diff --git a/src/cli/cli_main.cpp b/src/cli/cli_main.cpp
index 4e687e35..7eacbbcb 100644
--- a/src/cli/cli_main.cpp
+++ b/src/cli/cli_main.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ void CLISetInterface::setExportInfoCwd() {
   // write to the current directory
   ei.directory_relative = ei.directory_absolute = wxGetCwd();
   // read from the current directory
-  ei.export_template = intrusive(new Package());
+  ei.export_template = make_intrusive<Package>();
   ei.export_template->open(ei.directory_absolute, true);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/data/action/keyword.cpp b/src/data/action/keyword.cpp
index 8187c313..db805405 100644
--- a/src/data/action/keyword.cpp
+++ b/src/data/action/keyword.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ DECLARE_TYPEOF_COLLECTION(KeywordModeP);
 
 AddKeywordAction::AddKeywordAction(Set& set)
   : KeywordListAction(set)
-  , action(ADD, intrusive(new Keyword()), set.keywords)
+  , action(ADD, make_intrusive<Keyword>(), set.keywords)
 {
   Keyword& keyword = *action.steps.front().item;
   // find default mode
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ bool KeywordReminderTextValue::checkScript(const ScriptP& script) {
       const KeywordParam& kwp = *keyword.parameters[i];
       String param_name = String(_("param")) << (int)(i+1);
       String param_value = _("<atom-kwpph>") + (kwp.placeholder.empty() ? kwp.name : kwp.placeholder) + _("</atom-kwpph>");
-      ctx.setVariable(param_name, intrusive(new KeywordParamValue(kwp.name, _(""), _(""), param_value)));
+      ctx.setVariable(param_name, make_intrusive<KeywordParamValue>(kwp.name, _(""), _(""), param_value));
     }
     script->eval(ctx);
     errors.clear();
diff --git a/src/data/action/set.cpp b/src/data/action/set.cpp
index 07af2a50..39317673 100644
--- a/src/data/action/set.cpp
+++ b/src/data/action/set.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ DECLARE_TYPEOF_COLLECTION(int);
 
 AddCardAction::AddCardAction(Set& set)
   : CardListAction(set)
-  , action(ADD, intrusive(new Card(*set.game)), set.cards)
+  , action(ADD, make_intrusive<Card>(*set.game), set.cards)
 {}
 
 AddCardAction::AddCardAction(AddingOrRemoving ar, Set& set, const CardP& card)
diff --git a/src/data/action/symbol_part.cpp b/src/data/action/symbol_part.cpp
index 9bfc425b..85f1d4b4 100644
--- a/src/data/action/symbol_part.cpp
+++ b/src/data/action/symbol_part.cpp
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ ControlPointRemoveAction::ControlPointRemoveAction(const SymbolShapeP& shape, co
   FOR_EACH(point, shape->points) {
     if (to_delete.find(point) != to_delete.end()) {
       // remove this point
-      removals.push_back(intrusive(new SinglePointRemoveAction(shape, index)));
+      removals.push_back(make_intrusive<SinglePointRemoveAction>(shape, index));
     }
     ++index;
   }
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ void ControlPointRemoveAction::perform(bool to_undo) {
 Action* control_point_remove_action(const SymbolShapeP& shape, const set<ControlPointP>& to_delete) {
   if (shape->points.size() - to_delete.size() < 2) {
     // TODO : remove part?
-    //intrusive(new ControlPointRemoveAllAction(part));
+    //make_intrusive<ControlPointRemoveAllAction>(part);
     return 0; // no action
   } else {
     return new ControlPointRemoveAction(shape, to_delete);
diff --git a/src/data/add_cards_script.cpp b/src/data/add_cards_script.cpp
index 8612a409..9099d833 100644
--- a/src/data/add_cards_script.cpp
+++ b/src/data/add_cards_script.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ void AddCardsScript::perform(Set& set, vector<CardP>& out) {
     // is this a new card?
     if (contains(set.cards,card) || contains(out,card)) {
       // make copy
-      card = intrusive(new Card(*card));
+      card = make_intrusive<Card>(*card);
     }
     out.push_back(card);
   }
diff --git a/src/data/field.cpp b/src/data/field.cpp
index 3facdfcc..2c5c885f 100644
--- a/src/data/field.cpp
+++ b/src/data/field.cpp
@@ -76,15 +76,15 @@ intrusive_ptr<Field> read_new<Field>(Reader& reader) {
   // there must be a type specified
   String type;
   reader.handle(_("type"), type);
-  if      (type == _("text"))        return intrusive(new TextField());
-  else if (type == _("choice"))      return intrusive(new ChoiceField());
-  else if (type == _("multiple choice"))  return intrusive(new MultipleChoiceField());
-  else if (type == _("boolean"))      return intrusive(new BooleanField());
-  else if (type == _("image"))      return intrusive(new ImageField());
-  else if (type == _("symbol"))      return intrusive(new SymbolField());
-  else if (type == _("color"))      return intrusive(new ColorField());
-  else if (type == _("info"))        return intrusive(new InfoField());
-  else if (type == _("package choice"))  return intrusive(new PackageChoiceField());
+  if      (type == _("text"))        return make_intrusive<TextField>();
+  else if (type == _("choice"))      return make_intrusive<ChoiceField>();
+  else if (type == _("multiple choice"))  return make_intrusive<MultipleChoiceField>();
+  else if (type == _("boolean"))      return make_intrusive<BooleanField>();
+  else if (type == _("image"))      return make_intrusive<ImageField>();
+  else if (type == _("symbol"))      return make_intrusive<SymbolField>();
+  else if (type == _("color"))      return make_intrusive<ColorField>();
+  else if (type == _("info"))        return make_intrusive<InfoField>();
+  else if (type == _("package choice"))  return make_intrusive<PackageChoiceField>();
   else if (type.empty()) {
     reader.warning(_ERROR_1_("expected key", _("type")));
     throw ParseError(_ERROR_("aborting parsing"));
diff --git a/src/data/field.hpp b/src/data/field.hpp
index 5ec5a826..e77255ad 100644
--- a/src/data/field.hpp
+++ b/src/data/field.hpp
@@ -265,23 +265,23 @@ inline String type_name(const Value&) {
   virtual String typeName() const
 
 // implement newStyle and newValue
-#define IMPLEMENT_FIELD_TYPE(Type, NAME)                        \
-  StyleP Type ## Field::newStyle(const FieldP& thisP) const {              \
-    assert(thisP.get() == this);                          \
-    return intrusive(new Type ## Style(static_pointer_cast<Type ## Field>(thisP)));  \
-  }                                          \
-  ValueP Type ## Field::newValue(const FieldP& thisP) const {              \
-    assert(thisP.get() == this);                          \
-    return intrusive(new Type ## Value(static_pointer_cast<Type ## Field>(thisP)));  \
-  }                                          \
-  StyleP Type ## Style::clone() const {                        \
-    return intrusive(new Type ## Style(*this));                    \
-  }                                          \
-  ValueP Type ## Value::clone() const {                        \
-    return intrusive(new Type ## Value(*this));                    \
-  }                                          \
-  String Type ## Field::typeName() const {                      \
-    return _(NAME);                                  \
+#define IMPLEMENT_FIELD_TYPE(Type, NAME) \
+  StyleP Type ## Field::newStyle(const FieldP& thisP) const { \
+    assert(thisP.get() == this); \
+    return make_intrusive<Type ## Style>(static_pointer_cast<Type ## Field>(thisP)); \
+  } \
+  ValueP Type ## Field::newValue(const FieldP& thisP) const { \
+    assert(thisP.get() == this); \
+    return make_intrusive<Type ## Value>(static_pointer_cast<Type ## Field>(thisP)); \
+  } \
+  StyleP Type ## Style::clone() const { \
+    return make_intrusive<Type ## Style>(*this); \
+  } \
+  ValueP Type ## Value::clone() const { \
+    return make_intrusive<Type ## Value>(*this); \
+  } \
+  String Type ## Field::typeName() const { \
+    return _(NAME); \
   }
 
 #define DECLARE_STYLE_TYPE(Type)                            \
diff --git a/src/data/field/boolean.cpp b/src/data/field/boolean.cpp
index a95ef768..aed4b26d 100644
--- a/src/data/field/boolean.cpp
+++ b/src/data/field/boolean.cpp
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : BooleanField
 
 BooleanField::BooleanField() {
-  choices->choices.push_back(intrusive(new Choice(_("yes"))));
-  choices->choices.push_back(intrusive(new Choice(_("no"))));
+  choices->choices.push_back(make_intrusive<Choice>(_("yes")));
+  choices->choices.push_back(make_intrusive<Choice>(_("no")));
   choices->initIds();
 }
 
@@ -32,10 +32,8 @@ BooleanStyle::BooleanStyle(const ChoiceFieldP& field)
   : ChoiceStyle(field)
 {
   render_style = RENDER_BOTH;
-  //choice_images[_("yes")] = ScriptableImage(_("buildin_image(\"bool_yes\")"));
-  //choice_images[_("no")]  = ScriptableImage(_("buildin_image(\"bool_no\")"));
-  choice_images[_("yes")] = ScriptableImage(intrusive(new BuiltInImage(_("bool_yes"))));
-  choice_images[_("no")]  = ScriptableImage(intrusive(new BuiltInImage(_("bool_no"))));
+  choice_images[_("yes")] = ScriptableImage(make_intrusive<BuiltInImage>(_("bool_yes")));
+  choice_images[_("no")]  = ScriptableImage(make_intrusive<BuiltInImage>(_("bool_no")));
 }
 
 IMPLEMENT_REFLECTION(BooleanStyle) {
diff --git a/src/data/field/image.cpp b/src/data/field/image.cpp
index fb9fa0fe..7f291b79 100644
--- a/src/data/field/image.cpp
+++ b/src/data/field/image.cpp
@@ -48,5 +48,5 @@ void ImageValue::reflect(Writer& tag) {
 void ImageValue::reflect(GetMember& tag) {}
 void ImageValue::reflect(GetDefaultMember& tag) {
   // convert to ScriptImageP for scripting
-  tag.handle( (ScriptValueP)intrusive(new ImageValueToImage(filename, last_update)) );
+  tag.handle( (ScriptValueP)make_intrusive<ImageValueToImage>(filename, last_update) );
 }
diff --git a/src/data/format/apprentice.cpp b/src/data/format/apprentice.cpp
index 15ad2c2c..cb3962c3 100644
--- a/src/data/format/apprentice.cpp
+++ b/src/data/format/apprentice.cpp
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ void ApprCardDatabase::doRead(wxInputStream& in) {
       progress_target->onProgress(0.4f * float(i) / cards.size(),
                                   String(_("reading card ")) << i << _(" of ") << (int)cards.size());
     }
-    card = intrusive(new ApprCardRecord());
+    card = make_intrusive<ApprCardRecord>();
     card->readHead(data);
     head_pos = in.TellI();
     in.SeekI(card->data_pos);
@@ -753,7 +753,7 @@ bool ApprenticeExportWindow::exportSet() {
   cardlist.removeSet(set->apprentice_code);
   // add cards from set
   FOR_EACH(card, set->cards) {
-    ApprCardRecordP rec = intrusive(new ApprCardRecord(*card, set->apprentice_code));
+    ApprCardRecordP rec = make_intrusive<ApprCardRecord>(*card, set->apprentice_code);
     cardlist.cards.push_back(rec);
   }
   cardlist.write();
diff --git a/src/data/format/formats.cpp b/src/data/format/formats.cpp
index ce1dfe40..68eebe45 100644
--- a/src/data/format/formats.cpp
+++ b/src/data/format/formats.cpp
@@ -10,9 +10,6 @@
 #include <data/format/formats.hpp>
 #include <data/set.hpp>
 
-DECLARE_POINTER_TYPE(FileFormat);
-DECLARE_TYPEOF_COLLECTION(FileFormatP);
-
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Formats
 
 // All supported file formats
@@ -49,11 +46,11 @@ String export_formats(const Game& game) {
 }
 
 void export_set(Set& set, const String& filename, size_t format_index, bool is_copy) {
-  FileFormatP format = file_formats.at(format_index);
-  if (!format->canExport(*set.game)) {
+  FileFormat& format = *file_formats.at(format_index);
+  if (!format.canExport(*set.game)) {
     throw InternalError(_("File format doesn't apply to set"));
   }
-  format->exportSet(set, filename, is_copy);
+  format.exportSet(set, filename, is_copy);
 }
 
 SetP import_set(String name) {
diff --git a/src/data/format/formats.hpp b/src/data/format/formats.hpp
index 80949c4c..43fc6840 100644
--- a/src/data/format/formats.hpp
+++ b/src/data/format/formats.hpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 class Game;
 DECLARE_POINTER_TYPE(Set);
 DECLARE_POINTER_TYPE(Card);
-DECLARE_POINTER_TYPE(FileFormat);
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : FileFormat
 
@@ -47,6 +46,8 @@ class FileFormat : public IntrusivePtrVirtualBase {
   }
 };
 
+using FileFormatP = unique_ptr<FileFormat>;
+
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Formats
 
 /// Initialize the list of file formats
diff --git a/src/data/format/image_to_symbol.cpp b/src/data/format/image_to_symbol.cpp
index 08f8247b..05e2c18b 100644
--- a/src/data/format/image_to_symbol.cpp
+++ b/src/data/format/image_to_symbol.cpp
@@ -187,10 +187,10 @@ SymbolShapeP read_symbol_shape(const ImageData& data) {
     }
     
     // add to shape and place a mark
-    shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(
+    shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(
         double(x) / data.width,
         double(y) / data.height
-      )));
+      ));
     if (x > old_x) data(old_x, y) |= MARKED; // mark when moving right -> only mark the top of the shape
     last_move = (x + y) - (old_x + old_y);
     old_x = x;
diff --git a/src/data/format/mse1.cpp b/src/data/format/mse1.cpp
index 45209a28..38435a8a 100644
--- a/src/data/format/mse1.cpp
+++ b/src/data/format/mse1.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class MSE1FileFormat : public FileFormat {
 };
 
 FileFormatP mse1_file_format() {
-  return intrusive(new MSE1FileFormat());
+  return make_unique<MSE1FileFormat>();
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Importing
diff --git a/src/data/format/mse2.cpp b/src/data/format/mse2.cpp
index 5e07cb2a..2d2e3f8d 100644
--- a/src/data/format/mse2.cpp
+++ b/src/data/format/mse2.cpp
@@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ class MSE2FileFormat : public FileFormat {
 };
 
 FileFormatP mse2_file_format() {
-  return intrusive(new MSE2FileFormat());
+  return make_unique<MSE2FileFormat>();
 }
diff --git a/src/data/format/mtg_editor.cpp b/src/data/format/mtg_editor.cpp
index 89d41139..8da9ea6e 100644
--- a/src/data/format/mtg_editor.cpp
+++ b/src/data/format/mtg_editor.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class MtgEditorFileFormat : public FileFormat {
 };
 
 FileFormatP mtg_editor_file_format() {
-  return intrusive(new MtgEditorFileFormat());
+  return make_unique<MtgEditorFileFormat>();
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Importing
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ SetP MtgEditorFileFormat::importSet(const String& filename) {
   // read file
   while (!f.Eof()) {
     // read a line
-    if (!current_card) current_card = intrusive(new Card(*set->game));
+    if (!current_card) current_card = make_intrusive<Card>(*set->game);
     String line = file.ReadLine();
     if        (line == _("#SET###########")) {                    // set.title
       target = &set->value<TextValue>(_("title")).value;
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ SetP MtgEditorFileFormat::importSet(const String& filename) {
         set->cards.push_back(current_card);
       }
       first = false;
-      current_card = intrusive(new Card(*set->game));
+      current_card = make_intrusive<Card>(*set->game);
       target = &current_card->value<TextValue>(_("name")).value;
     } else if (line == _("#DATE##########")) {                    // date
       // remember date for generation of illustration filename
diff --git a/src/data/game.cpp b/src/data/game.cpp
index 57fed495..91219100 100644
--- a/src/data/game.cpp
+++ b/src/data/game.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ void Game::validate(Version v) {
     vector<StatsDimensionP> dims;
     FOR_EACH(f, card_fields) {
       if (f->show_statistics) {
-        dims.push_back(intrusive(new StatsDimension(*f)));
+        dims.push_back(make_intrusive<StatsDimension>(*f));
       }
     }
     statistics_dimensions.insert(statistics_dimensions.begin(), dims.begin(), dims.end()); // push front
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ void Game::validate(Version v) {
   {
     vector<StatsCategoryP> cats;
     FOR_EACH(dim, statistics_dimensions) {
-      cats.push_back(intrusive(new StatsCategory(dim)));
+      cats.push_back(make_intrusive<StatsCategory>(dim));
     }
     statistics_categories.insert(statistics_categories.begin(), cats.begin(), cats.end()); // push front
   }
diff --git a/src/data/installer.cpp b/src/data/installer.cpp
index da93981e..536304fd 100644
--- a/src/data/installer.cpp
+++ b/src/data/installer.cpp
@@ -105,12 +105,12 @@ void Installer::install(bool local, bool check_dependencies) {
     }
     PackagedP pack;
     wxString fn(wxFileName(p).GetExt());
-    if      (fn == _("mse-game"))            pack = intrusive(new Game());
-    else if (fn == _("mse-style"))           pack = intrusive(new StyleSheet());
-    else if (fn == _("mse-locale"))          pack = intrusive(new Locale());
-    else if (fn == _("mse-include"))         pack = intrusive(new IncludePackage());
-    else if (fn == _("mse-symbol-font"))     pack = intrusive(new SymbolFont());
-    else if (fn == _("mse-export-template")) pack = intrusive(new ExportTemplate());
+    if      (fn == _("mse-game"))            pack = make_intrusive<Game>();
+    else if (fn == _("mse-style"))           pack = make_intrusive<StyleSheet>();
+    else if (fn == _("mse-locale"))          pack = make_intrusive<Locale>();
+    else if (fn == _("mse-include"))         pack = make_intrusive<IncludePackage>();
+    else if (fn == _("mse-symbol-font"))     pack = make_intrusive<SymbolFont>();
+    else if (fn == _("mse-export-template")) pack = make_intrusive<ExportTemplate>();
     else {
       throw PackageError(_("Unrecognized package type: '") + fn + _("'\nwhile trying to install: ") + p);
     }
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ void Installer::addPackage(Packaged& package) {
       return; // already added
     }
   }
-  packages.push_back(intrusive(new PackageDescription(package)));
+  packages.push_back(make_intrusive<PackageDescription>(package));
   // use this as a filename?
   if (prefered_filename.empty()) {
     prefered_filename = package.name() + _(".mse-installer");
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ void merge(InstallablePackages& list1, const InstallablePackages& list2) {
 void merge(InstallablePackages& installed, const DownloadableInstallerP& installer) {
   InstallablePackages ips;
   FOR_EACH(p, installer->packages) {
-    ips.push_back(intrusive(new InstallablePackage(p,installer)));
+    ips.push_back(make_intrusive<InstallablePackage>(p,installer));
   }
   sort(ips);
   merge(installed, ips);
@@ -625,5 +625,5 @@ InstallablePackageP mse_installable_package() {
   mse_description->position_hint = -100;
   mse_description->icon          = load_resource_image(_("installer_program"));
   //mse_description->description   = _LABEL_("magic set editor package");
-  return intrusive(new InstallablePackage(mse_description, mse_version));
+  return make_intrusive<InstallablePackage>(mse_description, mse_version);
 }
diff --git a/src/data/locale.cpp b/src/data/locale.cpp
index f9272dab..fc874220 100644
--- a/src/data/locale.cpp
+++ b/src/data/locale.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ SubLocaleP find_wildcard(map<String,SubLocaleP>& items, const String& name) {
   FOR_EACH_CONST(i, items) {
     if (i.second && match_wildcard(i.first, name)) return i.second;
   }
-  return intrusive(new SubLocale()); // so we don't search again
+  return make_intrusive<SubLocale>(); // so we don't search again
 }
 SubLocaleP find_wildcard_and_set(map<String,SubLocaleP>& items, const String& name) {
   return items[name] = find_wildcard(items, name);
diff --git a/src/data/set.cpp b/src/data/set.cpp
index 254891b8..9baa8903 100644
--- a/src/data/set.cpp
+++ b/src/data/set.cpp
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ DECLARE_TYPEOF_NO_REV(IndexMap<FieldP COMMA ValueP>);
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Set
 
 Set::Set()
-  : vcs (intrusive(new VCS()))
+  : vcs (make_intrusive<VCS>())
   , script_manager(new SetScriptManager(*this))
 {}
 
 Set::Set(const GameP& game)
   : game(game)
-  , vcs (intrusive(new VCS()))
+  , vcs (make_intrusive<VCS>())
   , script_manager(new SetScriptManager(*this))
 {
   data.init(game->set_fields);
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Set::Set(const GameP& game)
 Set::Set(const StyleSheetP& stylesheet)
   : game(stylesheet->game)
   , stylesheet(stylesheet)
-  , vcs (intrusive(new VCS()))
+  , vcs (make_intrusive<VCS>())
   , script_manager(new SetScriptManager(*this))
 {
   data.init(game->set_fields);
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void Set::validate(Version file_app_version) {
     }
 */  }
   // we want at least one card
-  if (cards.empty()) cards.push_back(intrusive(new Card(*game)));
+  if (cards.empty()) cards.push_back(make_intrusive<Card>(*game));
   // update scripts
   script_manager->updateAll();
 }
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ void Set::reflect_cards<Writer> (Writer& tag) {
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Script utilities
 
 ScriptValueP make_iterator(const Set& set) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptCollectionIterator<vector<CardP> >(&set.cards));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptCollectionIterator<vector<CardP>>>(&set.cards);
 }
 
 void mark_dependency_member(const Set& set, const String& name, const Dependency& dep) {
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ int Set::positionOfCard(const CardP& card, const ScriptValueP& order_by, const S
       Profiler prof(t, order_by.get(), _("init order cache"));
     #endif
     // 3. initialize order cache
-    order = intrusive(new OrderCache<CardP>(cards, values, filter ? &keep : nullptr));
+    order = make_intrusive<OrderCache<CardP>>(cards, values, filter ? &keep : nullptr);
   }
   return order->find(card);
 }
diff --git a/src/data/settings.cpp b/src/data/settings.cpp
index 767db060..89f46f32 100644
--- a/src/data/settings.cpp
+++ b/src/data/settings.cpp
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ void Settings::addRecentFile(const String& filename) {
 
 GameSettings& Settings::gameSettingsFor(const Game& game) {
   GameSettingsP& gs = game_settings[game.name()];
-  if (!gs) gs = intrusive(new GameSettings);
+  if (!gs) gs = make_intrusive<GameSettings>();
   gs->initDefaults(game);
   return *gs;
 }
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ ColumnSettings& Settings::columnSettingsFor(const Game& game, const Field& field
 }
 StyleSheetSettings& Settings::stylesheetSettingsFor(const StyleSheet& stylesheet) {
   StyleSheetSettingsP& ss = stylesheet_settings[stylesheet.name()];
-  if (!ss) ss = intrusive(new StyleSheetSettings);
+  if (!ss) ss = make_intrusive<StyleSheetSettings>();
   ss->useDefault(default_stylesheet_settings); // update default settings
   return *ss;
 }
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ void Settings::read() {
   String filename = settingsFile();
   if (wxFileExists(filename)) {
     // settings file not existing is not an error
-    shared_ptr<wxFileInputStream> file = shared(new wxFileInputStream(filename));
+    shared_ptr<wxFileInputStream> file = make_shared<wxFileInputStream>(filename);
     if (!file->Ok()) return; // failure is not an error
     Reader reader(file, nullptr, filename);
     reader.handle_greedy(*this);
@@ -303,6 +303,6 @@ void Settings::read() {
 }
 
 void Settings::write() {
-  Writer writer(shared(new wxFileOutputStream(settingsFile())), app_version);
+  Writer writer(make_shared<wxFileOutputStream>(settingsFile()), app_version);
   writer.handle(*this);
 }
diff --git a/src/data/symbol.cpp b/src/data/symbol.cpp
index 57510eab..a95e7fc0 100644
--- a/src/data/symbol.cpp
+++ b/src/data/symbol.cpp
@@ -139,9 +139,9 @@ SymbolPartP read_new<SymbolPart>(Reader& reader) {
   // there must be a type specified
   String type;
   reader.handle(_("type"), type);
-  if      (type == _("shape") || type.empty())  return intrusive(new SymbolShape);
-  else if (type == _("symmetry"))          return intrusive(new SymbolSymmetry);
-  else if (type == _("group"))          return intrusive(new SymbolGroup);
+  if      (type == _("shape") || type.empty()) return make_intrusive<SymbolShape>();
+  else if (type == _("symmetry")) return make_intrusive<SymbolSymmetry>();
+  else if (type == _("group")) return make_intrusive<SymbolGroup>();
   else {
     throw ParseError(_("Unsupported symbol part type: '") + type + _("'"));
   }
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ SymbolPartP SymbolShape::clone() const {
   SymbolShapeP part(new SymbolShape(*this));
   // also clone the control points
   FOR_EACH(p, part->points) {
-    p = intrusive(new ControlPoint(*p));
+    p = make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(*p);
   }
   return part;
 }
@@ -357,18 +357,18 @@ double Symbol::aspectRatio() const {
 
 // A default symbol part, a square, moved by d
 SymbolShapeP default_symbol_part(double d) {
-  SymbolShapeP part = intrusive(new SymbolShape);
-  part->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(d + .2, d + .2)));
-  part->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(d + .2, d + .8)));
-  part->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(d + .8, d + .8)));
-  part->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(d + .8, d + .2)));
+  SymbolShapeP part = make_intrusive<SymbolShape>();
+  part->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(d + .2, d + .2));
+  part->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(d + .2, d + .8));
+  part->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(d + .8, d + .8));
+  part->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(d + .8, d + .2));
   part->name = _("Square");
   return part;
 }
 
 // A default symbol, a square
 SymbolP default_symbol() {
-  SymbolP symbol = intrusive(new Symbol);
+  auto symbol = make_intrusive<Symbol>();
   symbol->parts.push_back(default_symbol_part(0));
   return symbol;
 }
diff --git a/src/data/word_list.hpp b/src/data/word_list.hpp
index e5b3402a..d849b399 100644
--- a/src/data/word_list.hpp
+++ b/src/data/word_list.hpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class AutoReplace : public IntrusivePtrVirtualBase {
   String match;
   String replace;
 
-  inline AutoReplaceP clone() const { return intrusive(new AutoReplace(*this)); }
+  inline AutoReplaceP clone() const { return make_intrusive<AutoReplace>(*this); }
 
   DECLARE_REFLECTION();
 };
diff --git a/src/gui/auto_replace_window.cpp b/src/gui/auto_replace_window.cpp
index 6610094b..440cfce6 100644
--- a/src/gui/auto_replace_window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/auto_replace_window.cpp
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ void AutoReplaceWindow::onRemove(wxCommandEvent&) {
   list->removeSelected();
 }
 void AutoReplaceWindow::onAdd(wxCommandEvent&) {
-  list->addItem(intrusive(new AutoReplace()));
+  list->addItem(make_intrusive<AutoReplace>());
 }
 void AutoReplaceWindow::onDefault(wxCommandEvent&) {
   use_auto_replace->SetValue(true);
diff --git a/src/gui/control/filter_ctrl.hpp b/src/gui/control/filter_ctrl.hpp
index 586dd2fe..c16eb349 100644
--- a/src/gui/control/filter_ctrl.hpp
+++ b/src/gui/control/filter_ctrl.hpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ class FilterCtrl : public wxControl {
   template <typename T>
   intrusive_ptr<Filter<T> > getFilter() const {
     if (hasFilter()) {
-      return intrusive(new QuickFilter<T>(getFilterString()));
+      return make_intrusive<QuickFilter<T>>(getFilterString());
     } else {
       return intrusive_ptr<Filter<T> >();
     }
diff --git a/src/gui/control/graph.cpp b/src/gui/control/graph.cpp
index 436f9cfa..f18b7bb9 100644
--- a/src/gui/control/graph.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/control/graph.cpp
@@ -1039,39 +1039,39 @@ void GraphControl::setLayout(GraphType type, bool force) {
   switch (type) {
     case GRAPH_TYPE_BAR: {
       intrusive_ptr<GraphContainer> combined(new GraphContainer());
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphValueAxis(0, true)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLabelAxis(0, HORIZONTAL)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new BarGraph(0)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphStats(0, ALIGN_TOP_RIGHT)));
-      graph = intrusive(new GraphWithMargins(combined, 23,8,7,20));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphValueAxis>(0, true));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLabelAxis>(0, HORIZONTAL));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<BarGraph>(0));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphStats>(0, ALIGN_TOP_RIGHT));
+      graph = make_intrusive<GraphWithMargins>(combined, 23,8,7,20);
       break;
     } case GRAPH_TYPE_PIE: {
       intrusive_ptr<GraphContainer> combined(new GraphContainer());
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphWithMargins(intrusive(new PieGraph(0)), 0,0,120,0)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLegend(0, ALIGN_TOP_RIGHT, false)));
-      graph = intrusive(new GraphWithMargins(combined, 20,20,20,20));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphWithMargins>(make_intrusive<PieGraph>(0), 0,0,120,0));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLegend>(0, ALIGN_TOP_RIGHT, false));
+      graph = make_intrusive<GraphWithMargins>(combined, 20,20,20,20);
       break;
     } case GRAPH_TYPE_STACK: {
       intrusive_ptr<GraphContainer> combined(new GraphContainer());
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphValueAxis(0, false)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLabelAxis(0, HORIZONTAL)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new BarGraph2D(0,1)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLegend(1, ALIGN_TOP_RIGHT, true)));
-      graph = intrusive(new GraphWithMargins(combined, 23,8,7,20));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphValueAxis>(0, false));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLabelAxis>(0, HORIZONTAL));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<BarGraph2D>(0,1));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLegend>(1, ALIGN_TOP_RIGHT, true));
+      graph = make_intrusive<GraphWithMargins>(combined, 23,8,7,20);
       break;
     } case GRAPH_TYPE_SCATTER: {
       intrusive_ptr<GraphContainer> combined(new GraphContainer());
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLabelAxis(0, HORIZONTAL, false, DRAW_LINES_MID)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLabelAxis(1, VERTICAL,   false, DRAW_LINES_MID)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new ScatterGraph(0,1)));
-      graph = intrusive(new GraphWithMargins(combined, 80,8,7,20));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLabelAxis>(0, HORIZONTAL, false, DRAW_LINES_MID));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLabelAxis>(1, VERTICAL,   false, DRAW_LINES_MID));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<ScatterGraph>(0,1));
+      graph = make_intrusive<GraphWithMargins>(combined, 80,8,7,20);
       break;
     } case GRAPH_TYPE_SCATTER_PIE: {
       intrusive_ptr<GraphContainer> combined(new GraphContainer());
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLabelAxis(0, HORIZONTAL, false, DRAW_LINES_MID)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new GraphLabelAxis(1, VERTICAL,   false, DRAW_LINES_MID)));
-      combined->add(intrusive(new ScatterPieGraph(0,1,2)));
-      graph = intrusive(new GraphWithMargins(combined, 80,8,7,20));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLabelAxis>(0, HORIZONTAL, false, DRAW_LINES_MID));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<GraphLabelAxis>(1, VERTICAL,   false, DRAW_LINES_MID));
+      combined->add(make_intrusive<ScatterPieGraph>(0,1,2));
+      graph = make_intrusive<GraphWithMargins>(combined, 80,8,7,20);
       break;
     } default:
       graph = GraphP();
@@ -1085,7 +1085,7 @@ GraphType GraphControl::getLayout() const {
 }
 
 void GraphControl::setData(const GraphDataPre& data) {
-  setData(intrusive(new GraphData(data)));
+  setData(make_intrusive<GraphData>(data));
 }
 void GraphControl::setData(const GraphDataP& data) {
   if (graph) {
diff --git a/src/gui/control/image_card_list.cpp b/src/gui/control/image_card_list.cpp
index cc2d0f68..2cc047da 100644
--- a/src/gui/control/image_card_list.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/control/image_card_list.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ int ImageCardList::OnGetItemImage(long pos) const {
       return it->second;
     } else {
       // request a thumbnail
-      thumbnail_thread.request(intrusive(new CardThumbnailRequest(const_cast<ImageCardList*>(this), val.filename)));
+      thumbnail_thread.request(make_intrusive<CardThumbnailRequest>(const_cast<ImageCardList*>(this), val.filename));
     }
   }
   return -1;
diff --git a/src/gui/control/text_ctrl.cpp b/src/gui/control/text_ctrl.cpp
index bfaf4f85..af600366 100644
--- a/src/gui/control/text_ctrl.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/control/text_ctrl.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ void TextCtrl::updateSize() {
 }
 
 void TextCtrl::setValue(String* value, bool untagged) {
-  setValue(intrusive(new FakeTextValue(getFieldP(), value, true, untagged)));
+  setValue(make_intrusive<FakeTextValue>(getFieldP(), value, true, untagged));
 }
 void TextCtrl::setValue(const FakeTextValueP& value) {
   value->retrieve();
diff --git a/src/gui/html_export_window.cpp b/src/gui/html_export_window.cpp
index 459f7c05..47f0494b 100644
--- a/src/gui/html_export_window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/html_export_window.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ HtmlExportWindow::HtmlExportWindow(Window* parent, const SetP& set, const Export
   // init controls
   list    = new PackageList(this, ID_EXPORT_LIST);
   options = new ExportOptionsEditor(this, wxID_ANY, wxNO_BORDER);
-  options->setSet(intrusive(new Set(set->stylesheet))); // dummy set
+  options->setSet(make_intrusive<Set>(set->stylesheet)); // dummy set
   // init sizers
   wxSizer* s = new wxBoxSizer(wxVERTICAL);
     s->Add(new wxStaticText(this, wxID_ANY, _LABEL_("html template")), 0, wxALL, 4);
diff --git a/src/gui/new_window.cpp b/src/gui/new_window.cpp
index c770620c..5946117a 100644
--- a/src/gui/new_window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/new_window.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ void NewSetWindow::done() {
   try {
     if (!stylesheet_list->hasSelection()) return;
     StyleSheetP stylesheet = stylesheet_list->getSelection<StyleSheet>();
-    set = intrusive(new Set(stylesheet));
+    set = make_intrusive<Set>(stylesheet);
     set->validate();
     EndModal(wxID_OK);
   } catch (const Error& e) {
diff --git a/src/gui/package_update_list.cpp b/src/gui/package_update_list.cpp
index fa784d1a..db4f4dde 100644
--- a/src/gui/package_update_list.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/package_update_list.cpp
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ void PackageUpdateList::initItems() {
       ti.setIcon(load_resource_image(_("installer_package")));
       if (!p->description->icon_url.empty()) {
         // download icon
-        thumbnail_thread.request(intrusive(new PackageIconRequest(this,&ti)));
+        thumbnail_thread.request(make_intrusive<PackageIconRequest>(this,&ti));
       }
     } else if (ti.position_type == TreeItem::TYPE_LOCALE) { // locale folder
       ti.setIcon(load_resource_image(_("installer_locales")));
diff --git a/src/gui/packages_window.cpp b/src/gui/packages_window.cpp
index 0f3d6f5d..8121af90 100644
--- a/src/gui/packages_window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/packages_window.cpp
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ PackagesWindow::PackagesWindow(Window* parent, const InstallerP& installer)
 {
   init(parent, true);
   // add installer
-  merge(installable_packages, intrusive(new DownloadableInstaller(installer)));
+  merge(installable_packages, make_intrusive<DownloadableInstaller>(installer));
   FOR_EACH(p, installable_packages) p->determineStatus();
   // mark all packages in the installer for installation
   FOR_EACH(ip, installable_packages) {
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ void PackagesWindow::onOk(wxCommandEvent& ev) {
       os.Write(*is);
       os.Close();
       // open installer
-      ip->installer->installer = intrusive(new Installer());
+      ip->installer->installer = make_intrusive<Installer>();
       ip->installer->installer->open(ip->installer->installer_file);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/gui/print_window.cpp b/src/gui/print_window.cpp
index 251acb7c..fd77973c 100644
--- a/src/gui/print_window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/print_window.cpp
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ PrintJobP make_print_job(Window* parent, const SetP& set, const ExportCardSelect
     return PrintJobP(); // cancel
   } else {
     // make print job
-    PrintJobP job = intrusive(new PrintJob(set));
+    PrintJobP job = make_intrusive<PrintJob>(set);
     job->layout_type = settings.print_layout = space->GetValue() ? LAYOUT_EQUAL_SPACE : LAYOUT_NO_SPACE;
     job->cards = wnd.getSelection();
     return job;
diff --git a/src/gui/set/console_panel.cpp b/src/gui/set/console_panel.cpp
index 21d22ea8..0ffe75fe 100644
--- a/src/gui/set/console_panel.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/set/console_panel.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class MessageCtrl : public wxScrolledWindow {
     Refresh(false);
   }
   void add_message(MessageType type, String const& text, bool joined_to_previous = false) {
-    add_message(intrusive(new ConsoleMessage(type,text,joined_to_previous)));
+    add_message(make_intrusive<ConsoleMessage>(type,text,joined_to_previous));
   }
   
   bool have_selection() const {
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ void ConsolePanel::exec(String const& command) {
     ScriptValueP result = ctx.eval(*script,false);
     get_pending_errors();
     // show result
-    ConsoleMessageP message = intrusive(new ConsoleMessage(MESSAGE_OUTPUT));
+    ConsoleMessageP message = make_intrusive<ConsoleMessage>(MESSAGE_OUTPUT);
     message->joined_to_previous = true;
     message->value = result;
     // type of result
diff --git a/src/gui/set/keywords_panel.cpp b/src/gui/set/keywords_panel.cpp
index 50b5bc18..1ecccd9d 100644
--- a/src/gui/set/keywords_panel.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/set/keywords_panel.cpp
@@ -344,9 +344,9 @@ void KeywordsPanel::onKeywordSelect(KeywordSelectEvent& ev) {
   if (ev.keyword) {
     Keyword& kw = *ev.keyword;
     sp->Show(fixed, kw.fixed);
-    keyword ->setValue(intrusive(new KeywordTextValue(keyword->getFieldP(),  &kw, &kw.keyword, !kw.fixed, true)));
-    match   ->setValue(intrusive(new KeywordTextValue(match->getFieldP(),    &kw, &kw.match,   !kw.fixed)));
-    rules   ->setValue(intrusive(new KeywordTextValue(rules->getFieldP(),    &kw, &kw.rules,   !kw.fixed)));
+    keyword ->setValue(make_intrusive<KeywordTextValue>(keyword->getFieldP(),  &kw, &kw.keyword, !kw.fixed, true));
+    match   ->setValue(make_intrusive<KeywordTextValue>(match->getFieldP(),    &kw, &kw.match,   !kw.fixed));
+    rules   ->setValue(make_intrusive<KeywordTextValue>(rules->getFieldP(),    &kw, &kw.rules,   !kw.fixed));
     intrusive_ptr<KeywordReminderTextValue> reminder_value(new KeywordReminderTextValue(*set, reminder->getFieldP(), &kw, !kw.fixed));
     reminder->setValue(reminder_value);
     errors->SetLabel(reminder_value->errors);
diff --git a/src/gui/set/random_pack_panel.cpp b/src/gui/set/random_pack_panel.cpp
index 30222f54..5288797d 100644
--- a/src/gui/set/random_pack_panel.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/set/random_pack_panel.cpp
@@ -326,14 +326,14 @@ void CustomPackDialog::updateTotals() {
 }
 
 void CustomPackDialog::storePack() {
-  edited_pack = intrusive(new PackType());
+  edited_pack = make_intrusive<PackType>();
   edited_pack->selectable = true;
   edited_pack->select = SELECT_ALL;
   edited_pack->name = name->GetValue();
   FOR_EACH(pick,pickers) {
     int copies = pick.value->GetValue();
     if (copies > 0) {
-      edited_pack->items.push_back(intrusive(new PackItem(pick.pack->name, copies)));
+      edited_pack->items.push_back(make_intrusive<PackItem>(pick.pack->name, copies));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -632,10 +632,10 @@ void RandomPackPanel::onCardSelect(CardSelectEvent& ev) {
 
 void RandomPackPanel::selectionChoices(ExportCardSelectionChoices& out) {
   if (!isInitialized()) return;
-  out.push_back(intrusive(new ExportCardSelectionChoice(
+  out.push_back(make_intrusive<ExportCardSelectionChoice>(
       _BUTTON_("export generated packs"),
       card_list->getCardsPtr()
-    )));
+    ));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/gui/set/stats_panel.cpp b/src/gui/set/stats_panel.cpp
index fa979281..9152a89f 100644
--- a/src/gui/set/stats_panel.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/set/stats_panel.cpp
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ void StatsPanel::showCategory(const GraphType* prefer_layout) {
   // create axes
   GraphDataPre d;
   FOR_EACH(dim, dims) {
-    d.axes.push_back(intrusive(new GraphAxis(
+    d.axes.push_back(make_intrusive<GraphAxis>(
       dim->name,
       dim->colors.empty() ? AUTO_COLOR_EVEN : AUTO_COLOR_NO,
       dim->numeric,
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ void StatsPanel::showCategory(const GraphType* prefer_layout) {
       &dim->colors,
       dim->groups.empty() ? nullptr : &dim->groups
       )
-    ));
+    );
   }
   // find values for each card
   for (size_t i = 0 ; i < set->cards.size() ; ++i) {
diff --git a/src/gui/set/window.cpp b/src/gui/set/window.cpp
index 7b7b936f..bed9d624 100644
--- a/src/gui/set/window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/set/window.cpp
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ void SetWindow::onChangeSet() {
   updateTitle();
   // make sure there is always at least one card
   // some things need this
-  if (set->cards.empty()) set->cards.push_back(intrusive(new Card(*set->game)));
+  if (set->cards.empty()) set->cards.push_back(make_intrusive<Card>(*set->game));
   // all panels view the same set
   FOR_EACH(p, panels) {
     p->setSet(set);
@@ -383,11 +383,11 @@ void SetWindow::onCardActivate(CardSelectEvent& ev) {
 }
 
 void SetWindow::selectionChoices(ExportCardSelectionChoices& out) {
-  out.push_back(intrusive(new ExportCardSelectionChoice(*set))); // entire set
+  out.push_back(make_intrusive<ExportCardSelectionChoice>(*set)); // entire set
   FOR_EACH(p, panels) {
     p->selectionChoices(out);
   }
-  out.push_back(intrusive(new ExportCardSelectionChoice())); // custom
+  out.push_back(make_intrusive<ExportCardSelectionChoice>()); // custom
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Window events - close
diff --git a/src/gui/symbol/basic_shape_editor.cpp b/src/gui/symbol/basic_shape_editor.cpp
index d14a9d16..01a8b877 100644
--- a/src/gui/symbol/basic_shape_editor.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/symbol/basic_shape_editor.cpp
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ void SymbolBasicShapeEditor::makeShape(Vector2D a, Vector2D b, bool constrained,
 
 // TODO : Move out of this class
 void SymbolBasicShapeEditor::makeCenteredShape(const Vector2D& c, Vector2D r, bool constrained) {
-  shape = intrusive(new SymbolShape);
+  shape = make_intrusive<SymbolShape>();
   // What shape to make?
   switch (mode) {
     case ID_SHAPE_CIRCLE: {
@@ -199,10 +199,10 @@ void SymbolBasicShapeEditor::makeCenteredShape(const Vector2D& c, Vector2D r, bo
       // a circle has 4 control points, the first is: (x+r, y) db(0, kr) da(0, -kr)
       // kr is a magic constant
       const double kr = 0.5522847498f; // = 4/3 * (sqrt(2) - 1)
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x + r.x, c.y,  0, kr  * r.y,  0, -kr * r.y,  LOCK_SIZE)));
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x, c.y - r.y,  kr  * r.x, 0,  -kr * r.x, 0,  LOCK_SIZE)));
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x - r.x, c.y,  0, -kr * r.y,  0, kr  * r.y,  LOCK_SIZE)));
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x, c.y + r.y,  -kr * r.x, 0,  kr  * r.x, 0,  LOCK_SIZE)));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x + r.x, c.y,  0, kr  * r.y,  0, -kr * r.y,  LOCK_SIZE));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x, c.y - r.y,  kr  * r.x, 0,  -kr * r.x, 0,  LOCK_SIZE));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x - r.x, c.y,  0, -kr * r.y,  0, kr  * r.y,  LOCK_SIZE));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x, c.y + r.y,  -kr * r.x, 0,  kr  * r.x, 0,  LOCK_SIZE));
       break;
     } case ID_SHAPE_RECTANGLE: {
       // A rectangle / square
@@ -212,10 +212,10 @@ void SymbolBasicShapeEditor::makeCenteredShape(const Vector2D& c, Vector2D r, bo
         shape->name = capitalize(_TYPE_("rectangle"));
       }
       // a rectangle just has four corners
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x - r.x, c.y - r.y)));
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x + r.x, c.y - r.y)));
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x + r.x, c.y + r.y)));
-      shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(c.x - r.x, c.y + r.y)));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x - r.x, c.y - r.y));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x + r.x, c.y - r.y));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x + r.x, c.y + r.y));
+      shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(c.x - r.x, c.y + r.y));
       break;
     } default: {
       // A polygon or star
@@ -258,10 +258,10 @@ void SymbolBasicShapeEditor::makeCenteredShape(const Vector2D& c, Vector2D r, bo
         // we can generate points
         for(int i = 0 ; i < n ; ++i) {
           double theta = alpha * i;
-          shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(
+          shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(
               c.x + ra * r.x * sin(theta),
               y   - ra * r.y * cos(theta)
-            )));
+            ));
         }
       } else {
         // a star is made using a smaller, inverted polygon at the inside
@@ -280,16 +280,16 @@ void SymbolBasicShapeEditor::makeCenteredShape(const Vector2D& c, Vector2D r, bo
         for(int i = 0 ; i < n ; ++i) {
           double theta = alpha * i;
           // from a
-          shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(
+          shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(
               c.x + ra * r.x * sin(theta),
               y   - ra * r.y * cos(theta)
-            )));
+            ));
           // from b
           theta = alpha * (i + 0.5);
-          shape->points.push_back(intrusive(new ControlPoint(
+          shape->points.push_back(make_intrusive<ControlPoint>(
               c.x + rb * r.x * sin(theta),
               y   - rb * r.y * cos(theta)
-            )));
+            ));
         }
       }
       break;
diff --git a/src/gui/symbol/control.cpp b/src/gui/symbol/control.cpp
index 7cb2bd1d..54e77615 100644
--- a/src/gui/symbol/control.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/symbol/control.cpp
@@ -39,23 +39,23 @@ void SymbolControl::switchEditor(const SymbolEditorBaseP& e) {
 
 void SymbolControl::onChangeSymbol() {
   selected_parts.setSymbol(symbol);
-  switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolSelectEditor(this, false)));
+  switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolSelectEditor>(this, false));
   Refresh(false);
 }
 
 void SymbolControl::onModeChange(wxCommandEvent& ev) {
   switch (ev.GetId()) {
     case ID_MODE_SELECT:
-      switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolSelectEditor(this, false)));
+      switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolSelectEditor>(this, false));
       break;
     case ID_MODE_ROTATE:
-      switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolSelectEditor(this, true)));
+      switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolSelectEditor>(this, true));
       break;
     case ID_MODE_POINTS:
       if (selected_parts.size() == 1) {
         selected_shape = selected_parts.getAShape();
         if (selected_shape) {
-          switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolPointEditor(this, selected_shape)));
+          switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolPointEditor>(this, selected_shape));
         }
       }
       break;
@@ -64,10 +64,10 @@ void SymbolControl::onModeChange(wxCommandEvent& ev) {
         selected_parts.clear();
         signalSelectionChange();
       }
-      switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolBasicShapeEditor(this)));
+      switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolBasicShapeEditor>(this));
       break;
     case ID_MODE_SYMMETRY:
-      switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolSymmetryEditor(this, selected_parts.getASymmetry())));
+      switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolSymmetryEditor>(this, selected_parts.getASymmetry()));
       break;
   }
 }
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ void SymbolControl::onUpdateSelection() {
         }
         // begin editing another part
         selected_shape = shape;
-        editor = intrusive(new SymbolPointEditor(this, selected_shape));
+        editor = make_intrusive<SymbolPointEditor>(this, selected_shape);
         Refresh(false);
       }
       break;
@@ -147,17 +147,17 @@ void SymbolControl::onUpdateSelection() {
 
 void SymbolControl::selectPart(const SymbolPartP& part) {
   selected_parts.select(part);
-  switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolSelectEditor(this, false)));
+  switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolSelectEditor>(this, false));
   signalSelectionChange();
 }
 
 void SymbolControl::activatePart(const SymbolPartP& part) {
   if (part->isSymbolShape()) {
     selected_parts.select(part);
-    switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolPointEditor(this, static_pointer_cast<SymbolShape>(part))));
+    switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolPointEditor>(this, static_pointer_cast<SymbolShape>(part)));
   } else if (part->isSymbolSymmetry()) {
     selected_parts.select(part);
-    switchEditor(intrusive(new SymbolSymmetryEditor(this, static_pointer_cast<SymbolSymmetry>(part))));
+    switchEditor(make_intrusive<SymbolSymmetryEditor>(this, static_pointer_cast<SymbolSymmetry>(part)));
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/gui/symbol/select_editor.cpp b/src/gui/symbol/select_editor.cpp
index 79d89b50..6753a9a2 100644
--- a/src/gui/symbol/select_editor.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/symbol/select_editor.cpp
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ void SymbolSelectEditor::onCommand(int id) {
     control.Refresh(false);
   } else if (id == ID_EDIT_GROUP && !isEditing()) {
     // group selection, not when dragging
-    addAction(new GroupSymbolPartsAction(*getSymbol(), control.selected_parts.get(), intrusive(new SymbolGroup())));
+    addAction(new GroupSymbolPartsAction(*getSymbol(), control.selected_parts.get(), make_intrusive<SymbolGroup>()));
     control.Refresh(false);
   } else if (id == ID_EDIT_UNGROUP && !isEditing()) {
     // ungroup selection, not when dragging
diff --git a/src/gui/symbol/symmetry_editor.cpp b/src/gui/symbol/symmetry_editor.cpp
index 6698b95f..60df5354 100644
--- a/src/gui/symbol/symmetry_editor.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/symbol/symmetry_editor.cpp
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ void SymbolSymmetryEditor::onCommand(int id) {
     }
     resetActions();
   } else if (id == ID_ADD_SYMMETRY) {
-    symmetry = intrusive(new SymbolSymmetry());
+    symmetry = make_intrusive<SymbolSymmetry>();
     symmetry->kind   = SYMMETRY_ROTATION;
     symmetry->copies = 2;
     symmetry->center = Vector2D(0.5,0.5);
diff --git a/src/gui/symbol/window.cpp b/src/gui/symbol/window.cpp
index 73a206f9..58ca2f3f 100644
--- a/src/gui/symbol/window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/symbol/window.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ SymbolWindow::SymbolWindow(Window* parent, const String& filename)
   : performer(nullptr)
 {
   // open file
-  Reader reader(shared(new wxFileInputStream(filename)), nullptr, filename);
+  Reader reader(make_shared<wxFileInputStream>(filename), nullptr, filename);
   SymbolP symbol;
   reader.handle_greedy(symbol);
   init(parent, symbol);
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ void SymbolWindow::onFileOpen(wxCommandEvent& ev) {
     String ext = n.GetExt();
     SymbolP symbol;
     if (ext.Lower() == _("mse-symbol")) {
-      Reader reader(shared(new wxFileInputStream(name)), nullptr, name);
+      Reader reader(make_shared<wxFileInputStream>(name), nullptr, name);
       reader.handle_greedy(symbol);
     } else {
       wxBusyCursor busy;
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ void SymbolWindow::onFileSaveAs(wxCommandEvent& ev) {
   String name = wxFileSelector(_("Save symbol"),settings.default_set_dir,_(""),_(""),_("Symbol files (*.mse-symbol)|*.mse-symbol"),wxFD_SAVE, this);
   if (!name.empty()) {
     settings.default_set_dir = wxPathOnly(name);
-    Writer writer(shared(new wxFileOutputStream(name)), file_version_symbol);
+    Writer writer(make_shared<wxFileOutputStream>(name), file_version_symbol);
     writer.handle(control->getSymbol());
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/gui/value/choice.cpp b/src/gui/value/choice.cpp
index 64209e48..9ff9444e 100644
--- a/src/gui/value/choice.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/value/choice.cpp
@@ -203,9 +203,9 @@ void DropDownChoiceListBase::generateThumbnailImages() {
         status = THUMB_OK; // no need to rebuild
       } else if (img.isReady()) {
         // request this thumbnail
-        thumbnail_thread.request( intrusive(new ChoiceThumbnailRequest(
+        thumbnail_thread.request(make_intrusive<ChoiceThumbnailRequest>(
             &cve, i, status == THUMB_NOT_MADE && !img.local(), img.threadSafe()
-          )));
+          ));
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/gui/value/package_choice.cpp b/src/gui/value/package_choice.cpp
index 1e53101c..8493c767 100644
--- a/src/gui/value/package_choice.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/value/package_choice.cpp
@@ -116,5 +116,5 @@ void PackageChoiceValueEditor::change(const String& c) {
 
 void PackageChoiceValueEditor::initDropDown() {
   if (drop_down) return;
-  drop_down = shared(new DropDownPackageChoiceList(&editor(), this));
+  drop_down = make_shared<DropDownPackageChoiceList>(&editor(), this);
 }
diff --git a/src/gui/value/text.cpp b/src/gui/value/text.cpp
index f17cf043..b9c8dade 100644
--- a/src/gui/value/text.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/value/text.cpp
@@ -1367,7 +1367,7 @@ void TextValueEditor::findWordLists() {
       throw Error(_ERROR_1_("word list type not found", name));
     }
     // add to word_lists
-    word_lists.push_back(intrusive(new WordListPos(pos, end, word_list)));
+    word_lists.push_back(make_intrusive<WordListPos>(pos, end, word_list));
     // next
     pos = str.find(_("<word-list-"), end);
   }
diff --git a/src/render/symbol/filter.cpp b/src/render/symbol/filter.cpp
index 8d90ba5f..271866b3 100644
--- a/src/render/symbol/filter.cpp
+++ b/src/render/symbol/filter.cpp
@@ -71,9 +71,9 @@ intrusive_ptr<SymbolFilter> read_new<SymbolFilter>(Reader& reader) {
   // there must be a fill type specified
   String fill_type;
   reader.handle(_("fill_type"), fill_type);
-  if      (fill_type == _("solid"))      return intrusive(new SolidFillSymbolFilter);
-  else if (fill_type == _("linear gradient"))  return intrusive(new LinearGradientSymbolFilter);
-  else if (fill_type == _("radial gradient"))  return intrusive(new RadialGradientSymbolFilter);
+  if      (fill_type == _("solid"))           return make_intrusive<SolidFillSymbolFilter>();
+  else if (fill_type == _("linear gradient")) return make_intrusive<LinearGradientSymbolFilter>();
+  else if (fill_type == _("radial gradient")) return make_intrusive<RadialGradientSymbolFilter>();
   else if (fill_type.empty()) {
     reader.warning(_ERROR_1_("expected key", _("fill type")));
     throw ParseError(_ERROR_("aborting parsing"));
diff --git a/src/render/text/element.cpp b/src/render/text/element.cpp
index ac626be4..5f2eb11f 100644
--- a/src/render/text/element.cpp
+++ b/src/render/text/element.cpp
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ struct TextElementsFromString {
     assert(content.size() == end-start);
     // use symbol font?
     if (symbol > 0 && style.symbol_font.valid()) {
-      te.elements.push_back(intrusive(new SymbolTextElement(content, start, end, style.symbol_font, &ctx)));
+      te.elements.push_back(make_intrusive<SymbolTextElement>(content, start, end, style.symbol_font, &ctx));
     } else {
       // text, possibly mixed with symbols
       DrawWhat what = soft > 0 ? DRAW_ACTIVE : DRAW_NORMAL;
@@ -221,9 +221,9 @@ struct TextElementsFromString {
             if (text_pos < pos) {
               // text before it?
               if (!font) font = makeFont(style);
-              te.elements.push_back(intrusive(new FontTextElement(content.substr(text_pos, pos-text_pos), start+text_pos, start+pos, font, what, line_break)));
+              te.elements.push_back(make_intrusive<FontTextElement>(content.substr(text_pos, pos-text_pos), start+text_pos, start+pos, font, what, line_break));
             }
-            te.elements.push_back(intrusive(new SymbolTextElement(content.substr(pos,n), start+pos, start+pos+n, style.symbol_font, &ctx)));
+            te.elements.push_back(make_intrusive<SymbolTextElement>(content.substr(pos,n), start+pos, start+pos+n, style.symbol_font, &ctx));
             text_pos = pos += n;
           } else {
             ++pos;
@@ -231,10 +231,10 @@ struct TextElementsFromString {
         }
         if (text_pos < pos) {
           if (!font) font = makeFont(style);
-          te.elements.push_back(intrusive(new FontTextElement(content.substr(text_pos), start+text_pos, end, font, what, line_break)));
+          te.elements.push_back(make_intrusive<FontTextElement>(content.substr(text_pos), start+text_pos, end, font, what, line_break));
         }
       } else {
-        te.elements.push_back(intrusive(new FontTextElement(content, start, end, makeFont(style), what, line_break)));
+        te.elements.push_back(make_intrusive<FontTextElement>(content, start, end, makeFont(style), what, line_break));
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/script/context.cpp b/src/script/context.cpp
index 169cbbb5..7ec9e57a 100644
--- a/src/script/context.cpp
+++ b/src/script/context.cpp
@@ -469,9 +469,9 @@ void instrBinary (BinaryInstructionType  i, ScriptValueP& a, const ScriptValueP&
       } else if (bt == SCRIPT_NIL) {
         // a = a;
       } else if (at == SCRIPT_FUNCTION && bt == SCRIPT_FUNCTION) {
-        a = intrusive(new ScriptCompose(a, b));
+        a = make_intrusive<ScriptCompose>(a, b);
       } else if (at == SCRIPT_COLLECTION && bt == SCRIPT_COLLECTION) {
-        a = intrusive(new ScriptConcatCollection(a, b));
+        a = make_intrusive<ScriptConcatCollection>(a, b);
       } else if (at == SCRIPT_INT    && bt == SCRIPT_INT) {
         a = to_script((int)*a        +  (int)*b);
       } else if ((at == SCRIPT_INT || at == SCRIPT_DOUBLE) &&
diff --git a/src/script/dependency.cpp b/src/script/dependency.cpp
index e30bfb08..96bcae0d 100644
--- a/src/script/dependency.cpp
+++ b/src/script/dependency.cpp
@@ -68,13 +68,13 @@ private:
 // Unify two values from different execution paths
 void unify(ScriptValueP& a, const ScriptValueP& b) {
   assert(a && b);
-  if (a != b) a = intrusive(new DependencyUnion(a,b));
+  if (a != b) a = make_intrusive<DependencyUnion>(a,b);
 }
 // Unify two values from different execution paths
 ScriptValueP unified(const ScriptValueP& a, const ScriptValueP& b) {
   assert(a && b);
   if (a == b) return a;
-  else        return intrusive(new DependencyUnion(a,b));
+  else        return make_intrusive<DependencyUnion>(a,b);
 }
 
 /// Behaves like script_nil, but with a name
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ ScriptValueP Context::dependencies(const Dependency& dep, const Script& script)
         case I_GET_VAR: {
           ScriptValueP value = variables[i.data].value;
           if (!value) {
-            value = intrusive(new ScriptMissingVariable(variable_to_string((Variable)i.data))); // no errors here
+            value = make_intrusive<ScriptMissingVariable>(variable_to_string((Variable)i.data)); // no errors here
           }
           value->dependencyThis(dep);
           stack.push_back(value);
diff --git a/src/script/functions/basic.cpp b/src/script/functions/basic.cpp
index fd9d9516..7c4617c3 100644
--- a/src/script/functions/basic.cpp
+++ b/src/script/functions/basic.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(to_string) {
       SCRIPT_RETURN(input->toString());
     }
   } catch (const ScriptError& e) {
-    return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(e));
+    return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(e);
   }
 }
 
@@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(keyword_usage) {
 /// Turn a script function into a rule, a.k.a. a delayed closure
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(rule) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(ScriptValueP, input);
-  return intrusive(new ScriptRule(input));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(input);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Init
@@ -760,17 +760,17 @@ void init_script_basic_functions(Context& ctx) {
   ctx.setVariable(_("substring"),            script_substring);
   ctx.setVariable(_("contains"),             script_contains);
   ctx.setVariable(_("format"),               script_format);
-  ctx.setVariable(_("format_rule"),          intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_format)));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("format_rule"),          make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_format));
   ctx.setVariable(_("curly_quotes"),         script_curly_quotes);
   ctx.setVariable(_("regex_escape"),         script_regex_escape);
   ctx.setVariable(_("sort_text"),            script_sort_text);
-  ctx.setVariable(_("sort_rule"),            intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_sort_text)));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("sort_rule"),            make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_sort_text));
   // tagged string
   ctx.setVariable(_("tag_contents"),         script_tag_contents);
   ctx.setVariable(_("remove_tag"),           script_remove_tag);
   ctx.setVariable(_("remove_tags"),          script_remove_tags);
-  ctx.setVariable(_("tag_contents_rule"),    intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_tag_contents)));
-  ctx.setVariable(_("tag_remove_rule"),      intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_remove_tag)));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("tag_contents_rule"),    make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_tag_contents));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("tag_remove_rule"),      make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_remove_tag));
   // collection
   ctx.setVariable(_("position"),             script_position_of);
   ctx.setVariable(_("length"),               script_length);
@@ -782,6 +782,6 @@ void init_script_basic_functions(Context& ctx) {
   ctx.setVariable(_("random_select_many"),   script_random_select_many);
   // keyword
   ctx.setVariable(_("expand_keywords"),      script_expand_keywords);
-  ctx.setVariable(_("expand_keywords_rule"), intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_expand_keywords)));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("expand_keywords_rule"), make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_expand_keywords));
   ctx.setVariable(_("keyword_usage"),        script_keyword_usage);
 }
diff --git a/src/script/functions/construction.cpp b/src/script/functions/construction.cpp
index 88db1462..41aaf759 100644
--- a/src/script/functions/construction.cpp
+++ b/src/script/functions/construction.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(new_card) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GameP, game);
-  CardP new_card = intrusive(new Card(*game));
+  CardP new_card = make_intrusive<Card>(*game);
   // set field values
   SCRIPT_PARAM(ScriptValueP, input);
   ScriptValueP it = input->makeIterator();
diff --git a/src/script/functions/image.cpp b/src/script/functions/image.cpp
index bdad8c1d..48e6ee0a 100644
--- a/src/script/functions/image.cpp
+++ b/src/script/functions/image.cpp
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(linear_blend) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, image2);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, x1); SCRIPT_PARAM(double, y1);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, x2); SCRIPT_PARAM(double, y2);
-  return intrusive(new LinearBlendImage(image1, image2, x1,y1, x2,y2));
+  return make_intrusive<LinearBlendImage>(image1, image2, x1,y1, x2,y2);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(masked_blend) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, light);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, dark);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, mask);
-  return intrusive(new MaskedBlendImage(light, dark, mask));
+  return make_intrusive<MaskedBlendImage>(light, dark, mask);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(combine_blend) {
@@ -57,19 +57,19 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(combine_blend) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, image2);
   ImageCombine image_combine;
   parse_enum(combine, image_combine);
-  return intrusive(new CombineBlendImage(image1, image2, image_combine));
+  return make_intrusive<CombineBlendImage>(image1, image2, image_combine);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(set_mask) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, image);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(GeneratedImageP, mask);
-  return intrusive(new SetMaskImage(image, mask));
+  return make_intrusive<SetMaskImage>(image, mask);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(set_alpha) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, alpha);
-  return intrusive(new SetAlphaImage(input, alpha));
+  return make_intrusive<SetAlphaImage>(input, alpha);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(set_combine) {
@@ -77,18 +77,18 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(set_combine) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
   ImageCombine image_combine;
   parse_enum(combine, image_combine);
-  return intrusive(new SetCombineImage(input, image_combine));
+  return make_intrusive<SetCombineImage>(input, image_combine);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(saturate) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, amount);
-  return intrusive(new SaturateImage(input, amount));
+  return make_intrusive<SaturateImage>(input, amount);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(invert_image) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
-  return intrusive(new InvertImage(input));
+  return make_intrusive<InvertImage>(input);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(recolor_image) {
@@ -97,17 +97,17 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(recolor_image) {
     SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, green);
     SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, blue);
     SCRIPT_PARAM_DEFAULT(Color, white, *wxWHITE);
-    return intrusive(new RecolorImage2(input,red,green,blue,white));
+    return make_intrusive<RecolorImage2>(input,red,green,blue,white);
   } else {
     SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, color);
-    return intrusive(new RecolorImage(input,color));
+    return make_intrusive<RecolorImage>(input,color);
   }
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(enlarge) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, border_size);
-  return intrusive(new EnlargeImage(input, border_size));
+  return make_intrusive<EnlargeImage>(input, border_size);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(crop) {
@@ -116,23 +116,23 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(crop) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM(int, height);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, offset_x);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(double, offset_y);
-  return intrusive(new CropImage(input, width, height, offset_x, offset_y));
+  return make_intrusive<CropImage>(input, width, height, offset_x, offset_y);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(flip_horizontal) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
-  return intrusive(new FlipImageHorizontal(input));
+  return make_intrusive<FlipImageHorizontal>(input);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(flip_vertical) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
-  return intrusive(new FlipImageVertical(input));
+  return make_intrusive<FlipImageVertical>(input);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(rotate) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(GeneratedImageP, input);
   SCRIPT_PARAM(Degrees, angle);
-  return intrusive(new RotateImage(input,deg_to_rad(angle)));
+  return make_intrusive<RotateImage>(input,deg_to_rad(angle));
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(drop_shadow) {
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(drop_shadow) {
   SCRIPT_OPTIONAL_PARAM_(double, alpha);
   SCRIPT_OPTIONAL_PARAM_(double, blur_radius);
   SCRIPT_OPTIONAL_PARAM_(Color,  color);
-  return intrusive(new DropShadowImage(input, offset_x, offset_y, alpha, blur_radius, color));
+  return make_intrusive<DropShadowImage>(input, offset_x, offset_y, alpha, blur_radius, color);
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(symbol_variation) {
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(symbol_variation) {
     FOR_EACH(v, style->variations) {
       if (v->name == variation) {
         // found it
-        return intrusive(new SymbolToImage(value, filename, value->last_update, v));
+        return make_intrusive<SymbolToImage>(value, filename, value->last_update, v);
       }
     }
     throw ScriptError(_("Variation of symbol not found ('") + variation + _("')"));
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(symbol_variation) {
     if (fill_type == _("solid") || fill_type.empty()) {
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, fill_color);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, border_color);
-      var->filter = intrusive(new SolidFillSymbolFilter(fill_color, border_color));
+      var->filter = make_intrusive<SolidFillSymbolFilter>(fill_color, border_color);
     } else if (fill_type == _("linear gradient")) {
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, fill_color_1);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, border_color_1);
@@ -193,24 +193,23 @@ SCRIPT_FUNCTION(symbol_variation) {
       SCRIPT_PARAM(double, center_y);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(double, end_x);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(double, end_y);
-      var->filter = intrusive(new LinearGradientSymbolFilter(fill_color_1, border_color_1, fill_color_2, border_color_2
-                                                            ,center_x, center_y, end_x, end_y));
+      var->filter = make_intrusive<LinearGradientSymbolFilter>(fill_color_1, border_color_1, fill_color_2, border_color_2, center_x, center_y, end_x, end_y);
     } else if (fill_type == _("radial gradient")) {
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, fill_color_1);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, border_color_1);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, fill_color_2);
       SCRIPT_PARAM(Color, border_color_2);
-      var->filter = intrusive(new RadialGradientSymbolFilter(fill_color_1, border_color_1, fill_color_2, border_color_2));
+      var->filter = make_intrusive<RadialGradientSymbolFilter>(fill_color_1, border_color_1, fill_color_2, border_color_2);
     } else {
       throw ScriptError(_("Unknown fill type for symbol_variation: ") + fill_type);
     }
-    return intrusive(new SymbolToImage(value, filename, value ? value->last_update : Age(0), var));
+    return make_intrusive<SymbolToImage>(value, filename, value ? value->last_update : Age(0), var);
   }
 }
 
 SCRIPT_FUNCTION(built_in_image) {
   SCRIPT_PARAM_C(String, input);
-  return intrusive(new BuiltInImage(input));
+  return make_intrusive<BuiltInImage>(input);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Init
diff --git a/src/script/functions/regex.cpp b/src/script/functions/regex.cpp
index f8603b79..c54a48a4 100644
--- a/src/script/functions/regex.cpp
+++ b/src/script/functions/regex.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ ScriptRegexP regex_from_script(const ScriptValueP& value) {
   ScriptRegexP regex = dynamic_pointer_cast<ScriptRegex>(value);
   if (!regex) {
     // TODO: introduce some kind of caching?
-    regex = intrusive(new ScriptRegex(*value));
+    regex = make_intrusive<ScriptRegex>(*value);
   }
   return regex;
 }
@@ -251,8 +251,8 @@ void init_script_regex_functions(Context& ctx) {
   ctx.setVariable(_("split_text"),           script_split_text);
   ctx.setVariable(_("match_text"),           script_match_text);
   ctx.setVariable(_("match"),                script_match_text); // old name
-  ctx.setVariable(_("replace_rule"),         intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_replace_text)));
-  ctx.setVariable(_("filter_rule"),          intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_filter_text)));
-  ctx.setVariable(_("break_rule"),           intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_break_text)));
-  ctx.setVariable(_("match_rule"),           intrusive(new ScriptRule(script_match_text)));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("replace_rule"),         make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_replace_text));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("filter_rule"),          make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_filter_text));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("break_rule"),           make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_break_text));
+  ctx.setVariable(_("match_rule"),           make_intrusive<ScriptRule>(script_match_text));
 }
diff --git a/src/script/functions/util.hpp b/src/script/functions/util.hpp
index 3ac9002a..16d5979e 100644
--- a/src/script/functions/util.hpp
+++ b/src/script/functions/util.hpp
@@ -154,25 +154,25 @@ inline Type from_script(const ScriptValueP& v, Variable var) {
 #define SCRIPT_RULE_1_C(funname, type1, name1)                \
         SCRIPT_RULE_1_N(funname, type1, SCRIPT_VAR_ ## name1, name1)
 /// Utility for defining a script rule with a single named parameter
-#define SCRIPT_RULE_1_N(funname, type1, str1, name1)            \
-  class ScriptRule_##funname: public ScriptValue {            \
-    public:                                \
-    inline ScriptRule_##funname(const type1& name1) : name1(name1) {}  \
-    virtual ScriptType type() const { return SCRIPT_FUNCTION; }      \
-    virtual String typeName() const { return _(#funname)_("_rule"); }  \
-    protected:                              \
-    virtual ScriptValueP do_eval(Context& ctx, bool) const;        \
-    private:                                \
-    type1 name1;                            \
-  };                                    \
-  SCRIPT_FUNCTION(funname##_rule) {                    \
-    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1);                  \
-    return intrusive(new ScriptRule_##funname(name1));          \
-  }                                    \
-  SCRIPT_FUNCTION(funname) {                        \
-    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1);                  \
-    return ScriptRule_##funname(name1).eval(ctx);            \
-  }                                    \
+#define SCRIPT_RULE_1_N(funname, type1, str1, name1) \
+  class ScriptRule_##funname: public ScriptValue { \
+  public: \
+    inline ScriptRule_##funname(const type1& name1) : name1(name1) {} \
+    virtual ScriptType type() const { return SCRIPT_FUNCTION; } \
+    virtual String typeName() const { return _(#funname)_("_rule"); } \
+  protected: \
+    virtual ScriptValueP do_eval(Context& ctx, bool) const; \
+  private: \
+    type1 name1; \
+  }; \
+  SCRIPT_FUNCTION(funname##_rule) { \
+    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1) \
+    return make_intrusive<ScriptRule_##funname>(name1); \
+  } \
+  SCRIPT_FUNCTION(funname) { \
+    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1); \
+    return ScriptRule_##funname(name1).eval(ctx); \
+  } \
   ScriptValueP ScriptRule_##funname::do_eval(Context& ctx, bool) const
 
 /// Utility for defining a script rule with two parameters
@@ -194,30 +194,30 @@ inline Type from_script(const ScriptValueP& v, Variable var) {
   })
 
 #define SCRIPT_RULE_2_N_AUX(funname, type1, str1, name1, type2, str2, name2, dep, more) \
-  class ScriptRule_##funname: public ScriptValue {            \
-    public:                                \
-    inline ScriptRule_##funname(const type1& name1, const type2& name2)  \
-      : name1(name1), name2(name2) {}                  \
-    virtual ScriptType type() const { return SCRIPT_FUNCTION; }      \
-    virtual String typeName() const { return _(#funname)_("_rule"); }  \
-    dep                                  \
-    protected:                              \
-    virtual ScriptValueP do_eval(Context& ctx, bool) const;        \
-    private:                                \
-    type1 name1;                            \
-    type2 name2;                            \
-  };                                    \
-  SCRIPT_FUNCTION(funname##_rule) {                    \
-    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1);                  \
-    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type2, str2, name2);                  \
-    return intrusive(new ScriptRule_##funname(name1, name2));      \
-  }                                    \
-  SCRIPT_FUNCTION_AUX(funname, dep) {                    \
-    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1);                  \
-    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type2, str2, name2);                  \
-    return ScriptRule_##funname(name1, name2).eval(ctx);        \
-  }                                    \
-  more                                  \
+  class ScriptRule_##funname: public ScriptValue { \
+  public: \
+    inline ScriptRule_##funname(const type1& name1, const type2& name2) \
+      : name1(name1), name2(name2) {} \
+    virtual ScriptType type() const { return SCRIPT_FUNCTION; } \
+    virtual String typeName() const { return _(#funname)_("_rule"); } \
+    dep \
+  protected: \
+    virtual ScriptValueP do_eval(Context& ctx, bool) const; \
+  private: \
+    type1 name1; \
+    type2 name2; \
+  }; \
+  SCRIPT_FUNCTION(funname##_rule) { \
+    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1); \
+    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type2, str2, name2); \
+    return make_intrusive<ScriptRule_##funname>(name1, name2); \
+  } \
+  SCRIPT_FUNCTION_AUX(funname, dep) { \
+    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type1, str1, name1); \
+    SCRIPT_PARAM_N(type2, str2, name2); \
+    return ScriptRule_##funname(name1, name2).eval(ctx); \
+  } \
+  more \
   ScriptValueP ScriptRule_##funname::do_eval(Context& ctx, bool) const
 
 #define SCRIPT_RULE_2_DEPENDENCIES(name)                  \
diff --git a/src/script/image.cpp b/src/script/image.cpp
index f3c281af..5c513d2d 100644
--- a/src/script/image.cpp
+++ b/src/script/image.cpp
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ template <> void Reader::handle(ScriptableImage& s) {
     s.script.parse(*this, true);
   } else {
     // a filename
-    s.value = intrusive(new PackagedImage(s.script.unparsed));
+    s.value = make_intrusive<PackagedImage>(s.script.unparsed);
   }
 }
 template <> void Writer::handle(const ScriptableImage& s) {
diff --git a/src/script/profiler.cpp b/src/script/profiler.cpp
index 6482ecea..cc59e6e5 100644
--- a/src/script/profiler.cpp
+++ b/src/script/profiler.cpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ void profile_aggregate(FunctionProfile& parent, int level, int max_level, size_t
   // add to item at idx
   FunctionProfileP& fpp = parent.children[idx];
   if (!fpp) {
-    fpp = intrusive(new FunctionProfile(p.name));
+    fpp = make_intrusive<FunctionProfile>(p.name);
   }
   fpp->time_ticks += p.time_ticks;
   fpp->calls      += p.calls;
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ Profiler::Profiler(Timer& timer, Variable function_name)
   if ((int)function_name >= 0) {
     FunctionProfileP& fpp = parent->children[(size_t)function_name << 1 | 1];
     if (!fpp) {
-      fpp = intrusive(new FunctionProfile(variable_to_string(function_name)));
+      fpp = make_intrusive<FunctionProfile>(variable_to_string(function_name));
     }
     function = fpp.get();
   }
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ Profiler::Profiler(Timer& timer, const Char* function_name)
 {
   FunctionProfileP& fpp = parent->children[(size_t)function_name];
   if (!fpp) {
-    fpp = intrusive(new FunctionProfile(function_name));
+    fpp = make_intrusive<FunctionProfile>(function_name);
   }
   function = fpp.get();
   timer.exclude_time();
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ Profiler::Profiler(Timer& timer, void* function_object, const String& function_n
 {
   FunctionProfileP& fpp = parent->children[(size_t)function_object];
   if (!fpp) {
-    fpp = intrusive(new FunctionProfile(function_name));
+    fpp = make_intrusive<FunctionProfile>(function_name);
   }
   function = fpp.get();
   timer.exclude_time();
diff --git a/src/script/script_manager.cpp b/src/script/script_manager.cpp
index 8fc187e9..12357817 100644
--- a/src/script/script_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/script/script_manager.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Context& SetScriptContext::getContext(const StyleSheetP& stylesheet) {
     //  NOTE: do not use a smart pointer for the pointer to the set, because the set owns this
     //        which would lead to a reference cycle.
     init_script_functions(*ctx);
-    ctx->setVariable(SCRIPT_VAR_set,        intrusive(new ScriptObject<Set*>(&set)));
+    ctx->setVariable(SCRIPT_VAR_set,        make_intrusive<ScriptObject<Set*>>(&set));
     ctx->setVariable(SCRIPT_VAR_game,       to_script(set.game));
     ctx->setVariable(SCRIPT_VAR_stylesheet, to_script(stylesheet));
     ctx->setVariable(SCRIPT_VAR_card_style, to_script(&stylesheet->card_style));
diff --git a/src/script/scriptable.cpp b/src/script/scriptable.cpp
index 3fc476bb..7c03c743 100644
--- a/src/script/scriptable.cpp
+++ b/src/script/scriptable.cpp
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ void OptionalScript::initDependencies(Context& ctx, const Dependency& dep) const
 }
 
 Script& OptionalScript::getMutableScript() {
-  if (!script) script = intrusive(new Script());
+  if (!script) script = make_intrusive<Script>();
   return *script;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/script/to_value.hpp b/src/script/to_value.hpp
index 10b904f2..3145dade 100644
--- a/src/script/to_value.hpp
+++ b/src/script/to_value.hpp
@@ -95,10 +95,10 @@ class ScriptDelayedError : public ScriptValue {
 };
 
 inline ScriptValueP delay_error(const String& m) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(ScriptError(m)));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(ScriptError(m));
 }
 inline ScriptValueP delay_error(const ScriptError& error) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(error));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(error);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Iterators
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class ScriptCollection : public ScriptCollectionBase {
     }
   }
   virtual ScriptValueP makeIterator(const ScriptValueP& thisP) const {
-    return intrusive(new ScriptCollectionIterator<Collection>(value));
+    return make_intrusive<ScriptCollectionIterator<Collection>>(value);
   }
   virtual int itemCount() const { return (int)value->size(); }
   /// Collections can be compared by comparing pointers
@@ -402,13 +402,13 @@ inline ScriptValueP to_script(long          v) { return to_script((int) v); }
        ScriptValueP to_script(wxDateTime    v);
 inline ScriptValueP to_script(bool          v) { return v ? script_true : script_false; }
 template <typename T>
-inline ScriptValueP to_script(const vector<T>*     v) { return intrusive(new ScriptCollection<vector<T> >(v)); }
+inline ScriptValueP to_script(const vector<T>*     v) { return make_intrusive<ScriptCollection<vector<T>>>(v); }
 template <typename K, typename V>
-inline ScriptValueP to_script(const map<K,V>*      v) { return intrusive(new ScriptMap<map<K,V> >(v)); }
+inline ScriptValueP to_script(const map<K,V>*      v) { return make_intrusive<ScriptMap<map<K,V>>>(v); }
 template <typename K, typename V>
-inline ScriptValueP to_script(const IndexMap<K,V>* v) { return intrusive(new ScriptMap<IndexMap<K,V> >(v)); }
+inline ScriptValueP to_script(const IndexMap<K,V>* v) { return make_intrusive<ScriptMap<IndexMap<K,V>>>(v); }
 template <typename T>
-inline ScriptValueP to_script(const intrusive_ptr<T>& v) { return intrusive(new ScriptObject<intrusive_ptr<T> >(v)); }
+inline ScriptValueP to_script(const intrusive_ptr<T>& v) { return make_intrusive<ScriptObject<intrusive_ptr<T>>>(v); }
 template <typename T>
 inline ScriptValueP to_script(const Defaultable<T>& v) { return to_script(v()); }
 
diff --git a/src/script/value.cpp b/src/script/value.cpp
index f7bd8b7f..21dae2e9 100644
--- a/src/script/value.cpp
+++ b/src/script/value.cpp
@@ -111,11 +111,11 @@ ScriptDelayedError::operator bool()   const            { throw error; }
 ScriptDelayedError::operator Color()  const            { throw error; }
 int ScriptDelayedError::itemCount() const              { throw error; }
 CompareWhat ScriptDelayedError::compareAs(String&, void const*&) const { throw error; }
-ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::getMember(const String&) const                           { return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(error)); }
-ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::dependencyMember(const String&, const Dependency&) const { return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(error)); }
-ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::do_eval(Context&, bool) const                            { return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(error)); }
-ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::dependencies(Context&, const Dependency&) const          { return intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(error)); }
-ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::makeIterator(const ScriptValueP& thisP) const            { return thisP ? thisP : intrusive(new ScriptDelayedError(error)); }
+ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::getMember(const String&) const                           { return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(error); }
+ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::dependencyMember(const String&, const Dependency&) const { return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(error); }
+ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::do_eval(Context&, bool) const                            { return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(error); }
+ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::dependencies(Context&, const Dependency&) const          { return make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(error); }
+ScriptValueP ScriptDelayedError::makeIterator(const ScriptValueP& thisP) const            { return thisP ? thisP : make_intrusive<ScriptDelayedError>(error); }
 
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Iterators
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class ScriptRangeIterator : public ScriptIterator {
 };
 
 ScriptValueP rangeIterator(int start, int end) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptRangeIterator(start, end));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptRangeIterator>(start, end);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Integers
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ ScriptValueP to_script(int v) {
         destroy_value); // deallocation function
   #endif
 #else
-  return intrusive(new ScriptInt(v));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptInt>(v);
 #endif
 }
 
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ class ScriptDouble : public ScriptValue {
 };
 
 ScriptValueP to_script(double v) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptDouble(v));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptDouble>(v);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : String type
@@ -287,9 +287,9 @@ class ScriptString : public ScriptValue {
   }
   virtual GeneratedImageP toImage(const ScriptValueP&) const {
     if (value.empty()) {
-      return intrusive(new BlankImage());
+      return make_intrusive<BlankImage>();
     } else {
-      return intrusive(new PackagedImage(value));
+      return make_intrusive<PackagedImage>(value);
     }
   }
   virtual int itemCount() const { return (int)value.size(); }
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ class ScriptString : public ScriptValue {
 };
 
 ScriptValueP to_script(const String& v) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptString(v));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptString>(v);
 }
 
 
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ private:
 };
 
 ScriptValueP to_script(Color v) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptColor(v));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptColor>(v);
 }
 
 
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ class ScriptDateTime : public ScriptValue {
 };
 
 ScriptValueP to_script(wxDateTime v) {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptDateTime(v));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptDateTime>(v);
 }
 
 
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ public:
   operator bool()   const override { return false; }
   operator Color()  const override { return wxTransparentColour; }
   GeneratedImageP toImage(const ScriptValueP&) const {
-    return intrusive(new BlankImage());
+    return make_intrusive<BlankImage>();
   }
   String toCode() const override {
     return "nil";
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ ScriptValueP ScriptCustomCollection::getIndex(int index) const {
   }
 }
 ScriptValueP ScriptCustomCollection::makeIterator(const ScriptValueP& thisP) const {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptCustomCollectionIterator(this, thisP));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptCustomCollectionIterator>(this, thisP);
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Concat collection
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ ScriptValueP ScriptConcatCollection::getIndex(int index) const {
   }
 }
 ScriptValueP ScriptConcatCollection::makeIterator(const ScriptValueP& thisP) const {
-  return intrusive(new ScriptConcatCollectionIterator(a->makeIterator(a), b->makeIterator(b)));
+  return make_intrusive<ScriptConcatCollectionIterator>(a->makeIterator(a), b->makeIterator(b));
 }
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Default arguments / closure
diff --git a/src/util/delayed_index_maps.hpp b/src/util/delayed_index_maps.hpp
index c3cb9e1d..2aec56fd 100644
--- a/src/util/delayed_index_maps.hpp
+++ b/src/util/delayed_index_maps.hpp
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ template <typename Key, typename Value>
 IndexMap<Key,Value>& DelayedIndexMaps<Key,Value>::get(const String& name, const vector<Key>& init_with) {
   intrusive_ptr<DelayedIndexMapsData<Key,Value> >& item = data[name];
   if (!item) { // no item, make a new one
-    item = intrusive(new DelayedIndexMapsData<Key,Value>);
+    item = make_intrusive<DelayedIndexMapsData<Key,Value>>();
     item->read_data.init(init_with);
   } else if (!item->unread_data.empty()) { // not read, read now
     item->read_data.init(init_with);
-    Reader reader(shared(new wxStringInputStream(item->unread_data)), nullptr, _("delayed data for ") + name);
+    Reader reader(make_shared<wxStringInputStream>(item->unread_data), nullptr, _("delayed data for ") + name);
     reader.handle_greedy(item->read_data);
     item->unread_data.clear();
   }
diff --git a/src/util/io/package.cpp b/src/util/io/package.cpp
index aeaa09e6..e5a57f47 100644
--- a/src/util/io/package.cpp
+++ b/src/util/io/package.cpp
@@ -203,13 +203,13 @@ InputStreamP Package::openIn(const String& file) {
   InputStreamP stream;
   if (it != files.end() && it->second.wasWritten()) {
     // written to this file, open the temp file
-    stream = shared(new BufferedFileInputStream(it->second.tempName));
+    stream = make_shared<BufferedFileInputStream>(it->second.tempName);
   } else if (wxFileExists(filename+_("/")+file)) {
     // a file in directory package
-    stream = shared(new BufferedFileInputStream(filename+_("/")+file));
+    stream = make_shared<BufferedFileInputStream>(filename+_("/")+file);
   } else if (wxFileExists(filename) && it != files.end() && it->second.zipEntry) {
     // a file in a zip archive
-    stream = static_pointer_cast<wxZipInputStream>(shared(new ZipFileInputStream(filename, it->second.zipEntry)));
+    stream = static_pointer_cast<wxZipInputStream>(make_shared<ZipFileInputStream>(filename, it->second.zipEntry));
   } else {
     // shouldn't happen, packaged changed by someone else since opening it
     throw FileNotFoundError(file, filename);
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ InputStreamP Package::openIn(const String& file) {
 }
 
 OutputStreamP Package::openOut(const String& file) {
-  return shared(new wxFileOutputStream(nameOut(file)));
+  return make_shared<wxFileOutputStream>(nameOut(file));
 }
 
 String Package::nameOut(const String& file) {
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ InputStreamP Package::openAbsoluteFile(const String& name) {
   size_t pos = name.find_first_of(_('\1'));
   if (pos == String::npos) {
     // temp or dir file
-    shared_ptr<wxFileInputStream> f = shared(new wxFileInputStream(name));
+    shared_ptr<wxFileInputStream> f = make_shared<wxFileInputStream>(name);
     if (!f->IsOk()) throw FileNotFoundError(_("<unknown>"), name);
     return f;
   } else {
diff --git a/src/util/io/package_manager.cpp b/src/util/io/package_manager.cpp
index b9d44593..645977f4 100644
--- a/src/util/io/package_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/util/io/package_manager.cpp
@@ -65,12 +65,12 @@ PackagedP PackageManager::openAny(const String& name_, bool just_header) {
   if (!p) {
     // load with the right type, based on extension
     wxFileName fn(filename);
-    if      (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-game"))            p = intrusive(new Game);
-    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-style"))           p = intrusive(new StyleSheet);
-    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-locale"))          p = intrusive(new Locale);
-    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-include"))         p = intrusive(new IncludePackage);
-    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-symbol-font"))     p = intrusive(new SymbolFont);
-    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-export-template")) p = intrusive(new ExportTemplate);
+    if      (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-game"))            p = make_intrusive<Game>();
+    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-style"))           p = make_intrusive<StyleSheet>();
+    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-locale"))          p = make_intrusive<Locale>();
+    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-include"))         p = make_intrusive<IncludePackage>();
+    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-symbol-font"))     p = make_intrusive<SymbolFont>();
+    else if (fn.GetExt() == _("mse-export-template")) p = make_intrusive<ExportTemplate>();
     else {
       throw PackageError(_("Unrecognized package type: '") + fn.GetExt() + _("'\nwhile trying to open: ") + name);
     }
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ void PackageDirectory::installedPackages(vector<InstallablePackageP>& packages_o
         PackageVersionP ver(new PackageVersion(
           is_local ? PackageVersion::STATUS_LOCAL : PackageVersion::STATUS_GLOBAL));
         ver->check_status(*pack);
-        packages_out.push_back(intrusive(new InstallablePackage(intrusive(new PackageDescription(*pack)), ver)));
+        packages_out.push_back(make_intrusive<InstallablePackage>(make_intrusive<PackageDescription>(*pack), ver));
       } catch (const Error&) {}
       ++it2;
     } else if ((*it1)->name < *it2) {
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ void PackageDirectory::installedPackages(vector<InstallablePackageP>& packages_o
       try {
         PackagedP pack = package_manager.openAny(*it2, true);
         (*it1)->check_status(*pack);
-        packages_out.push_back(intrusive(new InstallablePackage(intrusive(new PackageDescription(*pack)), *it1)));
+        packages_out.push_back(make_intrusive<InstallablePackage>(make_intrusive<PackageDescription>(*pack), *it1));
       } catch (const Error&) { db_changed = true; }
       ++it1, ++it2;
     }
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ void PackageDirectory::loadDatabase() {
   String filename = databaseFile();
   if (wxFileExists(filename)) {
     // packages file not existing is not an error
-    shared_ptr<wxFileInputStream> file = shared(new wxFileInputStream(filename));
+    shared_ptr<wxFileInputStream> file = make_shared<wxFileInputStream>(filename);
     if (!file->Ok()) return; // failure is not an error
     Reader reader(file, nullptr, filename);
     reader.handle_greedy(*this);
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ void PackageDirectory::loadDatabase() {
 }
 
 void PackageDirectory::saveDatabase() {
-  Writer writer(shared(new wxFileOutputStream(databaseFile())), app_version);
+  Writer writer(make_shared<wxFileOutputStream>(databaseFile()), app_version);
   writer.handle(*this);
 }
 String PackageDirectory::databaseFile() {
diff --git a/src/util/io/reader.hpp b/src/util/io/reader.hpp
index a4a6a466..900fd563 100644
--- a/src/util/io/reader.hpp
+++ b/src/util/io/reader.hpp
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class Reader {
  */
 template <typename T>
 intrusive_ptr<T> read_new(Reader& reader) {
-  return intrusive(new T());
+  return make_intrusive<T>();
 }
 
 /// Update the 'index' member of a value for use by IndexMap
diff --git a/src/util/smart_ptr.hpp b/src/util/smart_ptr.hpp
index c7069137..4eea25e3 100644
--- a/src/util/smart_ptr.hpp
+++ b/src/util/smart_ptr.hpp
@@ -33,29 +33,18 @@ template <typename T> using scoped_ptr = unique_ptr<T>;
   class Type; \
   typedef shared_ptr<Type> Type##P;
 
-// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Creating
-
-/// Wrap a newly allocated pointer in an shared_ptr
-/** Usage:
-  *    return shared(new T(stuff)));
-  */
-template <typename T>
-//[[deprecated("use make_shared")]]
-inline shared_ptr<T> shared(T* ptr) {
-  return shared_ptr<T>(ptr);
-}
-template <typename T>
-//[[deprecated("use make_shared")]]
-inline shared_ptr<T> intrusive(T* ptr) {
-  return shared_ptr<T>(ptr);
-}
-
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Intrusive pointers
 
 #define DECLARE_POINTER_TYPE DECLARE_SHARED_POINTER_TYPE
-#define intrusive_ptr shared_ptr
 
 template <typename T> class IntrusivePtrBase {};
+template <typename T> using intrusive_ptr = shared_ptr<T>;
+
+/// Allocate an object of type T and store it in a new intrusive_ptr, similar to std::make_shared
+template <typename T, class... Args>
+inline intrusive_ptr<T> make_intrusive(Args&&... args) {
+  return std::make_shared<T>(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+}
 
 /// IntrusivePtrBase with a virtual destructor
 class IntrusivePtrVirtualBase : public IntrusivePtrBase<IntrusivePtrVirtualBase> {
diff --git a/src/util/vcs.cpp b/src/util/vcs.cpp
index f9e67eee..b89c1e82 100644
--- a/src/util/vcs.cpp
+++ b/src/util/vcs.cpp
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ VCSP read_new<VCS>(Reader& reader) {
   // there must be a type specified
   String type;
   reader.handle(_("type"), type);
-  if      (type == _("none"))        return intrusive(new VCS);
-  else if (type == _("subversion"))    return intrusive(new SubversionVCS);
+  if      (type == _("none")) return make_intrusive<VCS>();
+  else if (type == _("subversion")) return make_intrusive<SubversionVCS>();
   else if (type.empty()) {
     reader.warning(_ERROR_1_("expected key", _("version control system")));
     throw ParseError(_ERROR_("aborting parsing"));