diff --git a/src/aoapplication.h b/src/aoapplication.h
index c2a0191..ccc509d 100644
--- a/src/aoapplication.h
+++ b/src/aoapplication.h
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ public:
   QString get_asset(QString p_element, QString p_theme = QString(), QString p_subtheme = QString(), QString p_default_theme = QString(), QString p_misc = QString(), QString p_character = QString(), QString p_placeholder = QString());
   QString get_image(QString p_element, QString p_theme = QString(), QString p_subtheme = QString(), QString p_default_theme = QString(), QString p_misc = QString(), QString p_character = QString(), QString p_placeholder = QString(), bool static_image = false);
   QString get_sfx(QString p_sfx, QString p_misc = QString(), QString p_character = QString());
-  QString get_pos_path(const QString &pos, bool desk = false);
+  QPair<QString, int> get_pos_path(const QString &pos, bool desk = false);
   QString get_case_sensitive_path(QString p_file);
   QString get_real_path(const VPath &vpath, const QStringList &suffixes = {""});
 
@@ -250,6 +250,12 @@ public:
   // Returns whether the given pos is a judge position
   bool get_pos_is_judge(const QString &p_pos);
 
+  /**
+   * @brief Returns the duration of the transition animation between the two
+   * given positions, if it exists
+   */
+  int get_pos_transition_duration(const QString &old_pos, const QString &new_pos);
+
   // Returns the total amount of emotes of p_char
   int get_emote_number(QString p_char);
 
diff --git a/src/aolayer.cpp b/src/aolayer.cpp
index 8284230..4ac7d48 100644
--- a/src/aolayer.cpp
+++ b/src/aolayer.cpp
@@ -116,16 +116,45 @@ void AOLayer::set_frame(QPixmap f_pixmap)
 
 void AOLayer::center_pixmap(QPixmap f_pixmap)
 {
-  QLabel::move(x + (f_w - f_pixmap.width()) / 2,
-               y + (f_h - f_pixmap.height())); // Always center horizontally, always put
-                                               // at the bottom vertically
+  if (g_center == -1)
+  {
+    centered_offset = (f_w - f_pixmap.width()) / 2;
+    QLabel::move(x + (f_w - f_pixmap.width()) / 2,
+                 y + (f_h - f_pixmap.height())); // Always center horizontally, always
+                                                 // put at the bottom vertically
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    QLabel::move(get_pos_from_center(g_center), y + (f_h - f_pixmap.height()));
+  }
   if (masked)
   {
-    this->setMask(QRegion((f_pixmap.width() - f_w) / 2, (f_pixmap.height() - f_h) / 2, f_w,
-                          f_h)); // make sure we don't escape the area we've been given
+    if (g_center == -1)
+    {
+      this->setMask(QRegion((f_pixmap.width() - f_w) / 2, (f_pixmap.height() - f_h) / 2, f_w,
+                            f_h)); // make sure we don't escape the area we've been given
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      int center_scaled = int(float(g_center) * scaling_factor);
+      this->setMask(QRegion((f_pixmap.width() - center_scaled) / 2, (f_pixmap.height() - f_h) / 2, f_w, f_h));
+    }
   }
 }
 
+int AOLayer::get_centered_offset()
+{
+  return centered_offset;
+}
+
+int AOLayer::get_pos_from_center(int f_center)
+{
+  int center_scaled = int(float(f_center) * scaling_factor);
+  int f_pos = x + (center_scaled - (f_w / 2)) * -1;
+  qDebug() << "centering image at center" << f_center << "final position" << f_pos;
+  return f_pos;
+}
+
 void AOLayer::combo_resize(int w, int h)
 {
   QSize f_size(w, h);
@@ -160,8 +189,14 @@ void AOLayer::move_and_center(int ax, int ay)
   }
 }
 
-void BackgroundLayer::load_image(QString p_filename)
+float AOLayer::get_scaling_factor()
 {
+  return scaling_factor;
+}
+
+void BackgroundLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, int p_center)
+{
+  g_center = p_center;
   play_once = false;
   cull_image = false;
   VPath design_path = ao_app->get_background_path("design.ini");
@@ -172,7 +207,7 @@ void BackgroundLayer::load_image(QString p_filename)
 #endif
   QString final_path = ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(p_filename));
 
-  if (final_path == last_path)
+  if (final_path == last_path && g_center == last_center)
   {
     // Don't restart background if background is unchanged
     return;
@@ -326,7 +361,7 @@ void AOLayer::start_playback(QString p_image)
     force_continuous = true;
   }
 
-  if (((last_path == p_image) && (!force_continuous)) || p_image == "")
+  if (((last_path == p_image) && (!force_continuous) && (g_center == last_center)) || p_image == "")
   {
     return;
   }
@@ -370,6 +405,7 @@ void AOLayer::start_playback(QString p_image)
   frame_loader = QtConcurrent::run(thread_pool, &AOLayer::populate_vectors, this);
 #endif
   last_path = p_image;
+  last_center = g_center;
   while (movie_frames.size() <= frame) // if we haven't loaded the frame we need yet
   {
     frameAdded.wait(&mutex); // wait for the frame loader to add another frame, then check again
diff --git a/src/aolayer.h b/src/aolayer.h
index 0a44d8f..b5591e8 100644
--- a/src/aolayer.h
+++ b/src/aolayer.h
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <QImageReader>
 #include <QLabel>
 #include <QMutex>
+#include <QPropertyAnimation>
 #include <QTimer>
 #include <QWaitCondition>
 #include <QtConcurrent/QtConcurrentRun>
@@ -81,6 +82,9 @@ public:
   // Move the label and center it
   void move_and_center(int ax, int ay);
 
+  // Returns the factor by which the image is scaled
+  float get_scaling_factor();
+
   // This is somewhat pointless now as there's no "QMovie" object to resize, aka
   // no "combo" to speak of
   void combo_resize(int w, int h);
@@ -88,10 +92,26 @@ public:
   // Return the frame delay adjusted for speed
   int get_frame_delay(int delay);
 
+  /**
+   * @brief Returns the x offset to use to ensure proper centering in the
+   * viewport. This is used by courtroom transition code to know exactly where
+   * to put the characters at the start and end of the animation.
+   * @return The offset to center the pixmap in the viewport
+   */
+  int get_centered_offset();
+
   // iterate through a list of paths and return the first entry that exists. if
   // none exist, return NULL (safe because we check again for existence later)
   QString find_image(QStringList p_list);
 
+  QPropertyAnimation *slide(int newcenter, int duration);
+
+  // Start playback of the movie (if animated).
+  void play();
+
+  // Freeze the movie at the current frame.
+  void freeze();
+
 protected:
   AOApplication *ao_app;
   QVector<QPixmap> movie_frames;
@@ -114,6 +134,8 @@ protected:
   int f_w = 0;
   int f_h = 0;
 
+  float scaling_factor = 0.0;
+
   int frame = 0;
   int max_frames = 0;
   int last_max_frames = 0;
@@ -124,21 +146,29 @@ protected:
 
   int duration = 0;
 
-  // Start playback of the movie (if animated).
-  void play();
-
-  // Freeze the movie at the current frame.
-  void freeze();
-
   // Retreive a pixmap adjused for mirroring/aspect ratio shenanigans from a
   // provided QImage
   QPixmap get_pixmap(QImage image);
 
   // Set the movie's frame to provided pixmap
   void set_frame(QPixmap f_pixmap);
+
+  // If set to anything other than -1, overrides center_pixmap to use it as a
+  // pixel position to center at. Currently only used by background layers
+  int g_center = -1;
+  int last_center = -1; // g_center from the last image.
+  int centered_offset = 0;
+
   // Center the QLabel in the viewport based on the dimensions of f_pixmap
   void center_pixmap(QPixmap f_pixmap);
 
+  /*!
+    @brief Get the position to move us to, given the pixel X position of the
+    point in the original image that we'd like to be centered.
+    @return The position to move to.
+   */
+  int get_pos_from_center(int f_center);
+
 private:
   // Populates the frame and delay vectors.
   void populate_vectors();
@@ -164,7 +194,7 @@ class BackgroundLayer : public AOLayer
   Q_OBJECT
 public:
   BackgroundLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent);
-  void load_image(QString p_filename);
+  void load_image(QString p_filename, int center = -1);
 };
 
 class CharLayer : public AOLayer
diff --git a/src/courtroom.cpp b/src/courtroom.cpp
index 89c5c75..5a1ac53 100644
--- a/src/courtroom.cpp
+++ b/src/courtroom.cpp
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   ui_viewport->setObjectName("ui_viewport");
   ui_vp_background = new BackgroundLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_background->setObjectName("ui_vp_background");
+  ui_vp_background->masked = false;
   ui_vp_speedlines = new SplashLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_speedlines->setObjectName("ui_vp_speedlines");
   ui_vp_speedlines->stretch = true;
@@ -57,8 +58,15 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->setObjectName("ui_vp_sideplayer_char");
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->masked = false;
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->hide();
+  ui_vp_dummy_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->masked = false;
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->hide();
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->masked = false;
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->hide();
   ui_vp_desk = new BackgroundLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_desk->setObjectName("ui_vp_desk");
+  ui_vp_desk->masked = false;
 
   ui_vp_effect = new EffectLayer(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_effect->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
@@ -315,6 +323,11 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   ui_showname_enable->setText(tr("Shownames"));
   ui_showname_enable->setObjectName("ui_showname_enable");
 
+  ui_slide_enable = new QCheckBox(this);
+  ui_slide_enable->setChecked(false);
+  ui_slide_enable->setText(tr("Slide"));
+  ui_slide_enable->setObjectName("ui_slide_enable");
+
   ui_immediate = new QCheckBox(this);
   ui_immediate->setText(tr("Immediate"));
   ui_immediate->hide();
@@ -487,10 +500,11 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   connect(ui_settings, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_settings_clicked);
   connect(ui_switch_area_music, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_switch_area_music_clicked);
 
-  connect(ui_pre, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_pre_clicked);
-  connect(ui_flip, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_flip_clicked);
+  connect(ui_pre, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::focus_ic_input);
+  connect(ui_flip, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::focus_ic_input);
   connect(ui_additive, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_additive_clicked);
-  connect(ui_guard, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_guard_clicked);
+  connect(ui_guard, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::focus_ic_input);
+  connect(ui_slide_enable, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::focus_ic_input);
 
   connect(ui_showname_enable, &AOButton::clicked, this, &Courtroom::on_showname_enable_clicked);
 
@@ -507,6 +521,8 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
 
   connect(ui_vp_evidence_display, &AOEvidenceDisplay::show_evidence_details, this, &Courtroom::show_evidence);
 
+  connect(transition_animation_group, &QParallelAnimationGroup::finished, this, &Courtroom::on_transition_finish);
+
   set_widgets();
 
   set_char_select();
@@ -762,6 +778,13 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(),
+                                       ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(),
+                                       ui_viewport->height());
+
   // the AO2 desk element
   ui_vp_desk->move_and_center(0, 0);
   ui_vp_desk->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
@@ -1077,6 +1100,9 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   set_size_and_pos(ui_showname_enable, "showname_enable");
   ui_showname_enable->setToolTip(tr("Display customized shownames for all users when checked."));
 
+  set_size_and_pos(ui_slide_enable, "slide_enable");
+  ui_slide_enable->setToolTip(tr("Allow your messages to trigger slide animations when checked."));
+
   set_size_and_pos(ui_custom_objection, "custom_objection");
   ui_custom_objection->setText(tr("Custom Shout!"));
   ui_custom_objection->setImage("custom");
@@ -1148,6 +1174,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   truncate_label_text(ui_pre, "pre");
   truncate_label_text(ui_flip, "flip");
   truncate_label_text(ui_showname_enable, "showname_enable");
+  truncate_label_text(ui_slide_enable, "slide_enable");
 
   // QLabel
   truncate_label_text(ui_music_label, "music_label");
@@ -1392,8 +1419,12 @@ void Courtroom::set_background(QString p_background, bool display)
   }
   for (const QString &pos : ao_app->read_design_ini("positions", ao_app->get_background_path("design.ini")).split(","))
   {
-    if (file_exists(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(pos))))
-    {
+    QString real_pos = pos.split(":")[0];
+    QStringList overrides = {"def", "wit", "pro"};
+    if ((file_exists(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(real_pos)))) || // Normal check, OR
+            (overrides.contains(pos) && // It's one of our subpos overrides, AND
+             file_exists(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path("court"))) && // the "court" default image exists, AND
+             !ao_app->read_design_ini("court:" + pos +  "/pos_center", ao_app->get_background_path("design.ini")).isEmpty())) { // config exists for this pos
       pos_list.append(pos);
     }
   }
@@ -1489,7 +1520,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_pos_dropdown(QStringList pos_dropdowns)
   {
     QString pos = pos_dropdown_list.at(n);
     ui_pos_dropdown->addItem(pos);
-    QPixmap image = QPixmap(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(ao_app->get_pos_path(pos))));
+    QPixmap image = QPixmap(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(ao_app->get_pos_path(pos).first)));
     if (!image.isNull())
     {
       image = image.scaledToHeight(ui_pos_dropdown->iconSize().height());
@@ -1637,7 +1668,7 @@ void Courtroom::update_character(int p_cid, QString char_name, bool reset_emote)
   }
   ui_char_select_background->hide();
   ui_ic_chat_message->setEnabled(m_cid != -1);
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
   update_audio_volume();
 }
 
@@ -2310,6 +2341,9 @@ void Courtroom::reset_ui()
     // Turn off our Preanim checkbox
     ui_pre->setChecked(false);
   }
+
+  // Slides can't be sticky for nausea reasons.
+  ui_slide_enable->setChecked(false);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::chatmessage_enqueue(QStringList p_contents)
@@ -2735,8 +2769,6 @@ void Courtroom::display_character()
 
   // Determine if we should flip the character or not
   ui_vp_player_char->set_flipped(m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
-  // Move the character on the viewport according to the offsets
-  set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET]);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::display_pair_character(QString other_charid, QString other_offset)
@@ -2870,32 +2902,7 @@ void Courtroom::handle_ic_message()
   // Update the chatbox information
   initialize_chatbox();
 
-  int emote_mod = m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt();
-  bool immediate = m_chatmessage[IMMEDIATE].toInt() == 1;
-  if (m_chatmessage[EMOTE] != "")
-  {
-    // Display our own character
-    display_character();
-
-    // Reset the pair character
-    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stop();
-    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->move(0, 0);
-
-    // If the emote_mod is not zooming
-    if (emote_mod != ZOOM && emote_mod != PREANIM_ZOOM)
-    {
-      // Display the pair character
-      display_pair_character(m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID], m_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET]);
-    }
-
-    // Parse the emote_mod part of the chat message
-    handle_emote_mod(emote_mod, immediate);
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    play_sfx();
-    start_chat_ticking();
-  }
+  do_transition(m_chatmessage[DESK_MOD], last_side, m_chatmessage[SIDE]);
 
   // if we have instant objections disabled, and queue is not empty, check if next message after this is an objection.
   if (!Options::getInstance().objectionSkipQueueEnabled() && chatmessage_queue.size() > 0)
@@ -2956,6 +2963,196 @@ void Courtroom::do_screenshake()
   screenshake_animation_group->start();
 }
 
+void Courtroom::do_transition(QString p_desk_mod, QString old_pos, QString new_pos) {
+
+    if (m_chatmessage[EMOTE] != "")
+      display_character();
+
+    const QStringList legacy_pos = {"def", "wit", "pro"};
+    QString t_old_pos = old_pos;
+    QString t_new_pos = new_pos;
+    if (file_exists(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path("court")))) {
+        if (legacy_pos.contains(old_pos)) {
+            t_old_pos = "court:" + old_pos;
+        }
+        if (legacy_pos.contains(new_pos)) {
+            t_new_pos = "court:" + new_pos;
+        }
+    }
+
+    QPair<QString, int> old_pos_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(t_old_pos);
+    QPair<QString, int> new_pos_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(t_new_pos);
+
+    int duration = ao_app->get_pos_transition_duration(t_old_pos, t_new_pos);
+
+    // conditions to stop slide
+    if (old_pos == new_pos ||
+            old_pos_pair.first != new_pos_pair.first ||
+            new_pos_pair.second == -1 ||
+            !Options::getInstance().slidesEnabled() ||
+            m_chatmessage[SLIDE] != "1" ||
+            duration == -1 ||
+            m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt() == ZOOM ||
+            m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt() == PREANIM_ZOOM) {
+#ifdef DEBUG_TRANSITION
+        qDebug() << "skipping transition - not applicable";
+#endif
+        post_transition_cleanup();
+        return;
+    }
+#ifdef DEBUG_TRANSITION
+    // for debugging animation
+    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->setStyleSheet("background-color:rgba(0, 0, 255, 128);");
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->setStyleSheet("background-color:rgba(255, 0, 0, 128);");
+    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->setStyleSheet("background-color:rgba(0, 255, 0, 128);");
+
+    qDebug() << "STARTING TRANSITION, CURRENT TIME:" << transition_animation_group->currentTime();
+#endif
+
+    set_scene(p_desk_mod.toInt(), old_pos);
+
+    QList<AOLayer *> affected_list = {ui_vp_background, ui_vp_desk, ui_vp_player_char};
+
+    bool paired = false;
+    if (!ui_vp_sideplayer_char->isHidden()) {
+        affected_list.append(ui_vp_sideplayer_char);
+        paired = true;
+    }
+
+    // Set up the background, desk, and player objects' animations
+
+    float scaling_factor = ui_vp_background->get_scaling_factor();
+    int offset = (float(old_pos_pair.second) * scaling_factor) - (float(new_pos_pair.second) * scaling_factor);
+
+    for (AOLayer *ui_element : affected_list) {
+        QPropertyAnimation *transition_animation = new QPropertyAnimation(ui_element, "pos", this);
+        transition_animation->setStartValue(ui_element->pos());
+        transition_animation->setDuration(duration);
+        transition_animation->setEndValue(QPoint(ui_element->pos().x() + offset, ui_element->pos().y()));
+        transition_animation->setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve::InOutCubic);
+        transition_animation_group->addAnimation(transition_animation);
+    }
+
+    // Setting up the dummy characters to work for us as our stand-in for the next characters
+    // This should be easy. But it isn't
+
+    QString slide_emote;
+    if (m_chatmessage[OBJECTION_MOD].contains("4") || m_chatmessage[OBJECTION_MOD].toInt() == 2) {
+        slide_emote = "(a)" + ao_app->read_char_ini(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], "objection_pose", "Options");
+        if (slide_emote == "(a)") {
+            slide_emote = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
+        }
+    }
+    else
+        slide_emote = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
+
+    QString other_slide_emote = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[OTHER_EMOTE];
+
+    // Load the image we're going to use to get scaling information, and move it into the final position for animation data
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->set_flipped(m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt());
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->load_image(slide_emote, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
+    set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET], ui_vp_dummy_char);
+
+    QPoint starting_position = QPoint(ui_vp_player_char->pos().x() - offset, ui_vp_player_char->pos().y());
+    QPropertyAnimation *ui_vp_dummy_animation = new QPropertyAnimation(ui_vp_dummy_char, "pos", this);
+
+    ui_vp_dummy_animation->setDuration(duration);
+    ui_vp_dummy_animation->setStartValue(starting_position);
+    ui_vp_dummy_animation->setEndValue(ui_vp_dummy_char->pos());
+    ui_vp_dummy_animation->setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve::InOutCubic);
+    transition_animation_group->addAnimation(ui_vp_dummy_animation);
+
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->move(starting_position.x(), starting_position.y());
+
+    // If the new message is paired, do it all again for the pair character. Yippee!
+    if (m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID].toInt() != -1 && !m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME].isEmpty()) {
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_char->set_flipped(m_chatmessage[OTHER_FLIP].toInt());
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_char->load_image(other_slide_emote, m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME], 0, false);
+        set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET], ui_vp_sidedummy_char);
+        QStringList args = m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID].split("^");
+        if (args.size() > 1)
+        {
+          // Change the order of appearance based on the pair order variable
+          int order = args.at(1).toInt();
+          switch (order) {
+          case 0: // Our character is in front
+            ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_dummy_char);
+            break;
+          case 1: // Our character is behind
+            ui_vp_dummy_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_sidedummy_char);
+            break;
+          default:
+            break;
+          }
+        }
+
+        QPoint other_starting_position = QPoint(ui_vp_sideplayer_char->pos().x() - offset, ui_vp_sideplayer_char->pos().y());
+        QPropertyAnimation *ui_vp_sidedummy_animation = new QPropertyAnimation(ui_vp_sidedummy_char, "pos", this);
+
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setDuration(duration);
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setStartValue(starting_position);
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setEndValue(ui_vp_sidedummy_char->pos());
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve::InOutCubic);
+        transition_animation_group->addAnimation(ui_vp_sidedummy_animation);
+
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move(starting_position.x(), starting_position.y());
+    }
+    else {
+        ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stop();
+    }
+
+    ui_vp_player_char->freeze();
+    ui_vp_player_char->show();
+    if (paired) {
+        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->freeze();
+        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->show();
+    }
+    else {
+        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stop();
+    }
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->freeze();
+    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->freeze();
+    QTimer::singleShot(TRANSITION_BOOKEND_DELAY, transition_animation_group, SLOT(start()));
+}
+
+
+void Courtroom::on_transition_finish() {
+    transition_animation_group->clear();
+    transition_animation_group->setCurrentTime(0);
+    QTimer::singleShot(TRANSITION_BOOKEND_DELAY, this, SLOT(post_transition_cleanup()));
+}
+
+void Courtroom::post_transition_cleanup() {
+
+    set_scene(m_chatmessage[DESK_MOD].toInt(), m_chatmessage[SIDE]);
+
+    // Move the character on the viewport according to the offsets
+    set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET], ui_vp_player_char);
+
+    int emote_mod = m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt();
+    bool immediate = m_chatmessage[IMMEDIATE].toInt() == 1;
+
+
+    // Reset the pair character
+    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stop();
+    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
+
+    // If the emote_mod is not zooming
+    if (emote_mod != ZOOM && emote_rows != PREANIM_ZOOM) {
+      // Display the pair character
+      display_pair_character(m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID], m_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET]);
+    }
+
+    // Reset tweedle dee and tweedle dummy
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->stop();
+    ui_vp_dummy_char->move_and_center(0,0);
+    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stop();
+    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move_and_center(0,0);
+
+    // Parse the emote_mod part of the chat message
+    handle_emote_mod(emote_mod, immediate);
+}
+
 void Courtroom::do_flash()
 {
   if (!Options::getInstance().effectsEnabled())
@@ -3878,7 +4075,7 @@ void Courtroom::start_chat_ticking()
   switch (m_chatmessage[DESK_MOD].toInt())
   {
   case DESK_EMOTE_ONLY_EX:
-    set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET]);
+    set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET], ui_vp_player_char);
     [[fallthrough]];
   case DESK_EMOTE_ONLY:
   case DESK_SHOW:
@@ -4331,8 +4528,11 @@ void Courtroom::play_sfx()
 
 void Courtroom::set_scene(bool show_desk, const QString f_side)
 {
-  ui_vp_background->load_image(ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side));
-  ui_vp_desk->load_image(ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side, true));
+  QPair<QString, int> bg_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side);
+  QPair<QString, int> desk_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side, true);
+  ui_vp_background->load_image(bg_pair.first, bg_pair.second);
+  ui_vp_desk->load_image(desk_pair.first, desk_pair.second);
+  last_side = f_side;
 
   if (show_desk)
   {
@@ -4344,7 +4544,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_scene(bool show_desk, const QString f_side)
   }
 }
 
-void Courtroom::set_self_offset(const QString &p_list)
+void Courtroom::set_self_offset(const QString& p_list, AOLayer* p_layer) {
 {
   QStringList self_offsets = p_list.split("&");
   int self_offset = self_offsets[0].toInt();
@@ -4357,7 +4557,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_self_offset(const QString &p_list)
   {
     self_offset_v = self_offsets[1].toInt();
   }
-  ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(ui_viewport->width() * self_offset / 100, ui_viewport->height() * self_offset_v / 100);
+  p_layer->move_and_center(ui_viewport->width() * self_offset / 100, ui_viewport->height() * self_offset_v / 100);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::set_ip_list(QString p_list)
@@ -4381,7 +4581,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_mute(bool p_muted, int p_cid)
   else
   {
     ui_muted->hide();
-    ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+    focus_ic_input();
   }
 
   ui_muted->resize(ui_ic_chat_message->width(), ui_ic_chat_message->height());
@@ -5005,7 +5205,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_pos_remove_clicked()
   ui_pos_dropdown->blockSignals(false);
   current_side = "";
   ui_pos_remove->hide();
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::set_iniswap_dropdown()
@@ -5052,7 +5252,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_iniswap_dropdown()
 
 void Courtroom::on_iniswap_dropdown_changed(int p_index)
 {
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
   QString iniswap = ui_iniswap_dropdown->itemText(p_index);
 
   QStringList swaplist;
@@ -5190,7 +5390,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_sfx_dropdown()
 void Courtroom::on_sfx_dropdown_changed(int p_index)
 {
   custom_sfx = "";
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
   if (p_index == 0)
   {
     ui_sfx_remove->hide();
@@ -5345,7 +5545,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_character_effects_edit_requested()
 void Courtroom::on_effects_dropdown_changed(int p_index)
 {
   effect = ui_effects_dropdown->itemText(p_index);
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 bool Courtroom::effects_dropdown_find_and_set(QString effect)
@@ -5701,7 +5901,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_hold_it_clicked()
     objection_state = 1;
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_objection_clicked()
@@ -5721,7 +5921,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_objection_clicked()
     objection_state = 2;
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_take_that_clicked()
@@ -5741,7 +5941,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_take_that_clicked()
     objection_state = 3;
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_custom_objection_clicked()
@@ -5761,7 +5961,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_custom_objection_clicked()
     objection_state = 4;
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::show_custom_objection_menu(const QPoint &pos)
@@ -5814,7 +6014,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_realization_clicked()
     ui_realization->setImage("realization");
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_screenshake_clicked()
@@ -5830,7 +6030,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_screenshake_clicked()
     ui_screenshake->setImage("screenshake");
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_mute_clicked()
@@ -6033,13 +6233,13 @@ void Courtroom::on_text_color_changed(int p_color)
       text_color = 0;
     }
   }
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_music_slider_moved(int p_value)
 {
   music_player->setStreamVolume(p_value, 0); // Set volume on music layer
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_sfx_slider_moved(int p_value)
@@ -6051,13 +6251,13 @@ void Courtroom::on_sfx_slider_moved(int p_value)
     music_player->setStreamVolume(p_value, i);
   }
   objection_player->setVolume(p_value);
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_blip_slider_moved(int p_value)
 {
   blip_player->setVolume(p_value);
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_log_limit_changed(int value)
@@ -6084,7 +6284,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_witness_testimony_clicked()
 
   ao_app->send_server_packet(AOPacket("RT", {"testimony1"}));
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_cross_examination_clicked()
@@ -6096,7 +6296,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_cross_examination_clicked()
 
   ao_app->send_server_packet(AOPacket("RT", {"testimony2"}));
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_not_guilty_clicked()
@@ -6108,7 +6308,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_not_guilty_clicked()
 
   ao_app->send_server_packet(AOPacket("RT", {"judgeruling", "0"}));
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_guilty_clicked()
@@ -6120,7 +6320,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_guilty_clicked()
 
   ao_app->send_server_packet(AOPacket("RT", {"judgeruling", "1"}));
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_change_character_clicked()
@@ -6207,7 +6407,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_call_mod_clicked()
     ao_app->send_server_packet(AOPacket("ZZ"));
   }
 
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_settings_clicked()
@@ -6215,15 +6415,6 @@ void Courtroom::on_settings_clicked()
   ao_app->call_settings_menu();
 }
 
-void Courtroom::on_pre_clicked()
-{
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
-}
-
-void Courtroom::on_flip_clicked()
-{
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
-}
 
 void Courtroom::on_additive_clicked()
 {
@@ -6234,10 +6425,10 @@ void Courtroom::on_additive_clicked()
     ui_ic_chat_message->end(false);  // move cursor to the end of the message
                                      // without selecting anything
   }
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
-void Courtroom::on_guard_clicked()
+void Courtroom::focus_ic_input()
 {
   ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
 }
@@ -6245,7 +6436,7 @@ void Courtroom::on_guard_clicked()
 void Courtroom::on_showname_enable_clicked()
 {
   regenerate_ic_chatlog();
-  ui_ic_chat_message->setFocus();
+  focus_ic_input();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::regenerate_ic_chatlog()
diff --git a/src/courtroom.h b/src/courtroom.h
index 0f49839..0370892 100644
--- a/src/courtroom.h
+++ b/src/courtroom.h
@@ -150,8 +150,9 @@ public:
   // sets desk and bg based on pos in chatmessage
   void set_scene(bool show_desk, QString f_side);
 
-  // sets ui_vp_player_char according to SELF_OFFSET, only a function bc it's used with desk_mod 4 and 5
-  void set_self_offset(const QString &p_list);
+  // sets p_layer according to SELF_OFFSET, only a function bc it's used with
+  // desk_mod 4 and 5
+  void set_self_offset(const QString &p_list, AOLayer *p_layer);
 
   // takes in serverD-formatted IP list as prints a converted version to server
   // OOC admittedly poorly named
@@ -215,6 +216,9 @@ public:
   // Handle the stuff that comes when the character appears on screen and starts animating (preanims etc.)
   void handle_ic_message();
 
+  // Start the logic for doing a courtroom pan slide
+  void do_transition(QString desk_mod, QString old_pos, QString new_pos);
+
   // Display the character.
   void display_character();
 
@@ -308,6 +312,8 @@ private:
 
   QParallelAnimationGroup *screenshake_animation_group = new QParallelAnimationGroup;
 
+  QParallelAnimationGroup *transition_animation_group = new QParallelAnimationGroup;
+
   bool next_character_is_not_special = false; // If true, write the
                                               // next character as it is.
 
@@ -436,9 +442,15 @@ private:
 
   // Minumum and maximum number of parameters in the MS packet
   static const int MS_MINIMUM = 15;
-  static const int MS_MAXIMUM = 31;
+  static const int MS_MAXIMUM = 32;
   QString m_chatmessage[MS_MAXIMUM];
 
+  /**
+   * @brief The amount of time to wait at the start and end of slide
+   * animations
+   */
+  static const int TRANSITION_BOOKEND_DELAY = 300;
+
   QString previous_ic_message;
   QString additive_previous;
 
@@ -570,6 +582,11 @@ private:
   QString current_background = "default";
   QString current_side;
 
+  // used for courtroom slide logic
+  QString last_side = "";
+  int last_offset = 0;
+  int last_v_offset = 0;
+
   QString last_music_search;
   QString last_area_search;
 
@@ -595,6 +612,8 @@ private:
   SplashLayer *ui_vp_speedlines;
   CharLayer *ui_vp_player_char;
   CharLayer *ui_vp_sideplayer_char;
+  CharLayer *ui_vp_dummy_char;
+  CharLayer *ui_vp_sidedummy_char;
   BackgroundLayer *ui_vp_desk;
   AOEvidenceDisplay *ui_vp_evidence_display;
   AOImage *ui_vp_chatbox;
@@ -693,6 +712,8 @@ private:
   QCheckBox *ui_immediate;
   QCheckBox *ui_showname_enable;
 
+  QCheckBox *ui_slide_enable;
+
   AOButton *ui_custom_objection;
   QMenu *custom_obj_menu;
   AOButton *ui_realization;
@@ -784,6 +805,7 @@ public Q_SLOTS:
   void objection_done();
   void preanim_done();
   void do_screenshake();
+  void on_transition_finish();
   void do_flash();
   void do_effect(QString fx_path, QString fx_sound, QString p_char, QString p_folder);
   void play_char_sfx(QString sfx_name);
@@ -912,10 +934,8 @@ private Q_SLOTS:
   void on_call_mod_clicked();
   void on_settings_clicked();
 
-  void on_pre_clicked();
-  void on_flip_clicked();
+  void focus_ic_input();
   void on_additive_clicked();
-  void on_guard_clicked();
 
   void on_showname_enable_clicked();
 
@@ -960,4 +980,8 @@ private Q_SLOTS:
 
   void preview_emote(QString emote);
   void update_emote_preview();
+
+  // After attempting to play a transition animation, clean up the viewport
+  // objects for everyone else and continue the IC processing callstack
+  void post_transition_cleanup();
 };
diff --git a/src/datatypes.h b/src/datatypes.h
index 9463a47..ac9c646 100644
--- a/src/datatypes.h
+++ b/src/datatypes.h
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ enum CHAT_MESSAGE
   ADDITIVE,
   EFFECTS,
   BLIPNAME,
+  SLIDE,
 };
 
 enum EMOTE_MOD_TYPE
diff --git a/src/options.cpp b/src/options.cpp
index 8006076..d06c5e4 100644
--- a/src/options.cpp
+++ b/src/options.cpp
@@ -401,6 +401,16 @@ void Options::setNetworkedFrameSfxEnabled(bool value)
   config.setValue("framenetwork", value);
 }
 
+bool Options::slidesEnabled() const
+{
+  return config.value("slides", true).toBool();
+}
+
+void Options::setSlidesEnabled(bool value)
+{
+  config.setValue("slides", value);
+}
+
 bool Options::colorLogEnabled() const
 {
   return config.value("colorlog", true).toBool();
diff --git a/src/options.h b/src/options.h
index 088e34b..1ea7621 100644
--- a/src/options.h
+++ b/src/options.h
@@ -95,6 +95,11 @@ public:
   bool networkedFrameSfxEnabled() const;
   void setNetworkedFrameSfxEnabled(bool value);
 
+  // Returns the value of whether courtroom slide animations should be played
+  // on this client.
+  bool slidesEnabled() const;
+  void setSlidesEnabled(bool value);
+
   // Returns the value of whether colored ic log should be a thing.
   // from the config.ini.
   bool colorLogEnabled() const;
diff --git a/src/path_functions.cpp b/src/path_functions.cpp
index d68535c..1860245 100644
--- a/src/path_functions.cpp
+++ b/src/path_functions.cpp
@@ -78,9 +78,34 @@ VPath AOApplication::get_default_background_path(QString p_file)
   return VPath("background/default/" + p_file);
 }
 
-QString AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool desk)
+QPair<QString, int> AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool desk)
 {
   // witness is default if pos is invalid
+  QString f_pos = pos;
+  // legacy overrides for new format if found
+  if (pos == "def" && file_exists(get_image_suffix(get_background_path("court"))))
+  {
+    f_pos = "court:def";
+  }
+  else if (pos == "pro" && file_exists(get_image_suffix(get_background_path("court"))))
+  {
+    f_pos = "court:pro";
+  }
+  else if (pos == "wit" && file_exists(get_image_suffix(get_background_path("court"))))
+  {
+    f_pos = "court:wit";
+  }
+  QStringList f_pos_split = f_pos.split(":");
+  int f_center = -1;
+  if (f_pos_split.size() > 1)
+  { // Subposition, get center info
+    bool bOk;
+    int subpos_center = read_design_ini(f_pos + "/pos_center", get_background_path("design.ini")).toInt(&bOk);
+    if (bOk)
+    {
+      f_center = subpos_center;
+    }
+  }
   QString f_background;
   QString f_desk_image;
   if (file_exists(get_image_suffix(get_background_path("witnessempty"))))
@@ -130,10 +155,10 @@ QString AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool desk)
     f_desk_image = "seancedesk";
   }
 
-  if (file_exists(get_image_suffix(get_background_path(pos)))) // Unique pos path
+  if (file_exists(get_image_suffix(get_background_path(f_pos_split[0])))) // Unique pos path
   {
-    f_background = pos;
-    f_desk_image = pos + "_overlay";
+    f_background = f_pos_split[0];
+    f_desk_image = f_pos_split[0] + "_overlay";
   }
 
   QString desk_override = read_design_ini("overlays/" + f_background, get_background_path("design.ini"));
@@ -143,9 +168,9 @@ QString AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool desk)
   }
   if (desk)
   {
-    return f_desk_image;
+    return {f_desk_image, f_center};
   }
-  return f_background;
+  return {f_background, f_center};
 }
 
 VPath AOApplication::get_evidence_path(QString p_file)
diff --git a/src/text_file_functions.cpp b/src/text_file_functions.cpp
index e7c4511..b123da3 100644
--- a/src/text_file_functions.cpp
+++ b/src/text_file_functions.cpp
@@ -912,3 +912,22 @@ bool AOApplication::get_pos_is_judge(const QString &p_pos)
   }
   return positions.contains(p_pos.trimmed());
 }
+
+int AOApplication::get_pos_transition_duration(const QString &old_pos, const QString &new_pos)
+{
+  if (old_pos.split(":").size() < 2 || new_pos.split(":").size() < 2)
+  {
+    return -1; // no subpositions
+  }
+
+  QString new_subpos = new_pos.split(":")[1];
+
+  bool ok;
+  int duration = read_design_ini(old_pos + "/slide_ms_" + new_subpos, get_background_path("design.ini")).toInt(&ok);
+  if (ok)
+  {
+    return duration;
+  }
+  else
+    return -1; // invalid
+}
diff --git a/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.cpp b/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.cpp
index beb7e55..a0b7d7c 100644
--- a/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.cpp
@@ -358,6 +358,7 @@ void AOOptionsDialog::setupUI()
   FROM_UI(QCheckBox, category_stop_cb);
   FROM_UI(QCheckBox, sfx_on_idle_cb);
   FROM_UI(QCheckBox, evidence_double_click_cb);
+  FROM_UI(QCheckBox, slides_cb);
 
   registerOption<QSpinBox, int>("theme_scaling_factor_sb", &Options::themeScalingFactor, &Options::setThemeScalingFactor);
   registerOption<QCheckBox, bool>("animated_theme_cb", &Options::animatedThemeEnabled, &Options::setAnimatedThemeEnabled);
@@ -400,6 +401,7 @@ void AOOptionsDialog::setupUI()
   registerOption<QCheckBox, bool>("category_stop_cb", &Options::stopMusicOnCategoryEnabled, &Options::setStopMusicOnCategoryEnabled);
   registerOption<QCheckBox, bool>("sfx_on_idle_cb", &Options::playSelectedSFXOnIdle, &Options::setPlaySelectedSFXOnIdle);
   registerOption<QCheckBox, bool>("evidence_double_click_cb", &Options::evidenceDoubleClickEdit, &Options::setEvidenceDoubleClickEdit);
+  registerOption<QCheckBox, bool>("slides_cb", &Options::slidesEnabled, &Options::setSlidesEnabled);
 
   // Callwords tab. This could just be a QLineEdit, but no, we decided to allow
   // people to put a billion entries in.
diff --git a/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.h b/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.h
index bccec58..b16be33 100644
--- a/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.h
+++ b/src/widgets/aooptionsdialog.h
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ private:
   QPushButton *ui_theme_reload_button;
   QPushButton *ui_theme_folder_button;
   QCheckBox *ui_evidence_double_click_cb;
+  QCheckBox *ui_slides_cb;
   QCheckBox *ui_animated_theme_cb;
   QSpinBox *ui_stay_time_spinbox;
   QCheckBox *ui_instant_objection_cb;