diff --git a/amethyst_core/src/frame_limiter.rs b/amethyst_core/src/frame_limiter.rs
index 02c6d24167..c809c6c518 100644
--- a/amethyst_core/src/frame_limiter.rs
+++ b/amethyst_core/src/frame_limiter.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 //! use amethyst::core::frame_limiter::FrameRateLimitStrategy;
 //!
 //! # struct GameState;
-//! # impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for GameState {}
+//! # impl SimpleState for GameState {}
 //! # fn main() -> amethyst::Result<()> {
 //! let mut game = Application::build("./", GameState)?
 //!     .with_frame_limit(
diff --git a/book/src/concepts/state.md b/book/src/concepts/state.md
index 9634ce81bc..141d879a54 100644
--- a/book/src/concepts/state.md
+++ b/book/src/concepts/state.md
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ struct GameplayState {
     player_count: u8,
 }
 
-impl<'a,'b> SimpleState<'a,'b> for GameplayState {
+impl SimpleState for GameplayState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, _data: StateData<GameData>) {
         println!("Number of players: {}", self.player_count);
     }
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ We first declare the `State`'s struct `GameplayState`.
 In this case, we give it some data: `player_count`, a byte.
 
 Then, we implement the `SimpleState` trait for our `GameplayState`.
-`SimpleState` is a shorthand for `State<GameData<'a, 'b>, ()>` where `GameData` is the internal shared data between states.
+`SimpleState` is a shorthand for `State<GameData<'static, 'static>, ()>` where `GameData` is the internal shared data between states.
 
 ### Switching State
 
diff --git a/book/src/concepts/system.md b/book/src/concepts/system.md
index 60e64b2e23..b1e522df17 100644
--- a/book/src/concepts/system.md
+++ b/book/src/concepts/system.md
@@ -357,8 +357,8 @@ impl Default for Game {
 
 struct GameplayState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for GameplayState {
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+impl SimpleState for GameplayState {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         // If the `Game` resource has been set up to go back to the menu, pop
         // the state so that we go back.
 
@@ -379,8 +379,8 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for GameplayState {
 
 struct GameMenuState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for GameMenuState {
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+impl SimpleState for GameMenuState {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         let mut game = data.world.write_resource::<Game>();
 
         match game.user_action.take() {
diff --git a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-01.md b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-01.md
index a9068b5fa0..67afe91d95 100644
--- a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-01.md
+++ b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-01.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ just implement two methods:
 # use amethyst::renderer::{DisplayConfig, DrawFlat, Pipeline,
 #                          PosTex, RenderBundle, Stage};
 # struct Pong;
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
 }
 ```
 
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ Now let's pack everything up and run it:
 # let path = "./resources/display_config.ron";
 # let config = DisplayConfig::load(&path);
 # struct Pong;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a,'b> for Pong { }
+# impl SimpleState for Pong { }
 let pipe = Pipeline::build()
     .with_stage(
 #        Stage::with_backbuffer()
diff --git a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-02.md b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-02.md
index 0ce5fc97ea..a4a1149005 100644
--- a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-02.md
+++ b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-02.md
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ We will leave it empty for now, but it will become useful later down the line.
 # extern crate amethyst;
 # use amethyst::prelude::*;
 # struct MyState;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for MyState {
+# impl SimpleState for MyState {
 fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
 
 }
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ our State's `on_start` method:
 # use amethyst::ecs::World;
 # fn initialise_camera(world: &mut World) { }
 # struct MyState;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for MyState {
+# impl SimpleState for MyState {
 fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
     let world = data.world;
 
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ compiles. Update the `on_start` method to the following:
 # fn initialise_paddles(world: &mut World) { }
 # fn initialise_camera(world: &mut World) { }
 # struct MyState;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for MyState {
+# impl SimpleState for MyState {
 fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
     let world = data.world;
 
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ fn main() -> amethyst::Result<()> {
 #       .with_pass(DrawFlat2D::new()),
 # );
 # struct Pong;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong { }
+# impl SimpleState for Pong { }
     let game_data = GameDataBuilder::default()
         .with_bundle(
           RenderBundle::new(pipe, Some(config))
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ all together in the `on_start()` method:
 # fn initialise_camera(world: &mut World) { }
 # fn load_sprite_sheet(world: &mut World) -> SpriteSheetHandle { unimplemented!() }
 # struct MyState;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for MyState {
+# impl SimpleState for MyState {
 fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
     let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-03.md b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-03.md
index cb9625ac5c..96b9d2cc2c 100644
--- a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-03.md
+++ b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-03.md
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ let input_bundle = InputBundle::<String, String>::new()
 #       .with_pass(DrawFlat::<PosTex>::new()),
 # );
 # struct Pong;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong { }
+# impl SimpleState for Pong { }
 let game_data = GameDataBuilder::default()
     .with_bundle(RenderBundle::new(pipe, Some(config)).with_sprite_sheet_processor())?
     .with_bundle(TransformBundle::new())?
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ will take care of that for us, as well as set up the storage.
 # fn initialise_camera(world: &mut World) { }
 # fn load_sprite_sheet(world: &mut World) -> SpriteSheetHandle { unimplemented!() }
 # struct MyState;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for MyState {
+# impl SimpleState for MyState {
 fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
     let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-04.md b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-04.md
index 73d96efdda..e2c9b7d342 100644
--- a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-04.md
+++ b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-04.md
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ Finally, let's make sure the code is working as intended by updating the `on_sta
 # fn initialise_camera(world: &mut World) { }
 # fn load_sprite_sheet(world: &mut World) -> SpriteSheetHandle { unimplemented!() }
 # struct MyState;
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for MyState {
+# impl SimpleState for MyState {
 fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
     let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-05.md b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-05.md
index 18c8cbf3a9..e1367e04f8 100644
--- a/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-05.md
+++ b/book/src/pong-tutorial/pong-tutorial-05.md
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ use amethyst::{
 # 
 # pub struct Pong;
 # 
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+# impl SimpleState for Pong {
 #     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
 #         let world = data.world;
 # 
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ use amethyst::{
 # 
 # pub struct Pong;
 # 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
 #         let world = data.world;
 #
diff --git a/book/src/sprites/display_the_texture.md b/book/src/sprites/display_the_texture.md
index 0d04c9745f..dce82b3aa6 100644
--- a/book/src/sprites/display_the_texture.md
+++ b/book/src/sprites/display_the_texture.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ fn init_image(world: &mut World, texture_handle: &TextureHandle) {
 #[derive(Debug)]
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
         let texture_handle = load_texture("texture/sprite_sheet.png", world);
diff --git a/book/src/sprites/load_the_texture.md b/book/src/sprites/load_the_texture.md
index 3b2885a973..044501ef1e 100644
--- a/book/src/sprites/load_the_texture.md
+++ b/book/src/sprites/load_the_texture.md
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ where
 #[derive(Debug)]
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let texture_handle = load_texture("texture/sprite_sheet.png", &data.world);
     }
diff --git a/book/src/sprites/orthographic_camera.md b/book/src/sprites/orthographic_camera.md
index 6ac63355fd..0c79ea5629 100644
--- a/book/src/sprites/orthographic_camera.md
+++ b/book/src/sprites/orthographic_camera.md
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use amethyst::renderer::{
 #[derive(Debug)]
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, mut data: StateData<GameData>) {
         // ...
 
diff --git a/book/src/sprites/set_up_the_render_pass.md b/book/src/sprites/set_up_the_render_pass.md
index 20677bd679..51194b6454 100644
--- a/book/src/sprites/set_up_the_render_pass.md
+++ b/book/src/sprites/set_up_the_render_pass.md
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ use amethyst::renderer::{
 # #[derive(Debug, Default)]
 # struct ExampleState;
 #
-# impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {}
+# impl SimpleState for ExampleState {}
 
 fn main() -> amethyst::Result<()> {
 #     amethyst::start_logger(Default::default());
diff --git a/book/src/sprites/sprite_render_component.md b/book/src/sprites/sprite_render_component.md
index b4ed886c33..83b9493c5f 100644
--- a/book/src/sprites/sprite_render_component.md
+++ b/book/src/sprites/sprite_render_component.md
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ use amethyst::renderer::{
 #[derive(Debug)]
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, mut data: StateData<GameData>) {
 #         let texture_handle = load_texture("texture/sprite_sheet.png", &data.world);
         // ...
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ use amethyst::renderer::{
 #[derive(Debug)]
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, mut data: StateData<GameData>) {
 #         let texture_handle = load_texture("texture/sprite_sheet.png", &data.world);
 # 
diff --git a/docs/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
index 1c5ab11915..08dab0a66c 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog][kc], and this project adheres to
 * Renamed the `DrawSprite` pass to `DrawFlat2D` as it now handles both sprites and images without spritesheets. ([#1153])
 * `BasicScenePrefab` deserialization now returns an error on invalid fields. ([#1164])
 * Reordered arguments for `Transform::set_rotation_euler` to match nalgebra's Euler angles. ([#1052])
+* Remove lifetimes from `SimpleState` ([#1198])
 
 ### Removed
 
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog][kc], and this project adheres to
 [#1184]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/pull/1184
 [#1187]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/pull/1187
 [#1188]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/pull/1188
+[#1198]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/pull/1198
 [winit_018]: https://github.com/tomaka/winit/blob/v0.18.0/CHANGELOG.md#version-0180-2018-11-07
 [glutin_019]: https://github.com/tomaka/glutin/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#version-0190-2018-11-09
 
@@ -703,3 +705,4 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog][kc], and this project adheres to
 [0.4.1]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/compare/v0.4...v0.4.1
 [0.4.0]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/compare/v0.3.1...v0.4
 [0.3.1]: https://github.com/amethyst/amethyst/compare/v0.3...v0.3.1
+
diff --git a/examples/animation/main.rs b/examples/animation/main.rs
index b4ee9e9c80..210341341e 100644
--- a/examples/animation/main.rs
+++ b/examples/animation/main.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ impl Default for Example {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         // Initialise the scene with an object, a light and a camera.
@@ -56,11 +56,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         self.sphere = Some(world.create_entity().with(prefab_handle).build());
     }
 
-    fn handle_event(
-        &mut self,
-        data: StateData<GameData>,
-        event: StateEvent,
-    ) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn handle_event(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         if let StateEvent::Window(event) = &event {
             if is_close_requested(&event) || is_key_down(&event, VirtualKeyCode::Escape) {
diff --git a/examples/appendix_a/pong.rs b/examples/appendix_a/pong.rs
index c371f40a53..22c1abc6bd 100644
--- a/examples/appendix_a/pong.rs
+++ b/examples/appendix_a/pong.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use crate::{
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         use crate::audio::initialise_audio;
diff --git a/examples/arc_ball_camera/main.rs b/examples/arc_ball_camera/main.rs
index 9a6a50fbd4..8dc5f5b1ef 100644
--- a/examples/arc_ball_camera/main.rs
+++ b/examples/arc_ball_camera/main.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<Vec<PosNormTex>>;
 
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let prefab_handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
             loader.load("prefab/arc_ball_camera.ron", RonFormat, (), ())
diff --git a/examples/asset_loading/main.rs b/examples/asset_loading/main.rs
index 67f60e5d7d..7f394ef92b 100644
--- a/examples/asset_loading/main.rs
+++ b/examples/asset_loading/main.rs
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ impl SimpleFormat<Mesh> for Custom {
 
 struct AssetsExample;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for AssetsExample {
+impl SimpleState for AssetsExample {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         world.add_resource(0usize);
diff --git a/examples/custom_ui/main.rs b/examples/custom_ui/main.rs
index b43a7cfc91..900bafda5e 100644
--- a/examples/custom_ui/main.rs
+++ b/examples/custom_ui/main.rs
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ impl ToNativeWidget for CustomUi {
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         // Initialise the scene with an object, a light and a camera.
diff --git a/examples/debug_lines/main.rs b/examples/debug_lines/main.rs
index af479d26dc..05184a2cf2 100644
--- a/examples/debug_lines/main.rs
+++ b/examples/debug_lines/main.rs
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ impl<'s> System<'s> for ExampleLinesSystem {
 }
 
 struct ExampleState;
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         // Setup debug lines as a resource
         data.world
diff --git a/examples/fly_camera/main.rs b/examples/fly_camera/main.rs
index 34059dd644..296a3b9eeb 100644
--- a/examples/fly_camera/main.rs
+++ b/examples/fly_camera/main.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<Vec<PosNormTex>>;
 
 struct ExampleState;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for ExampleState {
+impl SimpleState for ExampleState {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let prefab_handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
             loader.load("prefab/fly_camera.ron", RonFormat, (), ())
diff --git a/examples/gltf/main.rs b/examples/gltf/main.rs
index f4afae8172..36b72feb86 100644
--- a/examples/gltf/main.rs
+++ b/examples/gltf/main.rs
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ struct ScenePrefabData {
     fly_tag: Option<ControlTagPrefab>,
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
 
@@ -69,11 +69,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         );
     }
 
-    fn handle_event(
-        &mut self,
-        data: StateData<GameData>,
-        event: StateEvent,
-    ) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn handle_event(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         if let StateEvent::Window(event) = &event {
             if is_close_requested(&event) || is_key_down(&event, VirtualKeyCode::Escape) {
@@ -94,7 +90,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         }
     }
 
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         if !self.initialised {
             let remove = match self.progress.as_ref().map(|p| p.complete()) {
                 None | Some(Completion::Loading) => false,
diff --git a/examples/locale/main.rs b/examples/locale/main.rs
index 6138e1eeba..601720fcd2 100644
--- a/examples/locale/main.rs
+++ b/examples/locale/main.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ impl Example {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         data.world.add_resource(AssetStorage::<Locale>::new());
         let mut progress_counter = ProgressCounter::default();
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         self.progress_counter = Some(progress_counter);
     }
 
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         // Check if the locale has been loaded.
         if self.progress_counter.as_ref().unwrap().is_complete() {
             let store = data.world.read_resource::<AssetStorage<Locale>>();
diff --git a/examples/material/main.rs b/examples/material/main.rs
index b917556545..3dc3bfe366 100644
--- a/examples/material/main.rs
+++ b/examples/material/main.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use amethyst::{
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         let mat_defaults = world.read_resource::<MaterialDefaults>().0.clone();
diff --git a/examples/net_client/main.rs b/examples/net_client/main.rs
index a9c69d711a..4bd9674865 100644
--- a/examples/net_client/main.rs
+++ b/examples/net_client/main.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
 /// Default empty state
 pub struct State1;
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for State1 {
+impl SimpleState for State1 {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         data.world
             .create_entity()
diff --git a/examples/net_server/main.rs b/examples/net_server/main.rs
index 2211c2fc56..ed730859aa 100644
--- a/examples/net_server/main.rs
+++ b/examples/net_server/main.rs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
 
 /// Default empty state
 pub struct State1;
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for State1 {
+impl SimpleState for State1 {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         data.world
             .create_entity()
diff --git a/examples/pong/pong.rs b/examples/pong/pong.rs
index dd95964a47..fc94c9678e 100644
--- a/examples/pong/pong.rs
+++ b/examples/pong/pong.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use crate::{systems::ScoreText, Ball, Paddle, Side, ARENA_HEIGHT, ARENA_WIDTH};
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         use crate::audio::initialise_audio;
diff --git a/examples/pong_tutorial_01/main.rs b/examples/pong_tutorial_01/main.rs
index aead71bebf..c7f761e074 100644
--- a/examples/pong_tutorial_01/main.rs
+++ b/examples/pong_tutorial_01/main.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use amethyst::{
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {}
+impl SimpleState for Pong {}
 
 fn main() -> amethyst::Result<()> {
     amethyst::start_logger(Default::default());
diff --git a/examples/pong_tutorial_02/pong.rs b/examples/pong_tutorial_02/pong.rs
index 31d6f7d8d5..25b8cda478 100644
--- a/examples/pong_tutorial_02/pong.rs
+++ b/examples/pong_tutorial_02/pong.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ const PADDLE_WIDTH: f32 = 4.0;
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/examples/pong_tutorial_03/pong.rs b/examples/pong_tutorial_03/pong.rs
index 04eddf4883..678bc5e176 100644
--- a/examples/pong_tutorial_03/pong.rs
+++ b/examples/pong_tutorial_03/pong.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ pub const PADDLE_WIDTH: f32 = 4.0;
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/examples/pong_tutorial_04/pong.rs b/examples/pong_tutorial_04/pong.rs
index e88df17991..24c53b8daa 100644
--- a/examples/pong_tutorial_04/pong.rs
+++ b/examples/pong_tutorial_04/pong.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ pub const BALL_RADIUS: f32 = 2.0;
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/examples/pong_tutorial_05/pong.rs b/examples/pong_tutorial_05/pong.rs
index 84bb3db807..36b1fb3fc5 100644
--- a/examples/pong_tutorial_05/pong.rs
+++ b/examples/pong_tutorial_05/pong.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ pub const BALL_RADIUS: f32 = 2.0;
 
 pub struct Pong;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Pong {
+impl SimpleState for Pong {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
 
diff --git a/examples/prefab/main.rs b/examples/prefab/main.rs
index cf804fb4e3..0d2491a1a9 100644
--- a/examples/prefab/main.rs
+++ b/examples/prefab/main.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<Vec<PosNormTex>>;
 
 struct AssetsExample;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for AssetsExample {
+impl SimpleState for AssetsExample {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let prefab_handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
             loader.load("prefab/example.ron", RonFormat, (), ())
diff --git a/examples/renderable/main.rs b/examples/renderable/main.rs
index 1a617e01c4..8550bd5aa1 100644
--- a/examples/renderable/main.rs
+++ b/examples/renderable/main.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ struct Example {
     scene: Handle<Prefab<MyPrefabData>>,
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Loading {
+impl SimpleState for Loading {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         self.prefab = Some(data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
             loader.load("prefab/renderable.ron", RonFormat, (), &mut self.progress)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Loading {
         });
     }
 
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         match self.progress.complete() {
             Completion::Failed => {
                 println!("Failed loading assets: {:?}", self.progress.errors());
@@ -72,18 +72,14 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Loading {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
 
         world.create_entity().with(self.scene.clone()).build();
     }
 
-    fn handle_event(
-        &mut self,
-        data: StateData<GameData>,
-        event: StateEvent,
-    ) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn handle_event(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans {
         let w = data.world;
         if let StateEvent::Window(event) = &event {
             // Exit if user hits Escape or closes the window
diff --git a/examples/separate_sphere/main.rs b/examples/separate_sphere/main.rs
index ba241731d1..a98cf2bfbf 100644
--- a/examples/separate_sphere/main.rs
+++ b/examples/separate_sphere/main.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<ComboMeshCreator>;
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
             loader.load("prefab/sphere.ron", RonFormat, (), ())
diff --git a/examples/simple_image/main.rs b/examples/simple_image/main.rs
index cec757ed69..35ed25860d 100644
--- a/examples/simple_image/main.rs
+++ b/examples/simple_image/main.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use amethyst::{
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
         let texture_handle = load_texture(world, "logo.png");
diff --git a/examples/sphere/main.rs b/examples/sphere/main.rs
index 51417e9d47..cca983251d 100644
--- a/examples/sphere/main.rs
+++ b/examples/sphere/main.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<Vec<PosNormTex>>;
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         // Initialise the scene with an object, a light and a camera.
         let handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
diff --git a/examples/sphere_multisample/main.rs b/examples/sphere_multisample/main.rs
index 8bb0cbecd0..de96cda05a 100644
--- a/examples/sphere_multisample/main.rs
+++ b/examples/sphere_multisample/main.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<Vec<PosNormTex>>;
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         // Initialise the scene with an object, a light and a camera.
         let handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
diff --git a/examples/spotlights/main.rs b/examples/spotlights/main.rs
index 8156e4542a..4a2c5e2dba 100644
--- a/examples/spotlights/main.rs
+++ b/examples/spotlights/main.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ type MyPrefabData = BasicScenePrefab<Vec<PosNormTangTex>>;
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let handle = data.world.exec(|loader: PrefabLoader<MyPrefabData>| {
             loader.load("prefab/spotlights_scene.ron", RonFormat, (), ())
diff --git a/examples/sprite_camera_follow/main.rs b/examples/sprite_camera_follow/main.rs
index fe2c93e8df..511fa67824 100644
--- a/examples/sprite_camera_follow/main.rs
+++ b/examples/sprite_camera_follow/main.rs
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ fn init_camera(world: &mut World, parent: Entity) {
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let world = data.world;
         let circle_sprite_sheet_handle =
diff --git a/examples/sprites_ordered/main.rs b/examples/sprites_ordered/main.rs
index a1f9bd4fd4..5e051f739d 100644
--- a/examples/sprites_ordered/main.rs
+++ b/examples/sprites_ordered/main.rs
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ impl Example {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
 
@@ -96,11 +96,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         self.redraw_sprites(world);
     }
 
-    fn handle_event(
-        &mut self,
-        mut data: StateData<GameData>,
-        event: StateEvent,
-    ) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn handle_event(&mut self, mut data: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans {
         if let StateEvent::Window(event) = &event {
             if is_close_requested(&event) || is_key_down(&event, VirtualKeyCode::Escape) {
                 return Trans::Quit;
diff --git a/examples/state_dispatcher/main.rs b/examples/state_dispatcher/main.rs
index a301386854..775cfa644e 100644
--- a/examples/state_dispatcher/main.rs
+++ b/examples/state_dispatcher/main.rs
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ use std::marker::PhantomData;
 
 struct StateA;
 
-impl SimpleState<'static, 'static> for StateA {
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'static, 'static> {
+impl SimpleState for StateA {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         println!("StateA::update()");
         // Shows how to push a `Trans` through the event queue.
         // If you do use TransQueue, you will be forced to use the 'static lifetime on your states.
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ impl<'a> Default for StateB<'a> {
     }
 }
 
-impl<'a> SimpleState<'static, 'static> for StateB<'a> {
-    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'static, 'static> {
+impl<'a> SimpleState for StateB<'a> {
+    fn update(&mut self, data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         println!("StateB::update()");
         self.dispatcher.dispatch(&mut data.world.res);
         Trans::Quit
diff --git a/examples/ui/main.rs b/examples/ui/main.rs
index 3f1c73ca31..efe8d3bbb8 100644
--- a/examples/ui/main.rs
+++ b/examples/ui/main.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ struct Example {
     fps_display: Option<Entity>,
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
         let StateData { world, .. } = data;
         // Initialise the scene with an object, a light and a camera.
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         });
     }
 
-    fn handle_event(&mut self, _: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn handle_event(&mut self, _: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans {
         match &event {
             StateEvent::Window(event) => {
                 if is_close_requested(&event) || is_key_down(&event, VirtualKeyCode::Escape) {
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
         }
     }
 
-    fn update(&mut self, state_data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn update(&mut self, state_data: &mut StateData<GameData>) -> SimpleTrans {
         let StateData { world, .. } = state_data;
         if self.fps_display.is_none() {
             world.exec(|finder: UiFinder| {
diff --git a/examples/window/main.rs b/examples/window/main.rs
index 6364873c7d..fcc2b50d06 100644
--- a/examples/window/main.rs
+++ b/examples/window/main.rs
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ use amethyst::{
 
 struct Example;
 
-impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for Example {
-    fn handle_event(&mut self, _: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+impl SimpleState for Example {
+    fn handle_event(&mut self, _: StateData<GameData>, event: StateEvent) -> SimpleTrans {
         if let StateEvent::Window(event) = event {
             if is_key_down(&event, VirtualKeyCode::Escape) {
                 Trans::Quit
diff --git a/src/app.rs b/src/app.rs
index ba04487973..5826ba7b15 100644
--- a/src/app.rs
+++ b/src/app.rs
@@ -674,7 +674,7 @@ where
     ///     .run();
     ///
     /// struct LoadingState;
-    /// impl<'a, 'b> SimpleState<'a, 'b> for LoadingState {
+    /// impl SimpleState for LoadingState {
     ///     fn on_start(&mut self, data: StateData<GameData>) {
     ///         let storage = data.world.read_resource();
     ///
diff --git a/src/game_data.rs b/src/game_data.rs
index fd5d111456..2a40958696 100644
--- a/src/game_data.rs
+++ b/src/game_data.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ pub trait DataInit<T> {
     fn build(self, world: &mut World) -> T;
 }
 
-/// Default game data
+/// Default game data.
+///
+/// The lifetimes are for the systems inside and can be `'static` unless a system has a borrowed
+/// field.
 pub struct GameData<'a, 'b> {
     dispatcher: Dispatcher<'a, 'b>,
 }
diff --git a/src/state.rs b/src/state.rs
index f70a3e216f..4c8f04c28e 100644
--- a/src/state.rs
+++ b/src/state.rs
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ pub type EmptyTrans = Trans<(), StateEvent>;
 
 /// A simple default `Trans`. Made to be used with `SimpleState`.
 /// By default it contains a `GameData` as its `StateData` and doesn't have a custom event type.
-pub type SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> = Trans<GameData<'a, 'b>, StateEvent>;
+pub type SimpleTrans = Trans<GameData<'static, 'static>, StateEvent>;
 
 /// A trait which defines game states that can be used by the state machine.
 pub trait State<T, E: Send + Sync + 'static> {
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ impl<T: EmptyState> State<(), StateEvent> for T {
 }
 
 /// A simple `State` trait. It contains `GameData` as its `StateData` and no custom `StateEvent`.
-pub trait SimpleState<'a, 'b> {
+pub trait SimpleState {
     /// Executed when the game state begins.
     fn on_start(&mut self, _data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) {}
 
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ pub trait SimpleState<'a, 'b> {
         &mut self,
         _data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>,
         event: StateEvent,
-    ) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    ) -> SimpleTrans {
         if let StateEvent::Window(event) = &event {
             if is_close_requested(&event) {
                 Trans::Quit
@@ -258,12 +258,12 @@ pub trait SimpleState<'a, 'b> {
 
     /// Executed repeatedly at stable, predictable intervals (1/60th of a second
     /// by default).
-    fn fixed_update(&mut self, _data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn fixed_update(&mut self, _data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans {
         Trans::None
     }
 
     /// Executed on every frame immediately, as fast as the engine will allow (taking into account the frame rate limit).
-    fn update(&mut self, _data: &mut StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn update(&mut self, _data: &mut StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans {
         Trans::None
     }
 
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ pub trait SimpleState<'a, 'b> {
     fn shadow_update(&mut self, _data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) {}
 }
 
-impl<'a, 'b, T: SimpleState<'a, 'b>> State<GameData<'a, 'b>, StateEvent> for T {
+impl<T: SimpleState> State<GameData<'static, 'static>, StateEvent> for T {
     //pub trait SimpleState<'a,'b>: State<GameData<'a,'b>,()> {
 
     /// Executed when the game state begins.
@@ -307,18 +307,18 @@ impl<'a, 'b, T: SimpleState<'a, 'b>> State<GameData<'a, 'b>, StateEvent> for T {
         &mut self,
         data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>,
         event: StateEvent,
-    ) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    ) -> SimpleTrans {
         self.handle_event(data, event)
     }
 
     /// Executed repeatedly at stable, predictable intervals (1/60th of a second
     /// by default).
-    fn fixed_update(&mut self, data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn fixed_update(&mut self, data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans {
         self.fixed_update(data)
     }
 
     /// Executed on every frame immediately, as fast as the engine will allow (taking into account the frame rate limit).
-    fn update(&mut self, mut data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans<'a, 'b> {
+    fn update(&mut self, mut data: StateData<'_, GameData<'_, '_>>) -> SimpleTrans {
         let r = self.update(&mut data);
         data.data.update(&data.world);
         r