diff --git a/src/console.c b/src/console.c
index 90fc34ad1..a4e711090 100644
--- a/src/console.c
+++ b/src/console.c
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ I_mutex con_mutex;
 
 static boolean con_started = false; // console has been initialised
        boolean con_startup = false; // true at game startup
-       boolean con_refresh = false; // screen needs refreshing
 
        con_loadprogress_t con_startup_loadprogress = 0; // Progress for startup load bar
 
@@ -457,7 +456,6 @@ void CON_Init(void)
 
 		con_started = true;
 		con_startup = true;
-		con_refresh = true; // needs explicit screen refresh until we are in the main game loop
 		consoletoggle = false;
 
 		Unlock_state();
@@ -477,7 +475,6 @@ void CON_Init(void)
 
 		con_started = true;
 		con_startup = false;
-		con_refresh = false; // disable explicit screen refresh
 		consoletoggle = true;
 
 		Unlock_state();
@@ -1497,7 +1494,6 @@ void CONS_Printf(const char *fmt, ...)
 {
 	va_list argptr;
 	static char *txt = NULL;
-	boolean refresh;
 
 	if (txt == NULL)
 		txt = malloc(8192);
@@ -1519,16 +1515,8 @@ void CONS_Printf(const char *fmt, ...)
 
 	// make sure new text is visible
 	con_scrollup = 0;
-	refresh = con_refresh;
 
 	Unlock_state();
-
-	// if not in display loop, force screen update
-	if (refresh)
-	{
-		CON_Drawer(); // here we display the console text
-		I_FinishUpdate(); // page flip or blit buffer
-	}
 }
 
 void CONS_Alert(alerttype_t level, const char *fmt, ...)
@@ -1892,6 +1880,25 @@ void CON_Drawer(void)
 	Unlock_state();
 }
 
+static const char *CON_LoadingStrings[LOADED_ALLDONE+1] =
+{
+	"Init zone memory...", //LOADED_ZINIT
+	"Init game timing...", //LOADED_ISTARTUPTIMER
+	"Loading main assets...", //LOADED_IWAD
+	"Loading add-ons...", //LOADED_PWAD
+	"Init graphics subsystem...", //LOADED_ISTARTUPGRAPHICS
+	"Cache fonts...", //LOADED_HUINIT
+	"Load settings...", //LOADED_CONFIG
+	"Cache textures...", //LOADED_INITTEXTUREDATA
+	"Cache sprites...", //LOADED_INITSPIRTES
+	"Load characters...", //LOADED_INITSKINS
+	"Init rendering daemon...", //LOADED_RINIT
+	"Init audio subsystem...", //LOADED_SINITSFXCHANNELS
+	"Cache HUD...", //LOADED_STINIT
+	"Check game status...", //LOADED_DCHECKNETGAME
+	"Now starting..."
+}; // see also con_loadprogress_t in console.h
+
 //
 // Error handling for the loading bar, to ensure it doesn't skip any steps.
 //
@@ -1906,6 +1913,14 @@ void CON_SetLoadingProgress(con_loadprogress_t newStep)
 	}
 
 	con_startup_loadprogress = newStep;
+
+	if (con_startup_loadprogress <= LOADED_ALLDONE)
+		CONS_Printf("LOADING UPDATE - %s\n", CON_LoadingStrings[con_startup_loadprogress]);
+
+	if (con_startup_loadprogress < LOADED_ISTARTUPGRAPHICS) // rendering not possible?
+		return;
+	CON_DrawLoadBar(); // here we display the console text
+	I_FinishUpdate(); // page flip or blit buffer
 }
 
 //
@@ -1928,6 +1943,10 @@ void CON_DrawLoadBar(void)
 
 	barwidth = (BASEVIDWIDTH * con_startup_loadprogress) / LOADED_ALLDONE;
 	V_DrawFill(0, BASEVIDHEIGHT - barheight, barwidth, barheight, 0);
+#ifdef DEVELOP
+	if (con_startup_loadprogress <= LOADED_ALLDONE)
+		V_DrawString(4, BASEVIDHEIGHT - (barheight + 8 + 4), 0, CON_LoadingStrings[con_startup_loadprogress]);
+#endif
 
 	Unlock_state();
 }
diff --git a/src/console.h b/src/console.h
index 2ede2d0eb..c7a459330 100644
--- a/src/console.h
+++ b/src/console.h
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@ extern boolean con_recalc;
 // console being displayed at game startup
 extern boolean con_startup;
 
-// needs explicit screen refresh until we are in the main game loop
-extern boolean con_refresh;
-
+// when modifying the below, you must also adjust d_main and console.c
 typedef enum
 {
 	LOADED_ZINIT = 1,
@@ -38,8 +36,11 @@ typedef enum
 	LOADED_IWAD,
 	LOADED_PWAD,
 	LOADED_ISTARTUPGRAPHICS,
-	LOADED_HULOADGRAPHICS,
-	LOADED_MINIT,
+	LOADED_HUINIT,
+	LOADED_CONFIG,
+	LOADED_INITTEXTUREDATA,
+	LOADED_INITSPRITES,
+	LOADED_INITSKINS,
 	LOADED_RINIT,
 	LOADED_SINITSFXCHANNELS,
 	LOADED_STINIT,
diff --git a/src/d_main.c b/src/d_main.c
index 6943c18cd..0b0172f96 100644
--- a/src/d_main.c
+++ b/src/d_main.c
@@ -706,7 +706,6 @@ void D_SRB2Loop(void)
 	oldentertics = I_GetTime();
 
 	// end of loading screen: CONS_Printf() will no more call FinishUpdate()
-	con_refresh = false;
 	con_startup = false;
 
 	// make sure to do a d_display to init mode _before_ load a level
@@ -1435,7 +1434,6 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 
 	CONS_Printf("I_StartupGraphics()...\n");
 	I_StartupGraphics();
-	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_ISTARTUPGRAPHICS);
 
 #ifdef HWRENDER
 	// Lactozilla: Add every hardware mode CVAR and CCMD.
@@ -1448,10 +1446,15 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 	// setup loading screen
 	SCR_Startup();
 
+	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_ISTARTUPGRAPHICS);
+
+	CONS_Printf("HU_Init()...\n");
 	HU_Init();
 
 	CON_Init();
 
+	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_HUINIT);
+
 	memset(timelimits, 0, sizeof(timelimits));
 	memset(pointlimits, 0, sizeof(pointlimits));
 
@@ -1464,14 +1467,10 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 
 	I_RegisterSysCommands();
 
-	CONS_Printf("HU_LoadGraphics()...\n");
-	HU_LoadGraphics();
-	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_HULOADGRAPHICS);
-
 	//--------------------------------------------------------- CONFIG.CFG
 	M_FirstLoadConfig(); // WARNING : this do a "COM_BufExecute()"
 
-	G_LoadGameData();
+	M_Init();
 
 #if (defined (__unix__) && !defined (MSDOS)) || defined (UNIXCOMMON) || defined (HAVE_SDL)
 	VID_PrepareModeList(); // Regenerate Modelist according to cv_fullscreen
@@ -1480,35 +1479,28 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 	// set user default mode or mode set at cmdline
 	SCR_CheckDefaultMode();
 
+	if (M_CheckParm("-noupload"))
+		COM_BufAddText("downloading 0\n");
+
+	G_LoadGameData();
+
 	wipegamestate = gamestate;
 
 	savedata.lives = 0; // flag this as not-used
 
-	//------------------------------------------------ COMMAND LINE PARAMS
+	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_CONFIG);
 
-	// this must be done after loading gamedata,
-	// to avoid setting off the corrupted gamedata code in G_LoadGameData if a SOC with custom gamedata is added
-	// -- Monster Iestyn 20/02/20
-	if (M_CheckParm("-warp") && M_IsNextParm())
-	{
-		const char *word = M_GetNextParm();
-		pstartmap = G_FindMapByNameOrCode(word, 0);
-		if (! pstartmap)
-			I_Error("Cannot find a map remotely named '%s'\n", word);
-		else
-		{
-			if (!M_CheckParm("-server"))
-				G_SetGameModified(multiplayer, true);
-			autostart = true;
-		}
-	}
+	CONS_Printf("R_InitTextureData()...\n");
+	R_InitTextureData(); // seperated out from below because it takes ages by itself
+	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_INITTEXTUREDATA);
 
-	if (M_CheckParm("-noupload"))
-		COM_BufAddText("downloading 0\n");
+	CONS_Printf("R_InitSprites()...\n");
+	R_InitSprites(); // ditto
+	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_INITSPRITES);
 
-	CONS_Printf("M_Init(): Init miscellaneous info.\n");
-	M_Init();
-	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_MINIT);
+	CONS_Printf("R_InitSkins()...\n");
+	R_InitSkins(); // ditto
+	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_INITSKINS);
 
 	CONS_Printf("R_Init(): Init SRB2 refresh daemon.\n");
 	R_Init();
@@ -1556,6 +1548,25 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 	ST_Init();
 	CON_SetLoadingProgress(LOADED_STINIT);
 
+	//------------------------------------------------ COMMAND LINE PARAMS
+
+	// this must be done after loading gamedata,
+	// to avoid setting off the corrupted gamedata code in G_LoadGameData if a SOC with custom gamedata is added
+	// -- Monster Iestyn 20/02/20
+	if (M_CheckParm("-warp") && M_IsNextParm())
+	{
+		const char *word = M_GetNextParm();
+		pstartmap = G_FindMapByNameOrCode(word, 0);
+		if (! pstartmap)
+			I_Error("Cannot find a map remotely named '%s'\n", word);
+		else
+		{
+			if (!M_CheckParm("-server"))
+				G_SetGameModified(multiplayer, true);
+			autostart = true;
+		}
+	}
+
 	// Set up splitscreen players before joining!
 	if (!dedicated && (M_CheckParm("-splitscreen") && M_IsNextParm()))
 	{
diff --git a/src/m_menu.c b/src/m_menu.c
index 28570c699..ef16721b9 100644
--- a/src/m_menu.c
+++ b/src/m_menu.c
@@ -3466,8 +3466,6 @@ void M_Init(void)
 {
 	UINT8 i;
 
-	COM_AddCommand("manual", Command_Manual_f);
-
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_nextmap);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_newgametype);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_chooseskin);
@@ -3476,6 +3474,8 @@ void M_Init(void)
 	if (dedicated)
 		return;
 
+	COM_AddCommand("manual", Command_Manual_f);
+
 	// Menu hacks
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_dummymenuplayer);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_dummyteam);
diff --git a/src/r_data.c b/src/r_data.c
index 5ae986c39..de9d28136 100644
--- a/src/r_data.c
+++ b/src/r_data.c
@@ -262,27 +262,10 @@ static void R_InitExtraColormaps(void)
 }
 #endif
 
-//
-// R_InitSpriteLumps
-// Finds the width and hoffset of all sprites in the wad, so the sprite does not need to be
-// cached completely, just for having the header info ready during rendering.
-//
-
-//
-// allocate sprite lookup tables
-//
-static void R_InitSpriteLumps(void)
-{
-	numspritelumps = 0;
-	max_spritelumps = 8192;
-
-	Z_Malloc(max_spritelumps*sizeof(*spritecachedinfo), PU_STATIC, &spritecachedinfo);
-}
-
 //
 // R_InitColormaps
 //
-static void R_InitColormaps(void)
+void R_InitColormaps(void)
 {
 	size_t len;
 	lumpnum_t lump;
@@ -1180,12 +1163,12 @@ static void R_Init8to16(void)
 }
 
 //
-// R_InitData
+// R_InitTextureData
 //
 // Locates all the lumps that will be used by all views
 // Must be called after W_Init.
 //
-void R_InitData(void)
+void R_InitTextureData(void)
 {
 	if (highcolor)
 	{
@@ -1198,13 +1181,6 @@ void R_InitData(void)
 
 	CONS_Printf("P_InitPicAnims()...\n");
 	P_InitPicAnims();
-
-	CONS_Printf("R_InitSprites()...\n");
-	R_InitSpriteLumps();
-	R_InitSprites();
-
-	CONS_Printf("R_InitColormaps()...\n");
-	R_InitColormaps();
 }
 
 //
diff --git a/src/r_data.h b/src/r_data.h
index 230f72a7c..7f8bdf029 100644
--- a/src/r_data.h
+++ b/src/r_data.h
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ extern CV_PossibleValue_t Color_cons_t[];
 extern CV_PossibleValue_t Followercolor_cons_t[];	// follower colours table, not a duplicate because of the "Match" option.
 
 // I/O, setting up the stuff.
-void R_InitData(void);
+void R_InitTextureData(void);
 void R_PrecacheLevel(void);
 
 extern size_t flatmemory, spritememory, texturememory;
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ extern size_t flatmemory, spritememory, texturememory;
 // Uncomment to make extra_colormaps order Newest -> Oldest
 //#define COLORMAPREVERSELIST
 
+void R_InitColormaps(void);
 void R_ReInitColormaps(UINT16 num, lumpnum_t newencoremap);
 void R_ClearColormaps(void);
 extracolormap_t *R_CreateDefaultColormap(boolean lighttable);
diff --git a/src/r_main.c b/src/r_main.c
index dfee8cc93..aa9cd50ed 100644
--- a/src/r_main.c
+++ b/src/r_main.c
@@ -1084,7 +1084,9 @@ void R_Init(void)
 {
 	// screensize independent
 	//I_OutputMsg("\nR_InitData");
-	R_InitData();
+	//R_InitData(); -- split to d_main for its own startup steps since it takes AGES
+	CONS_Printf("R_InitColormaps()...\n");
+	R_InitColormaps();
 
 	//I_OutputMsg("\nR_InitViewBorder");
 	R_InitViewBorder();
diff --git a/src/r_skins.c b/src/r_skins.c
index 57995b0f5..1e80e18ce 100644
--- a/src/r_skins.c
+++ b/src/r_skins.c
@@ -133,9 +133,11 @@ static void Sk_SetDefaultValue(skin_t *skin)
 //
 void R_InitSkins(void)
 {
-#ifdef SKINVALUES
-	INT32 i;
+	size_t i;
 
+	// it can be is do before loading config for skin cvar possible value
+	// (... what the fuck did you just say to me? "it can be is do"?)
+#ifdef SKINVALUES
 	for (i = 0; i <= MAXSKINS; i++)
 	{
 		skin_cons_t[i].value = 0;
@@ -145,6 +147,14 @@ void R_InitSkins(void)
 
 	// no default skin!
 	numskins = 0;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < numwadfiles; i++)
+	{
+		R_AddSkins((UINT16)i);
+		R_PatchSkins((UINT16)i);
+		R_LoadSpriteInfoLumps(i, wadfiles[i]->numlumps);
+	}
+	ST_ReloadSkinFaceGraphics();
 }
 
 UINT32 R_GetSkinAvailabilities(void)
diff --git a/src/r_things.c b/src/r_things.c
index 0632da143..aaa272e02 100644
--- a/src/r_things.c
+++ b/src/r_things.c
@@ -513,6 +513,11 @@ void R_InitSprites(void)
 	float fa;
 #endif
 
+	// allocate sprite lookup tables
+	numspritelumps = 0;
+	max_spritelumps = 8192;
+	Z_Malloc(max_spritelumps*sizeof(*spritecachedinfo), PU_STATIC, &spritecachedinfo);
+
 	for (i = 0; i < MAXVIDWIDTH; i++)
 		negonearray[i] = -1;
 
@@ -541,30 +546,6 @@ void R_InitSprites(void)
 	for (i = 0; i < numwadfiles; i++)
 		R_AddSpriteDefs((UINT16)i);
 
-	//
-	// now check for skins
-	//
-
-	// it can be is do before loading config for skin cvar possible value
-	// (... what the fuck did you just say to me? "it can be is do"?)
-#ifdef SKINVALUES
-	for (i = 0; i <= MAXSKINS; i++)
-	{
-		skin_cons_t[i].value = 0;
-		skin_cons_t[i].strvalue = NULL;
-	}
-#endif
-
-	numskins = 0;
-
-	for (i = 0; i < numwadfiles; i++)
-	{
-		R_AddSkins((UINT16)i);
-		R_PatchSkins((UINT16)i);
-		R_LoadSpriteInfoLumps(i, wadfiles[i]->numlumps);
-	}
-	ST_ReloadSkinFaceGraphics();
-
 	//
 	// check if all sprites have frames
 	//
diff --git a/src/v_video.c b/src/v_video.c
index 84347edb4..9f787ab77 100644
--- a/src/v_video.c
+++ b/src/v_video.c
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@ static boolean InitCube(void)
 	float globalgammamul, globalgammaoffs;
 	boolean doinggamma;
 
+	if (con_startup_loadprogress < LOADED_CONFIG)
+		return false;
+
 #define diffcons(cv) (cv.value != atoi(cv.defaultvalue))
 
 	doinggamma = diffcons(cv_globalgamma);
@@ -1089,7 +1092,7 @@ void V_DrawDiag(INT32 x, INT32 y, INT32 wh, INT32 c)
 		return;
 
 #ifdef HWRENDER
-	if (rendermode != render_soft && !con_startup)
+	if (rendermode == render_opengl)
 	{
 		HWR_DrawDiag(x, y, wh, c);
 		return;