diff --git a/src/common/engine/namedef.h b/src/common/engine/namedef.h
index ebb3f1117a8..f857e932050 100644
--- a/src/common/engine/namedef.h
+++ b/src/common/engine/namedef.h
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ xx(Object)
 xx(Actor)
 xx(Class)
 xx(Thinker)
-xx(ZSprite)
+xx(VisualThinker)
 xx(Crosshairs)
 
 xx(Untranslated)
diff --git a/src/g_levellocals.h b/src/g_levellocals.h
index 4b6dbddc390..5cc837a9ed5 100644
--- a/src/g_levellocals.h
+++ b/src/g_levellocals.h
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ struct FLevelLocals
 		DThinker *thinker = static_cast<DThinker*>(cls->CreateNew());
 		assert(thinker->IsKindOf(RUNTIME_CLASS(DThinker)));
 		thinker->ObjectFlags |= OF_JustSpawned;
-		if (thinker->IsKindOf(RUNTIME_CLASS(DZSprite))) // [MC] This absolutely must happen for this class!
+		if (thinker->IsKindOf(RUNTIME_CLASS(DVisualThinker))) // [MC] This absolutely must happen for this class!
 			statnum = STAT_SPRITE;
 		Thinkers.Link(thinker, statnum);
 		thinker->Level = this;
diff --git a/src/gamedata/r_defs.h b/src/gamedata/r_defs.h
index 015aace07d0..3333a0c7a83 100644
--- a/src/gamedata/r_defs.h
+++ b/src/gamedata/r_defs.h
@@ -1663,7 +1663,7 @@ struct subsector_t
 	int Index() const { return subsectornum; }
 									// 2: has one-sided walls
 	FPortalCoverage	portalcoverage[2];
-	TArray<DZSprite *> sprites;
+	TArray<DVisualThinker *> sprites;
 	LightmapSurface *lightmap[2];
 };
 
diff --git a/src/playsim/dthinker.cpp b/src/playsim/dthinker.cpp
index 123ec1d3266..cbd99771215 100644
--- a/src/playsim/dthinker.cpp
+++ b/src/playsim/dthinker.cpp
@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(DThinker, ChangeStatNum, ChangeStatNum)
 	PARAM_INT(stat);
 
 	// do not allow ZScript to reposition thinkers in or out of particle ticking.
-	if (stat != STAT_SPRITE && !dynamic_cast<DZSprite*>(self))
+	if (stat != STAT_SPRITE && !dynamic_cast<DVisualThinker*>(self))
 	{
 		ChangeStatNum(self, stat);
 	}
diff --git a/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp b/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
index f27f6533403..73becea043c 100644
--- a/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
+++ b/src/playsim/p_effect.cpp
@@ -207,19 +207,19 @@ void P_ClearParticles (FLevelLocals *Level)
 // Group particles by subsectors. Because particles are always
 // in motion, there is little benefit to caching this information
 // from one frame to the next.
-// [MC] ZSprites hitches a ride here
+// [MC] VisualThinkers hitches a ride here
 
 void P_FindParticleSubsectors (FLevelLocals *Level)
 {
-	// [MC] Hitch a ride on particle subsectors since ZSprites are effectively using the same kind of system.
+	// [MC] Hitch a ride on particle subsectors since VisualThinkers are effectively using the same kind of system.
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < Level->subsectors.Size(); i++)
 	{
 		Level->subsectors[i].sprites.Clear();
 	}
 	// [MC] Not too happy about using an iterator for this but I can't think of another way to handle it.
 	// At least it's on its own statnum for maximum efficiency.
-	auto it = Level->GetThinkerIterator<DZSprite>(NAME_None, STAT_SPRITE);
-	DZSprite* sp;
+	auto it = Level->GetThinkerIterator<DVisualThinker>(NAME_None, STAT_SPRITE);
+	DVisualThinker* sp;
 	while (sp = it.Next())
 	{
 		if (sp->sub == nullptr)
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void P_FindParticleSubsectors (FLevelLocals *Level)
 
 		sp->sub->sprites.Push(sp);
 	}
-	// End ZSprite hitching. Now onto the particles. 
+	// End VisualThinker hitching. Now onto the particles. 
 	if (Level->ParticlesInSubsec.Size() < Level->subsectors.Size())
 	{
 		Level->ParticlesInSubsec.Reserve (Level->subsectors.Size() - Level->ParticlesInSubsec.Size());
@@ -985,13 +985,13 @@ void P_DisconnectEffect (AActor *actor)
 
 //===========================================================================
 // 
-// ZScript Sprite (DZSprite)
+// ZScript Sprite (DVisualThinker)
 // Concept by Major Cooke
 // Most code borrowed by Actor and particles above
 // 
 //===========================================================================
 
-void DZSprite::Construct()
+void DVisualThinker::Construct()
 {
 	PT = {};
 	PT.sprite = this;
@@ -1010,58 +1010,58 @@ void DZSprite::Construct()
 	scolor = 0xffffff;
 }
 
-DZSprite::DZSprite()
+DVisualThinker::DVisualThinker()
 {
 	Construct();
 }
 
-void DZSprite::CallPostBeginPlay()
+void DVisualThinker::CallPostBeginPlay()
 {
 	PT.texture = Texture;
 	Super::CallPostBeginPlay();
 }
 
-void DZSprite::OnDestroy()
+void DVisualThinker::OnDestroy()
 {
 	PT.alpha = 0.0; // stops all rendering.
 	if (spr) delete spr;
 	Super::OnDestroy();
 }
 
-DZSprite* DZSprite::NewZSprite(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type)
+DVisualThinker* DVisualThinker::NewVisualThinker(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type)
 {
 	if (type == nullptr)
 		return nullptr;
 	else if (type->bAbstract)
 	{
-		Printf("Attempt to spawn an instance of abstract ZSprite class %s\n", type->TypeName.GetChars());
+		Printf("Attempt to spawn an instance of abstract VisualThinker class %s\n", type->TypeName.GetChars());
 		return nullptr;
 	}
-	else if (!type->IsDescendantOf(RUNTIME_CLASS(DZSprite)))
+	else if (!type->IsDescendantOf(RUNTIME_CLASS(DVisualThinker)))
 	{
-		Printf("Attempt to spawn class not inherent to ZSprite: %s\n", type->TypeName.GetChars());
+		Printf("Attempt to spawn class not inherent to VisualThinker: %s\n", type->TypeName.GetChars());
 		return nullptr;
 	}
 
-	DZSprite *zs = static_cast<DZSprite*>(Level->CreateThinker(type, STAT_SPRITE));
+	DVisualThinker *zs = static_cast<DVisualThinker*>(Level->CreateThinker(type, STAT_SPRITE));
 	zs->Construct();
 	return zs;
 }
 
-static DZSprite* SpawnZSprite(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type)
+static DVisualThinker* SpawnVisualThinker(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type)
 {
-	return DZSprite::NewZSprite(Level, type);
+	return DVisualThinker::NewVisualThinker(Level, type);
 }
 
-DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(FLevelLocals, SpawnZSprite, SpawnZSprite)
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_NATIVE(FLevelLocals, SpawnVisualThinker, SpawnVisualThinker)
 {
 	PARAM_SELF_STRUCT_PROLOGUE(FLevelLocals);
-	PARAM_CLASS_NOT_NULL(type, DZSprite);
-	DZSprite* zs = SpawnZSprite(self, type);
+	PARAM_CLASS_NOT_NULL(type, DVisualThinker);
+	DVisualThinker* zs = SpawnVisualThinker(self, type);
 	ACTION_RETURN_OBJECT(zs);
 }
 
-void DZSprite::UpdateSpriteInfo()
+void DVisualThinker::UpdateSpriteInfo()
 {
 	PT.color = scolor;
 	PT.Pos = Pos;
@@ -1076,7 +1076,7 @@ void DZSprite::UpdateSpriteInfo()
 }
 
 // This runs just like Actor's, make sure to call Super.Tick() in ZScript.
-void DZSprite::Tick()
+void DVisualThinker::Tick()
 {
 	if (ObjectFlags & OF_EuthanizeMe)
 		return;
@@ -1126,7 +1126,7 @@ void DZSprite::Tick()
 	UpdateSpriteInfo();
 }
 
-int DZSprite::GetLightLevel(sector_t* rendersector) const
+int DVisualThinker::GetLightLevel(sector_t* rendersector) const
 {
 	int lightlevel = rendersector->GetSpriteLight();
 
@@ -1141,7 +1141,7 @@ int DZSprite::GetLightLevel(sector_t* rendersector) const
 	return lightlevel;
 }
 
-FVector3 DZSprite::InterpolatedPosition(double ticFrac) const
+FVector3 DVisualThinker::InterpolatedPosition(double ticFrac) const
 {
 	if (bDontInterpolate) return FVector3(Pos);
 
@@ -1150,7 +1150,7 @@ FVector3 DZSprite::InterpolatedPosition(double ticFrac) const
 
 }
 
-float DZSprite::InterpolatedRoll(double ticFrac) const
+float DVisualThinker::InterpolatedRoll(double ticFrac) const
 {
 	if (bDontInterpolate) return Roll;
 
@@ -1159,7 +1159,7 @@ float DZSprite::InterpolatedRoll(double ticFrac) const
 
 
 
-void DZSprite::SetTranslation(FName trname)
+void DVisualThinker::SetTranslation(FName trname)
 {
 	// There is no constant for the empty name...
 	if (trname.GetChars()[0] == 0)
@@ -1177,35 +1177,35 @@ void DZSprite::SetTranslation(FName trname)
 	// silently ignore if the name does not exist, this would create some insane message spam otherwise.
 }
 
-DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DZSprite, SetTranslation)
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DVisualThinker, SetTranslation)
 {
-	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DZSprite);
+	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DVisualThinker);
 	PARAM_NAME(trans);
 	self->SetTranslation(trans);
 	return 0;
 }
 
-bool DZSprite::isFrozen()
+bool DVisualThinker::isFrozen()
 {
 	return (Level->isFrozen() && !(Flags & SPF_NOTIMEFREEZE));
 }
 
-DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DZSprite, IsFrozen)
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DVisualThinker, IsFrozen)
 {
-	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DZSprite);
+	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DVisualThinker);
 	ACTION_RETURN_BOOL(self->isFrozen());
 }
 
-DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DZSprite, SetRenderStyle)
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION(DVisualThinker, SetRenderStyle)
 {
-	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DZSprite);
+	PARAM_SELF_PROLOGUE(DVisualThinker);
 	PARAM_INT(mode);
 
 	self->Style = ERenderStyle(mode);
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int DZSprite::GetRenderStyle()
+int DVisualThinker::GetRenderStyle()
 {
 	for (unsigned i = 0; i < STYLE_Count; i++)
 	{
@@ -1214,7 +1214,7 @@ int DZSprite::GetRenderStyle()
 	return -1;
 }
 
-void DZSprite::Serialize(FSerializer& arc)
+void DVisualThinker::Serialize(FSerializer& arc)
 {
 	Super::Serialize(arc);
 
@@ -1241,22 +1241,22 @@ void DZSprite::Serialize(FSerializer& arc)
 		
 }
 
-IMPLEMENT_CLASS(DZSprite, false, false);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Pos);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Vel);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Prev);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Scale);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Offset);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Roll);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, PrevRoll);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Alpha);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Texture);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Translation);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, Flags);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, LightLevel);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, scolor);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, cursector);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, bXFlip);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, bYFlip);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, bDontInterpolate);
-DEFINE_FIELD(DZSprite, bAddLightLevel);
+IMPLEMENT_CLASS(DVisualThinker, false, false);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Pos);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Vel);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Prev);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Scale);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Offset);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Roll);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, PrevRoll);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Alpha);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Texture);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Translation);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, Flags);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, LightLevel);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, scolor);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, cursector);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, bXFlip);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, bYFlip);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, bDontInterpolate);
+DEFINE_FIELD(DVisualThinker, bAddLightLevel);
diff --git a/src/playsim/p_effect.h b/src/playsim/p_effect.h
index b287db428cb..c2101b56819 100644
--- a/src/playsim/p_effect.h
+++ b/src/playsim/p_effect.h
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ enum EParticleFlags
 	SPF_REPLACE =			1 << 7,
 	SPF_NO_XY_BILLBOARD =	1 << 8,
 };
-class DZSprite;
+class DVisualThinker;
 struct particle_t
 {
     DVector3 Pos;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ struct particle_t
     uint16_t    tnext, snext, tprev;
     bool    bright;
 	uint16_t flags;
-	DZSprite *sprite;
+	DVisualThinker *sprite;
 };
 
 const uint16_t NO_PARTICLE = 0xffff;
@@ -141,16 +141,16 @@ void P_DisconnectEffect (AActor *actor);
 
 //===========================================================================
 // 
-// ZSprites
+// VisualThinkers
 // by Major Cooke
 // Credit to phantombeta, RicardoLuis0 & RaveYard for aid
 // 
 //===========================================================================
 class HWSprite;
 struct FTranslationID;
-class DZSprite : public DThinker
+class DVisualThinker : public DThinker
 {
-	DECLARE_CLASS(DZSprite, DThinker);
+	DECLARE_CLASS(DVisualThinker, DThinker);
 public:
 	DVector3		Pos, Vel, Prev;
 	DVector2		Scale, Offset;
@@ -177,12 +177,12 @@ class DZSprite : public DThinker
 
 	
 
-	DZSprite();
+	DVisualThinker();
 	void Construct();
 	void CallPostBeginPlay() override;
 	void OnDestroy() override;
 
-	static DZSprite* NewZSprite(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type);
+	static DVisualThinker* NewVisualThinker(FLevelLocals* Level, PClass* type);
 	void SetTranslation(FName trname);
 	int GetRenderStyle();
 	bool isFrozen();
diff --git a/src/playsim/statnums.h b/src/playsim/statnums.h
index 8c842924132..1e450d91844 100644
--- a/src/playsim/statnums.h
+++ b/src/playsim/statnums.h
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ enum
 	STAT_ACTORMOVER,						// actor movers
 	STAT_SCRIPTS,							// The ACS thinker. This is to ensure that it can't tick before all actors called PostBeginPlay
 	STAT_BOT,								// Bot thinker
-	STAT_SPRITE,							// ZSprite Thinker
+	STAT_SPRITE,							// VisualThinker Thinker
 };
 
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_bsp.cpp b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_bsp.cpp
index 2e646f6ea90..3003341bc99 100644
--- a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_bsp.cpp
+++ b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_bsp.cpp
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ void HWDrawInfo::RenderParticles(subsector_t *sub, sector_t *front)
 	SetupSprite.Clock();
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < sub->sprites.Size(); i++)
 	{
-		DZSprite *sp = sub->sprites[i];
+		DVisualThinker *sp = sub->sprites[i];
 		if (!sp || sp->ObjectFlags & OF_EuthanizeMe)
 			continue;
 		if (mClipPortal)
diff --git a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_drawstructs.h b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_drawstructs.h
index 060e5eb04fb..6664b943b7b 100644
--- a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_drawstructs.h
+++ b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_drawstructs.h
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ class HWSprite
 	void PutSprite(HWDrawInfo *di, bool translucent);
 	void Process(HWDrawInfo *di, AActor* thing,sector_t * sector, area_t in_area, int thruportal = false, bool isSpriteShadow = false);
 	void ProcessParticle (HWDrawInfo *di, particle_t *particle, sector_t *sector);//, int shade, int fakeside)
-	void AdjustZSprite(HWDrawInfo *di, DZSprite *spr, sector_t *sector);
+	void AdjustVisualThinker(HWDrawInfo *di, DVisualThinker *spr, sector_t *sector);
 
 	void DrawSprite(HWDrawInfo *di, FRenderState &state, bool translucent);
 };
diff --git a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp
index fba8f98d859..b12005c0795 100644
--- a/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp
+++ b/src/rendering/hwrenderer/scene/hw_sprites.cpp
@@ -1252,7 +1252,7 @@ void HWSprite::ProcessParticle (HWDrawInfo *di, particle_t *particle, sector_t *
 	if (!particle || particle->alpha <= 0)
 		return;
 
-	DZSprite *spr = particle->sprite;
+	DVisualThinker *spr = particle->sprite;
 	if (spr && spr->Texture.isNull())
 		return;
 
@@ -1318,7 +1318,7 @@ void HWSprite::ProcessParticle (HWDrawInfo *di, particle_t *particle, sector_t *
 	const auto& vp = di->Viewpoint;
 
 	if (spr)
-		AdjustZSprite(di, spr, sector);
+		AdjustVisualThinker(di, spr, sector);
 	else
 	{
 		bool has_texture = !particle->texture.isNull();
@@ -1405,10 +1405,10 @@ void HWSprite::ProcessParticle (HWDrawInfo *di, particle_t *particle, sector_t *
 	rendered_sprites++;
 }
 
-// [MC] ZSprites are to be rendered akin to actor sprites. The reason this whole system
+// [MC] VisualThinkers are to be rendered akin to actor sprites. The reason this whole system
 // is hitching a ride on particle_t is because of the large number of checks with 
 // HWSprite elsewhere in the draw lists.
-void HWSprite::AdjustZSprite(HWDrawInfo* di, DZSprite* spr, sector_t* sector)
+void HWSprite::AdjustVisualThinker(HWDrawInfo* di, DVisualThinker* spr, sector_t* sector)
 {
 	translation = spr->Translation;
 	texture = TexMan.GetGameTexture(spr->Texture, true);
diff --git a/src/scripting/backend/codegen_doom.cpp b/src/scripting/backend/codegen_doom.cpp
index 5412cbb8ea1..60e0cc61411 100644
--- a/src/scripting/backend/codegen_doom.cpp
+++ b/src/scripting/backend/codegen_doom.cpp
@@ -926,9 +926,9 @@ static DObject *BuiltinNewDoom(PClass *cls, int outerside, int backwardscompatib
 		ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Cannot create actors with 'new'");
 		return nullptr;
 	}
-	if (cls->IsDescendantOf(NAME_ZSprite)) // Same for ZSprites.
+	if (cls->IsDescendantOf(NAME_VisualThinker)) // Same for VisualThinkers.
 	{
-		ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Cannot create ZSprite or inheriting classes with 'new'. Use 'ZSprite.Spawn' instead.");
+		ThrowAbortException(X_OTHER, "Cannot create VisualThinker or inheriting classes with 'new'. Use 'VisualThinker.Spawn' instead.");
 		return nullptr;
 	}
 	if ((vm_warnthinkercreation || !backwardscompatible) && cls->IsDescendantOf(NAME_Thinker))
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/doombase.zs b/wadsrc/static/zscript/doombase.zs
index 765f3546eda..96a1c535e4d 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/doombase.zs
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/doombase.zs
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ struct LevelLocals native
 	native String GetEpisodeName();
 
 	native void SpawnParticle(FSpawnParticleParams p);
-	native ZSprite SpawnZSprite(Class<ZSprite> type);
+	native VisualThinker SpawnVisualThinker(Class<VisualThinker> type);
 }
 
 // a few values of this need to be readable by the play code.
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/zsprite.zs b/wadsrc/static/zscript/zsprite.zs
index 936dbd31441..877bd7abe9a 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/zsprite.zs
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/zsprite.zs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-Class ZSprite : Thinker native
+Class VisualThinker : Thinker native
 {
 	native Vector3		Pos, Vel, Prev;
 	native Vector2		Scale, Offset;
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@ Class ZSprite : Thinker native
 	native void SetRenderStyle(int mode); // see ERenderStyle
 	native bool IsFrozen();
 
-	static ZSprite Spawn(Class<ZSprite> type, TextureID tex, Vector3 pos, Vector3 vel, double alpha = 1.0, int flags = 0,
+	static VisualThinker Spawn(Class<VisualThinker> type, TextureID tex, Vector3 pos, Vector3 vel, double alpha = 1.0, int flags = 0,
 						  double roll = 0.0, Vector2 scale = (1,1), Vector2 offset = (0,0), int style = STYLE_Normal, TranslationID trans = 0)
 	{
 		if (!Level)	return null;
 
-		let p = level.SpawnZSprite(type);
+		let p = level.SpawnVisualThinker(type);
 		if (p)
 		{
 			p.Texture = tex;