From 1ed22327f6022a0823eda53025c12c713db3100a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: EnZaXD <60033407+FlorianMichael@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 16:00:30 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] Replace string->component conversion in 1.8->1.9 (#3794)

---
 .../api/configuration/ViaVersionConfig.java   |  7 ----
 .../protocol1_9to1_8/DeathListener.java       |  2 +-
 .../configuration/AbstractViaConfig.java      |  7 ----
 .../viaversion/legacy/bossbar/CommonBoss.java |  5 ++-
 .../protocols/base/BaseProtocol1_7.java       |  6 ++-
 .../packets/InventoryPackets.java             |  1 -
 .../protocol1_9to1_8/ItemRewriter.java        |  2 +-
 .../protocol1_9to1_8/Protocol1_9To1_8.java    | 40 +++----------------
 .../protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetaIndex.java  |  2 +-
 .../metadata/MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8.java    |  7 +++-
 .../packets/EntityPackets.java                |  2 +-
 .../packets/InventoryPackets.java             |  2 +-
 .../packets/PlayerPackets.java                | 15 +++----
 .../packets/WorldPackets.java                 | 21 ++++++----
 .../viaversion/util/ComponentUtil.java        |  8 ++++
 .../resources/assets/viaversion/config.yml    |  2 -
 16 files changed, 52 insertions(+), 77 deletions(-)

diff --git a/api/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/api/configuration/ViaVersionConfig.java b/api/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/api/configuration/ViaVersionConfig.java
index dff9d8721..e3f04aba4 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/api/configuration/ViaVersionConfig.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/api/configuration/ViaVersionConfig.java
@@ -233,13 +233,6 @@ public interface ViaVersionConfig extends Config {
      */
     boolean isChunkBorderFix();
 
-    /**
-     * Force json transform
-     *
-     * @return true if enabled
-     */
-    boolean isForceJsonTransform();
-
     /**
      * Should we fix nbt array's in json chat messages for 1.12 clients
      *
diff --git a/bukkit-legacy/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/bukkit/listeners/protocol1_9to1_8/DeathListener.java b/bukkit-legacy/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/bukkit/listeners/protocol1_9to1_8/DeathListener.java
index 9939707b8..079096dbd 100644
--- a/bukkit-legacy/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/bukkit/listeners/protocol1_9to1_8/DeathListener.java
+++ b/bukkit-legacy/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/bukkit/listeners/protocol1_9to1_8/DeathListener.java
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ public class DeathListener extends ViaBukkitListener {
                     wrapper.write(Type.VAR_INT, 2); // Event - Entity dead
                     wrapper.write(Type.VAR_INT, p.getEntityId()); // Player ID
                     wrapper.write(Type.INT, p.getEntityId()); // Entity ID
-                    Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.write(wrapper, msg); // Message
+                    Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON.write(wrapper, msg); // Message
 
                     wrapper.scheduleSend(Protocol1_9To1_8.class);
                 } catch (Exception e) {
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/configuration/AbstractViaConfig.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/configuration/AbstractViaConfig.java
index 40d3f3871..c0d029a38 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/configuration/AbstractViaConfig.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/configuration/AbstractViaConfig.java
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractViaConfig extends Config implements ViaVersionConf
     private int pistonReplacementId;
     private boolean chunkBorderFix;
     private boolean autoTeam;
-    private boolean forceJsonTransform;
     private boolean nbtArrayFix;
     private BlockedProtocolVersions blockedProtocolVersions;
     private String blockedDisconnectMessage;
@@ -129,7 +128,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractViaConfig extends Config implements ViaVersionConf
         pistonReplacementId = getInt("replacement-piston-id", 0);
         chunkBorderFix = getBoolean("chunk-border-fix", false);
         autoTeam = getBoolean("auto-team", true);
-        forceJsonTransform = getBoolean("force-json-transform", false);
         nbtArrayFix = getBoolean("chat-nbt-fix", true);
         blockedProtocolVersions = loadBlockedProtocolVersions();
         blockedDisconnectMessage = getString("block-disconnect-msg", "You are using an unsupported Minecraft version!");
@@ -371,11 +369,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractViaConfig extends Config implements ViaVersionConf
         return preventCollision && autoTeam;
     }
 
-    @Override
-    public boolean isForceJsonTransform() {
-        return forceJsonTransform;
-    }
-
     @Override
     public boolean is1_12NBTArrayFix() {
         return nbtArrayFix;
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/legacy/bossbar/CommonBoss.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/legacy/bossbar/CommonBoss.java
index 9690af79e..bf4574ca8 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/legacy/bossbar/CommonBoss.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/legacy/bossbar/CommonBoss.java
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.protocol.packet.PacketWrapper;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.type.Type;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.ClientboundPackets1_9;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.Protocol1_9To1_8;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ComponentUtil;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.EnumSet;
@@ -245,7 +246,7 @@ public class CommonBoss implements BossBar {
             wrapper.write(Type.VAR_INT, action.getId());
             switch (action) {
                 case ADD:
-                    Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.write(wrapper, title);
+                    wrapper.write(Type.COMPONENT, ComponentUtil.plainToJson(title));
                     wrapper.write(Type.FLOAT, health);
                     wrapper.write(Type.VAR_INT, color.getId());
                     wrapper.write(Type.VAR_INT, style.getId());
@@ -257,7 +258,7 @@ public class CommonBoss implements BossBar {
                     wrapper.write(Type.FLOAT, health);
                     break;
                 case UPDATE_TITLE:
-                    Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.write(wrapper, title);
+                    wrapper.write(Type.COMPONENT, ComponentUtil.plainToJson(title));
                     break;
                 case UPDATE_STYLE:
                     wrapper.write(Type.VAR_INT, color.getId());
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/base/BaseProtocol1_7.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/base/BaseProtocol1_7.java
index f3dae8b1f..1c9fb0742 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/base/BaseProtocol1_7.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/base/BaseProtocol1_7.java
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocol.ServerProtocolVersionSingleton;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.base.packet.BaseClientboundPacket;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.base.packet.BasePacketTypesProvider;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.base.packet.BaseServerboundPacket;
-import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.Protocol1_9To1_8;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ChatColorUtil;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ComponentUtil;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.GsonUtil;
 import io.netty.channel.ChannelFuture;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -163,8 +163,10 @@ public class BaseProtocol1_7 extends AbstractProtocol<BaseClientboundPacket, Bas
                 if (!wrapper.user().getChannel().isOpen()) return;
                 if (!wrapper.user().shouldApplyBlockProtocol()) return;
 
+                final String disconnectMessage = ChatColorUtil.translateAlternateColorCodes(Via.getConfig().getBlockedDisconnectMsg());
+
                 PacketWrapper disconnectPacket = PacketWrapper.create(ClientboundLoginPackets.LOGIN_DISCONNECT, wrapper.user()); // Disconnect Packet
-                Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.write(disconnectPacket, ChatColorUtil.translateAlternateColorCodes(Via.getConfig().getBlockedDisconnectMsg()));
+                wrapper.write(Type.COMPONENT, ComponentUtil.plainToJson(disconnectMessage));
                 wrapper.cancel(); // cancel current
 
                 // Send and close
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_16to1_15_2/packets/InventoryPackets.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_16to1_15_2/packets/InventoryPackets.java
index 8047f7d31..af4bed1d5 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_16to1_15_2/packets/InventoryPackets.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_16to1_15_2/packets/InventoryPackets.java
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import com.github.steveice10.opennbt.tag.builtin.IntArrayTag;
 import com.github.steveice10.opennbt.tag.builtin.ListTag;
 import com.github.steveice10.opennbt.tag.builtin.NumberTag;
 import com.github.steveice10.opennbt.tag.builtin.StringTag;
-import com.github.steveice10.opennbt.tag.builtin.Tag;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.minecraft.item.Item;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.protocol.packet.PacketWrapper;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.protocol.remapper.PacketHandler;
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/ItemRewriter.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/ItemRewriter.java
index cbf3765f4..bc917afbc 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/ItemRewriter.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/ItemRewriter.java
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ public class ItemRewriter {
 
                 for (int i = 0; i < pages.size(); i++) {
                     final StringTag page = pages.get(i);
-                    page.setValue(ComponentUtil.convertJson(page.getValue(), SerializerVersion.V1_8, SerializerVersion.V1_9).toString());
+                    page.setValue(ComponentUtil.convertJsonOrEmpty(page.getValue(), SerializerVersion.V1_8, SerializerVersion.V1_9).toString());
                 }
                 item.setTag(tag);
             }
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/Protocol1_9To1_8.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/Protocol1_9To1_8.java
index c40b0e824..f199a780a 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/Protocol1_9To1_8.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/Protocol1_9To1_8.java
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 package com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8;
 
 import com.google.gson.JsonElement;
-import com.google.gson.JsonObject;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.Via;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.connection.UserConnection;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.api.minecraft.ClientWorld;
@@ -49,13 +48,15 @@ import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.CommandBlock
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.EntityTracker1_9;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.InventoryTracker;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.MovementTracker;
-import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.GsonUtil;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ComponentUtil;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.SerializerVersion;
 
 public class Protocol1_9To1_8 extends AbstractProtocol<ClientboundPackets1_8, ClientboundPackets1_9, ServerboundPackets1_8, ServerboundPackets1_9> {
-    public static final ValueTransformer<String, JsonElement> FIX_JSON = new ValueTransformer<String, JsonElement>(Type.COMPONENT) {
+
+    public static final ValueTransformer<String, JsonElement> STRING_TO_JSON = new ValueTransformer<String, JsonElement>(Type.COMPONENT) {
         @Override
         public JsonElement transform(PacketWrapper wrapper, String line) {
-            return fixJson(line);
+            return ComponentUtil.convertJsonOrEmpty(line, SerializerVersion.V1_8, SerializerVersion.V1_9);
         }
     };
     private final MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8 metadataRewriter = new MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8(this);
@@ -64,35 +65,6 @@ public class Protocol1_9To1_8 extends AbstractProtocol<ClientboundPackets1_8, Cl
         super(ClientboundPackets1_8.class, ClientboundPackets1_9.class, ServerboundPackets1_8.class, ServerboundPackets1_9.class);
     }
 
-    public static JsonElement fixJson(String line) {
-        if (line == null || line.equalsIgnoreCase("null")) {
-            line = "{\"text\":\"\"}";
-        } else {
-            if ((!line.startsWith("\"") || !line.endsWith("\"")) && (!line.startsWith("{") || !line.endsWith("}"))) {
-                return constructJson(line);
-            }
-            if (line.startsWith("\"") && line.endsWith("\"")) {
-                line = "{\"text\":" + line + "}";
-            }
-        }
-        try {
-            return GsonUtil.getGson().fromJson(line, JsonObject.class);
-        } catch (Exception e) {
-            if (Via.getConfig().isForceJsonTransform()) {
-                return constructJson(line);
-            } else {
-                Via.getPlatform().getLogger().warning("Invalid JSON String: \"" + line + "\" Please report this issue to the ViaVersion Github: " + e.getMessage());
-                return GsonUtil.getGson().fromJson("{\"text\":\"\"}", JsonObject.class);
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    private static JsonElement constructJson(String text) {
-        JsonObject jsonObject = new JsonObject();
-        jsonObject.addProperty("text", text);
-        return jsonObject;
-    }
-
     public static Item getHandItem(final UserConnection info) {
         return Via.getManager().getProviders().get(HandItemProvider.class).getHandItem(info);
     }
@@ -121,7 +93,7 @@ public class Protocol1_9To1_8 extends AbstractProtocol<ClientboundPackets1_8, Cl
                 return;
             }
 
-            wrapper.write(Type.COMPONENT, fixJson(wrapper.read(Type.STRING)));
+            STRING_TO_JSON.write(wrapper, wrapper.read(Type.STRING));
         });
 
         // Other Handlers
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetaIndex.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetaIndex.java
index a360e76a4..255f5ed3f 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetaIndex.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetaIndex.java
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ public enum MetaIndex {
     ABSTRACT_MINECART_BLOCK_Y(MINECART_ABSTRACT, 21, MetaType1_8.Int, 9, MetaType1_9.VarInt),
     ABSTRACT_MINECART_SHOW_BLOCK(MINECART_ABSTRACT, 22, MetaType1_8.Byte, 10, MetaType1_9.Boolean),
 
-    // Command minecart (they are still broken)
+    // Command minecart
     MINECART_COMMAND_BLOCK_COMMAND(MINECART_ABSTRACT, 23, MetaType1_8.String, 11, MetaType1_9.String),
     MINECART_COMMAND_BLOCK_OUTPUT(MINECART_ABSTRACT, 24, MetaType1_8.String, 12, MetaType1_9.Chat),
 
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8.java
index 0586143e0..641f50f45 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/metadata/MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8.java
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.ItemRewriter;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.Protocol1_9To1_8;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.rewriter.EntityRewriter;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.rewriter.meta.MetaHandlerEvent;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ComponentUtil;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.SerializerVersion;
 import java.util.UUID;
 
 public class MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8 extends EntityRewriter<ClientboundPackets1_8, Protocol1_9To1_8> {
@@ -127,8 +129,9 @@ public class MetadataRewriter1_9To1_8 extends EntityRewriter<ClientboundPackets1
                 metadata.setValue(angle);
                 break;
             case Chat:
-                value = Protocol1_9To1_8.fixJson(value.toString());
-                metadata.setValue(value);
+                // Was previously also a component, so just convert it
+                String text = (String) value;
+                metadata.setValue(ComponentUtil.convertJsonOrEmpty(text, SerializerVersion.V1_8, SerializerVersion.V1_9));
                 break;
             case BlockID:
                 // Convert from int, short, byte
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/EntityPackets.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/EntityPackets.java
index 2386ee9f1..2a13785bd 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/EntityPackets.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/EntityPackets.java
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ public class EntityPackets {
                     if (wrapper.get(Type.VAR_INT, 0) == 2) { // entity dead
                         wrapper.passthrough(Type.VAR_INT); //Player id
                         wrapper.passthrough(Type.INT); //Entity id
-                        Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.write(wrapper, wrapper.read(Type.STRING));
+                        Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON.write(wrapper, wrapper.read(Type.STRING));
                     }
                 });
             }
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/InventoryPackets.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/InventoryPackets.java
index e80e7b39b..379397ad0 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/InventoryPackets.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/InventoryPackets.java
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public class InventoryPackets {
             public void register() {
                 map(Type.UNSIGNED_BYTE); // 0 - Window ID
                 map(Type.STRING); // 1 - Window Type
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 2 - Window Title
+                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON); // 2 - Window Title
                 map(Type.UNSIGNED_BYTE); // 3 - Slot Count
                 // There is a horse parameter after this, we don't handle it and let it passthrough
                 // Inventory tracking
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/PlayerPackets.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/PlayerPackets.java
index 4263207a2..c50389ade 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/PlayerPackets.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/PlayerPackets.java
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.providers.MainHandPr
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.ClientChunks;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.EntityTracker1_9;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.MovementTracker;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ComponentUtil;
 import java.util.logging.Level;
 
 public class PlayerPackets {
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ public class PlayerPackets {
         protocol.registerClientbound(ClientboundPackets1_8.CHAT_MESSAGE, new PacketHandlers() {
             @Override
             public void register() {
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 0 - Chat Message (json)
+                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON); // 0 - Chat Message (json)
                 map(Type.BYTE); // 1 - Chat Position
 
                 handler(wrapper -> {
@@ -61,15 +62,15 @@ public class PlayerPackets {
         protocol.registerClientbound(ClientboundPackets1_8.TAB_LIST, new PacketHandlers() {
             @Override
             public void register() {
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 0 - Header
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 1 - Footer
+                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON); // 0 - Header
+                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON); // 1 - Footer
             }
         });
 
         protocol.registerClientbound(ClientboundPackets1_8.DISCONNECT, new PacketHandlers() {
             @Override
             public void register() {
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 0 - Reason
+                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON); // 0 - Reason
             }
         });
 
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ public class PlayerPackets {
                 handler(wrapper -> {
                     int action = wrapper.get(Type.VAR_INT, 0);
                     if (action == 0 || action == 1) {
-                        Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.write(wrapper, wrapper.read(Type.STRING));
+                        Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON.write(wrapper, wrapper.read(Type.STRING));
                     }
                 });
                 // Everything else is handled.
@@ -248,13 +249,13 @@ public class PlayerPackets {
                             wrapper.passthrough(Type.VAR_INT); // ping
                             String displayName = wrapper.read(Type.OPTIONAL_STRING);
                             wrapper.write(Type.OPTIONAL_COMPONENT, displayName != null ?
-                                    Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.transform(wrapper, displayName) : null);
+                                    Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON.transform(wrapper, displayName) : null);
                         } else if ((action == 1) || (action == 2)) { // update gamemode || update latency
                             wrapper.passthrough(Type.VAR_INT);
                         } else if (action == 3) { // update display name
                             String displayName = wrapper.read(Type.OPTIONAL_STRING);
                             wrapper.write(Type.OPTIONAL_COMPONENT, displayName != null ?
-                                    Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON.transform(wrapper, displayName) : null);
+                                    Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON.transform(wrapper, displayName) : null);
                         }
                     }
                 });
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/WorldPackets.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/WorldPackets.java
index 6eedc83f7..39ac43821 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/WorldPackets.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/protocols/protocol1_9to1_8/packets/WorldPackets.java
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.sounds.Effect;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.sounds.SoundEffect;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.ClientChunks;
 import com.viaversion.viaversion.protocols.protocol1_9to1_8.storage.EntityTracker1_9;
+import com.viaversion.viaversion.util.ComponentUtil;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
@@ -54,10 +55,12 @@ public class WorldPackets {
             @Override
             public void register() {
                 map(Type.POSITION1_8); // 0 - Sign Position
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 1 - Sign Line (json)
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 2 - Sign Line (json)
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 3 - Sign Line (json)
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 4 - Sign Line (json)
+                handler(wrapper -> {
+                    for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+                        final String line = wrapper.read(Type.STRING); // Should be Type.COMPONENT but would break in some cases
+                        Protocol1_9To1_8.STRING_TO_JSON.write(wrapper, line);
+                    }
+                });
             }
         });
 
@@ -245,10 +248,12 @@ public class WorldPackets {
             @Override
             public void register() {
                 map(Type.POSITION1_8); // 0 - Sign Position
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 1 - Sign Line (json)
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 2 - Sign Line (json)
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 3 - Sign Line (json)
-                map(Type.STRING, Protocol1_9To1_8.FIX_JSON); // 4 - Sign Line (json)
+                handler(wrapper -> {
+                    for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
+                        final String line = wrapper.read(Type.STRING);
+                        wrapper.write(Type.COMPONENT, ComponentUtil.plainToJson(line));
+                    }
+                });
             }
         });
 
diff --git a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/util/ComponentUtil.java b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/util/ComponentUtil.java
index 370d83d7f..f64ce2d3d 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/util/ComponentUtil.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/com/viaversion/viaversion/util/ComponentUtil.java
@@ -100,6 +100,14 @@ public final class ComponentUtil {
         return json != null ? convert(from, to, from.toComponent(json)) : null;
     }
 
+    public static @Nullable JsonElement convertJsonOrEmpty(@Nullable final String json, final SerializerVersion from, final SerializerVersion to) {
+        final ATextComponent component = from.toComponent(json);
+        if (component == null) {
+            return emptyJsonComponent();
+        }
+        return to.toJson(component);
+    }
+
     private static JsonElement convert(final SerializerVersion from, final SerializerVersion to, final ATextComponent component) {
         if (from.ordinal() >= SerializerVersion.V1_16.ordinal() && to.ordinal() < SerializerVersion.V1_16.ordinal()) {
             // Convert hover event to legacy format
diff --git a/common/src/main/resources/assets/viaversion/config.yml b/common/src/main/resources/assets/viaversion/config.yml
index 7211ec81e..05cd26e8f 100644
--- a/common/src/main/resources/assets/viaversion/config.yml
+++ b/common/src/main/resources/assets/viaversion/config.yml
@@ -219,8 +219,6 @@ replace-pistons: false
 replacement-piston-id: 0
 # Fix 1.9+ clients not rendering the far away chunks and improve chunk rendering when moving fast (Increases network usage and decreases client fps slightly)
 chunk-border-fix: false
-# Force the string -> json transform
-force-json-transform: false
 # Minimize the cooldown animation in 1.8 servers
 minimize-cooldown: true
 # Allows 1.9+ left-handedness (main hand) on 1.8 servers