrsize(fWhat), "%s (%ld)", kErrorNames[fError], fParam);
+    else
+        snprintf(fWhat, arrsize(fWhat), "Unknown hsException error %d (%ld)", fError, fParam);
+}
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.h
index 09697e37..47b5a525 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsExceptions.h
@@ -43,64 +43,52 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define hsExceptionDefined
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
-
-// #define HS_NO_EXCEPTIONS -- this will turn off execptions you might want 
-// to do it with -D or equivalent instead of here since who knows who includes this.
-
-
+#include <exception>
 
 enum hsErrorEnum {
     kNo_hsError,
-    kBadAlloc_hsError,
     kNilParam_hsError,
     kBadParam_hsError,
     kInternal_hsError,
-    kOS_hsError
+    kOS_hsError,
+    hsErrorEnum_MAX
 };
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-class hsException {
+class hsException : public std::exception {
 public:
     hsErrorEnum fError;
-    long            fParam;
-    
-    hsException(hsErrorEnum error, long param = 0) : fError(error), fParam(param) {}
-};
+    long        fParam;
+    char        fWhat[64];
 
-class hsBadAllocException : public hsException {
-public:
-    hsBadAllocException() : hsException(kBadAlloc_hsError) {}
+    hsException(hsErrorEnum error, long param = 0) HS_NOEXCEPT;
+    const char *what() const HS_NOEXCEPT HS_OVERRIDE { return fWhat; }
 };
 
 class hsNilParamException : public hsException {
 public:
-    hsNilParamException() : hsException(kNilParam_hsError) {}
+    hsNilParamException() HS_NOEXCEPT : hsException(kNilParam_hsError) {}
 };
 
 class hsBadParamException : public hsException {
 public:
-    hsBadParamException() : hsException(kBadParam_hsError) {}
+    hsBadParamException() HS_NOEXCEPT : hsException(kBadParam_hsError) {}
 };
 
 class hsInternalException : public hsException {
 public:
-    hsInternalException() : hsException(kInternal_hsError) {}
+    hsInternalException() HS_NOEXCEPT : hsException(kInternal_hsError) {}
 };
 
 class hsOSException : public hsException {
 public:
-    hsOSException(long error) : hsException(kOS_hsError, error) {}
+    hsOSException(long error) HS_NOEXCEPT : hsException(kOS_hsError, error) {}
 };
 
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#ifndef HS_NO_EXCEPTIONS
-#define hsThrow(a) {hsAssert(0,#a);throw a;}
-#define hsCatch(a) catch (a)
-#define hsCatch2(a,b) catch (a b)
-
-#define hsTry try
+#define hsThrow(a) { hsAssert(0,#a); throw a; }
 
 inline void hsThrowIfNilParam(const void* p)
 {
@@ -165,48 +153,4 @@ inline void hsThrowIfFalse(bool condition, const char message[])
     }
 }
 
-#else
-#define hsThrow(a) {hsAssert(0,#a);}
-#define hsCatch(a) if(0)
-#define hsCatch2(a,b) if(0)
-#define hsTry 
-
-inline void hsThrowIfNilParam(const void* p)
-{
-    hsAssert(p!=nil,"hsThrowIfNilParam");
-}
-
-inline void hsThrowIfBadParam(bool trueIfBadParam)
-{
-    hsAssert(!trueIfBadParam,"hsThrowIfBadParam");
-}
-
-inline void hsThrowIfOSErr(long osErr)
-{
-    hsAssert(osErr==0,"hsThrowIfOSErr");
-}
-
-inline void hsThrowIfTrue(bool condition)
-{
-    hsAssert(!condition,"hsThrowIfTrue");
-}
-
-inline void hsThrowIfFalse(bool condition)
-{
-    hsAssert(condition,"hsThrowIfFalse");
-}
-
-inline void hsThrowIfTrue(bool condition, const char message[])
-{
-    hsAssert(!condition,message);
-}
-
-inline void hsThrowIfFalse(bool condition, const char message[])
-{
-    hsAssert(condition,message);
-}
-
-
-#endif
-
 #endif
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.cpp
index a0d934ae..fdd18685 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.cpp
@@ -110,44 +110,6 @@ void HSMemory::Clear(void* m, uint32_t byteLen)
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#if 0
-template <class T> T* hsSoftNew(T*& obj)
-{
-    try {
-        obj = new T;
-    }
-    catch (...) {
-        obj = nil;
-    }
-    return obj;
-}
-
-inline template <class T> T* hsSoftNew(T*& obj, unsigned count)
-{
-    try {
-        obj = new T[count];
-    }
-    catch (...) {
-        obj = nil;
-    }
-    return obj;
-}
-#endif
-
-void* HSMemory::SoftNew(uint32_t size)
-{
-    uint32_t* p;
-
-    hsTry {
-        p = new uint32_t[(size + 3) >> 2];
-    } hsCatch(...) {
-        p = nil;
-    }
-    return p;
-}
-
-//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
 struct hsPrivateChunk {
     hsPrivateChunk* fNext;
     char*           fAvailableAddr;
@@ -222,19 +184,6 @@ void* hsChunkAllocator::Allocate(uint32_t size, const void* data)
     return addr;
 }
 
-void* hsChunkAllocator::SoftAllocate(uint32_t size, const void* data)
-{
-    void*   addr;
-
-    hsTry {
-        addr = this->Allocate(size, data);
-    }
-    hsCatch(...) {
-        addr = nil;
-    }
-    return addr;
-}
-
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 struct hsAppenderHead {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.h
index 32f7877d..0b5d8c5e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsMemory.h
@@ -56,8 +56,6 @@ public:
     static void* New(uint32_t size);
     static void  Delete(void* block);
     static void* Copy(uint32_t length, const void* source);
-    
-    static void* SoftNew(uint32_t size);   // returns nil if can't allocate
 };
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -110,8 +108,7 @@ public:
 
     void        Reset();
     void        SetChunkSize(uint32_t size);
-    void*   Allocate(uint32_t size, const void* data = nil);      // throws if fails
-    void*   SoftAllocate(uint32_t size, const void* data = nil);  // returns nil if fails
+    void*   Allocate(uint32_t size, const void* data = nil);
 };
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.cpp
index c55ea7ed..de339fdb 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.cpp
@@ -489,23 +489,23 @@ plUnicodeBuffer plString::GetUnicodeArray() const
     return result;
 }
 
-int plString::ToInt(int base) const
+int plString::ToInt(int base) const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     return static_cast<int>(strtol(c_str(), nullptr, base));
 }
 
-unsigned int plString::ToUInt(int base) const
+unsigned int plString::ToUInt(int base) const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     return static_cast<unsigned int>(strtoul(c_str(), nullptr, base));
 }
 
-float plString::ToFloat() const
+float plString::ToFloat() const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     // strtof is C99, which MS doesn't support...
     return (float)strtod(c_str(), nullptr);
 }
 
-double plString::ToDouble() const
+double plString::ToDouble() const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     return strtod(c_str(), nullptr);
 }
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ plString plString::IFormat(const char *fmt, va_list vptr)
     return plString::FromUtf8(buffer, chars);
 }
 
-ssize_t plString::Find(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense) const
+ssize_t plString::Find(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense) const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     if (sense == kCaseSensitive) {
         const char *cp = strchr(c_str(), ch);
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ ssize_t plString::Find(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense) const
     }
 }
 
-ssize_t plString::FindLast(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense) const
+ssize_t plString::FindLast(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense) const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     if (IsEmpty())
         return -1;
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ ssize_t plString::FindLast(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense) const
     }
 }
 
-ssize_t plString::Find(const char *str, CaseSensitivity sense) const
+ssize_t plString::Find(const char *str, CaseSensitivity sense) const HS_NOEXCEPT
 {
     if (!str || !str[0])
         return -1;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h
index fe68b3b5..65eefe3a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h
@@ -95,11 +95,11 @@ private:
         unsigned int fRefs;
         const _Ch *fStringData;
 
-        StringRef(const _Ch *data)
+        StringRef(const _Ch *data) HS_NOEXCEPT
             : fRefs(1), fStringData(data) { }
 
-        inline void AddRef() { ++fRefs; }
-        inline void DecRef()
+        inline void AddRef() HS_NOEXCEPT { ++fRefs; }
+        inline void DecRef() HS_NOEXCEPT
         {
             if (--fRefs == 0) {
                 delete [] fStringData;
@@ -114,14 +114,14 @@ private:
     };
     size_t fSize;
 
-    bool IHaveACow() const { return fSize >= SSO_CHARS; }
+    bool IHaveACow() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fSize >= SSO_CHARS; }
 
 public:
     /** Construct an empty string buffer. */
-    plStringBuffer() : fSize(0) { memset(fShort, 0, sizeof(fShort)); }
+    plStringBuffer() HS_NOEXCEPT : fSize(0) { memset(fShort, 0, sizeof(fShort)); }
 
     /** Copy constructor - adds a reference to the copied buffer */
-    plStringBuffer(const plStringBuffer<_Ch> &copy) : fSize(copy.fSize)
+    plStringBuffer(const plStringBuffer<_Ch> &copy) HS_NOEXCEPT : fSize(copy.fSize)
     {
         memcpy(fShort, copy.fShort, sizeof(fShort));
         if (IHaveACow())
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Move constructor */
-    plStringBuffer(plStringBuffer<_Ch> &&move) : fSize(move.fSize)
+    plStringBuffer(plStringBuffer<_Ch> &&move) HS_NOEXCEPT : fSize(move.fSize)
     {
         memcpy(fShort, move.fShort, sizeof(fShort));
         move.fSize = 0;
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ public:
     /** Destructor.  The ref-counted data will only be freed if no other
      *  string buffers still reference it.
      */
-    ~plStringBuffer<_Ch>()
+    ~plStringBuffer<_Ch>() HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         if (IHaveACow())
             fData->DecRef();
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public:
     /** Assignment operator.  Changes the reference to point to the
      *  buffer in \a copy.
      */
-    plStringBuffer<_Ch> &operator=(const plStringBuffer<_Ch> &copy)
+    plStringBuffer<_Ch> &operator=(const plStringBuffer<_Ch> &copy) HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         if (copy.IHaveACow())
             copy.fData->AddRef();
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Move assignment operator */
-    plStringBuffer<_Ch> &operator=(plStringBuffer<_Ch> &&move)
+    plStringBuffer<_Ch> &operator=(plStringBuffer<_Ch> &&move) HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         if (IHaveACow())
             fData->DecRef();
@@ -188,17 +188,17 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Returns a pointer to the referenced string buffer. */
-    const _Ch *GetData() const { return IHaveACow() ? fData->fStringData : fShort; }
+    const _Ch *GetData() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return IHaveACow() ? fData->fStringData : fShort; }
 
     /** Returns the number of characters (not including the '\0') in the
      *  referenced string buffer.
      */
-    size_t GetSize() const { return fSize; }
+    size_t GetSize() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fSize; }
 
     /** Cast operator.  This is a shortcut for not needing to call GetData on
      *  buffer objects passed to methods or objects expecting a C-style string.
      */
-    operator const _Ch *() const { return GetData(); }
+    operator const _Ch *() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return GetData(); }
 
     /** Create a writable buffer for \a size characters.
      *  From Haxxia with love!  This will release the current string buffer
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ public:
 
 public:
     /** Construct a valid, empty string. */
-    plString() { }
+    plString() HS_NOEXCEPT { }
 
     /** Construct a string from a C-style string.
      *  \note This constructor expects the input to be UTF-8 encoded.  For
@@ -286,19 +286,19 @@ public:
     plString(char (&literal)[_Sz]) { IConvertFromUtf8(literal, STRLEN_AUTO); }
 
     /** Copy constructor. */
-    plString(const plString &copy) : fUtf8Buffer(copy.fUtf8Buffer) { }
+    plString(const plString &copy) HS_NOEXCEPT : fUtf8Buffer(copy.fUtf8Buffer) { }
 
     /** Move constructor. */
-    plString(plString &&move) : fUtf8Buffer(std::move(move.fUtf8Buffer)) { }
+    plString(plString &&move) HS_NOEXCEPT : fUtf8Buffer(std::move(move.fUtf8Buffer)) { }
 
     /** Copy constructor from plStringBuffer<char>.
      *  \note This constructor expects the input to be UTF-8 encoded.  For
      *        conversion from ISO-8859-1 8-bit data, use FromIso8859_1().
      */
-    plString(const plStringBuffer<char> &init) { operator=(init); }
+    plString(const plStringBuffer<char> &init) HS_NOEXCEPT { operator=(init); }
 
     /** Move constructor from plStringBuffer<char>. */
-    plString(plStringBuffer<char> &&init) { operator=(std::move(init)); }
+    plString(plStringBuffer<char> &&init) HS_NOEXCEPT { operator=(std::move(init)); }
 
     /** Construct a string from expanded Unicode data. */
     plString(const plUnicodeBuffer &init) { IConvertFromUtf32(init.GetData(), init.GetSize()); }
@@ -315,10 +315,10 @@ public:
     plString &operator=(char (&literal)[_Sz]) { IConvertFromUtf8(literal, STRLEN_AUTO); return *this; }
 
     /** Assignment operator.  Same as plString(const plString &). */
-    plString &operator=(const plString &copy) { fUtf8Buffer = copy.fUtf8Buffer; return *this; }
+    plString &operator=(const plString &copy) HS_NOEXCEPT { fUtf8Buffer = copy.fUtf8Buffer; return *this; }
 
     /** Assignment operator.  Same as plString(plString &&). */
-    plString &operator=(plString &&move) { fUtf8Buffer = std::move(move.fUtf8Buffer); return *this; }
+    plString &operator=(plString &&move) HS_NOEXCEPT { fUtf8Buffer = std::move(move.fUtf8Buffer); return *this; }
 
     /** Assignment operator.  Same as plString(const plStringBuffer<char> &). */
     plString &operator=(const plStringBuffer<char> &init);
@@ -384,17 +384,17 @@ public:
      *  expecting C-style string pointers.  If this string is empty, returns
      *  \a substitute instead.
      */
-    const char *c_str(const char *substitute = "") const
+    const char *c_str(const char *substitute = "") const HS_NOEXCEPT
     { return IsEmpty() ? substitute : fUtf8Buffer.GetData(); }
 
     /** Return the byte at position \a position.  Note that this may be in
      *  the middle of a UTF-8 sequence -- if you want an actual Unicode
      *  character, use the buffer returned from GetUnicodeArray() instead.
      */
-    char CharAt(size_t position) const { return c_str()[position]; }
+    char CharAt(size_t position) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return c_str()[position]; }
 
     /** Returns the internal UTF-8 data buffer object. */
-    plStringBuffer<char> ToUtf8() const { return fUtf8Buffer; }
+    plStringBuffer<char> ToUtf8() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fUtf8Buffer; }
 
     /** Convert this string's data to a UTF-16 string buffer. */
     plStringBuffer<uint16_t> ToUtf16() const;
@@ -421,10 +421,10 @@ public:
     /** Returns the size in number of bytes (excluding the null-terminator) of
      *  this string.
      */
-    size_t GetSize() const { return fUtf8Buffer.GetSize(); }
+    size_t GetSize() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fUtf8Buffer.GetSize(); }
 
     /** Returns \c true if this string is empty (""). */
-    bool IsEmpty() const { return fUtf8Buffer.GetSize() == 0; }
+    bool IsEmpty() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fUtf8Buffer.GetSize() == 0; }
 
     /** Returns \c true if this string is "null".  Currently, this is just
      *  a synonym for IsEmpty(), as plString makes no distinction between
@@ -432,27 +432,27 @@ public:
      *  \todo Evaluate whether Plasma actually needs to distinguish between
      *        empty and NULL strings.  Ideally, only IsEmpty should be required.
      */
-    bool IsNull() const { return IsEmpty(); }
+    bool IsNull() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return IsEmpty(); }
 
     /** Convert the string data to an integer in base \a base.
      *  If base is set to 0, this function behaves like strtol, which checks
      *  for hex or octal prefixes (e.g. 0777 or 0x1234), and assumes base 10
      *  if none are found.
      */
-    int ToInt(int base = 0) const;
+    int ToInt(int base = 0) const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Convert the string to an unsigned integer in base \a base.
      *  If base is set to 0, this function behaves like strtoul, which checks
      *  for hex or octal prefixes (e.g. 0777 or 0x1234), and assumes base 10
      *  if none are found.
      */
-    unsigned int ToUInt(int base = 0) const;
+    unsigned int ToUInt(int base = 0) const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Convert the string to a floating point value. */
-    float ToFloat() const;
+    float ToFloat() const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Convert the string to a double precision floating point value. */
-    double ToDouble() const;
+    double ToDouble() const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Construct a plString using a printf-like format string.
      *  This function should be called inside of other vararg functions,
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ public:
      *    \li \p \<0 - this string is lexicographically less than \a str
      *    \li \p \>0 - this string is lexicographically greater than \a str
      */
-    int Compare(const plString &str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const
+    int Compare(const plString &str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         return (sense == kCaseSensitive) ? strcmp(c_str(), str.c_str())
                                          : stricmp(c_str(), str.c_str());
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ public:
      *    \li \p \<0 - this string is lexicographically less than \a str
      *    \li \p \>0 - this string is lexicographically greater than \a str
      */
-    int Compare(const char *str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const
+    int Compare(const char *str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         return (sense == kCaseSensitive) ? strcmp(c_str(), str ? str : "")
                                          : stricmp(c_str(), str ? str : "");
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ public:
      *  string with \a str.
      *  \sa Compare(const plString &, CaseSensitivity) const
      */
-    int CompareN(const plString &str, size_t count, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const
+    int CompareN(const plString &str, size_t count, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         return (sense == kCaseSensitive) ? strncmp(c_str(), str.c_str(), count)
                                          : strnicmp(c_str(), str.c_str(), count);
@@ -502,58 +502,58 @@ public:
      *  string with \a str.
      *  \sa Compare(const char *, CaseSensitivity) const
      */
-    int CompareN(const char *str, size_t count, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const
+    int CompareN(const char *str, size_t count, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         return (sense == kCaseSensitive) ? strncmp(c_str(), str ? str : "", count)
                                          : strnicmp(c_str(), str ? str : "", count);
     }
 
     /** Shortcut for Compare(str, kCaseInsensitive). */
-    int CompareI(const plString &str) const { return Compare(str, kCaseInsensitive); }
+    int CompareI(const plString &str) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(str, kCaseInsensitive); }
 
     /** Shortcut for Compare(str, kCaseInsensitive). */
-    int CompareI(const char *str) const { return Compare(str, kCaseInsensitive); }
+    int CompareI(const char *str) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(str, kCaseInsensitive); }
 
     /** Shortcut for CompareN(str, kCaseInsensitive). */
-    int CompareNI(const plString &str, size_t count) const { return CompareN(str, count, kCaseInsensitive); }
+    int CompareNI(const plString &str, size_t count) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return CompareN(str, count, kCaseInsensitive); }
 
     /** Shortcut for CompareN(str, kCaseInsensitive). */
-    int CompareNI(const char *str, size_t count) const { return CompareN(str, count, kCaseInsensitive); }
+    int CompareNI(const char *str, size_t count) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return CompareN(str, count, kCaseInsensitive); }
 
     /** Operator overload for use in containers which depend on \c std::less. */
-    bool operator<(const plString &other) const { return Compare(other) < 0; }
+    bool operator<(const plString &other) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(other) < 0; }
 
     /** Test if this string contains the same string data as \a other. */
-    bool operator==(const char *other) const { return Compare(other) == 0; }
+    bool operator==(const char *other) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(other) == 0; }
 
     /** Test if this string contains the same string data as \a other. */
-    bool operator==(const plString &other) const { return Compare(other) == 0; }
+    bool operator==(const plString &other) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(other) == 0; }
 
     /** Inverse of operator==(const char *) const. */
-    bool operator!=(const char *other) const { return Compare(other) != 0; }
+    bool operator!=(const char *other) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(other) != 0; }
 
     /** Inverse of operator==(const plString &) const. */
-    bool operator!=(const plString &other) const { return Compare(other) != 0; }
+    bool operator!=(const plString &other) const HS_NOEXCEPT { return Compare(other) != 0; }
 
     /** Find the index (in bytes) of the first instance of \a ch in this string.
      *  \return -1 if the character was not found.
      */
-    ssize_t Find(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const;
+    ssize_t Find(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Find the index (in bytes) of the last instance of \a ch in this string.
      *  \return -1 if the character was not found.
      */
-    ssize_t FindLast(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const;
+    ssize_t FindLast(char ch, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Find the index (in bytes) of the first instance of \a str in this string.
      *  \return -1 if the substring was not found.
      */
-    ssize_t Find(const char *str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const;
+    ssize_t Find(const char *str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT;
 
     /** Find the index (in bytes) of the first instance of \a str in this string.
      *  \return -1 if the substring was not found.
      */
-    ssize_t Find(const plString &str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const
+    ssize_t Find(const plString &str, CaseSensitivity sense = kCaseSensitive) const HS_NOEXCEPT
     { return Find(str.c_str(), sense); }
 
     /** Check that this string matches the specified regular expression.
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ public:
     {
         // TODO:  This doesn't really use enough bits to be useful when
         //   size_t is 64-bits.
-        size_t operator()(const plString& str) const
+        size_t operator()(const plString& str) const HS_NOEXCEPT
         {
             size_t hash = 0;
             for (size_t i = 0; i < str.GetSize(); ++i) {
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ public:
         }
 
     protected:
-        virtual char fetch_char(const plString& str, size_t index) const
+        virtual char fetch_char(const plString& str, size_t index) const HS_NOEXCEPT
         { return str.CharAt(index); }
     };
 
@@ -670,21 +670,21 @@ public:
     struct hash_i : public hash
     {
     protected:
-        virtual char fetch_char(const plString& str, size_t index) const
+        char fetch_char(const plString& str, size_t index) const HS_NOEXCEPT HS_FINAL HS_OVERRIDE
         { return tolower(str.CharAt(index)); }
     };
 
     /** Functor which compares two strings case-insensitively for sorting. */
     struct less_i
     {
-        bool operator()(const plString &_L, const plString &_R) const
+        bool operator()(const plString &_L, const plString &_R) const HS_NOEXCEPT
         { return _L.Compare(_R, kCaseInsensitive) < 0; }
     };
 
     /** Functor which compares two strings case-insensitively for equality. */
     struct equal_i
     {
-        bool operator()(const plString &_L, const plString &_R) const
+        bool operator()(const plString &_L, const plString &_R) const HS_NOEXCEPT
         { return _L.Compare(_R, kCaseInsensitive) == 0; }
     };
 
@@ -715,16 +715,16 @@ public:
     /** Construct a new empty string stream.  The first STRING_STACK_SIZE
      *  bytes are allocated on the stack for further efficiency.
      */
-    plStringStream() : fBufSize(STRING_STACK_SIZE), fLength(0) { }
+    plStringStream() HS_NOEXCEPT : fBufSize(STRING_STACK_SIZE), fLength(0) { }
 
     /** Destructor, frees any allocated heap memory owned by the stream. */
-    ~plStringStream() { if (ICanHasHeap()) delete [] fBuffer; }
+    ~plStringStream() HS_NOEXCEPT { if (ICanHasHeap()) delete [] fBuffer; }
 
     plStringStream(const plStringStream &) = delete;
     plStringStream &operator=(const plStringStream &) = delete;
 
     /** Move operator */
-    plStringStream(plStringStream &&move)
+    plStringStream(plStringStream &&move) HS_NOEXCEPT
         : fBufSize(move.fBufSize), fLength(move.fLength)
     {
         memcpy(fShort, move.fShort, sizeof(fShort));
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ public:
     }
 
     /** Move assignment operator. */
-    plStringStream &operator=(plStringStream &&move)
+    plStringStream &operator=(plStringStream &&move) HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         memcpy(fShort, move.fShort, sizeof(fShort));
         fBufSize = move.fBufSize;
@@ -780,13 +780,13 @@ public:
     /** Returns a pointer to the beginning of the stream buffer.
      *  \warning This pointer is not null-terminated.
      */
-    const char *GetRawBuffer() const
+    const char *GetRawBuffer() const HS_NOEXCEPT
     {
         return ICanHasHeap() ? fBuffer : fShort;
     }
 
     /** Return the size (in bytes) of the stream's data. */
-    size_t GetLength() const { return fLength; }
+    size_t GetLength() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fLength; }
 
     /** Convert the stream's data to a UTF-8 string. */
     plString GetString() const { return plString::FromUtf8(GetRawBuffer(), fLength); }
@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ public:
      *  with as much space as it had before, making this method more
      *  useful for re-using string streams in loops.
      */
-    void Truncate() { fLength = 0; }
+    void Truncate() HS_NOEXCEPT { fLength = 0; }
 
 private:
     union {
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ private:
     };
     size_t fBufSize, fLength;
 
-    bool ICanHasHeap() const { return fBufSize > STRING_STACK_SIZE; }
+    bool ICanHasHeap() const HS_NOEXCEPT { return fBufSize > STRING_STACK_SIZE; }
 };
 
 /** \p strlen implementation for plUniChar based C-style string buffers. */
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plEAXEffects.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plEAXEffects.cpp
index 5feb43ff..9a0b4d7e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plEAXEffects.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plEAXEffects.cpp
@@ -150,7 +150,13 @@ bool    plEAXListener::Init( void )
 
         SetGlobalEAXProperty(DSPROPSETID_EAX_ListenerProperties, DSPROPERTY_EAXLISTENER_ROOM, &lRoom, sizeof( unsigned int ));
     }
-    catch ( ... )
+    catch (std::exception &e)
+    {
+        plStatusLog::AddLineS("audio.log", "Unable to set EAX Property Set (%s), disabling EAX...", e.what());
+        plgAudioSys::EnableEAX(false);
+        return false;
+    }
+    catch (...)
     {
         plStatusLog::AddLineS("audio.log", "Unable to set EAX Property Set, disabling EAX...");
         plgAudioSys::EnableEAX(false);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
index 5485995c..e690c71e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
@@ -158,14 +158,16 @@ bool plAvBrainHuman::Apply(double timeNow, float elapsed)
         fWalkingStrategy->SetTurnStrength(IGetTurnStrength(timeNow));
         RunStandardBehaviors(timeNow, elapsed);
         fWalkingStrategy->RecalcVelocity(timeNow, elapsed, (fPreconditions & plHBehavior::kBehaviorTypeNeedsRecalcMask));
-        
+
         plArmatureBrain::Apply(timeNow, elapsed);
 #ifndef _DEBUG
-    } catch (...)
-    {
+    } catch (std::exception &e) {
+        plStatusLog *log = plAvatarMgr::GetInstance()->GetLog();
+        log->AddLineF("plAvBrainHuman::Apply - exception caught: %s", e.what());
+    } catch (...) {
         // just catch all the crashes on exit...
         plStatusLog *log = plAvatarMgr::GetInstance()->GetLog();
-        log->AddLine("plAvBrainHuman::Apply - crash caught");
+        log->AddLine("plAvBrainHuman::Apply - exception caught");
     }
 #endif
     
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plDynamicTextMap.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plDynamicTextMap.h
index 01bc12a1..8069d4c6 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plDynamicTextMap.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plDynamicTextMap.h
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ class plDynamicTextMap : public plMipmap
 
         virtual uint8_t   GetNumLevels( void ) const { return 1; }
 
-        void        Colorize() override { }
-        plMipmap    *Clone() const override;
-        void        CopyFrom(const plMipmap *source) override;
+        void        Colorize() HS_OVERRIDE { }
+        plMipmap    *Clone() const HS_OVERRIDE;
+        void        CopyFrom(const plMipmap *source) HS_OVERRIDE;
 
 
         /// Operations to perform on the text block
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plFont.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plFont.cpp
index 90770fd5..e998e089 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plFont.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plFont.cpp
@@ -1475,7 +1475,13 @@ bool    plFont::LoadFromFNTStream( hsStream *stream )
         ICalcFontAscent();
         return true;
     }
-    catch( ... )
+    catch (std::exception &e)
+    {
+        printf("Exception caught in plFont::LoadFromFNTStream: %s\n", e.what());
+        IClear();
+        return false;
+    }
+    catch (...)
     {
         // Somehow we crashed converting!
         IClear();
@@ -2092,7 +2098,14 @@ bool    plFont::LoadFromBDF( const plFileName &path, plBDFConvertCallback *callb
             }
         }
     }
-    catch( ... )
+    catch (std::exception &e)
+    {
+        printf("Exception caught in plFont::LoadFromBDF: %s\n", e.what());
+        IClear();
+        fclose(fp);
+        return false;
+    }
+    catch (...)
     {
         IClear();
         fclose( fp );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plJPEG.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plJPEG.cpp
index e592a010..1df89465 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plJPEG.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plJPEG.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ static char jpegmsg[JMSG_LENGTH_MAX];
 static void plJPEG_error_exit( j_common_ptr cinfo )
 {
     (*cinfo->err->format_message) ( cinfo, jpegmsg );
-    throw ( false );
+    throw false;
 }
 static void plJPEG_emit_message( j_common_ptr cinfo, int msg_level )
 {
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ plMipmap    *plJPEG::IRead( hsStream *inStream )
 
         /// Read in the JPEG header
         if ( inStream->GetEOF() == 0 )
-            throw( false );
+            throw false;
 
         /// Wonderful limitation of mixing our streams with IJL--it wants either a filename
         /// or a memory buffer. Since we can't give it the former, we have to read the entire
@@ -142,11 +142,6 @@ plMipmap    *plJPEG::IRead( hsStream *inStream )
         /// have to write/read a length of said buffer. Such is life, I guess...
         jpegSourceSize = inStream->ReadLE32();
         jpegSourceBuffer = new uint8_t[ jpegSourceSize ];
-        if( jpegSourceBuffer == nil )
-        {
-            // waah.
-            ERREXIT1( &cinfo, JERR_OUT_OF_MEMORY, 0 );
-        }
 
         inStream->Read( jpegSourceSize, jpegSourceBuffer );
         jpeg_mem_src( &cinfo, jpegSourceBuffer, jpegSourceSize );
@@ -183,11 +178,6 @@ plMipmap    *plJPEG::IRead( hsStream *inStream )
         /// Construct a new mipmap to hold everything
         newMipmap = new plMipmap( cinfo.output_width, cinfo.output_height, plMipmap::kRGB32Config, 1, plMipmap::kJPEGCompression );
 
-        if( newMipmap == nil || newMipmap->GetImage() == nil )
-        {
-            ERREXIT1( &cinfo, JERR_OUT_OF_MEMORY, 0 );
-        }
-
         /// Set up to read in to that buffer we now have
         JSAMPROW jbuffer;
         int row_stride = cinfo.output_width * cinfo.output_components;
@@ -216,7 +206,7 @@ plMipmap    *plJPEG::IRead( hsStream *inStream )
         // Sometimes life just sucks
         ISwapRGBAComponents( (uint32_t *)newMipmap->GetImage(), newMipmap->GetWidth() * newMipmap->GetHeight() );
     }
-    catch( ... )
+    catch (...)
     {
         delete newMipmap;
         newMipmap = nil;
@@ -282,10 +272,6 @@ bool    plJPEG::IWrite( plMipmap *source, hsStream *outStream )
         // Create a buffer to hold the data
         jpgBufferSize = source->GetWidth() * source->GetHeight() * 3;
         jpgBuffer = new uint8_t[ jpgBufferSize ];
-        if( jpgBuffer == nil )
-        {
-            ERREXIT1( &cinfo, JERR_OUT_OF_MEMORY, 0 );
-        }
 
         uint8_t *bufferAddr = jpgBuffer;
         unsigned long bufferSize = jpgBufferSize;
@@ -338,7 +324,7 @@ bool    plJPEG::IWrite( plMipmap *source, hsStream *outStream )
         outStream->WriteLE32( bufferSize );
         outStream->Write( bufferSize, bufferAddr );
     }
-    catch( ... )
+    catch (...)
     {
         result = false;
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plPNG.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plPNG.cpp
index 9e8c3253..1e091251 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plPNG.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plPNG.cpp
@@ -95,21 +95,21 @@ plMipmap* plPNG::IRead(hsStream* inStream)
             png_ptr = png_create_read_struct(PNG_LIBPNG_VER_STRING, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 
             if (!png_ptr) {
-                throw(false);
+                throw false;
             }
 
             info_ptr = png_create_info_struct(png_ptr);
 
             if (!info_ptr) {
                 png_destroy_read_struct(&png_ptr, (png_infopp)NULL, (png_infopp)NULL);
-                throw(false);
+                throw false;
             }
 
             end_info = png_create_info_struct(png_ptr);
 
             if (!end_info) {
                 png_destroy_read_struct(&png_ptr, &info_ptr, (png_infopp)NULL);
-                throw(false);
+                throw false;
             }
 
             //  Assign delegate function for reading from hsStream
@@ -169,10 +169,8 @@ plMipmap* plPNG::IRead(hsStream* inStream)
             delete [] row_ptrs;
         }
     } catch (...) {
-        if (newMipmap != NULL) {
-            delete newMipmap;
-            newMipmap = NULL;
-        }
+        delete newMipmap;
+        newMipmap = nullptr;
     }
 
     return newMipmap;
@@ -200,14 +198,14 @@ bool plPNG::IWrite(plMipmap* source, hsStream* outStream)
         png_structp png_ptr = png_create_write_struct(PNG_LIBPNG_VER_STRING, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 
         if (!png_ptr) {
-            throw(false);
+            throw false;
         }
 
         png_infop info_ptr = png_create_info_struct(png_ptr);
 
         if (!info_ptr) {
             png_destroy_write_struct(&png_ptr, (png_infopp)NULL);
-            throw(false);
+            throw false;
         }
 
         //  Assign delegate function for writing to hsStream
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h
index 0e13a7b5..a9cb101c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.h
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ private:
     int ISendGameMessage(plMessage* msg);
     void IDisableNet ();
 
-    void ICreateStatusLog() const override;
+    void ICreateStatusLog() const HS_OVERRIDE;
 
 public:
     plNetClientMgr();
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ public:
     void SendApplyAvatarCustomizationsMsg(const plKey msgReceiver, bool netPropagate=true, bool localPropagate=true);
 
     // plLoggable
-    bool Log(const plString& str) const override;
+    bool Log(const plString& str) const HS_OVERRIDE;
 
     // setters
     void SetIniAuthServer(const char * value)  { fIniAuthServer=value;}
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDLMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDLMgr.cpp
index 9c802815..c936f21a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDLMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDLMgr.cpp
@@ -191,7 +191,19 @@ int plSDLMgr::Read(hsStream* s, plSDL::DescriptorList* dl)
                 delete sd; // well that sucked
         }
     }
-    catch(...)
+    catch (std::exception &e)
+    {
+        if (fNetApp)
+        {
+            hsLogEntry(fNetApp->DebugMsg("Something bad happened while reading SDLMgr data: %s", e.what()));
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            DebugMsg("Something bad happened while reading SDLMgr data: %s", e.what());
+        }
+        return 0;
+    }
+    catch (...)
     {
         if (fNetApp)
         {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp
index ccf7718c..1d5cc025 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp
@@ -274,9 +274,16 @@ bool plStateDataRecord::Read(hsStream* s, float timeConvert, uint32_t readOption
             }
         }
     }
-    catch(...)
+    catch (std::exception &e)
     {
-        hsAssert( false, 
+        hsAssert(false,
+            plFormat("Something bad happened ({}) while reading simple var data, desc:{}",
+                     e.what(), fDescriptor ? fDescriptor->GetName() : "?").c_str());
+        return false;
+    }
+    catch (...)
+    {
+        hsAssert(false,
             plFormat("Something bad happened while reading simple var data, desc:{}",
                      fDescriptor ? fDescriptor->GetName() : "?").c_str());
         return false;
@@ -308,9 +315,16 @@ bool plStateDataRecord::Read(hsStream* s, float timeConvert, uint32_t readOption
             }
         }
     }
-    catch(...)
+    catch (std::exception &e)
+    {
+        hsAssert(false,
+            plFormat("Something bad happened ({}) while reading nested var data, desc:{}",
+                     e.what(), fDescriptor ? fDescriptor->GetName() : "?").c_str());
+        return false;
+    }
+    catch (...)
     {
-        hsAssert( false, 
+        hsAssert(false,
             plFormat("Something bad happened while reading nested var data, desc:{}",
                      fDescriptor ? fDescriptor->GetName() : "?").c_str());
         return false;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h
index 991765ad..ddf356a9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ class plStatusLog : public plLog
 
         ~plStatusLog();
 
-        bool AddLine(const plString& line) override;
+        bool AddLine(const plString& line) HS_OVERRIDE;
 
         bool    AddLine( const char *line, uint32_t color = kWhite );
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/plFontConverter/plFontConverter.cpp b/Sources/Tools/plFontConverter/plFontConverter.cpp
index 8dec0c85..381cc14c 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/plFontConverter/plFontConverter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/plFontConverter/plFontConverter.cpp
@@ -350,12 +350,12 @@ class plMyBDFCallback : public plBDFConvertCallback
 public:
     plMyBDFCallback(QWidget *parent) : fProgress(parent) { }
 
-    virtual void NumChars(uint16_t chars) override
+    void NumChars(uint16_t chars) HS_OVERRIDE
     {
         fProgress.SetRange(chars);
     }
 
-    virtual void CharDone() override
+    void CharDone() HS_OVERRIDE
     {
         fPoint++;
         fProgress.SetValue(fPoint);
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ class NumListValidator : public QValidator
 public:
     NumListValidator(QObject *parent = nullptr) : QValidator(parent) { }
 
-    virtual State validate(QString &input, int &pos) const override
+    State validate(QString &input, int &pos) const HS_OVERRIDE
     {
         for (int ch = 0; ch < input.size(); ++ch)
         {
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/plLocalizationEditor/plAddDlgs.cpp b/Sources/Tools/plLocalizationEditor/plAddDlgs.cpp
index f9180642..216084d7 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/plLocalizationEditor/plAddDlgs.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/plLocalizationEditor/plAddDlgs.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class AlphaNumericValidator : public QValidator
 public:
     AlphaNumericValidator(QObject *parent = nullptr) : QValidator(parent) { }
 
-    virtual State validate(QString &input, int &pos) const override
+    State validate(QString &input, int &pos) const HS_OVERRIDE
     {
         for (int ch = 0; ch < input.size(); ++ch)
         {
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/plResBrowser/plResBrowser.h b/Sources/Tools/plResBrowser/plResBrowser.h
index 9372db17..1cd2c783 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/plResBrowser/plResBrowser.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/plResBrowser/plResBrowser.h
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define _plResBrowser_h
 
 #include <QMainWindow>
+#include "HeadSpin.h"
 
 class plResBrowser : public QMainWindow
 {
@@ -55,8 +56,8 @@ public:
     void SetWindowTitle(const QString &title);
 
 protected:
-    virtual void dragEnterEvent(QDragEnterEvent *event) override;
-    virtual void dropEvent(QDropEvent *event) override;
+    void dragEnterEvent(QDragEnterEvent *event) HS_OVERRIDE;
+    void dropEvent(QDropEvent *event) HS_OVERRIDE;
 
 private slots:
     void OpenFile();
diff --git a/cmake/CompilerChecks.cmake b/cmake/CompilerChecks.cmake
index 11be0d74..6248e38f 100644
--- a/cmake/CompilerChecks.cmake
+++ b/cmake/CompilerChecks.cmake
@@ -40,8 +40,7 @@ endif()
 
 # Check for CPUID headers
 try_compile(HAVE_CPUID ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
-            ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_cpuid.cpp
-            OUTPUT_VARIABLE OUTPUT)
+            ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_cpuid.cpp)
 if(HAVE_CPUID)
     message("CPUID header found -- using hardware math acceleration when available")
 else()
@@ -51,17 +50,22 @@ endif()
 # Look for a supported "deprecated" attribute specifier.
 try_compile(HAVE_CXX14_DEPRECATED_ATTR ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
             ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_deprecated_attribute.cpp
-            COMPILE_DEFINITIONS -DTRY_ATTRIBUTE
-            OUTPUT_VARIABLE OUTPUT)
+            COMPILE_DEFINITIONS -DTRY_ATTRIBUTE)
 try_compile(HAVE_GCC_DEPRECATED_ATTR ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
             ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_deprecated_attribute.cpp
-            COMPILE_DEFINITIONS -DTRY_GCC_ATTR
-            OUTPUT_VARIABLE OUTPUT)
+            COMPILE_DEFINITIONS -DTRY_GCC_ATTR)
 
 # Look for C++11 constexpr support
 try_compile(HAVE_CONSTEXPR ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
-            ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_constexpr.cpp
-            OUTPUT_VARIABLE OUTPUT)
+            ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_constexpr.cpp)
+
+# Look for C++11 override/final specifiers
+try_compile(HAVE_OVERRIDE ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
+            ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_override.cpp)
+
+# Look for C++11 noexcept specifier
+try_compile(HAVE_NOEXCEPT ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}
+            ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/check_noexcept.cpp)
 
 configure_file(${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/hsCompilerSpecific.h.cmake
                ${PROJECT_BINARY_DIR}/hsCompilerSpecific.h)
diff --git a/cmake/check_noexcept.cpp b/cmake/check_noexcept.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a1c5691f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/check_noexcept.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+void doesnt_throw() noexcept { }
+
+int main(int, char **)
+{
+    doesnt_throw();
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/cmake/check_override.cpp b/cmake/check_override.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b6c70f66
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/check_override.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+class Base
+{
+public:
+    virtual ~Base() { }
+    virtual void virtual_function() = 0;
+};
+
+class Override : public Base
+{
+public:
+    void virtual_function() override { }
+};
+
+class Final : public Override
+{
+public:
+    void virtual_function() final { }
+};
+
+int main(int, char **)
+{
+    Final klass;
+    klass.virtual_function();
+
+    return 0;
+}
diff --git a/cmake/hsCompilerSpecific.h.cmake b/cmake/hsCompilerSpecific.h.cmake
index 242c4cf1..665e5500 100644
--- a/cmake/hsCompilerSpecific.h.cmake
+++ b/cmake/hsCompilerSpecific.h.cmake
@@ -52,5 +52,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #cmakedefine HAVE_GCC_DEPRECATED_ATTR
 
 #cmakedefine HAVE_CONSTEXPR
+#cmakedefine HAVE_OVERRIDE
+#cmakedefine HAVE_NOEXCEPT
 
 #endif